Cinderella Man

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2:23

Cinderella Man

PG-13

2005

2h 24m

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

209 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

During the Great Depression, ex-boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) works as a day laborer until his former manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) offers him a one-time slot against a rising young contender. After he wins a shocking upset, Braddock goes back into the ring full time, against the wishes of his frightened wife, Mae (Renée Zellweger). Dubbed "The Cinderella Man" for his rags-to-riches story, Braddock sets his sights on the defending champion, the fearsome Max Baer (Craig Bierko).

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Critics Consensus

With grittiness and an evocative sense of time and place, Cinderella Man is a powerful underdog story. And Ron Howard and Russell Crowe prove to be a solid combination.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

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

Nov 1, 2007

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Jay Ruttenberg

Time Out

As for the fights themselves, Howard brings nothing new to the canvas. Like the movie as a whole, they work fine enough, even while encased in leaden certitude.

Aug 17, 2007

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Mark Salisbury

Time Out

The fight scenes have a stinging authenticity and, although at 144 minutes it outstays its welcome, this is Howard's best film since Apollo 13

Jun 24, 2006

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

As a film, Cinderella Man is terribly weak, thoroughly sentimental and predictable.

Feb 15, 2021

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Giamatti gives a daring, bold performance that easily could have drifted into a cartoonish character.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 5, 2020

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Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

In a season where adult films are at a minimum, it is a breath of fresh air.

Nov 18, 2019

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Matheus F

Russell Crowe and Paul Giamatti are phenomenal.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/25

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Ed K

A Go-to movie for my wife and me. Great period piece about the Great Depression, rags to riches and underdog theme, and simply sensational acting. Such an inspirational and true story that everyone should watch. You will not be disappointed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

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Faiz D

'Cinderella Man' is just phenomenal, and very well-acted. Paul Giamatti was incredible, and Russell Crow delivered yet another great performance as struggling boxer James Braddock. One of the best boxing movies I've seen.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

Lance G

I love this film. It's a heart warming story that acts as a touchstone to me personally as a father. If you enjoy a good comeback movie and enjoying the story of a person overcoming life's obstacles, then this is worth your time.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

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thiago s

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas de boxe são mais ou menos, o elenco é bacaninha, mas ninguém ajudou a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e mais relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom, o filme ainda teve um pouco de drama, mas isso não melhorou o filme.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

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Garrett B

One of my all new favorite boxing biopics.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/18/25

Full Review

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Ron Howard

Director

Russell Crowe

Jim Braddock

Renée Zellweger

Mae Braddock

Paul Giamatti

Joe Gould

Craig Bierko

Max Baer

Paddy Considine

Mike Wilson

Cinderella Man: Official Clip - Braddock vs. Baer

2:59

Cinderella Man: Official Clip - The Champion of My Heart

2:59

Cinderella Man: Official Clip - Run It Again

2:59

Cinderella Man: Official Clip - One Hell of a Goodbye

3:00

Cinderella Man: Official Clip - The Ending: New World Champion

3:00

Cinderella Man: Official Clip - Braddock Begs for Money

3:00

Cinderella Man: Official Clip - Fighting for Milk

2:45

Cinderella Man: Official Clip - Braddock Beats Lasky

3:00

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Synopsis

During the Great Depression, ex-boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) works as a day laborer until his former manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) offers him a one-time slot against a rising young contender. After he wins a shocking upset, Braddock goes back into the ring full time, against the wishes of his frightened wife, Mae (Renée Zellweger). Dubbed "The Cinderella Man" for his rags-to-riches story, Braddock sets his sights on the defending champion, the fearsome Max Baer (Craig Bierko).

Director: Ron Howard
Producer: Brian Grazer
Screenwriter: Akiva Goldsman, Cliff Hollingsworth
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Imagine Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language|Intense Boxing Violence)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 3, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $61.6M
Runtime: 2h 24m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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