If we sit down to list all the creative, productive, and valuable things we can do on weekends, that will not only be advantageous for our careers but also gratifying for ourselves and turn us into worthwhile human beings; there won’t be any end. But we can just be stuck with gymnastics movies.
So, like any lazy student – let’s not do it.
Instead, let’s start a Movie Marathon! Because what’s a better way to spend your weekend than watching back-to-back gymnastics movies and eating junk food as you procrastinate on your assignment till the last moment while fending off a nagging voice from your conscience? Huh?
Top-Rated Gymnastics Movies Ever Made
A source of inspiration and motivation for you to reach your full potential!
| No. | Gymnastics Movies | Year | Rating | Gender | Genre |
| 1 | ABC Afterschool Special (The Gymnast) | 1980 | 9.3 | Male&Female | Adventure/Comedy/Sport |
| 2 | White Palms | 2006 | 7.5 | Male | Drama/Sport |
| 3 | Nadia | 1984 | 7.4 | Female | Drama/Sport |
| 4 | Jump Ashin | 2011 | 7.1 | male | Drama/Sport |
| 5 | Kukolka | 1988 | 7.1 | Female | Romance/Sport |
| 6 | The Gabby Douglas Story | 2014 | 7.1 | Female | Drama/Sport/Biography |
| 7 | Full Out | 2015 | 6.5 | Female | Drama/Sport/Biography |
| 8 | The Gymnast | 2006 | 6.4 | Female | Drama/Sport/Romance |
| 9 | Stick it | 2006 | 6.4 | Female | Drama/Sport/Comedy |
| 10 | Perfect Body | 1997 | 6.3 | Female | Drama/Sport/Family |
| 11 | The Bronze | 2015 | 6 | Female | Drama/Sport/Comedy |
| 12 | An American Girl | 2012 | 6 | Female | Drama/Sport/Adventure |
| 13 | Raising The Bar | 2016 | 5.7 | Female | Family/Sport |
| 14 | Flying | 1986 | 5.4 | Male | Romance/Drama/Sport |
| 15 | A 2nd Chance | 2011 | 4.9 | Female | Drama/Sport/Family |
The Ultimate Gymnastics Films – Broken Down by Theme
Worlsultimate categorize these gymnastics movies into 4 subcategories:
| Biopics to Inspire | Teen Dramas & Coming-of-Age Stories | Dark & Gritty Tales | Feel-Good & Comedies |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Nadia, The Gabby Douglas Story, Full Out) | (Stick It, Perfect Body, An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars, Raising the Bar, A 2nd Chance, Flying) | (White Palms, Kukolka, The Gymnast) | (The Bronze, ABC Afterschool Special, Jump Ashin) |
1. ABC Afterschool Special (The Gymnast)
Summary
The story of the ABC Afterschool Special follows a 16-year-old girl determined to become a world-class gymnast. But that’s easier said than done. On the way, she has to deal with many things, struggle with unwavering obstacles and give up even more things, like food.
- Year: 1980
- Rating: 9.3
- Lead: Male & Female
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Sport
What Do We Think?
An honest glimpse into the early struggles of young gymnasts, and both the determination and sacrifices that come with pursuing greatness.
Streaming Availability
Available for rent or purchase on YouTube archives and DVD collections; not widely streaming on major platforms.
2. White Palms
Summary
This is a story of a 30-year-old gymnast Miklos, suffering from deep psychological scars from his brutal training during childhood. He moves to Canada to start fresh as a coach but finds himself repeating the same cycle and inflicting the same agony on his pupils. Enters a young, troubled kid with the potential to become a world champion, who might be Miklos’s only chance at redemption.
- Year: 2006
- Rating: 7.5
- Lead: Male
- Genre: Drama, Sport
What Do We Think?
A tale of trauma and redemption, this film illustrates how a coach can only build a better future by confronting his past.
Streaming Availability
On Kanopy and certain other international streaming services, rent on DVD.
3. Nadia
Summary
The biopic of Nadia Comaneci, who received seven perfect 10s in the Montreal Olympics 1976, took to the uneven bars on Sunday, 18 July. She became the first and youngest gymnast to achieve that feat. A realistic uptake on how much effort goes into gymnastics.
