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Best Chess Documentaries and Movies

ChessBhumi Team 1 min read

Chess has inspired some remarkable films and documentaries. From the tortured genius of Bobby Fischer to the child prodigies of Brooklyn, here are the best chess documentaries and movies worth watching.

Documentaries

  • Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011): the definitive Fischer documentary.
  • Magnus (2016): follows Carlsen from child prodigy to World Champion.
  • The Queen's Gambit Companion: behind-the-scenes of the Netflix series.
  • Game Over: Kasparov and the Machine (2003): the Deep Blue match from Kasparov's perspective.

Fictional films and series

  • The Queen's Gambit (Netflix, 2020): the series that made chess mainstream. Not a documentary, but the chess scenes are remarkably accurate (choreographed by GM Garry Kasparov).
  • Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993): based on the true story of chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin.
  • Pawn Sacrifice (2014): Tobey Maguire as Bobby Fischer.

For chess enthusiasts

  • Brooklyn Castle (2012): follows a public school chess team from a low-income neighbourhood. Inspiring and human.
  • Computer Chess (2013): quirky comedy about early chess programming.
  • Chess Mates (Netflix, 2025): the recent Carlsen-Niemann documentary.
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