If you are looking for classic movies about bodybuilding to help get you pumped for your bodybuilding journey, check out this list of bodybuilding documentaries and films to find your new favorite fitness movie.
1. Pumping Iron (1977)
Release Date: January 18, 1977 (USA)
The 1977 documentary Pumping Iron stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and is about the world of professional bodybuilding. The docudrama is based on the book of the same name by Charles Gains and George Butler and primarily follows the competition between Schwarzenegger and one of his competitors for the title of 1975 Mr. Olympia, Lou Ferrigno.
Pumping Iron also includes appearances by the following bodybuilders: Franco Columbu, Mike Katz, Ken Waller, Ed Corney, and Serge Nubret, among others.
This bodybuilding classic helped to not only make Schwarzenegger a household name but also popularize bodybuilding culture at the time of its release.
Watch the Pumping Iron (1977) trailer below:
For the 25th anniversary of Pumping Iron, filmmakers David and Scott McVeigh followed up with the film’s participants to see how the movie’s success affected their lives and released it as a new film called Raw Iron. Raw Iron also served as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Pumping Iron. It originally aired on Starz and was later featured as an extra on the DVD of Pumping Iron.
2. Generation Iron (2013)
Release Date: September 20, 2013 (USA)
From the producer of the classic Pumping Iron comes the 2013 documentary Generation Iron, which follows top bodybuilders as they train to compete in the Mr. Olympia competition.
Watch the trailer below:
3. Muscle Beach (1948)
The 1948 short documentary Muscle Beach is a cult classic that showcases the emerging subculture of gymnasts, athletes, bodybuilders, and exhibitionists at the original Muscle Beach located in Santa Monica, CA.
Watch the short in its entirety (9 minutes) below:
4. Evolution of Bodybuilding (2012)
Release Date: January 29, 2012 (USA)
The 2012 documentary Evolution of Bodybuilding offers insight as to what it takes to compete in Mr. Olympia and how the industry has changed over the past 50 years.
Stream Evolution of Bodybuilding (2012) online:
5. Why We Train (2008)
Release Date: September 30, 2008 (USA)
The 2008 documentary Why We Train follows bodybuilder Guile Branco as he prepares for his last competition at Muscle Beach in Venice, CA. Branco also meets with several bodybuilding champions and gets their perspective on why training is so important.
Watch the trailer below:
The movie is made available by Guile Branco.
6. Pumping Iron II: The Women (1985)
Release Date: May 3, 1985 (USA)
The 1985 documentary Pumping Iron II: The Women is a sequel to the original Pumping Iron starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Part II is about female bodybuilding and focuses on the women competing and judging in the 1983 Caesars Palace World Cup Championship in Las Vegas, NV.
Watch the trailer below:
Get the DVD or VHS tape on Amazon:
7. Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008)
Release Date: May 30, 2008 (USA)
The 2008 documentary Bigger Stronger Faster* is about the role of anabolic steroids in bodybuilding as explored by filmmaker Christopher Bell.
Watch the Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008) trailer below:
8. Bigger (2018)
Release Date: October 12, 2018 (USA)
The 2018 biography drama Bigger stars Julianne Hough, Kevin Durand, Victoria Justice, and Tyler Hoechlin and tells the tale of Joe and Ben Weider, two brothers who faced anti-Semitism and extreme poverty yet beat all odds to create a fitness empire and inspire future generations.
Watch the trailer below:
9. Pain & Gain (2013)
Released: April 26, 2013 (USA)
The 2013 action comedy Pain & Gain is directed by Michael Bay and stars Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie as a trio of bodybuilders in Florida who get involved in an extortion ring and kidnapping scheme that goes wrong. It is based on the true story of Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg).
Watch the trailer below:
10. The Comeback (1980)
The 1980 documentary The Comeback follows Arnold Schwarzenegger as he makes a comeback after a 5-year absence and attempts to take the World Body Building Championship for the 7th time.
11. Stand Tall (1997)
The 1997 documentary Stand Tall is about actor Lou Ferrigno, who gained notoriety from his role in Pumping Iron and also used to play The Incredible Hulk on TV, and his journey to the Masters Olympia 19 years after he retired from competitive bodybuilding.
