If you enjoyed the inspiring portrayal of Muhammad Ali’s journey, you are probably hunting for more shows like The Greatest that showcase sporting legends, personal ambition, and raw perseverance. Finding series like The Greatest means looking for titles that capture iconic athletic achievements alongside high-stakes personal battles in politically divided eras.
From heavyweight champions and basketball prodigies to athletes confronting racial discrimination, these gripping dramas explore what it takes to forge an enduring legacy on and off the field. Whether you prefer factual sports biographies or compelling fictional narratives, this curated collection brings grit, heart, and high competition directly to your screen.
15 Shows Like The Greatest
1. Mike (2022)
Mike is a biographical drama that chronicles the tumultuous life of boxing icon Mike Tyson. Tracing his journey from a difficult Brooklyn childhood to becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history, the narrative examines his meteoric rise, complex relationships, and legal controversies. Viewers seeking shows like The Greatest will appreciate this raw, unfiltered look at athletic fame and deep personal turmoil.
IMDb: 6.9 | Where to watch: Hulu
2. Godfather of Harlem (2019)
Godfather of Harlem follows crime boss Bumpy Johnson as he returns to 1960s Harlem after a decade behind bars. As he battles Italian mobsters for control, Bumpy navigates intense civil rights politics and dangerous street rivalries. While not centered on athletics, this compelling drama shares thematic depth with series like The Greatest through its gripping examination of power, historical tensions, and systemic racism.
IMDb: 8.1 | Where to watch: Hulu
3. Colin in Black & White (2021)
Colin in Black & White dramatizes the formative high school years of athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick. Growing up in a white adoptive family, young Colin confronts systemic prejudice, self-doubt, and shifting cultural expectations while pursuing football excellence. This coming-of-age story provides a thoughtful companion for fans of series like The Greatest who appreciate sports narratives driven by identity, principles, and social consciousness.
IMDb: 6.3 | Where to watch: Netflix
4. Fightland (2026)
Fightland centers on former heavyweight titlist Duke Kilroy, who returns home to London after eight grueling years inside an American penitentiary. Seeking retribution for his brother’s suspicious death, Duke infiltrates a ruthless criminal underworld while facing lethal grudges. Like the ring action in Muhammad Ali’s journey, this gritty production delivers bruising fight choreography alongside a tense, emotional redemption arc outside the ropes.
IMDb: 5.3 | Where to watch: Starz
5. When They See Us (2019)
When They See Us depicts the devastating true account of five Harlem youths wrongly convicted in the 1989 Central Park jogger case. Ava DuVernay’s masterclass tracks their coerced confessions, traumatic trials, and protracted fight for exoneration. Connecting deeply with the racial justice themes of Muhammad Ali’s era, this profound miniseries delivers an unforgettable critique of institutional prejudice and resilience under public scrutiny.
IMDb: 8.8 | Where to watch: Netflix
6. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022)
Winning Time transports viewers to the glamorous 1980s era of the Los Angeles Lakers. Centered on visionary owner Jerry Buss and charismatic sensation Magic Johnson, the series balances high-octane basketball with volatile backstage politics and locker room clashes. Audiences seeking shows like The Greatest will enjoy this energetic deep dive into how visionary swagger and immense ambition revolutionize a beloved sports franchise.
IMDb: 8.3 | Where to watch: Prime Video
7. Bel-Air (2022)
Bel-Air offers a dramatic contemporary reimagining of a working-class Philadelphia teen sent to reside with affluent relatives in California. Navigating lavish surroundings, prep school rivalries, and collegiate basketball recruitment, Will constantly questions his authentic self. The show mirrors the personal growth and cultural pressure explored in Muhammad Ali’s story, presenting an emotional, stylish portrait of ambition and resilience against established social expectations.
IMDb: 6.4 | Where to watch: Prime Video
8. Swagger (2021)
Swagger dives into the hyper-competitive realm of youth basketball through middle school prodigy Jace Carson and his dedicated coach. As Jace works toward his professional dreams, he must endure corrupt shoe circuits, intense media pressure, and community hardship. It stands out among series like The Greatest by spotlighting how young athletes overcome economic hurdles, racial barriers, and personal heartbreak through discipline and teamwork.
IMDb: 7.4 | Where to watch: Apple TV
9. Kingdom (2014)
Kingdom explores the brutal demands of mixed martial arts through Alvey Kulina, a veteran fighter running an indebted gym in Venice, California. Balancing the training of his two sons against addictions, unstable relationships, and financial ruin, Alvey fights to stay afloat. It delivers visceral combat and gripping family conflict, making it a standout pick for anyone craving high-stakes fighting drama.
IMDb: 8.5 | Where to watch: Prime Video
10. Lights Out (2011)
Lights Out follows Patrick “Lights” Leary, an aging heavyweight champion grappling with severe financial instability and neurological strain following retirement. When betrayed by family management, Patrick faces the perilous choice of staging a desperate comeback in the ring. The narrative mirrors the vulnerable side of athletic glory seen in Muhammad Ali’s story, delivering an authentic exploration of post-championship survival.
IMDb: 8.0 | Where to watch: Apple TV
11. All American (2018)
All American follows Spencer James, a rising high school football standout recruited from South Los Angeles to compete for Beverly Hills High. Straddling two radically different communities, Spencer navigates racial divides, family obligations, and locker room friction. This emotionally resonant coming-of-age drama mirrors the determination and social awareness that defined Muhammad Ali’s early rise to national sports stardom.
IMDb: 7.6 | Where to watch: Prime Video
12. Clipped (2024)
Clipped chronicles the dramatic 2014 scandal surrounding Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers and disgraced owner Donald Sterling. As Sterling’s leaked racist comments spark a global media firestorm, Rivers and his roster must balance championship aspirations with moral accountability. It is an essential pick for viewers researching shows like The Greatest who want to see sports collide with civil rights battles.
IMDb: 6.5 | Where to watch: Hulu
13. Stick (2025)
Stick follows washed-up former professional golfer Pryce Cahill, whose career derailed amid public scandal years earlier. Seeking personal redemption, Pryce mentors a gifted but troubled young golf prodigy through intense professional tournaments. Blending dry humor with genuine heart, this entertaining series captures the resilience, humility, and dedication required to mount a memorable second-chance comeback on the green.
Also Watch: 15 Shows Like Stick
IMDb: 7.2 | Where to watch: Apple TV
14. Crew Girl (2026)
Crew Girl follows determined teenage rower Teagan Tao, whose elite athletic aspirations are derailed by sudden domestic upheaval. Relocating to an East Coast prep school, Teagan takes over as coxswain for a turbulent all-boys rowing crew. This fast-paced sports series explores psychological grit, tactical leadership, and perseverance against tough odds, matching the energetic underdog spirit seen in championship boxing stories.
Also Watch: 15 Shows Like Crew Girl
IMDb: 6.6 | Where to watch: Netflix
15. Chad Powers (2025)
Chad Powers offers a clever sports comedy about Russ Holliday, a disgraced collegiate quarterback who disguises himself to win a roster spot on a struggling Southern football team. Beneath the comedic prosthetic makeup and eccentric antics, the story delivers a heartfelt message about second chances and relentless determination, earning a deserved spot among crowd-pleasing shows like The Greatest.
IMDb: 7.6 | Where to watch: Hulu
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Whether you want biographical boxing sagas or inspiring comeback tales, these shows like The Greatest capture the sacrifice and passion behind athletic greatness. Add these captivating series like The Greatest to your watchlist today for your next binge.
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