7 Running Films Our Team Believes You Need To Watch

Last updated: 4 June, 2026

There’s something about a great running film that makes you want to lace up for a run before the credits have even rolled! Whether it’s the raw emotion of an ultra, the tension of a world record attempt, or a story that reminds you why you started running in the first place, these films have a way of staying with you.

Our team sat down to decipher which running films we keep coming back to. The ones we recommend to friends, rewatch on rest days, and quote on long runs.

Below are our first seven recommendations ~ happy watching!

Breaking2

Nike’s audacious attempt to break the two-hour marathon barrier. Everything about this film builds tension, from the course selection to the pacing strategy to the final kilometres. Even knowing the outcome, it’s almost impossible not to hold your breath at the end…

Watch via: Disney+

I Am Bolt

You think you know Usain Bolt? The celebrations, the world records, the effortless dominance. This film shows the other side. The injuries, the doubt, the discipline behind the showmanship. It’s far more human than you’d expect from the fastest man who ever lived, and a reminder that even the greatest athletes have days where they don’t want to train.

Watch via: Apple TV or Prime Video

Lucy’s Dad

A father-daughter story told through running. It’s a short film from Salomon TV but it packs more emotion into its runtime than most feature-length documentaries manage. We won’t say too much because it’s best going in cold, but we do recommend having a few tissues on hand!

Watch via: YouTube (Salomon TV)

Moab 240: Mind Over Miles

240 miles through the Utah desert (no, that’s not a typo)! This film follows Sally McCrae through one of the most gruelling ultra races in the world and it’s as much about what happens in your head as what happens to your body. The title says it all. If you’ve ever wondered what drives someone to run that far, this is your answer.

Watch via: YouTube (Sally McCrae)

Unbreakable: The Western States 100

Four elite ultra runners take on the Western States 100, one of the oldest and most iconic trail races in the world. This is the film that got a lot of people into ultra running. The course is brutal, the competition is fierce, and the final act is one of the best in any running film. A must-watch for anyone curious about what happens beyond the marathon distance.

Watch via: YouTube (Journey Film)

The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young

If you watch one running film, make it this one. The Barkley Marathons is unlike any race on earth. No website, no entry form, a course so brutal that most years nobody finishes. This documentary captures the absurdity, the suffering, and the strange magic of a race designed to break people. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and you’ll spend the rest of the week telling everyone you know about it.

Watch via: Netflix

Run India

Australian ultra runner Sam Gash running the length of India. It’s raw, honest, and at times completely wild. What makes this one special is that it’s not really about running. It’s about culture, connection, and what happens when you strip everything back and just keep moving through a country most people only see from a tour bus.

Watch via: YouTube (Sam Gash)

What did we miss?

These are the films our team keeps coming back to, but we know there are plenty more out there. If there’s a running film you think deserves a spot on the list, let us know. We’re always looking for the next rest day watch.

Inspired by these films to take on your next challenge?

Check out some of the amazing running events across Australia on RunDais. Whether it’s your first 5km or your first ultra, there’s something out there for you: