Cinema and Running: Our Top 15 Best Running Movies

Cult Movies

Alright, you're supposed to know these by heart or have watched them a bunch of times. If you can guess all the lines before they appear on screen, you can skip straight to the next section 🔁. Otherwise, you'll get to work on your drills and review your educational insights: this first list is made for that.

1 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

If you enjoy films with aging musical score grains, "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" will likely suit you. Don't look for a trailer on the internet; you won't find much ❌. This adaptation of an Alan Sillitoe short story is one of the pioneers in its genre. It will stretch your mind and reveal a new perspective on the practice. Running is highlighted as an act of freedom and rebellion. Between psychological benefits and liberating aspects, this film promotes the positive potential of running 🧘.

2 - The Finishers (2013)

This thriller tells the story of a family divided by disability 🩼. Prepare tissues: the script, inspired by real events, will likely bring tears to your eyes. Upon his son's birth, Paul Amblard learns that his child will never walk like other children his age. Unable to cope with the news, he gradually buries himself in his work. One day, his son suggests they sign up for an Ironman. After some reflection, father and son discover a bond and end up becoming training partners 🤝. An emotional film that grips the soul and reveals the sporting feat from a highly scripted angle.

3 - Ralph (2004)

This feature film highlights the story of Ralph, a young boy seeking solutions 💭. His mother is ill, and the doctors say that only a miracle can save her. So he decides to create one of his own and begins training to complete the famous Boston Marathon 🏁. Only 14 years old, he must undergo massive preparation and compete against the best athletes in the world. Like us, you'll be on the edge of your seat for over an hour and a half, hoping the miracle will come true.

4 - The Robber (2010)

The story told in this film is quite simple: a central character robs banks and escapes by running. So far, nothing very innovative. But the originality of the concept lies in the reasons for the heist 💰. Our "hero" does not rob for money or need but for the adrenaline rush. Exactly the same sensation he no longer finds in winning marathons with ease. The film's rhythm alternates between the slowness of his dull, boring daily life and intense, dynamic chases 🚨. An action film inspired by real events that immerses us and keeps the suspense going, without over-the-top explosions and invincible actors.

5 - Chariots of Fire (1981)

"Tinn Tinn Tin Tin Tin Tin Tinnn Tinnn"... okay, it's not the same when reading it, but if you hear it, you'll definitely get it. The film's original score won the Oscar for Best Original Score in 1982, but it's primarily its single "Titles" that will make you shiver 🎶. The track has been used dozens of times in other films and productions, and you can also hear it at the start of 5k, 10k, marathons, or trails, because it exudes something powerful and intense. Just like this film, ultimately. In short, two runners are highlighted at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games 🏅 and will fight to defend values that are dear to them. Okay, we admit that we made an exception for this last feature that strays a bit from the central theme, but once you've seen it, you won't blame us for sneaking it in 😌.

Honorable Mention to Forrest Gump (1994)

Indeed, some would have included it right away in the top, but at Finishers, we're purists of running. We like a job well done. So yes, there's running, but do we really explore the notions of training, effort, and sensation 🏋️‍♂️? For the rare individuals who haven't seen it yet, we still wanted to include it somewhere in this selection, if only for its collection of 6 Oscars 🏆. 

Documentary Films

If you're into life stories, self-surpassing, and deepening the practice, these productions are likely more your style. Through various themes, you can learn more about the practice and celebrities of the past, present, and future 🕰️.

1 - Free to Run (2016)

Free to Run is a dynamic 1h30 documentary that will take you back to the beginnings of running. This film, released and directed in 2016 by athlete Pierre Morath, covers the phenomenon of running and its emancipation. Once reserved for men and confined to competition, this practice has become popular over time to the point of becoming a global movement that everyone can identify with 🌍. Men, women, champions, or anonymous, this film covering the lives of athletes from various backgrounds will surely connect with you, regardless of your level.

