Films about running often encompass a variety of genres, including sports drama, biographical films, and inspirational stories. They usually focus on the discipline of running as a central theme, showcasing the struggles, dedication, and personal growth that runners experience, whether they are athletes competing in track and field, marathoners tackling long distances, or individuals using running as a means to overcome personal challenges or to find themselves. These movies often explore themes of perseverance, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence, while also delving into the physical and emotional aspects of the sport.
Here is a list of films about running, with a brief description for each:
“Chariots of Fire”, 1981
Director: Hugh Hudson
This historical drama tells the true story of two British track athletes competing in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, a Jewish runner who fights to overcome prejudice.
Starring: Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers, Ian Charleson, Ben Cross, Daniel Gerroll, Ian Holm, John Gielgud, Lindsay Anderson, Nigel Davenport, Cheryl Campbell;
Production year: 1981;
Genre: drama, biography, sport;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“Prefontaine”, 1997
Director: Steve James
A biographical film about the life of Steve Prefontaine, a distance runner and a record-setting athlete who became an American icon before his life was tragically cut short in a car accident.
Starring: Jared Leto, R. Lee Ermey, Ed O'Neill, Breckin Meyer, Lindsay Crouse, Amy Locane, Laurel Holloman, Brian McGovern, Kurtwood Smith, Adrian Amadeus;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography, sport;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Prefontaine” on the website imdb.com
“Without Limits”, 1998
Director: Robert Towne
Another film portrayal of Steve Prefontaine, focusing on his career and the relationship with his coach Bill Bowerman, who would go on to co-found Nike, Inc.
Starring: Billy Crudup, Donald Sutherland, Monica Potter, Jeremy Sisto, Matthew Lillard, Dean Norris, Billy Burke, Gabriel Olds, Judith Ivey, William Mapother;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: drama, biography, sport;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Without Limits” on the website imdb.com
“Running Brave”, 1983
Director: Donald Shebib
This sports drama is the inspiring true story of Billy Mills, a Native American athlete who overcame racism and personal struggles to win the gold medal in the 10,000-meter race at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Starring: Robby Benson, Pat Hingle, Claudia Cron, Jeff McCracken, August Schellenberg, Denis Lacroix, Graham Greene, Kendall Smith, George Clutesi, Margo Kane, Derek Campbell, Maurice Wolfe, Albert Angus, Barbara Blackhorse, Carmen Wolfe, William Berry, Kaye Corbett, John Littlechild, Tantoo Cardinal, Gail Omeasoo, Billy Runsabove, Seymour Eaglespeaker, Merrill Dendoff, Michael J. Reynolds, Chris Judge, Paul Hubbard, Jack Ackroyd, Tommy Banks, Clare Drake, Rob Roy, Graham McPherson, Francis Damberger, Ray Kelly, Thomas Peacocke, Barbara Reese, Douglas Marquardt, Bonar Bain, Donna Devore, Wendell Smith, Daryl Menard, Greg Coyes, Kim Maser, Walter David, Bryan Hall, Greg Rogers, Christopher Gaze, William Fisher, Fred Keating, Brendan Hughes, Will Reese, Harvey Haugen, Gary Poon, Len J. Phillips;
Production year: 1983;
Genre: drama, biography, sport;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Running Brave” on the website imdb.com
“McFarland, USA”, 2014
Director: Niki Caro
A feel-good sports drama about a high school coach, played by Kevin Costner, who builds a cross-country team from a predominantly Latino high school in a small California town, leading them to overcome social and physical hurdles to become contenders.
Starring: Kevin Costner, Ramiro Rodriguez, Carlos Pratts, Johnny Ortiz, Rafael Martinez, Hector Duran, Sergio Avelar, Michael Aguero, Diana-Maria Riva, Omar Leyva;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, biography, sport;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
“The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner”, 1962
Director: Tony Richardson
A British drama focused on a rebellious youth sent to a reformatory who finds solace and social commentary through cross-country running.
Starring: Michael Redgrave, Tom Courtenay, Avis Bunnage, Alec McCowen, James Bolam, Joe Robinson, Dervis Ward, Topsy Jane, Julia Foster, Ray Austin;
Production year: 1962;
Genre: drama, sport;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner” on the website imdb.com
“Marathon Man”, 1976
Director: John Schlesinger
Although not solely about the sport of running, this thriller incorporates running as a significant element of the main character's routine and metaphorically as he finds himself caught in a dangerous plot involving a Nazi war criminal.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, Roy Scheider, William Devane, Marthe Keller, Fritz Weaver, Richard Bright, Marc Lawrence, Allen Joseph, Tito Goya;
Production year: 1976;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Marathon Man” on the website imdb.com
“The Jericho Mile”, 1979
Director: Michael Mann
A made-for-TV movie about a prisoner who turns to running as a form of redemption and personal triumph, eventually training to compete in the Olympic games.
Starring: Peter Strauss, Richard Lawson, Roger E. Mosley, Brian Dennehy, Geoffrey Lewis, Billy Green Bush, Ed Lauter, Beverly Todd, William Prince, Miguel Pinero;
Production year: 1979;
Genre: drama, crime, sport;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Jericho Mile” on the website imdb.com
“Brittany Runs a Marathon”, 2019
Director: Paul Downs Colaizzo
A comedy-drama following the story of a woman living in New York who decides to take control of her life and health by training for the New York City Marathon.
Starring: Jillian Bell, Jennifer Dundas, Patch Darragh, Alice Lee, Erica Hernandez, Max Pava, Michaela Watkins, Adam Sietz, Dan Bittner, Mikey Day;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Brittany Runs a Marathon” on the website imdb.com
Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list, but it highlights a range of films where running plays a central or significant role.
Films about running often delve into the human spirit, tapping into themes of resilience, personal challenge, and the relentless pursuit of one's dreams and goals, against all odds. These films, regardless of their specific narrative arcs, embody the literal and metaphorical journeys of their protagonists, often setting the pace for a deeper exploration of self-discovery, redemption, and the transformative power of pushing beyond perceived limits. The running motif, more than a mere physical act, serves as a compelling metaphor for the universal chase for meaning, belonging, and self-actualization. Through the lens of cinema, stories about running resonate on a profoundly personal level, inspiring audiences to reflect on their own paths, obstacles, and the enduring human capacity to overcome them. Whether set on an Olympic track, a treacherous trail, or the winding roads of a personal quest, films about running invite viewers to lace up and sprint alongside characters who remind us of the indomitable strength of the human spirit when fueled by determination, hope, and the sheer will to move forward, one stride at a time.
