6 Best Bodybuilding Movies of All Time

By Vlad Zakh · August 16, 2026

Bodybuilding is obsessive, strange and surprisingly human, and these films capture that. Pumping Iron made the sport famous and Pumping Iron II looks at women pushing the limits, Generation Iron follows a new crop of competitors chasing Mr. Olympia, and Bigger tells the story of the Weider brothers building an empire. Bigger Stronger Faster* is a personal look at steroids in America, and Stay Hungry adds a Hollywood take.

Bigger (2018)

TMDB ★ 5.9

Brothers Joe and Ben Weider build a bodybuilding empire from nothing and launch the sport into the mainstream.

Directed by George Gallo · 1h 47m

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Generation Iron (2013)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A new generation of elite bodybuilders competes for the Mr. Olympia title amid gruelling training regimens.

Directed by Vlad Yudin · 1h 46m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent: Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A filmmaker examines America's obsession with steroids through the lens of his own bodybuilding family.

Directed by Chris Bell · 1h 45m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Pumping Iron II: The Women (1985)

TMDB ★ 6.9

Female bodybuilders clash over femininity and muscle mass ahead of a controversial championship.

Directed by George Butler · 1h 47m · Rated NR

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Pumping Iron (1977)

TMDB ★ 7.3

Arnold Schwarzenegger and his rivals prepare for the ultimate test of physique at the Mr. Olympia contest.

Directed by Robert Fiore & George Butler · 1h 26m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Stay Hungry (1976)

TMDB ★ 6.0

A wealthy young Southerner's life is transformed after he becomes involved with a gym full of bodybuilders.

Directed by Bob Rafelson · 1h 42m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Bodybuilding Movies of All Time

Bigger (2018)

Generation Iron (2013)

Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008)

Pumping Iron II: The Women (1985)

Pumping Iron (1977)

Stay Hungry (1976)

You might also like

11 Best Bulgarian Movies to Watch

9 Best Algerian Movies to Watch

6 Best Hot Air Balloon Movies

12 Best Dutch Movies to Watch

11 Best Serbian Movies to Watch

12 Best Lebanese Movies to Watch