Maybe it’s because it stars Zendaya, or perhaps it’s the now-infamous ménage à trois scene, but Challengers has stolen the spotlight as one of the buzziest movies of the spring. If you liked it, check out our guide below to discover more great tennis movies you can watch right now. From a biopic starring Emma Stone to a Kirsten Dunst rom-com, and more.
What are some of the best tennis movies?
If you want to watch a great tennis movie, one of the most notable is 2017’s Battle of the Sexes. The film tells the true story of when Billie Jean King played a match against tennis legend Bobby Riggs. King ended up beating Riggs, which became a monumental event in the tennis world, proving that women could hold their own against the men and should be taken seriously in the sport. Emma Stone played King and Steve Carrell portrayed Riggs. In 2001, a made-for-TV movie called When Billie Beat Bobby covered the same event, this time with Holly Hunter portraying King. The movie was well-received and Hunter even earned an Emmy nomination for her role.
Another high-profile tennis biopic is 2021’s King Richard, which starred Will Smith as Richard Williams, the father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena. The movie follows the Williams sisters as they grow up under the watchful eye of their dad who is determined to turn them into tennis pros, no matter how hard it might be. The film was nominated for six Oscars, with Smith winning for Best Actor. However, that same night Smith had the infamous “Oscars slap” incident and was promptly banned from the Academy Awards for a decade.
For a more romanticized tennis film, check out 2004’s Wimbledon. The movie stars Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany as two tennis players at Wimbledon. Bettany is a fading star, while Dunst is a rising tennis competitor. The two meet, sparks fly, drama is had, and the duo must navigate how to win their matches despite all the distractions of their relationship. The movie was loaded with other stars too, like Sam Neill and Jon Favreau.
Another movie set in Wimbledon is 7 Days in Hell. The film is based on the unbelievably true story of the longest match in tennis history. Played in 2010 between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, a series of constant ties forced the game to be played for more than 11 hours over three days. The movie starred Andy Samberg and Kit Harington as two fictitious tennis players (who are based on Isner and Mahut) who get locked into a neverending tennis match.
Where can I watch the best tennis movies streaming online?
There are tons more excellent tennis movies and series out there, including documentaries. If you want to watch more great tennis action, check out our guide below to find out where you can stream them all. We'll also show you where you can watch the best tennis movies online for free.
