The 100 Years of Olympic Films: 1912–2012 movies in order
There are 51 100 Years of Olympic Films: 1912–2012 films, about 95.6 hours in total. The first was released in 1924, the latest in 2017. Watching in release order is the safest way to meet the story as audiences did.
Spanning fifty-three movies and forty-one editions of the Olympic Games, 100 Years of Olympic Films: 1912–2012 is the culmination of a monumental, award-winning archival project encompassing dozens of new restorations by the International Olympic Committee. The documentaries collected here cast a cinematic eye on some of the most iconic moments in the history of modern sports, spotlighting athletes who embody the Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger”: Jesse Owens shattering world records on the track in 1936 Berlin, Jean-Claude Killy dominating the Grenoble slopes in 1968, Joan Benoit breaking away to win the Games’ first women’s marathon in Los Angeles in 1984.
- 1
The 1924 Chamonix Olympic Games (1924)
31 Dec 1924 · 37 min
A documentary covering the Olympic Games at Chamonix in 1924.
- 2
The Olympic Games as They Were Practiced in Ancient Greece (1924)
31 Dec 1924 · 8 min
A documentary on the Olympic games of ancient Greece, made during the 1924 games.
- 3
The Olympic Games in Paris 1924 (1925)
1 Jan 1925 · 174 min
A documentary on the 1924 Olympic Game in Paris.
- 4
The Olympic Games, Amsterdam 1928 (1928)
1 Jan 1928 · 192 min
A documentary on the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.
- 5
The IX Olympiad in Amsterdam (1928)
1 Jan 1928 · 251 min
A documentary on the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. Made by Istituto Luce, there is an understandable focus on Italian athletes, but it is the first Olympic documentary that describes the techniques of certain events.
- 6
The White Stadium (1928)
19 Mar 1928 · 124 min
A profile of the 1928 Olympic Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
- 7
Youth of the World (1936)
12 Jun 1936 · 38 min
This Nazi propaganda film covers the 1936 Winter Olympics that were held in Germany.
- 8
XIVth Olympiad: The Glory of Sport (1948)
19 Sep 1948 · 138 min
A documentary covering the 1948 Olympic Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and London, England.
- 9
Fight Without Hate (1948)
31 Dec 1948 · 91 min
A documentary covering the 1948 Olympic Games in St. Moritz.
- 10
The VI Olympic Winter Games, Oslo 1952 (1952)
30 Oct 1952 · 103 min
A documentary covering the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway.
- 11
Where the World Meets (1952)
28 Nov 1952 · 101 min
A first part of a documentary on the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.
- 12
Gold and Glory (1953)
19 Mar 1953 · 97 min
A second part of a documentary covering the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.
- 13
Memories of the Olympic Summer of 1952 (1954)
1 Jan 1954 · 50 min
Documentary footage from the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.
- 14
The Horse in Focus (1956)
31 Dec 1956 · 16 min
A documentary covering the equestrian events of 1956 Olympic Games in Stockholm.
- 15
Olympic Games 1956 (1956)
31 Dec 1956 · 60 min
A documentary covering the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne and Stockholm.
- 16
White Vertigo (1956)
31 Dec 1956 · 96 min
A documentary covering the 1956 Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
- 17
The Melbourne Rendezvous (1957)
21 Jan 1957
Rendez-Vous a Melbourne is the official filmed record of the 1956 Olympic Games in Australia. At the time of its release, there was much controversy in the documentary-filmmaking world over the fact that the Aussies signed over exclusive distribution rights to a French firm, resulting in a boycott from other movie companies. None of this matters when the film is seen today: though not in the same
- 18
Alain Mimoun (1959)
31 Dec 1959
A documentary about French marathon runner Alain Mimoun at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne.
- 19
People, Hopes, Medals (1960)
14 Mar 1960 · 93 min
A documentary covering the 1960 Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, California.
- 20
The Grand Olympics (1961)
26 May 1961 · 142 min
Events and athletes that characterized the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. From the absolute protagonist Wilma Rudolph, called the black gazelle, to Livio Berruti, the first white to win the 200 meters, to the deeds of Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who won the marathon racing barefoot.
- 21
IX Olympic Winter Games, Innsbruck 1964 (1964)
30 May 1964 · 96 min
A documentary on the 1964 Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria.
- 22
Tokyo Olympiad (1965)
20 Mar 1965 · 170 min
This impressionistic portrait of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics pays as much attention to the crowds and workers as it does to the actual competitive events. Highlights include an epic pole-vaulting match between West Germany and America, and the final marathon race through Tokyo's streets. Two athletes are highlighted: Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who receives his second gold medal, an
- 23
Sensation of the Century (1966)
15 May 1966 · 156 min
A documentary covering the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. It consists primarily of footage edited from the documentary TOKYO OLYMPIAD, directed by Kon Ichikawa.
- 24
13 Days in France (1968)
27 Sep 1968 · 112 min
This colorful documentary chronicles the events of the 1968 Winter Olympics in France. The events made international celebrities of skater Peggy Fleming and skier Jean-Claude Killy for their gold-medal performances. The camera accurately catches the speed of bobsleds and downhill racers and ski jumpers as they race for the gold. President Charles DeGaulle is shown observing the action over 13 days
- 25
Snows of Grenoble (1968)
27 Dec 1968 · 91 min
Film about the 10th Olympic Games in Grenoble in 1968. Using a subjective camera, Ertaud and Languepin take the pulse of the Games, cutting out the eyes and slowing down the movement when necessary. The dominant figure at the Grenoble Winter Games is Frenchman Jean-Claude Killy, whose three gold medals matched Toni Sailer's 1956 feat. The filmmakers bet on his winning streak, and include commentar
- 26
The Olympics in Mexico (1969)
29 Aug 1969 · 160 min
Documentary about the XIX Olympic Games in Mexico City in 1968. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment in 1999.