- Year: 1984
- Rating: 7.4
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Biography
What Do We Think?
An inspiring, religiously tinged retelling of Nadia Comăneci’s mythical journey, and ideal for anyone who’s in the mood for a look at what Olympic perfection really is.
Streaming Availability
Rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video; also available on the classic TV movie archives.
4. Jump Ashin
Summary
This is a story of a Taiwanese boy who’s only ever loved gymnastics and trained for it his whole life. However, his mother fails to see his devotion and takes him off the school gymnastics team, where he is preparing for the national team. Dejected upon having his dream snatched from him, Ashin falls in with the wrong crowd, encountering drugs and fights. After hitting rock bottom, the boy realizes the importance of his dream and decides to give it another chance.
- Year: 2011
- Rating: 7.1
- Lead: Male
- Genre: Drama, Sport
What Do We Think?
A combination of youth drama and redemption arc is weighted by Taiwan’s classic tale, which illustrates how finding one’s dream again can drag you back from rock bottom.
Streaming Availability
Available for streaming at Prime Video in a few countries and available via DVD imports.
5. Kukolka
Summary
This is a story of a young Russian gymnast forced to quit her sport due to an injury. She returns to the life of an ordinary teenager, but the world that raised her was ordinary. The Kukolka film takes an intense, dark, and horrifying turn that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
- Year: 1988
- Rating: 7.1
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Romance, Sport
What Do We Think?
Grim and unforgettable, this film exposes the heavy cost of injury and disillusionment on a young athlete’s mind.
Streaming Availability
Rare but can be found on Russian film archives and specialty streaming sites; DVDs are in circulation in collectors’ markets.
6. The Gabby Douglas Story
Summary
Biopic of Gabby Douglas, who became the first black gymnast in Olympic history to achieve the All-around champion title. She was also the first American to win the gold medal in individual and team competitions. This gymnastics movie shows how many obstacles she had to overcome to gain that achievement.
- Year: 2014
- Rating: 7.1
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Biography
What Do We Think?
The inspiring story of the first female to lead the world’s most famous gymnastics team in more than a decade and the gender barriers she broke along the way. A thrilling, compelling story.
Streaming Availability
On Lifetime Movie Club, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
7. Full Out
Summary
This is a biography of Ariana Berlin, an American gymnast who suffered crushing inquiries in a car accident. She was forced to quit competitive gymnastics. She learned the sport through dancing before going to the top.
- Year: 2015
- Rating: 6.5
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Biography
What Do We Think?
An inspiring biopic that fuses dance and gymnastics to illustrate how persistence can transform disaster into victory.
Streaming Availability
Available to stream on Netflix (in some regions); also available on Amazon Prime Video.
8. The Gymnast
Summary
A romantic story about a talented gymnast who was forced to quit competing after a fatal injury and a mysterious dancer who fights society’s ideas of gender and sexual identity. Both find solace in each other as they prepare their act to audition in the Los Vegas Show.
- Year: 2006
- Rating: 6.4
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Romance
What Do We Think?
Visually lush and emotionally rich, this film fuses artistry and romance as it delves into identity and second chances.
Streaming Availability
Rent on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.
9. Stick It
Summary
The film follows Haley, a 17-year-old gymnast who was previously a world champion but went into self-imposed retirement when she realized the unfairness of judging rules. However, because of behavioral issues and brush-ups with the law, she finds herself at an elite gymnastics academy and is forced to participate in competitive gymnastics once again. With her rebellious nature, she starts a revolution in the gymnastics world.
- Year: 2006
- Rating: 6.4
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Comedy
What Do We Think?
Rebellious, clever, and unforgettably outrageous: this cult classic goes postal in the face of unfair gymnastics judging while cheering on the empowerment of our athletes.
Streaming Availability
Available to stream on Disney+; rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
10. Perfect Body
Summary
The story of a talented 15-year-old gymnast who dreams of joining the Olympics team. However, she develops eating disorders under the strict training of her coach. The movie follows her as she struggles with her eating disorder in hopes of having a perfect body.
