10 Movies about women in sports

The best documentaries and films about our athletes in football, basketball, tennis and badminton. 🙂

1.- #It’s Over: Diary of the Champions (2024)

It tells the emotional journey of the Spanish women’s football team after winning the World Cup in 2023. Directed by Joanna Pardos, the film includes previously unpublished testimonies from players such as Jenni Hermoso, Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí, who reflect on their victory and the impact of the scandal related to the former president of the RFEF, Luis Rubiales.

The film not only celebrates the sporting triumph, but also addresses the social movement #SeAcabó, which arose as a result of Hermoso’s non-consensual kiss, marking a turning point in women’s sport. Through their stories, the players share their struggles and sacrifices, offering a deep look at unity, friendship and the importance of teamwork. This documentary is a tribute to the women who are transforming football and fighting for equality in society.

2.- Alexia, Labor Omnia Vincit (2020)

This is a three-episode documentary series on Prime Video that explores the life and career of Alexia Putellas, a player for FC Barcelona women. It focuses on her journey during the year in which she became the first Spanish woman to win the Ballon d’Or, highlighting her exceptional performance and her role in Barcelona’s treble.
The documentary also addresses her recovery from a serious knee injury and reflects her hard-working mentality, encapsulated in the motto “Labor Omnia Vincit” (Work conquers all). It also presents Alexia as a global figure who has raised the profile of women’s football and inspired new generations of players.

3.- “A real dream” – CD Tacón to Real Madrid Femenino (2020)

The documentary “A Real Dream” tells the story of the transformation of CD Tacón into Real Madrid Femenino. The four-episode series shows:

The humble origins of CD Tacón, founded in 2014 by Ana Rossell.
The team was promoted to the first division in May 2019.
The takeover by Real Madrid CF, announced shortly after promotion.
La transición del equipo a las instalaciones del Real Madrid en Valdebebas.
The daily life of the players, both in sports and personal terms.
The challenges faced, including issues such as equality, discrimination and sexism in women’s football.

The documentary highlights the contrast between the team’s modest beginnings and its new reality as part of one of the biggest clubs in the world, offering an intimate look at the creation process of Real Madrid Femenino.

4.- Ona Carbonell – “Empezar de nuevo” (2022)

The documentary “Ona Carbonell: Starting Over” offers an intimate look at the life of Olympic swimmer Ona Carbonell as she returns to elite sport after becoming a mother. Key highlights of the documentary include:

It shows Ona Carbonell’s daily life after the birth of her son.
Documents her physical and emotional preparation for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games.
Explore the challenges of balancing motherhood with a high-level sporting career.
Explore the challenges of balancing motherhood with a high-level sporting career.
It addresses the physical transformation of her body and the emotional impact of motherhood.

The documentary, directed by Adan Bonet, lasts 90 minutes and premiered on Rakuten TV in March 2022, offering a personal view of the challenges faced by elite athletes who are mothers.

5.- Carolina Marín: “The strength of a champion” (2022)

The documentary “Carolina Marín: The Strength of a Champion” tells the story of the outstanding badminton player Carolina Marín, focusing on her recovery process after suffering a serious knee injury during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Injury and Challenge: The story begins with her third significant injury, which occurred at a crucial moment in her career, just as she was about to qualify for the Olympic final.
Emotions and Reflections: Through interviews, Carolina shares her emotional and physical pain, describing this episode as one of the most difficult of her life.
Recovery: The documentary documents her arduous rehabilitation process, showing how she faces the physical and mental challenges to compete again.
Family Support: The fundamental role of her family and friends in her recovery is highlighted, providing her with emotional support.
Determination: Despite the adversities, Carolina expresses her desire to return to badminton, reaffirming her motto “I can because I think I can.

Este documental no solo celebra sus logros deportivos, sino que también resalta la resiliencia y la fortaleza personal de Marín en momentos difíciles.

