Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man (2005)

  • 80% of critics liked it
    (207 reviews)

  • 88% of users liked it
    (257,906 ratings)

The true story of an athlete who achieved his greatest success against the most daunting odds of his life is brought to the screen in this historical drama. In the 1920s, James Braddock (Russell Crowe) from Bergen, NJ, was a promising contender in professional boxing; he had strength, spirit, and… More

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PG-13, 2 hr. 24 min.
Directed By
Ron Howard
Written By
Ron Howard, Akiva Goldsman, Cliff Hollingsworth
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure
In Theaters
May 29, 2005 Wide
On DVD
Dec 6, 2005
Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • David Ansen, Newsweek

    Howard's movie skillfully delivers that primal, heart-pounding satisfaction that is the promise of all boxing tales.

  • Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com

    The joy is in the playing, and Ron Howard pulls out all the stops like the organist at the old Madison Square Garden.

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    The storytelling is fluid and gripping.

  • Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

    Just an O.K. vintage fight movie.

  • Rex Reed, New York Observer

    The thing that ultimately makes it a classic in the pantheon of American movies is the way it reveals something about the idealism, strength, grace and grit of the American Dream.

Read all 21 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jeff "


    Cinderella Man is yet another terrific Ron Howard film. Based on the life of James Braddock. The cast that Howard directs is incredible. Russell Crow deliver a great performance as struggling boxer James Braddock. Ron Howard has an eye for real life stories, and he definitely knows… More

  • Manu G


    When America was on its knees, he brought us to our feet. Saw it again! Perfect movie, no flaws whatsoever. Undoubtedly one or the best sports and boxing movies of all time. To me Russel Crowe on his best performance ever as an actor. Renee Zellweger and Paul Giamatti did a fantastic… More

  • Kase V


    At first sight, Ron Howard's 'Cinderella Man' may seem like a better movie than it actually is. Not until after the credits role do you realize that you completely fell for Howards' techniques of dressing up the script and putting on a show. What Cinderella Man… More

  • Brad W


    Its not Rocky, but its pretty damn close! Russell Crowe is tremendous, along with Zellweger, but the true light goes on Giamatti for his incredible performance. Ron Howard is one of my favorite Directors and here he puts this Boxing movie up there with the greats.

  • Mike S


    Boxing in the 1930's is no more interesting to me than boxing the way it is today. Yet, to my great pleasure and amazement, this was about so much more than just a guy throwing punches in the ring. I even liked it more than <i>Rocky</i> and <i>The… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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