It’s the movies that will have you cringing and rooting for blood. They perfectly encompass the ups and downs of living in a violent world. You can expect addictions, losses wins and failed hopes. However, these athletes would repeat it all over again.

Your time is precious, but if any of these picks have you being particular nostalgic. Why not pick up the book, The Bolo Dance and experience women boxers fighting for there dreams in every form it comes in.

5. Creed

Released: November 25, 2015

Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone

Director: Ryan Coogler

Why Its Great: It revived the sports romance genre in movies. Stallone also got to reprise a beloved role. Not to mention that its just really well done. An urban take on the boxing genre. Plus the music is awesome.

Where to see it right now: Catch it on TV if you have BET or Youtube. Watch the trailer for now.

What do moviegoers say:

• “Creed mingles go-for-broke romance with bloody pugilist thrills—but instead of feeling like a rehash, it works like gangbusters. Coogler honors and builds upon the Rocky formula so that it feels both comfortingly old-fashioned and bracingly new.” – Stephanie Zacharek, Time [Review from Metacritic]
• “Creed is not just about boxing or the character of Rocky, but about building new relationships and how a name with a legacy can make you or break you, making it difficult to branch out on your own.” – Mae Abdulbaki, Movies With Mae. (Review from Rotten Tomatoes]

4. Million Dollar Baby

Released: January 28, 2005

Cast: Hilary Swank and Clint Eastwood

Director: Clint Eastwood

Why It’s Great: Its a hard luck story about a woman who can never catch a break. But she was determined to knock down some doors. Forcing her trainer to see her as talent and not just female. With a surprise ending that might have some in tears. But this isn’t just a sad story its about a fighter. A woman fighter.

Where to see it right now: Buy on Amazon and iTunes. Watch the trailer for now.

What do moviegoers say:

• “A masterpiece, pure and simple, deep and true… The Best film of the year.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times. [Review From Metacritic]

• “Fakes you out, then knocks you flat with a right hook to the heart.” – Matthew Lucas, The Dispatch. [Review From Rotten Tomatoes]

3. Rocky IV

Released: November 27, 1985

Cast: Sylvester Stallone and Burt Young

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Why It’s Great: I had a hard time choosing which one out of the franchise to pick. Rocky 4 won me over the others because it was the most quotable. And don’t get any ideas, I can’t load the top 5 list with just rocky movies. Although, they are all worth watching in there own right.

Where to see it right now: Amazon Prime and Hulu. Watch trailer first.

What do moviegoers say:

• Upon this movies release it didn’t fare to well, but any avid movie watcher knows that some movies just get better with time. As such I couldn’t find any good reviews. But don’t take it as damnation. I don’t know a single person whose seen it and hasn’t quoted a line from the movie. Proving that out of the entire series, Rocky four is the one that leaves you with an impression that lasts for the ages.

2. Joe and Max

Released: March 3, 2002

Cast: Leonard Roberts and Til Schweiger

Director: Steve James

Why It’s Great: Nazism wasn’t just about the people kept in those camps. It affected everyone from every walk of life. And this particular story focuses on a boxer whose forced to carry the Nazi ideas whether he agrees with them or not. It also shines a light on the perils of the Media, even back then, to shape peoples opinions. We also get a look at another boxer who was never as popular as that one moment in time. And the slow fall he endured thanks to the people holding him down. This is an interesting one for sure.

Where to see it right now: Watch on TV if you have cable package, STARZ. Watch the trailer now.

What do moviegoers say:

• “Nether Joe or Max were without sin, but they were both heros and deserve to be remembered.” – Dunslus-1, IMDB User. [Review From IMDB]
• “The story itself is very emotional. it really draws you into the plot and forces you to empathise with the characters as they live through the injustices of the second world war and also face such issues as racism and a stereotypical view of people at the time.” – Newbs_Thats_Me, IMDB User. [Review From IMDB]

1. Southpaw

Released: July 24, 2015

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, and Rachel McAdams

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Why It’s Great: This movie has made an impression on me unlike many others. And I’m not even sure why. Some might find the story a familiar one. But maybe its the steller acting. Believable storyline, and epic fight scenes. Its an emotional journey that’s different from Joe and Max. Yet still poignant.

Where to see it right now: Rent/Buy in the usual places. Watch the trailer now.

What do moviegoers say:

• “It is ultimately down to Gyllenhaal’s consummate ease in engaging his audience that we root for him to the very end, the flaws in the script often forgotten as he commands the screen.” – Paula Fleri, Times of Malta [Review From Rotten Tomatoes]
• “The first 45 minutes are basically Murphy’s law for the protagonist: everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. But you it’s also true that when you’ve hit rock bottom, the only way is up. What follows still isn’t predictable here, but takes a lot of effort, sweat and tears.” – Jens S, Rotten Tomatoes user. [Review from Rotten Tomatoes]