THEME EXPLORATION

underdog triumph

28 films · 3 directors

Tracing the thread…

FILMS THAT EXPLORE THIS
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
2004 · Rawson Marshall Thurber
Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda
2008 · John Stevenson & Mark Osborne
Hajime no Ippo
Hajime no Ippo
2003 · —
Chinese Animation: A Century
Chinese Animation: A Century
2026 · Lijun Sun
Kung Fu
Kung Fu
2026 · Giddens Ko
Peddi
Peddi
2026 · Buchi Babu Sana
The Castle
The Castle
1997 · Michael Haneke
Chicken Run
Chicken Run
2000 · Nick Park & Peter Lord
Nacho Libre
Nacho Libre
2006 · Jared Hess
Early Man
Early Man
2018 · Nick Park
Goon
Goon
2012 · Michael Dowse
The Legend Is Born: Ip Man
The Legend Is Born: Ip Man
2010 · Herman Yau
All for the Winner
All for the Winner
1990 · Corey Yuen & Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
Walking with Dinosaurs
Walking with Dinosaurs
2013 · Barry Cook
Arahan
Arahan
2004 · Ryoo Seung-wan
Big Brother
Big Brother
2018 · Kam Ka-Wai
Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King
Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King
2023 · Ayataka Tanemura
Eega
Eega
2012 · S. S. Rajamouli
Dreadnaught
Dreadnaught
1981 · Yuen Woo-Ping
D.C. Cab
D.C. Cab
1983 · Joel Schumacher
Gaby: A True Story
Gaby: A True Story
1987 · Luis Mandoki
Il vegetale
Il vegetale
2018 · Gennaro Nunziante
One Chance
One Chance
2013 · David Frankel
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
2022 · Rob Minkoff
Psychokinesis
Psychokinesis
2018 · Yeon Sang-ho
Strictly Ballroom
Strictly Ballroom
1992 · Baz Luhrmann
Time Toys
Time Toys
2016 · Mark Rosman
Zenabel
Zenabel
1969 · Ruggero Deodato
DIRECTORS WHO EXPLORE THIS
Gary Ross USA

Ross crafts populist narratives that critique systems while celebrating individual resilience and moral awakening.

 John G. Avildsen USA

Champion of the underdog, crafting inspirational narratives about ordinary people overcoming systemic obstacles.

 John Lee Hancock USA

Humanistic storyteller who transforms real-life struggles into emotionally resonant underdog narratives.