Eight Movies that Feature BJJ or MMA 

Looking to waste some time? Maybe you’ve exhausted all your recent BJJ Fanatics acquisitions, and your go-to YouTube stars haven’t put out some good content recently. Maybe you’re injured, and you’re trying to resist watching technique videos that will only get you amped up about doing what you probably shouldn’t be doing until you’re fully healed. Or maybe you’re body feels too sore to hit that open mat and the prospect of sitting down for a few hours with a pint of B&J’s sounds more to your pace.

Whatever the reason, if you’re looking for some jiu-jitsu themed movies – and you don’t want to spend hours scrolling through Netflix reading descriptions – we’ve got your back. We’ve compiled this list of ten movies that feature anywhere from a dash to a mega dose of BJJ or MMA moves.

Never Back Down (2008)

Cult-classic The Karate Kid meets Step Up. When a troubled teenager named Jake Tyler moves to a new town, he finds himself targeted by bullies. Determined to stand up for himself, he seeks the guidance of a mixed martial arts trainer, Jean Roqua. As Jake trains and competes in underground MMA fights, he learns valuable lessons about discipline, respect, and the true meaning of strength.

Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011)

Get a two-fer with the sequel to "Never Back Down,” in which four young fighters from diverse backgrounds come together to train under experienced MMA coach, Case Walker. As they prepare for an underground fighting tournament known as The Beatdown, each fighter must confront their personal demons and overcome obstacles both inside and outside the cage.

Warrior (2011)

Looking for more drama? Two estranged brothers, Brendan and Tommy Conlon, find themselves on a collision course as they both enter a prestigious mixed martial arts tournament called Sparta. Brendan, a high school physics teacher struggling to make ends meet, enters the tournament to provide for his family, while Tommy, a haunted war veteran, sees the competition as a chance for redemption and financial gain. As they train and fight their way through the tournament, they must confront their troubled past, family dynamics, and inner demons.

Redbelt (2008)

If can’t get enough underground fighting…  Mike Terry, a dedicated and honorable Jiu-Jitsu instructor, finds himself drawn into the world of underground fighting and corruption when he intervenes in a bar brawl to protect a woman. As Terry navigates the dangerous and deceitful landscape of professional fighting, he must uphold his principles while facing increasingly difficult challenges.

Here Comes the Boom (2012)

Lighten it up with this comedy: Scott Voss, a former collegiate wrestler and disillusioned high school biology teacher, embarks on a mission to save his school's struggling music program from budget cuts by becoming an MMA fighter. With the support of his colleague and love interest, Bella, as well as a quirky fellow teacher named Marty, Scott undergoes rigorous training and enters the octagon to raise money for his school.

Haywire (2011)

Though not primarily about MMA, this action thriller includes several intense fight scenes choreographed by real-life MMA fighter Gina Carano, who plays Mallory Kane, a highly skilled operative for a private intelligence firm, seeking revenge after being betrayed during a mission. Fueled by a desire for justice, Mallory faces off against former colleagues and assassins along the way.

Tapped Out (2014)

More drama? You got it. After serving time in juvenile detention for accidentally killing a man in a street fight, a troubled young man named Michael Shaw finds redemption through mixed martial arts. Under the guidance of a wise mentor and former MMA fighter, Michael trains rigorously to compete in a prestigious tournament where he will face his inner demons and seek justice for his past mistakes. 

Choke (1999)

If fiction is not your thing tonight, check out this documentary based on the life of legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and mixed martial artist Rickson Gracie. The film follows Rickson as he prepares for a high-stakes MMA fight in Japan. Through interviews, training footage, and archival material, "Choke" offers insight into Rickson's upbringing, family legacy, and enduring legacy as one of the greatest martial artists of his generation.