7 Ace Tennis Films That Channel The Wimbledon Magic
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2 weeks ago
You’re going to love these…
And we’re back! The Wimbledon Tennis Championships have officially commenced for 2026, bringing another fortnight of world-class tennis to SW19. In between watching all of the action (at one of these big screens, perchance?), you can keep the magic going with a great tennis film. While there aren’t many out there, there is a handful we love. We’ve gathered them below.
Challengers (2024)
The most recent tennis film to grace theatre screens was Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, which – though it made headlines for its love triangle between Tashi (Zendaya), Patrick (Josh O’Connor) and Art (Mike Faist) – features some stellar tennis cinematography. If you’re interested in getting an insight to what tennis players get up to at university, and what happens after that, Challengers is the perfect flick. Prime Video
King Richard (2021)
The film that unexpectedly brought us slapgate is Reinaldo Marcus Green’s King Richard, starring Will Smith as Richard Williams, the father turned tennis coach of shining stars, Venus and Serena Williams. King Richard centres on the titular dad, tracing his daughters’ childhood in Compton, California as he urges them to pursue a tennis career. Trust us, it slaps. And best of all, it’s currently streaming for free in the UK. BBC iPlayer
Wimbledon (2004)
For a retro, very on the nose tennis film, try Richard Loncraine’s romcom Wimbledon, starring Paul Bettanay as Peter, an English tennis pro whose ranking has slipped from 11 to 119. When he earns a wildcard spot at Wimbledon, though, his game drastically improves upon meeting American up-and-comer Lizzie (Kirsten Dunst). Rent across platforms.
Battle Of The Sexes (2017)
From one Gwen Stacey to another, this 2017 tennis film takes us back to 1973 when the world witnessed one of history’s most monumental tennis matches: between Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell). It traces the huge amount of sexism women faced in ‘70s tennis and before, showcasing the formation of the WTA, and King’s game changing match against Riggs who claims, at 55, he can still beat any woman. Disney+
Borg vs McEnroe (2017)
It seems 2017 was a big year for tennis films – and head-to-head ones at that. Perfect for some Wimbledon nostalgia, Borg vs McEnroe traces the famous professional rivalry between players Björn Borg (played by Sverrir Gudnason) and John McEnroe (played by Shia LaBeouf) at the 1980 Wimbledon Championships, culminating in their encounter at the men’s singles final – one of the most dramatic matches in tennis history, lasting a whopping three hours and 53 minutes. Disney+
Final Set (2020)
If you are not opposed to some subtitled tennis action, France’s Cinquième set (aka Final Set) is a smashing watch, and delves into the under-fictionalised world of Roland-Garros. Written and directed by Quentin Reynaud, Alex Lutz stars as aging tennis player Thomas Edison (no relation) who, despite his declining physical fitness and shattered knee, decides to enter the intense qualifying rounds of the French Open – one final attempt at glory. (Coincidentally, Brit Kristin Scott Thomas stars as his mother.)
Match Point (2005)
Woody Allen is known for his romcoms, but Match Point is more of a thriller, centring on former professional tennis player Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) who gets a new gig coaching at an upscale London club. It’s there he becomes friendly with Tom (Matthew Goode), and through him that he meets and marries Chloe (Emily Mortimer). But the truth is that Chris is smitten with Tom’s girlfriend Nola (Scarlett Johansson). Think of this as a psychological thriller with a tennis backdrop (and a stacked cast). Disney+
