Founded in 2002, WWE Studios was developed as a strategic initiative by World Wrestling Entertainment to expand its brand into the film industry. Initially, the studio produced movies featuring wrestling talent in leading roles, aiming to capitalize on their existing fan base. While early releases received mixed reviews, they gave wrestlers like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and John Cena a chance to get their foot in the door of mainstream Hollywood productions.
Over the years, WWE Studios has continued to produce films that blend wrestling with various genres, seeking to appeal to both wrestling fans and general audiences. Here are the best WWE movies and where to watch them on streaming services like Hulu and Prime Video.
The Scorpion King (2002)
The Scorpion King was Dwayne Johnson's first leading role in a feature film. He plays Mathayus, a stoic and cunning warrior-for-hire living in the harsh deserts of ancient Egypt. When a tyrannical warlord named Memnon gains power using a sorceress who can foresee the outcome of every battle, Mathayus is hired to eliminate her. But things get complicated when he realizes that the sorceress, Cassandra, is less a willing participant and more a prisoner of her own foresight. What unfolds is part revenge tale, part epic origin story, and all delivered with the kind of sweaty, sand-crusted bravado that only early 2000s action films could pull off with a straight face.
The Rundown (2003)
The Rundown sees Dwayne Johnson take on a more grounded, gritty role as he steps into the boots of Beck, a debt collector with a conscience and a serious distaste for guns. But Beck isn't your average action hero. He's competent, but also carries the weariness of a man who's spent his life cleaning up other people's messes and is finally ready to chase his own dreams. Unfortunately, his retirement plans are put on hold when he's sent to the heart of the Amazon jungle, where his boss' reckless son, played by Seann William Scott, has gone off-grid searching for a legendary artifact. What follows is a buddy-adventure full of over-the-top brawls and a delightfully unhinged Christopher Walken playing a greedy, small-town dictator obsessed with gold.
The Marine (2006)
The Marine introduces us to John Triton, played by John Cena in his feature film debut. Triton is a recently discharged Marine who returns home only to have his wife kidnapped by a gang of jewel thieves led by a villainous, over-the-top Robert Patrick. What follows is a high-stakes rescue mission that barrels through forests, gas stations, and half the state's infrastructure. Cena plays Triton like a man who has nothing to lose and everything to prove, not just to the characters around him, but to an audience that still wasn't sure if this wrestling superstar could carry a movie.
Legendary (2010)
With Legendary, WWE Studios pivoted hard from gunfire to heartstrings. This sports drama centers on Cal Chetley, a bookish teenager who joins the wrestling team to reconnect with his estranged older brother Mike, played by John Cena. It's a story rooted in grief, family tension, and the quiet resilience it takes to repair broken relationships. Wrestling is the backdrop here, but healing is the main event. Overall, the film feels refreshing, especially coming from a studio best known for its body slams and explosions. For Cena, still a rising star at the time, it gave him a chance to swap his action hero persona for something more grounded.
Fighting with My Family (2019)
Fighting with My Family isn't just a great wrestling movie - it's just a great movie. Based on the real-life rise of WWE superstar Paige, the film follows Saraya Knight (played by Florence Pugh) as she navigates the unlikely leap from a scrappy wrestling promotion in Norwich, England, to the grand stage of WWE stardom. It's a fish-out-of-water story, a family dramedy, and an underdog sports tale all wrapped into one emotionally resonant package. Dwayne Johnson, playing a heightened version of himself, adds just the right amount of meta-wisdom to the story, bridging the past and present of WWE's Hollywood experiment.
Rumble (2021)
Rumble is what happens when WWE's over-the-top theatricality meets Pixar-style optimism. Set in a whimsical world where giant monsters are the celebrities of the professional wrestling world, the film follows Winnie (voiced by Geraldine Viswanathan), an ambitious teenage girl who sets out to train a lovable underdog monster named Steve into a championship contender. It's a classic sports story full of zany humor, big lessons, and larger-than-life personalities, both human and otherwise. The voice cast is stacked with Will Arnett, giving Steve a charming laziness that slowly turns into quiet determination, while Terry Crews and WWE stars Becky Lynch and Roman Reigns bring a burst of attitude and energy.
Where To Watch Best WWE Movies Online
To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in the US, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!
