Back to trending
Pelé: Birth of a Legend

Pelé: Birth of a Legend

Drama · 2016

The life story of Brazilian football legend, Pele.

Movie details

Pelé: Birth of a Legend

“A boy with nothing who changed everything.”

2016 Drama 1h 47m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.3 / 10

Community rating

The life story of Brazilian football legend, Pele.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Pelé: Birth of a Legend?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

The Express

The Express

Drama · 2008

Follow the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

Rise

Rise

Drama · 2022

After emigrating to Greece from Nigeria, Vera and Charles Antetokounmpo struggled to survive and provide for their five children, while living under the daily threat of deportation. Desperate to obtain Greek citizenship but undermined by a system that blocked them at every turn, the family's vision, determination and faith lifted them out of obscurity to launch the careers of three NBA champions.

Tyson's Run

Tyson's Run

Drama · 2022

When fifteen-year-old Tyson attends public school for the first time, his life is changed forever. While helping his father clean up after the football team, Tyson befriends champion marathon runner Aklilu. Never letting his autism hold him back, Tyson becomes determined to run his first marathon in hopes of winning his father's approval. With the help of an unlikely friend and his parents, Tyson learns that with faith in yourself and the courage to take the first step, anything is possible.

Woodlawn

Woodlawn

Drama · 2015

Love and unity in a school torn by racism and hate in the 1970s. A gifted high school football player must learn to embrace his talent and his faith as he battles racial tensions on and off the field.

United

United

Drama · 2011

United is based on the true story of Manchester United's legendary "Busby Babes", the youngest side ever to win the Football League and the 1958 Munich Air Crash that claimed eight of the their number. The film draws on first-hand interviews with the survivors and their families to tell the inspirational story of a team and community overcoming terrible tragedy.

Queen of the Ring

Queen of the Ring

History · 2025

In a time when pro wrestling for women was illegal all over the country, a small town single mother embraces the danger to change culture as she dominates America's most masculine sport to become the first million dollar female athlete in history.

Rudy

Rudy

Drama · 1993

Rudy grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. There were only a couple of problems. His grades were a little low, his athletic skills were poor, and he was only half the size of the other players. But he had the drive and the spirit of 5 people and has set his sights upon joining the team.

The Hill

The Hill

History · 2023

The story of Rickey Hill, who overcomes his physical disability and repairs his relationship with his father in a quest to become a major league baseball (MLB) player.

Resurrecting the Champ

Resurrecting the Champ

Drama · 2007

Up-and-coming sports reporter rescues a homeless man ("Champ") only to discover that he is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity to resurrect Champ's story and escape the shadow of his father's success becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family.

The Beautiful Game

The Beautiful Game

Drama · 2024

A group of advocates to end homelessness organize an annual tournament for homeless people to compete in a series of football matches known as The Homeless World Cup.

Where it lives

Watch in your region.

Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.

Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Jeff Zimbalist · Michael Zimbalist

Written by

Michael Zimbalist · Jeff Zimbalist

Kevin de Paula

Kevin de Paula

Pelé

Leonardo Lima Carvalho

Leonardo Lima Carvalho

Younger Pelé

Seu Jorge

Seu Jorge

Dondinho

Milton Gonçalves

Milton Gonçalves

Waldemar de Brito

Seth Michaels

Seth Michaels

Mário

Vincent D'Onofrio

Vincent D'Onofrio

Feola

André Mattos

André Mattos

Santos club's coach

Court is in session

Put Pelé: Birth of a Legend on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.