Professional wrestling is one of the most entertaining mediums, whether its in a televised or live setting. You can tune in to WWE‘s unfolding drama and action each week on RAW and Smackdown or you can head to your local promotion’s live show for a joyous live experience.
However, some times you want to mix in some other mediums into your wrestling fandom. Netflix‘s GLOW has stirred up a lot of new buzz around wrestling properties, and the streaming service has some films ready to watch that scratch that itch.
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Netflix has a decent mix of family comedies, documentaries and drama centered around wrestling. Plus, WWE stars are featured in a variety of comedies and dramas fans of all ages can enjoy.
Here are the best wrestling-related films currently on Netflix:
Legendary / The Masked Saint
Legendary
John Cena is one of WWE’s most prolific actors, and Legendary puts him in a role close to his wrestling beginnings.
Cena plays a troubled older brother to an aspiring high school wrestler played by Devon Graye. Through his training sessions, he bonds with his younger brother, even though the two have to keep it a secret from their mother, played by Patricia Clarkson.
It’s more dramatic role for Cena and is one of WWE Studios’ more overlooked productions.
The Masked Saint
This Christian film brings a unique dynamic to the squared circle. Based on a true story, The Masked Saint shows the struggle one man faces as he is a church pastor by day and a masked wrestler by night. From that paradigm, our protagonist takes his fighting outside the ring and becomes a vigilante, making the contradiction in life an even deeper struggle.
The Resurrection of Jake the Snake / GLOW: The Story of the Glorious Ladies of Wrestling
The Resurrection of Jake the Snake
This gripping documentary shows the downfall and rebirth of one of WWE’s greatest entertainers, Jake “The Snake” Roberts. After decades of wrestling in his famous snake-handling persona, he fell onto hard times and resorted to drugs. This documentary focuses on his time getting sober with the help of Diamond Dallas Page.
GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
As mentioned earlier, the new Netflix series GLOW has stirred up a new interest in wrestling properties. This documentary is all about the real life women who inspired the series. Actresses and entertainers joined GLOW to break into the industry and ended up creating one of wrestling most interesting federations in the process.
More: 10 Best Original Netflix Series
The Chaperone / Knucklehead
The Chaperone
Not all of WWE Studios’ films are Oscar-worthy, but they’re still full of good fun every now and again.
The Chaperone feature Triple H as a former convict trying to turn things around for his daughter, played by Ariel Winter. He blows off a robbery to chaperone her field trip to New Orleans, and his jilted robbery crew goes after him. While it’s goofy, its worth it to see Triple H in one of his very few acting roles.
Knucklehead
This is far from a gem, but you do get to see Big Show be extremely goofy. The WWE favorite stars as an adult orphan who gets roped away from his life in the orphanage and instead become an MMA fighter. It’s silly, but its weird enough to maybe get a late night watch or two.
Nacho Libre / Russell Madness
Nacho Libre
Back to more wrestling-centered film, Nacho Libre is fun family film starring Jack Black as a Mexican priest who turns to fighting as a luchador to help support the orphanage he runs.
While that premise sounds pretty bad (an oddly similar to The Masked Saint), it’s a lot of fun. It’s one of those weird film that kids will get a kick out of while parents look on puzzled at the absurdity on screen.
Russell Madness
If you thought any of those premises were mad, just wait until you hear about Russell Madness.
In what’s one of those crowd pleasing talking-dog movies, Russell Madness is all about a dog who wrestles, and its actually awesome. Plus, he’s got a talking monkey who coaches him along the way.
I feel like that wacky premise is enough to convince you to view the movie, but if not, know that it was made by the same people who made Air Bud. So, when it comes to movies about dogs engaging in sporting events, you’re in good hands.
More: WWE Rumors: John Cena vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 34?
Lucha Mexico / Tales of Masked Men: A Journey through Lucha Libre
Lucha Mexico / Tales of Masked Men: A Journey through Lucha Libre
While Nacho Libre is a farce, these two documentaries shine a light on the cultural staple that is lucha libre. Both of these take a crack at documenting the spectacle, so either one is a decent entry point into the wrestling genre.
Plus, after viewing the films, you can jump into the wild wrestling show Lucha Underground, which has a couple seasons available on Netflix.
