6 Best Marathon and Distance Running Movies

By Vlad Zakh · May 13, 2026

The lonely discipline and grueling endurance of long-distance running has powered some of cinema’s most quietly powerful sports dramas. In McFarland, USA (2015): A struggling coach transforms a group of migrant farm workers’ sons into a championship cross-country team. Don’t overlook Chariots of Fire (1981): Two British sprinters with very different motivations race toward glory at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Race (2016)

TMDB ★ 7.1

Track star Jesse Owens defies Nazi Germany's racist ideology by dominating the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Directed by Stephen Hopkins · 2h 14m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

McFarland, USA (2015)

TMDB ★ 7.4

A struggling coach transforms a group of migrant farm workers' sons into a championship cross-country team.

Directed by Niki Caro · 2h 08m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Saint Ralph (2005)

TMDB ★ 7.0

A rebellious Catholic schoolboy trains to win the Boston Marathon, believing it will miraculously wake his comatose mother.

Directed by Michael McGowan · 1h 35m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Without Limits (1998)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A brilliant, headstrong distance runner's unconventional training methods challenge his relationship with his coach.

Directed by Robert Towne · 1h 57m

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Prefontaine (1997)

TMDB ★ 6.7

A fiercely competitive American distance runner pursues Olympic gold with an unyielding, rebellious spirit.

Directed by Steve James · 1h 46m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Chariots of Fire (1981)

TMDB ★ 7.2

Two British sprinters with very different motivations race toward glory at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Directed by Hugh Hudson · 2h 03m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Howdy Amazon Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · 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, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Marathon and Distance Running Movies

Race (2016)

McFarland, USA (2015)

Saint Ralph (2005)

Without Limits (1998)

Prefontaine (1997)

Chariots of Fire (1981)

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