The Netflix docuseries Beckham took viewers by surprise, offering a candid, heartwarming, emotional look into the life of star English football (American soccer) player, model, and businessman David Beckham. The athlete has become a household name thanks to his prowess on the field, his chiseled good looks, and his marriage to a former Spice Girl.
But Beckham has been involved in his share of controversy, as outlined in the four-part series. He’s in good company, however, with several other celebrities, including athletes, musicians, and actors who revealed their personal struggles in other docuseries that would make a perfect next watch.
10 Pamela, a Love Story (2023)
Stream on Netflix
While it seems like Pamela Anderson and David Beckham couldn’t possibly be further apart from one another in Hollywood, their lives and thus respective docuseries share similarities. Both are open about the struggles they faced following public pushback. In Beckham’s case, it was an impulsive kick that led to his removal from a World Cup qualifying game. For Anderson, it was the release of a sex tape and the subsequent rumors that it was all planned.
Both discuss the challenges their children faced as well, especially due to invasive paparazzi. After watching Pamela, a Love Story, one of the best Netflix documentaries, those who may not have taken Anderson seriously may gain an entirely new perspective on the model and actor. In the same way, viewers realized how much Beckham has endured through his career as well.
9 All or Nothing: Manchester City (2016)
Stream on Prime Video
It doesn’t get more David Beckham than Manchester City. This is the team he dreamed of playing for his whole life. Eventually he was picked up to play for them, and likely would have played for his entire career had it been up to him, according to his docuseries. And All or Nothing: Manchester City is narrated by Sir Ben Kingsley, who grew up in the area, giving it a similar personal touch to Beckham.
The series follows the Premier League’s journey through the 2017-18 season, where they won two of four trophies. Most importantly, however, they broke numerous records as well. Beckham retired from football the same year the docuseries was released and had long moved on to play for other teams. But the camaraderie he discussed, the behind the scenes looks at the players, and the heartwarming nature of a team coming together truly makes this docuseries shine in a similar way.
8 Welcome to Wrexham (2022-)
Stream on Hulu
When Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the Wrexham A.F.C. Welsh association football club, they realized they had their work cut out for them. The team was barely on the map and in serious need of proper management and direction. The two actors and entrepreneurs swept in with bold ideas and chronicle it all in the docuseries Welcome to Wrexham.
There are parallels between Wrexham A.F.C. and Manchester United, both of which, at one point, were struggling to make names for themselves. There are also parallels between what Reynolds and McElhenney are trying to do and what the owners of the LA Galaxy were trying to do when they recruited Beckham. Continue the behind the scenes in this docuseries, which, like Beckham, has heart, humor, and plenty of hope.
7 Colin in Black & White (2021)
Stream on Netflix
Unlike the others on this list, Colin in Black & White is technically a fictionalized drama. However, it was co-created by Colin Kaepernick to tell the story of his life. He also narrates and stars in the six-part series.
Like Beckham, football player Kaepernick knows all too well what controversy can do to an athlete’s career, reputation, and public perception. A civil rights activist, Kaepernick came under fire when, during a 2016 game, he refused to stand for the national anthem. Instead, he took a knee in protest of police brutality and racial inequality. Unlike Beckham who received universal hate, Kaepernick did have some supporters. Nonetheless, both men have similar stories about moments that seriously impacted the trajectory of their sports careers.
6 Kelce (2023)
Stream on Prime Video
Kelce is a documentary movie versus a multi-part series. But Travis Kelce and his rumored relationship with Taylor Swift is so parallel to stories told in Beckham, it’s worth including. Kelce is focused on Travis’ brother Jason, it centers around stories of their lives growing up together, including their football careers, other work they have done together, and personal lives.
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Like Beckham, Travis and Jason Kelce have long been celebrities in the sports world. But as soon as Travis began spending time with Swift, he became headline news. It’s the same situation that happened to Beckham with his now wife Victoria when they started dating. Kelce doesn’t tackle this topic, but it’s similarly about men with successful sports careers who eventually branched out to pursue other avenues.
5 Arnold (2023)
Stream on Netflix
While Arnold Schwarzenegger rose to fame as an actor playing strong characters, it’s his drive and focus to become a bodybuilder that the first episode of this fascinating three-part docuseries centers around. Like Beckham, Schwarzenegger had a close yet somewhat strained relationship with his strict father. Both fathers pushed their children to work hard and achieve success.
Schwarzenegger is equally candid, openly discussing everything from his struggles to be the best to his burgeoning movie career (for Beckham, that was modeling), and even his affair. Both are hard-working, driven family men who both achieved their own American dreams in different ways.
4 Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers (2022)
Stream on Hulu
Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers sets out to tell the history of the massively successful NBA franchise. It includes interviews with people pivotal to the team’s journey, including iconic players like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal.
The ups and downs of the organization are discussed, beginning with Jerry Buss’ purchase of the team and Johnson’s drafting. Other crucial moments mirror some of Beckham’s own, including Abdul-Jabbar’s retirement, coach Riley’s distractions from fame, and the intersection of family and sports.
3 Captains (2022)
Stream on Netflix
This eight-part docuseries Captains follow six FIFA team captains on a journey to achieve their dream of making it to the FIFA World Cup. The captains are from Brazil, Croatia, Modric, Lebanon, Vanuatu, Jamaica, and Gabon teams, and each exhibits the same intensity found in Beckham as they yearn for World Cup qualification.
Captains gets deeply personal as well, looking at the lives of the players and how they balance their intense focus with family life, much like Beckham found himself doing once he started dating Victoria and eventually had kids. The similar stories add a layer of new cultural and personal perspectives.
2 The Golden Boy (2023)
Stream on Max
Boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya was called The Golden Boy, similar to Victoria Beckham’s nickname for Beckham, Golden Balls. In both cases, the reason was because it seemed like everything the athletic men touched turned to gold.
Controversial and living with personal demons, de la Hoya achieved Olympic gold medal status, reaching the top of his game like Beckham. Similarly, de la Hoya was graced with good locks and charisma that led to plenty of attention both in the ring (on the field for Beckham) and outside of it. Both series about the rise, fall, and rise again of influential figures in sports, and coming to terms with their own personal and professional happiness.
1 Maradona: Blessed Dream (2021)
Stream on Prime Video
A legendary football player, Diego Maradona sadly passed away at the age of 60 in 2020. Maradona: Blessed Dream serves as a biographical drama about his life, starring several actors playing him at different points in his life.
Like Beckham, Maradona had big dreams, and when he joined an international football league, he was able to show the public what he could do. While his life was filled with more public indulgences than Beckham, both men found themselves under scrutiny in the public eye. Maradona: Blessed Dream is another fascinating look at a key player in football history.
