Raging Bull

"Raging Bull," another outstanding name in our list of the best boxing movies, is a 1980 biographical sports drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. Based on the life of professional boxer Jake LaMotta, the film explores the tumultuous career and personal life of the legendary middleweight champion. Known for its raw intensity and stunning performances, "Raging Bull" has become a cinematic masterpiece.

The film takes us back to the 1940s and 1950s, a time when Jake LaMotta (played by Robert De Niro) was at the height of his boxing career. LaMotta is a fierce and relentless fighter known for his aggressive style in the ring. However, outside the ring, he struggles with his own personal demons, including anger issues and self-destructive behavior.

As LaMotta's boxing career progresses, he gains recognition and wins numerous matches, ultimately earning a shot at the middleweight championship. However, his personal life starts to unravel as his jealousy and possessiveness consume him. He becomes increasingly paranoid, suspecting his wife, Vickie (played by Cathy Moriarty), of infidelity, which leads to explosive confrontations and a breakdown of trust in their marriage.

While "Raging Bull" showcases the brutality and intensity of LaMotta's boxing matches, it also explores the psychological and emotional toll they take on him. The violence in the ring becomes a metaphor for the violence and self-destructive tendencies that define his life outside of boxing. LaMotta's unyielding determination and self-destructive nature ultimately lead him down a path of isolation and self-destruction.

Release: 1980

Stars: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%