Overview
A tale of resilience and redemption during one of America's darkest times.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- gritty
- inspirational
- earnest
- inspirational movie night
- sports movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film to be a gritty, evocative, and emotionally powerful underdog boxing drama elevated by Ron Howard's direction and strong performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Braddock returns to professional boxing after injury, poverty, and public relief make his career appear finished.
The Braddock family faces unemployment, unpaid bills, electricity shutoff, and welfare during the Great Depression.
Boxing matches foreground the force of professional fighting and the danger posed by heavyweight champion Max Baer.
Braddock returns to the ring chiefly to protect Mae and their children from destitution.
Films like Cinderella Man, and why
Rocky
shared boxing drama, underdog comeback, working-class struggle, and emotionally direct sports storytelling
Raging Bull
shared biographical boxing drama, period realism, physical sacrifice, and tragic sporting stakes
Seabiscuit
shared inspirational sports drama, Depression-era hardship, family devotion, and resilience
Fat City
shared gritty boxing setting, working-class marginalization, and unsentimental athletic struggle
Movie Details
- Director
- Ron Howard
- Release Date
- 2005-06-02
- Runtime
- 144 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (2494)
Cast
- Russell Crowe
- Renée Zellweger
- Paul Giamatti
- Craig Bierko
- Paddy Considine
- Bruce McGill
- David Huband
- Connor Price
- Ariel Waller
- Patrick Louis
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- 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 Cinderella Man about?
- An impoverished former boxer fights his way back into the ring and becomes a Depression-era symbol of family loyalty and working-class hope.
- What is Cinderella Man like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cinderella Man as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Cinderella Man violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Cinderella Man as moderate.
- What did critics think of Cinderella Man?
- Critics broadly found the film to be a gritty, evocative, and emotionally powerful underdog boxing drama elevated by Ron Howard's direction and strong performances.
- Which films are like Cinderella Man?
- Films with a similar feel include Rocky, Raging Bull, Seabiscuit, and Fat City.
- How long is Cinderella Man?
- Cinderella Man runs 144 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cinderella Man?
- In United States, Cinderella Man streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
