3 Great Netflix Sports Movies and Documentaries to Watch in October 2025

The U in the title of ESPN’s documentary refers to the University of Miami’s football program. This film chronicles the Hurricanes’ remarkable turnaround that began when Howard Schnellenberger was hired as head coach in 1979. Schnellenberger saved the school’s team and revitalized it by heavily recruiting Black players who lived in South Florida.

The film also chronicles the Jimmy Johnson era in Miami, which included future NFL stars Michael Irvin and Vinny Testaverde. Legends were born on this football field, and the story of the Hurricanes is still compelling to watch.

The U is streaming on Netflix.

Ever since the 1992 Olympics allowed NBA players to represent their countries, it was expected that the American players would simply walk away with the gold medal every four years. That was true until the 2004 Olympics, when the Americans only managed to win a bronze metal.

The Redeem Team follows the men’s basketball team at the 2008 Olympics, including the late Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. Unlike the famous Dream Team, these players had to learn how to be a team with each other before they could collectively avenge their poor performance four years earlier.

The Redeem Team is streaming on Netflix.

Will Smith was nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars for his turn as Muhammad Ali in Ali. Although Smith didn’t win, this was one of his best performances. The film chronicles approximately ten years in the life of Ali, including his decision to drop his birth name, Cassius Clay Jr., and convert to Islam.

Because Ali refused to serve in the Vietnam war, he loses years of his life to a prison sentence. When Ali is released, he faces an uphill battle reclaiming the heavyweight championship title that he had to relinquish due to his beliefs.

Ali is streaming on Netflix.