Russel Crowe’s ‘Beast’ Is Reminder to Check Out His 2000s Boxing Gem, ‘Cinderella Man’

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Russell Crowe is back in action, taking on the role of an MMA coach in his upcoming film, Beast, set to release in the US on April 10, 2026. The movie follows a former boxing champion who has become a fisherman, but is forced to return to the ring for one final fight to save his brother. Based on the storyline, it looks like a compelling watch.

This sports drama features strong performances from Luke Hemsworth and Daniel MacPherson. Just be careful not to mix it up with the film of the same name starring Idris Elba. And if you enjoy this movie, don’t miss Russell Crowe’s earlier boxing film, Cinderella Man, which is highly rated with an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes and considered a classic in the genre.

In ‘Cinderella Man’, the Hero Doesn’t Just Beat His Opponents

In Cinderella Man, Russell Crowe portrays a deeply withdrawn character, much like in Raging Bull. The film aims to capture the same raw energy of boxing, troubled masculinity, and a bleak look at city life. At the start of the movie, Crowe’s character, James J. Braddock – a famous boxer who dominated the sport from 1935 to 1937 – appears lost in thought, almost unaware of his surroundings and the people around him, except for his wife and children.

Most boxing biopics take liberties with the truth, but Cinderella Man is remarkably accurate. The real James Braddock was forced to retire from boxing early due to an arm injury. During the Great Depression, he struggled to provide for his family, working at the docks and relying on welfare. A last-minute opportunity to fight as a replacement led to an unexpected comeback and the best period of his boxing career. He discovered his injured hand wasn’t a major hindrance – he could still win fights effectively with his good hand. His inspiring journey earned him the nickname “Cinderella Man.”

Ron Howard, who previously worked with Russell Crowe on A Beautiful Mind, directed the film, which received three Oscar nominations, including for Best Film Editing and Best Makeup. While Crowe wasn’t nominated, Paul Giamatti won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Joe Gould, James Braddock’s manager. Crowe was a contender for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes, but Philip Seymour Hoffman ultimately won for his performance in Capote.

‘Cinderella Man’ Was an Attempt To Ride a Wave, but It Has Aged Well

Cinderella Man clearly aimed to capitalize on the popularity of boxing movies in the early 2000s, following successes like Ali, Undisputed, and Million Dollar Baby. While it didn’t achieve the same commercial heights as those films – earning only around $20 million more than its production cost – many film fans at the time underestimated its quality. It’s more than just a good boxing movie; it’s one of the best films about the Great Depression. Even if you’re not interested in boxing techniques, you’ll likely connect with the story of James J. Braddock and the struggles his family faced during tough economic times.

The film doesn’t quite reach the artistic heights of Raging Bull or have the big, exciting energy of the Creed movies, or other inspiring underdog stories. It’s more subdued, with less emphasis on music and spectacle. However, that’s actually its strength. Director Ron Howard skillfully minimizes distractions, much like a photographer eliminating unwanted light, allowing the audience to fully experience and feel the impact of each moment.

This film has a beautiful, thoughtful quality that’s uncommon in boxing movies. While the fighting is important, the movie also focuses on the emotional and moral struggles of the characters. Cinderella Man was so compelling because it showed, moment by moment, what drove these fighters – their dreams and their sense of responsibility. We’re hoping Beast captures that same feeling. Russell Crowe, now more experienced, smartly took on a similar role to Paul Giamatti – the wise mentor and trainer. The Academy Awards often recognize performances like that, as we’ve seen with Sylvester Stallone in Creed, Morgan Freeman in Million Dollar Baby, and Joe Pesci in Raging Bull – all Oscar nominees. However, the recent lack of recognition for the MMA film The Smashing Machine makes you wonder if boxing movies are simply more popular with awards voters than films about mixed martial arts.

Will things be different for Beast? Fingers crossed.

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2026-04-12 00:33