Pelé: Birth of a Legend
A gifted boy from Brazil’s poorest neighborhoods becomes a teenage football phenomenon whose brilliance helps deliver a historic World Cup triumph.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- inspirational
- earnest
- uplifting
- sports movie night
- inspirational viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the film an earnest but conventional sports biopic weakened by a shallow, predictable script, uneven performances, and a frenetic highlight-reel style.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film follows Pelé from childhood poverty through his emergence as a football prodigy and international star.
Pelé's rise culminates in Brazil's first World Cup victory and is framed as a defining moment for the country.
Pelé travels from the slums of São Paulo to the global stage of the 1958 World Cup.
Critics specifically described the film's frenetic highlight-reel style, emphasizing football action over dramatic depth.
Films like Pelé: Birth of a Legend, and why
The Blind Side
inspirational sports biopic centered on a gifted athlete overcoming poverty and social barriers
Borg vs McEnroe
conventional rise-to-fame sports drama combining personal hardship, national identity, and sporting triumph
Eddie the Eagle
earnest biographical sports film about an underdog athlete whose success carries cultural significance
The Damned United
uplifting football drama focused on class, talent, mentorship, and national sporting achievement
Movie Details
- Directors
- Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist
- Release Date
- 2016-05-06
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (1170)
Cast
- Kevin de Paula
- Leonardo Lima Carvalho
- Seu Jorge
- Milton Gonçalves
- Seth Michaels
- Vincent D'Onofrio
- André Mattos
- Mariana Nunes
- Phil Miler
- Rafael Henriques
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, Sundance Now
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Pelé: Birth of a Legend about?
- A gifted boy from Brazil’s poorest neighborhoods becomes a teenage football phenomenon whose brilliance helps deliver a historic World Cup triumph.
- What is Pelé: Birth of a Legend like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pelé: Birth of a Legend as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Pelé: Birth of a Legend violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Pelé: Birth of a Legend.
- What did critics think of Pelé: Birth of a Legend?
- Critics generally found the film an earnest but conventional sports biopic weakened by a shallow, predictable script, uneven performances, and a frenetic highlight-reel style.
- Which films are like Pelé: Birth of a Legend?
- Films with a similar feel include The Blind Side, Borg vs McEnroe, Eddie the Eagle, and The Damned United.
- How long is Pelé: Birth of a Legend?
- Pelé: Birth of a Legend runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Pelé: Birth of a Legend?
- In United States, Pelé: Birth of a Legend streams on Philo, AMC+ Amazon Channel, Sundance Now.