- 27
Sapporo Winter Olympics (1972)
24 Jun 1972 · 168 min
An artistic and unconventional approach to winter sports, using striking visuals, sound design, and a focus on both the spectacle and the human element—including behind-the-scenes figures like ice maintenance workers—to create an intimate and aesthetically unique portrayal of the Olympics.
- 28
Visions of Eight (1973)
20 Aug 1973
Eight acclaimed filmmakers bring their unique and differing perspectives to the 1972 Summer Olympic Games held in Munich. The segments include Lelouch's take on Olympic losers and their struggle to remain dignified even in the face of bitter disappointment and defeat; Zetterling's dramatic exploration of the world of weightlifting; and Pfleghar's piece on young Russian gymnast Ludmilla Tourischev'
- 29
White Rock (1977)
29 Jan 1977 · 76 min
British documentary filmmaker and producer Tony Maylam reinvigorated the sports documentary genre with WHITE ROCK, an idiosyncratic and utterly engaging account of the XII Olympic Winter Games Innsbruck 1976. He did so by placing music (by organ and synth wunderkind Rick Wakeman) front and center, and by using Hollywood star James Coburn as a "guide for the uninitiated."
- 30
Games of the XXI Olympiad (1977)
21 Apr 1977 · 118 min
Edited from almost 100 km of film footage shot during the Games, this feature documentary is a breathtaking portrait of the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Much more than a simple record of the Games, the film approaches each event with the intention of revealing the athlete - whether winner or loser - as a unique individual.
- 31
Olympic Spirit (1980)
31 Dec 1980 · 27 min
A documentary covering the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid.
- 32
O Sport, You Are Peace! (1981)
18 Sep 1981 · 148 min
A 1981 documentary film directed by Yuri Ozerov. It showed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow. The director was awarded the State Prize of the USSR in 1982. The film was selected as the Soviet entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 54th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.
- 33
A Turning Point (1984)
31 Dec 1984 · 82 min
A documentary covering the 1984 Olympic Games in Sarajevo.
- 34
16 Days of Glory (1985)
23 Oct 1985 · 285 min
The definitive photographic record of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, told "from the inside" through the lives of the participants, the words of David Perry, and the singing voice of Placido Domingo. From the opening to closing ceremonies, this unique style of storytelling shows a side of the Olympic Games not seen by television audiences.
- 35
Beyond All Barriers (1989)
1 Jan 1989 · 92 min
A documentary covering the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul.
- 36
- 37
Seoul 1988 (1989)
1 Jan 1989 · 139 min
A documentary covering the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul.
- 38
Calgary ’88: 16 Days of Glory (1989)
22 Mar 1989 · 202 min
A documentary covering the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary.
- 39
One Light, One World (1992)
31 Dec 1992 · 104 min
A documentary covering the 1992 Olympic Games in Albertville.
- 40
Marathon (1993)
1 Jan 1993 · 130 min
For this documentary, the renowned Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura created a structure as unconventional as the Gaudí buildings that adorn the host city of Barcelona. Coverage of the men's marathon appears at intervals throughout the narrative, highlighting the Games' most iconic event. While charismatic winners—from 400m champion Michael Johnson to weightlifter Ivan Ivanov—take center stage, Saura
- 41
Lillehammer ’94: 16 Days of Glory (1994)
27 Nov 1994 · 209 min
A documentary covering the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer.
- 42
Atlanta’s Olympic Glory (1997)
7 Dec 1997 · 206 min
A documentary covering the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
- 43
Nagano ’98 Olympics: Stories of Honor and Glory (1998)
20 Dec 1998 · 119 min
A documentary covering the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano.
- 44
Sydney 2000: Stories of Olympic Glory (2001)
26 Aug 2001 · 116 min
A documentary covering the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
- 45
Salt Lake City 2002: Stories of Olympic Glory (2003)
7 Jan 2003 · 120 min
Award-winning sports chronicler Bud Greenspan delivers a powerful and emotional look at six individual stories in the official film of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Greenspan goes beyond highlight footage to tell the story of how these athletes overcome incredible obstacles to achieve Olympic glory.
- 46
Bud Greenspan’s Athens 2004: Stories of Olympic Glory (2005)
7 Nov 2005 · 96 min
A documentary covering the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
- 47
Bud Greenspan’s Torino 2006: Stories of Olympic Glory (2007)
5 Jul 2007 · 88 min
A documentary covering the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin.
- 48
The Everlasting Flame (2009)
7 Sep 2009 · 101 min
A documentary covering the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
- 49
Bud Greenspan Presents Vancouver 2010: Stories of Olympic Glory (2011)
28 Apr 2011 · 116 min
A documentary covering the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
- 50
First (2012)
23 Nov 2012 · 109 min
The Official Film of the XXXth Olympic Games to be held in London, following the stories of twelve first-time Olympians from around the world.
- 51
The Games of the V Olympiad Stockholm, 1912 (2017)
5 Dec 2017 · 170 min
Newly restored and assembled by the International Olympic Committee - the earliest comprehensive moving-image record of the modern Olympic Games that survives today.
Order and dates from TMDB collection data. Unreleased entries are added once they get a release date.