- Year: 1997
- Rating: 6.3
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Family
What Do We Think?
A realistic and thought-provoking depiction of eating disorders in gymnastics – the price these young women pay for the pursuit of perfection.
Streaming Availability
Streaming on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video.
11. The Bronze
Summary
The former Olympic medalist lives off her celebrity status in her hometown but is broke and poor. She was forced to take action upon hearing that a young gymnast might be taking over her position. At the request of her former and now head coach, she agrees to train the new gymnast. But all is not fair.
- Year: 2015
- Rating: 6
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Comedy
What Do We Think?
A darkly comic tale of small-town celebrity, focusing on the messy fallout of a fallen star athlete.
Streaming Availability
On Max (formerly HBO Max), Amazon Prime, and Hulu with a premium subscription.
12. An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars
Summary
One of the family drama gymnastics movies, based on the American Girl series books written by Mary Casanova, is the sixth movie of the series. It follows the life of an adolescent girl as he struggles to achieve her dream of becoming an Olympic gymnast. However, her parents oppose her decision and want her to focus on her studies. The film shows the conflict as the young girl tries to balance dreams and reality.
- Year: 2012
- Rating: 6
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Adventure
What Do We Think?
A sweet family movie about juggling academics and athletics, teaching its young audience how to square a dream with responsibility.
Streaming Availability
Check on Peacock, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.
13. Raising the Bar
Summary
The story of a 16-year-old gymnast who was previously part of an elite gymnastics program. However, she quit because of mysterious reasons. After moving to Australia to escape from gymnastics, she is again forced to become part of this world to help a friend. The film follows her as she makes amends for past mistakes and reveals her reasons for quitting.
- Year: 2016
- Rating: 5.7
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Family, Sport
What Do We Think?
Touching and with moral values, this movie is all about second chances, forgiving, and true friendship.
Streaming Availability
Available on Netflix in some regions; also on Amazon Prime Video.
14. Flying
Summary
A teen film about a teen gymnast champion whose life takes a turn for the worse when she receives injuries in a car accident that also kills her father. This gymnastics movie story follows our female lead as she tries to overcome the odds, find love, and achieve her dream.
- Year: 1986
- Rating: 5.7
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Family, Sport
What Do We Think?
A teen drama of nostalgia driven by romance and grit – but more importantly, an early sighting of a young Keanu Reeves, soon-to-be film star.
Streaming Availability
Plays on DVD and in full-length uploads on YouTube; not available on mainstream streaming services.
15. A 2nd Chance
Summary
Atypical story of a rivalry between two adolescent girls trying to land a position on the national gymnastics team. Both are trying to land a position. The movie follows these girls as they face obstacles in life.
- Year: 2011
- Rating: 4.9
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Family
What Do We Think?
An entertaining, light-hearted film ideal for kids and families, that teaches the importance of resilience and teamwork in sports.
Streaming Availability
Available to stream on Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
FAQs
If you are looking for authenticity, Nadia (1984) and The Gabby Douglas Story (2014) would stand out. Both are based on real Olympic champions and offer a realistic view of the hard work and sacrifices it takes to lead the life of a professional gymnast.
Some good family-friendly options are Raising the Bar (2016), An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars (2012), and A 2nd Chance (2011). They’re upbeat and optimistic and perfect for young viewers who are fans of sports movies.
Many fans recommend Stick It (2006) for its rebellious attitude and Full Out (2015) for its determination theme. But biopics like Nadia and The Gabby Douglas Story still inspire athletes everywhere.
As of now, no major new gymnastics movies have been released in 2025. But older releases like Stick It, Full Out, and The Bronze are still trending on streaming platforms, keeping the genre alive for its fans.
Closing Notes
From biographical dramas that inspire to rebellious teen dramas and even an emotional underdog story, gymnastics movies are about much more than just flips and routines. They exude perseverance, self-sacrifice, and the pursuit of dreams in the face of all odds. And whether you’re in the mood for something inspirational, dramatic, or laugh-out-loud funny, this list will have an ideal feature for your weekend marathon.
So snap up, lean in, and let these tales remind you that power isn’t just physical – it’s in the spirit that won’t give up.
