The Best Movies Made About Competition Ranked

Not many genres have earned appreciation of competition. Since the 1970’s, stories of competitive individuals have made for bold movies. Whether it’s stockbrokers, network founders or jazz drummers, the genre has created several characters. Given the massive number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about ambition that deserve to be celebrated.

1. The Social Network

Friendships are relationships facing hardships. I remember forming friendships with a kid in school that I grew up to treasure. We would often enjoy playing soccer creating relationships with each other. However, our short bond reached tragic closures. No longer the friend that I had grown up to adore, he became a stranger that I didn’t recognize anymore. Years later, I lost all touch with a friend on social networks that I had once used to treasure. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how friendships can be destroyed by competition on a social network as powerfully as “The Social Network”. Ever since its release in 2010, David Fincher’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about competition. With the greatest film of his career, Fincher used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the formation of a famous social network organization. Fincher has always had an aptitude for using low-key lighting in his movies to build tension, and “The Social Network” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Eduardo throws a temper tantrum breaking Mark’s laptop after his shares in social media are lowered is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Jesse Eisenberg, who portrays a renowned entrepreneur that formed one of the world’s greatest social network companies. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” my favourite film about competition of all-time is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about business that are targeted to a small audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers don’t need to be Facebook users to appreciate it. Nearly 20 years after the formation of a social network firm that changed online media, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made great movies which deserve immense celebration.

2. There Will be Blood

Greed can affect abilities of businessmen to succeed. Several years ago, I witnessed a friend with greed struggle to open a sports business causing sorrow. Affecting his happiness, greed impacted my friend’s ability to open a successful sports business. As someone haunted by a friend with greed that faced bad blood, I appreciated “There Will be Blood”. Released in 2007, Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie captured competitive businessmen facing adversity. Anderson has always had an aptitude for making movies about businessmen, and “There Will be Blood” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Anderson effectively used symbolism of oil to capture a greedy entrepreneur facing turmoil. For instance, the scene in which Daniel Plainview beats up Eli in a bowling alley causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, who portrays a competitive oil prospector. Ultimately, what makes “There Will be Blood” a masterpiece is its message. Unlike most Paul Thomas Anderson movies, its themes resonate with everyone. The film delivers a bold message about consequences of greed which would resonate with everyone. As precious as oil sought by Daniel Plainview, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured commemorated movies which audiences commonly value.

3. Jerry Maguire

Competition is a characteristic needed to succeed in the sales profession. I remember a friend in school that sought to become a competitive sales agent with commitment. A competitive person, he was determined to overcome obstacles in a profession that was dangerous. He has always had ambition of becoming a sales agent in a competitive profession.  As someone treasuring fond memories of a competitive friend I grew up to admire, I appreciated “Jerry Maguire”. Released in 1996, Cameron Crowe’s movie depicted ambitious sales agents facing adversity. Crowe has often excelled at making movies about competition putting lives in danger, and “Jerry Maguire” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Crowe used captivating dramatic monologues capturing a competitive sales agent seeking success. For instance, the scene in which Jerry has an enthusiastic phone call with Rod about football causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Tom Cruise, who portrayed a sales agent facing issues. Ultimately, what makes “Jerry Maguire” a classic is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about sales agents, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about motivation which would resonate with everyone. As precious as phones used by Jerry Maguire, it’s a riveting reminder of a great genre that has made bold movies about competition audiences admire.

4. The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a legendary book about competition that my cousin always loved dearly. I remember forming strong bonds with a cousin that loved a book series he considered to be iconic literature. A huge fan of Katniss Everdeen, he always spoke fondly about a book series that became a pivotal part of his routine. In 2012, Gary Ross honoured the iconic book about competitive games in his movie “The Hunger Games”. Ross used captivating montages capturing hardships that a teenager living in an impoverished district of society is facing. For instance, the scene in which Katniss volunteers as tribute participating in the games causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Jennifer Lawrence, who embodied a teenage girl facing a life-threatening competition. Ultimately, what makes “The Hunger Games” a captivating classic is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book series to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about government corruption which would resonate with everyone. As strong as arrows used by Katniss Everdeen, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making unforgettable movies that deserve to be seen on big-screen.