2 - Kipchoge: The Last Milestone (2021)

You probably know Kipchoge, but have you truly delved into his achievements? As an iconic figure in running, we can only admire his work and perseverance in the quest for results 📊. "The Last Milestone" revisits the insane goal of breaking the 2-hour marathon barrier, allowing us to glimpse the massive effort behind such an achievement. If you wish to see the champion's evolution over time, you can also watch "Breaking 2" ⛓️‍💥, produced by Nike and National Geographic a few years earlier. 

3 - Méline Rollin: Daring 2h24'12 (2024)

This documentary revisits the performances of a French athlete: Méline Rollin. After significant disappointment by a few seconds at the Amsterdam Marathon, the recent holder of the French marathon record shows determination and clings on to secure her place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games 💪. The film follows her journey through introspective narration and a strong emphasis on the psychological aspect of effort. A relatively short but motivating film that will get you back on track. 

4 - The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young (2014)

"The Barkley" or "one of the world's most famous and toughest ultra-trails." If you don't know this race yet, good for you. Since its creation in 1986, only about thirty runners have managed to complete it 🏕️. A unique race that combines ultra-trail with survival. If this subject piques your interest and you want to delve deeper, you can also check out "The Finishers: Jasmin Paris and the Barkley Marathons." This second documentary 🎞️ traces the journey of the first woman in the world to complete the race. Spoiler Alert: the participants' physical and psychological level is completely stratospheric. 

5 - Spirit of the Marathon (2007)

A film with slightly aged footage but a fair perspective. Throughout the film, you can observe the rapid evolution of the equipment and running gear. The film focuses on the marathon 🏃 and builds around the journey of 6 runners of all levels. Their dreams, passions, and goals drive them forward for over 40 km 🎯.

Niche Films

If you've already watched all our previous selections, you're a true running enthusiast, and no one will dare to question it. We've still found a few bonus gems for you to enjoy a little more from your couch 🛋️.

1 - Elevation: The Great Himal Race (2025)

Fleury Roux is a multi-talented athlete 🧢. A trail runner, orienteer, and camera runner, he has made his mark through several sporting feats. In 2024, the athlete takes us along on his new Nepalese adventure: 1,500 km and 97,000 mD+ in less than 2 months 🏔️. Produced by Kiprun, this one-hour film showcases Fleury's suffering, effort, and mindset throughout the adventure. An ideal documentary, halfway between a short and a feature film, where the beauty of the images and landscapes will leave you speechless. 

2 - The Mirage: Timothy Olson's Race (2022)

More than a race, it's a human adventure that's told here. In 2021, Timothy Olson sets a new record on the Pacific Crest Trail, involving running over 80 km a day until the finish. At the heart of the story, we discover not only a runner's story, but also that of a family 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒, without whom nothing would have been possible. Over 50 days of effort condensed into a fifty-minute video. Your only job is to enjoy the content 😋.

3 - Facing the Tor: François d'Haene (2025)

The perfect short film for our favorite Frenchies. You can embark on a 30-minute journey alongside international athlete François D'Haene 🇫🇷. Between doubt, effort, and psychological suffering, this film might surprise you with its stunning visuals and exceptional video quality. To learn more about our national François, you can also watch "The Way Back," shot a few months earlier 🎥. 

4 - A Fine Line (2012)

The prodigious ultra-trail runner Kilian Jornet, then 25 years old, finds himself in the spotlight 💡 for this under-one-hour documentary. A production that traces the young Spanish passion for running and mountains. A film signed Sebastien Montaz-Rosset, highlighting the danger of high-level practices and the risks taken by the athlete since his early age 👦.

5 - Anaïs (2023)

To finish, this last short film, possibly our favorite, recounts the journey of Anaïs Quemener, a French athlete of international level. Her life is not all rosy, as clearly shown 🎬. Between high-level sports on one side and professional life on the other, the champion must learn to juggle and manage her schedule ⏳. The illness doesn't make it easier, but with extraordinary tenacity, she'll overcome all her problems. "Anaïs" is a sincere and gripping film, teaching us to put into perspective the humanity and complexity behind a high-level athlete status 🫶.

And there you go, our work here is done! Now, it's your turn to venture into this cinematic sea and soak up all these fantastic stories of passion. Don't hesitate to come back and tell us which one touched you the most 😉.