The 10 Best ESPN 30 For 30 Documentaries, Ranked By IMDb

Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong, and Muhammad Ali are just a few of the iconic names to be featured in an installment of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. The docuseries is one of the many reasons why ESPN is considered the world leader in sports television.

Each installment covers a pivotal story from underdog tales to some of the most controversial things to ever happen. With the addition of ESPN+, especially given the packaged deal where you can get it with Disney+ and Hulu, audiences everywhere can now watch these whenever they want. The ratings on IMDb will help folks find the best ones to check out.

10 You Don't Know Bo (2012) - 8.1

The term "larger than life" is thrown around quite often, especially in sports but only a handful of athletes ever actually feel like they live up to that billing. Bo Jackson was exactly that kind of person, especially given his penchant for being a star in both baseball and football.

You Don't Know Bo focuses on that idea, as despite never winning a championship or being in the Hall of Fame, Jackson was a massive star. The titular Nike campaign played a major part in marketing him as a big deal, which was unheard of at the time and the documentary explores that.

9 Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks (2010) - 8.1

One of the most memorable rivalries in basketball during the '90s was between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. They met several times in big games throughout the decade but the two biggest clashes came during the 1994 and 1995 NBA Playoffs.

While the players on both teams, especially Indiana's Reggie Miller, had key roles, the most pivotal figure of this time was acclaimed director Spike Lee. As a huge Knicks fan, Lee agitated Miller at courtside and the documentary showcases how vicious this got, often causing Miller to dominate the Knicks.

8 Celtics/Lakers: Best Of Enemies (2017) - 8.1

The story of Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies is so grand that it actually takes three parts to fully tell. Honestly, it could've even been longer because of how storied this iconic rivalry is. In fact, it's even the subject of HBO Max's new show Winning Time.

This documentary is interesting because this isn't a typical sports feud. The Celtics and Lakers met several times in the Finals during the '80s and the battles between them helped make the NBA into the massive success that it is today. It also helps to have stories told by the charismatic figures of the era like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

7 The '85 Bears (2016) - 8.2

There are only a handful of teams that can be considered among the greatest in NFL history. Right near the top or at the very top are the 1985 Chicago Bears. Along with their dominance on the gridiron, they were also a wild collection of personalities.

The '85 Bears documentary shines a light on that squad, which was well known for having huge egos, tons of talent, and backing it all up on the field. Combine that swagger with Mike Ditka, one of the all-time great football coaches, and you've got a story for the ages in this retrospective.

6 Four Falls Of Buffalo (2015) - 8.2

While the '85 Bears are known as one of the best teams ever, the same cannot be said for the Buffalo Bills of the early '90s. That's a shame as well because the teams from that era were fantastic, yet they could never make it past the finish line.

These Bills are the only team in history to make four straight Super Bowl appearances but they also lost all four. Four Falls of Buffalo discusses these teams by interviewing former players and showing the famous plays that helped keep each team just shy of glory.

5 Of Miracles And Men (2015) - 8.2

Of Miracles and Men takes a look at the famous "Miracle on Ice." For those unaware, this happened at the 1980 Winter Olympics when the heavily favored four-time defending gold medalist Soviet Union hockey team shockingly lost to the young United States team.

The story is so legendary that it is even the subject of one of the best hockey movies ever, Miracle. The story is great to retell on its own but this documentary dives deeper by even featuring gold medalist Viacheslav Fetisov returning to Lake Placid (where the miracle happened) to discuss the loss.

4 Bad Boys (2014) - 8.2

There are always some teams out there that actually manage to become bigger than just being a championship-winning squad. That's the case with the "Bad Boy" Detroit Pistons, who carved out a niche by being unapologetically themselves, even if it made everyone hate them.

The "Bad Boys" were known for playing a physical style, disrespecting opponents, and being widely disliked by the league. Despite that, these Pistons won two NBA Championships and this documentary takes a look at that iconic era and what this team meant to the history of the league.

3 The Two Escobars (2010) - 8.4

Everything about The Two Escobars comes together to tell one of the wildest and most unexpected stories in sports history. It showcases how the lives of soccer star Andrés Escobar and legendary drug lord Pablo Escobar (subject of Netflix's Narcos) were somehow intertwined.

Pablo helped fund Andrés's successful South American team but when they went to the '94 World Cup, Andrés accidentally scored an "own goal," helping to cost his team the game. Days later, 27-year-old Andrés was assassinated and this documentary looks at how these events truly connect. It's shocking and fascinating.

2 Survive And Advance (2013) - 8.5

One of the most beloved names in sports is Jim Valvano, often known as just Jimmy V. He tragically passed away at 47 from cancer, just months after delivering one of the most iconic and emotional speeches in the history of the ESPYs.

Jimmy V famously led the North Carolina State Wolfpack to the NCAA Championship in 1983, with the game ending on a buzzer-beating dunk off of a desperation shot from deep. The run through the NCAA Tournament and the life of Jimmy V are both on full display in Survive and Advance.

1 Once Brothers (2010) - 8.5

The NBA has certainly become a global sport, arguably more than any other major league based in the United States. Some of the first international players to make an impact in the NBA were Vlade Divac and Dražen Petrović.

Once Brothers looks at the relationship between Divac and Petrović who played together and were great friends but were driven apart by the Yugoslav Wars since they were on opposing sides. Tragically, Petrović died in a car accident when he was 28 and they never could reconcile, making this a sad but important documentary.

NEXT: 10 Best HBO Sports Documentaries, Ranked