5. Adaptation

Screenwriting is an intense profession that involves competition. There’s nothing more frustrating in the world than when ideas don’t immediately spring to a writer’s mind. I have faced trouble putting pen to paper coming up with original ideas as a writer. As someone that has witnessed writer’s block affecting my abilities to write in a competition, I adored “Adaptation”.  Released in 2002, Spike Jonze’s movie demonstrated hardships competitive screenwriters with writer’s block go through.  Jonze uses voice-over narration to capture a screenwriter with an intense desire to succeed with competition.  For instance, the opening scene in which Charlie begins sweating profusely being unable to communicate with a pretty publisher causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Nicolas Cage, who portrayed a competitive screenwriter. Ultimately, what makes “Adaptation” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Hollywood screenwriters, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about writing process which would resonate with everyone. As precious as stories that Charlie seeks to publish, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has manufactured movies about competitions audiences cherish.

6. Whiplash

Jazz music is an intense profession that involves competition. Musicians seeking to become successful often face painful challenges in a profession that is stressful. The negative impact of rash stress on competitive jazz drummers is beautifully depicted in the movie “Whiplash”. Released in 2014, Damien Chazelle’s movie captured competitive jazz drummers facing adversity. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Whiplash” stand out is its depiction of jazz music. Chazelle uses captivating montages capturing hardships that a competitive jazz drummer is facing. Assisted by Miles Teller who is magnificent in the lead role, Chazelle created a captivating musical. As strong as Andrew’s love for music, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre manufacturing terrific movies about competition which captivate the movie-going public.

7. The White Tiger

Housekeepers with a competitive streak are often common in India. India has built an image of being a country where housekeepers have competitive desires to succeed with courage. The negative impact of competition on housekeepers in India facing disaster is beautifully depicted in the movie “The White Tiger”. Released in 2021, Ramin Bahrani’s movie captured housekeepers in India. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The White Tiger” stand out is its depiction of India. Bahrani uses captivating narration capturing hardships housekeepers in India are facing. Assisted by Adarsh Gourav who is amazing in the lead role, Bahrani created a portrait of India. A powerful portrait of housekeepers facing trauma in India, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies attracting audiences to the modern-day Cinema.

8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter is a magical book series that shaped my identity. I fell in love with a book series about wizards casting spells with stories to tell. Competition has always been a recurring theme in the series about wizards that are frightening. In 2005, Mike Newell honoured the iconic series in his movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” stand out is its depiction of wizard competitions. Newell uses captivating montages capturing hardships that wizards engaging in competitions are facing. Assisted by Daniel Radcliffe who is spellbinding in the lead role, Newell honoured a book about rivalries. A marvellous adaptation of a book about wizards casting a spell, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which excel.

9. BlackBerry

BlackBerry is a smartphone facing competition that fell out of popularity. Created in 1984, the BlackBerry was a phone that people would adore. However, in 2008 the phone suddenly lost its popularity following the introduction of the iPhone. In 2023, Matt Johnson captured the downfall of the famous smartphone company in his movie “BlackBerry”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “BlackBerry” stand out is its strong attention to detail. Johnson used captivating montages to capture the detailed downfall of a smartphone that lost popularity. Assisted by Glenn Howerton who is exceptional in the lead role, Johnson celebrated a smartphone that fell out of fashion. As precious as the BlackBerry phone, it’s a brilliant reminder of a genre that has blown audiences away making timeless movies that are in a league of their undeniable own.

10. Black Swan

Few movies ever made about ballet dancers in a competition are as beloved as “Black Swan”. Released in 2010, Darren Aronofsky’s movie captured a competitive ballet dancer facing adversity. Aronofsky used captivating montages capturing hardships a competitive ballet dancer is facing. Assisted by Natalie Portman who is extraordinary in the lead role, Aronofsky created a captivating ballet thriller. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of competition causing ballet dancers to face tragedy has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Nina’s desire to achieve ballet victory, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made commemorated movies about competition that I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.