Here are some Chess related films and documentaries, obtained by asking ChatGPT.

Chess Films and Documentaries

Film / documentaryYearTypeWhere to watch in UKWhat it's about
Queen of Chess — Judit Polgár2026DocumentaryNetflixThe story of Judit Polgár, who was deliberately raised by her parents to become a chess player and went on to become the strongest woman in chess history, defeating several World Champions along the way.
Untold: Chess Mates2026DocumentaryNetflixExamines the extraordinary Magnus Carlsen–Hans Niemann controversy that erupted after Niemann defeated Carlsen in 2022, including the cheating allegations, the investigation and the remarkable events that followed.
The Man in the Red Beret2023Documentary — Jude AcersAmazon Prime VideoFollows the extraordinary life of Jude Acers, the eccentric American chess master famous for playing strangers on the streets of New Orleans. His red beret became his trademark, and the film explores his life and lifelong passion for chess.
The Queen's Gambit2020TV miniseriesNetflixFictional story of Beth Harmon, an orphan who discovers an extraordinary talent for chess. Set mainly in the 1950s and 1960s, it follows her rise through the chess world while dealing with personal struggles and addiction.
Critical Thinking2020Drama / true storyNot currently available in UKBased on a Miami high-school chess team that overcame difficult circumstances to compete successfully at national level. It focuses as much on the players' lives and backgrounds as it does on chess.
Magnus2016DocumentaryAmazon Prime Video; YouTube FreeFollows Magnus Carlsen from his childhood as a chess prodigy through his development into a World Champion. It gives a fascinating insight into Magnus's personality and his extraordinary chess ability.
Queen of Katwe2016Drama / true storyDisney+Based on Phiona Mutesi, a girl from a poor area of Kampala, Uganda, who discovers chess and becomes a highly successful competitive player. A particularly uplifting story about how chess transforms her life.
Pawn Sacrifice2014Drama / FischerYouTube Free; Apple TV, Amazon etc. — rent/buyA dramatised account of Bobby Fischer's rise and his 1972 World Championship match against Boris Spassky. It concentrates heavily on Fischer's increasingly troubled mental state and the pressure surrounding the match.
The Dark Horse2014Drama / true storyAmazon Prime Video; Apple TV etc.Based on New Zealand chess player Genesis Potini, who suffers from mental health problems but uses chess to help disadvantaged young people. Chess becomes a way of giving them discipline, confidence and hope.
Brooklyn Castle2012DocumentaryAmazon Prime VideoFollows students at an inner-city New York school whose chess teams become remarkably successful. It shows how chess gives the children opportunities despite financial and social difficulties.
Bobby Fischer Against the World2011DocumentaryNot currently available in UKA detailed look at Bobby Fischer's life, from his emergence as a teenage chess genius through his famous 1972 World Championship victory over Boris Spassky and his subsequent withdrawal from competitive chess.
Game Over: Kasparov and the Machine2003DocumentaryNot currently streaming in UKCovers Garry Kasparov's 1997 match against IBM's Deep Blue, when a reigning World Champion famously lost a match to a computer. It explores the controversy and what the result meant for chess and artificial intelligence.
Searching for Bobby Fischer1993Drama / true storyAmazon Video, Apple TV — rent/buyThe true story of young chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin, who becomes a highly talented player. It explores his parents, coaches and the pressures of competitive chess, while questioning how much a child should be pushed to succeed.