6.- “Naomi Osaka”

It is a three-episode miniseries available on Netflix that offers an intimate look at the life of the Japanese tennis player. The series begins with her first Grand Slam title at the 2018 US Open and follows her rise to become an influential figure in the sport.

Successes and Challenges: Throughout the episodes, her sporting achievements are explored, as well as the emotional challenges she faces, including anxiety and media pressure.
Social Commitment: The documentary also highlights her activism, especially on issues of racial justice, and her decision not to participate in press conferences for mental health reasons.
Family Background: His family history, with a Haitian father and a Japanese mother, is presented, as well as how his childhood shaped his career.
Personal Reflections: Naomi shares her thoughts on fame, sacrifice, and the struggle to maintain her mental health in a highly competitive environment.

Este retrato no solo celebra su talento como atleta, sino que también humaniza a Osaka al mostrar las complejidades de ser una joven mujer en el ojo público.

7.- “The Battle of the Sexes” (2017)

Based on the iconic 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, the film stars Emma Stone as King and Steve Carell as Riggs, and explores not only the sporting match, but also the personal and social struggles of both characters.

Social Context: In a period marked by the rise of feminism, the film portrays how King fights for equality in sport, facing discrimination in women’s tennis.
Rivalry: Riggs, a former male champion, challenges King, claiming that she can beat any woman, which sets off a series of events that culminate in the famous match.
Personal Development: As the story unfolds, it delves deeper into the personal lives of King and Riggs, including the tensions in their relationships and their respective internal battles.
Cultural Impact: The match becomes a media phenomenon, attracting 90 million viewers and symbolizing the fight for gender equality in sport.

The film combines comedy and drama to offer an inspiring account of the fight for women’s rights and the impact of sport on society.

8.- “The journey: The medal of mental health”

This is a documentary that deals with the life of Blanca Fernández-Ochoa, the first Spanish woman to win an Olympic medal at the Winter Games. The key aspects of the documentary are:

Explore Blanca’s sporting career and her struggle with mental health issues, including bipolar disorder.
He uses his story as a guiding thread to address mental health in elite sport.
It includes testimonies from other athletes such as Edurne Pasaban and Almudena Cid about their own experiences.
Destaca la importancia de buscar ayuda psicológica y normalizar el cuidado de la salud mental en el deporte.
Addresses the issue of suicide and the need for prevention.

It was produced by the Blanca Foundation for Support to Athletes, in collaboration with RENFE and RTVE.

9.- Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s National Team and the World Cup

It is a docuseries that follows the United States women’s national soccer team during their preparation for and participation in the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Focus on the Fight for Equality: The series highlights the team’s fight for equal pay and recognition in sport, addressing the social and political context surrounding women’s football.
Behind the Scenes: Through interviews and exclusive material, the series shows the players’ daily lives, their training, team dynamics and the challenges they face both on and off the field.
World Cup Triumph: The documentary culminates with their victory in the tournament, reflecting not only their sporting success, but also the impact they have as role models for future generations of women in sport.

This series offers an in-depth look at the team’s dedication, sacrifice and resilience, making it a tribute to women’s football and the fight for equality.

10.- “Copa 71”

This is a documentary that relives the first Women’s World Cup, held in Mexico in 1971, an event that has remained largely forgotten. Produced by Alex Morgan and sisters Serena and Venus Williams, the film uses previously unseen archive material and testimonies from the players who participated.

Historical Context: Despite attracting more than 100,000 spectators at the Azteca Stadium, FIFA does not recognize this tournament as official, which has contributed to its oblivion.
Participation and Achievements: Teams from several countries, including Argentina, England and Denmark, competed in an environment marked by machismo and the resistance of female soccer players.
Testimonies: The players share their experiences and struggles, highlighting how they paved the way for future generations in women’s soccer.
Cultural Impact: The documentary seeks to bring the history of these pioneers to the forefront and highlight the evolution of the role of women in sport.

“Copa 71” is a tribute to the female footballers who challenged the norms of their time and a call to recognize their contribution to sport.

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