Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- inspirational
- determined
- poignant
- sports movie night
- olympics viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the biographical sports drama uneven but praised Jared Leto's committed performance and Steve James's direction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story follows Steve Prefontaine from his Oregon running career through his pursuit of Olympic competition and public prominence.
Prefontaine's pursuit of Olympic gold and distinctive competitive convictions place individual ideals against the structures of organized sport.
The protagonist's dream of Olympic success and status as a major American sports figure are inseparable from sacrifice and tragedy.
Running and Olympic competition provide the film's central visual and dramatic action, with athletic motion shaping its screen language.
Films like Prefontaine, and why
Chariots of Fire
biographical sports drama centered on an exceptionally driven athlete and the costs of competitive ambition
The Last Dance
emotionally direct athlete biography combining personal struggle, historical competition, and inspirational determination
Ali
sports biography focused on a charismatic competitor whose ideals collide with institutional pressures
The Jericho Mile
grounded running drama about obsessive athletic pursuit, mentorship, and sacrifice
Movie Details
- Director
- Steve James
- Release Date
- 1997-01-24
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (91)
Cast
- Jared Leto
- R. Lee Ermey
- Ed O'Neill
- Breckin Meyer
- Lindsay Crouse
- Amy Locane
- Laurel Holloman
- Brian McGovern
- Kurtwood Smith
- Adrian Amadeus
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, 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 Prefontaine about?
- A fiercely driven Oregon runner chases Olympic glory while becoming a symbol of athletic conviction and sacrifice.
- What is Prefontaine like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Prefontaine as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Prefontaine violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Prefontaine.
- What did critics think of Prefontaine?
- Critics broadly found the biographical sports drama uneven but praised Jared Leto's committed performance and Steve James's direction.
- Which films are like Prefontaine?
- Films with a similar feel include Chariots of Fire, The Last Dance, Ali, and The Jericho Mile.
- How long is Prefontaine?
- Prefontaine runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Prefontaine?
- In United States, Prefontaine is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
