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Cinderella Man

Play trailer 2:23 Poster for Cinderella Man PG-13 2005 2h 24m Biography Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 209 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
During the Great Depression, ex-boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) works as a day laborer until his former manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) offers him a one-time slot against a rising young contender. After he wins a shocking upset, Braddock goes back into the ring full-time, against the wishes of his frightened wife, Mae (Renée Zellweger). Dubbed "The Cinderella Man" for his rags-to-riches story, Braddock sets his sights on the defending champion, the fearsome Max Baer (Craig Bierko).
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Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man

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Critics Consensus

With grittiness and an evocative sense of time and place, Cinderella Man is a powerful underdog story. And Ron Howard and Russell Crowe prove to be a solid combination.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Nov 1, 2007
Howard's movie skillfully delivers that primal, heart-pounding satisfaction that is the promise of all boxing tales. Go to Full Review Jay Ruttenberg Time Out Aug 17, 2007
As for the fights themselves, Howard brings nothing new to the canvas. Like the movie as a whole, they work fine enough, even while encased in leaden certitude. Go to Full Review Mark Salisbury Time Out Jun 24, 2006
The fight scenes have a stinging authenticity and, although at 144 minutes it outstays its welcome, this is Howard's best film since Apollo 13 Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Mar 14, 2026
3/4
No filmmaker in his right mind would want his boxing picture released a scant few months after Million Dollar Baby, but Cinderella Man is so structurally and tonally different that it might as well be about jai alai. Go to Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site Feb 15, 2021
As a film, Cinderella Man is terribly weak, thoroughly sentimental and predictable. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 5, 2020
3.5/4.0
Giamatti gives a daring, bold performance that easily could have drifted into a cartoonish character. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 7, 2026 Cinderella Man = a *4.5* movie See more J N @SunsetSpam Sep 2, 2026 Great story behind this movie. 89% See more bruce F @bruce999 Aug 14, 2026 over-rated, and boring. well acted though. maybe the script is the problem. See more Jason E @Jenglish24 Jul 31, 2026 Inspiring, gritty, and teaches great family values. See more Travis Jul 4, 2026 One of the best movies of all time! Ron Howard at his very best. See more Jake D @RT86705168 Jun 29, 2026 The movie is two thumbs DOWN. There is no cinderella; there is no cinderellaman; there are no slippers; AND she cheats on him. Boo; double boo. How dare you; my family came to this country See more Read all reviews
Cinderella Man

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Cast & Crew

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Ron Howard

Director

Russell Crowe

Jim Braddock

Renée Zellweger

Mae Braddock

Paul Giamatti

Joe Gould

Craig Bierko

Max Baer

Paddy Considine

Mike Wilson

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Cinderella Man

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Cinderella Man

An In-Depth Breakdown of 'Cinderella Man' An In-Depth Breakdown of 'Cinderella Man' 16:11 Now Playing Cinderella Man: Trailer 1 Cinderella Man: Trailer 1 2:23 Now Playing View more videos
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Cinderella Man

RUSSELL CROWE (as Jim Braddock, center), PAUL GIAMATTI (as Joe Gould, far right), cast and crew on the set of "Cinderella Man." RUSSELL CROWE (as Jim Braddock) and legendary boxing trainer/consultant ANGELO DUNDEE (right) on the set of "Cinderella Man." RUSSELL CROWE (as Jim Braddock) and along the way) and Director RON HOWARD (right) on the set of "Cinderella Man" RUSSELL CROWE portrays Jim Braddock. Playing opposite Crowe is RENÉE ZELLWEGER as his devoted wife, Mae. PAUL GIAMATTI as Jim Braddock's longtime manager, Joe Gould, in "Cinderella Man." RUSSELL CROWE portrays Jim Braddock, who entered the boxing ring to provide for his family during the Great Depression--and became a national hero along the way--in "Cinderella Man." RUSSELL CROWE portrays boxer Jim Braddock, who entered the ring to provide for his family during the Great Depression--and became a national hero along the way--in Cinderella Man. RUSSELL CROWE portrays boxer Jim Braddock, who entered the ring to provide for his family during the Great Depression--and became a national hero along the way--in Cinderella Man RUSSELL CROWE portrays Jim Braddock, who entered the boxing ring to provide for his family during the Great Depression--and became a national hero along the way--in "Cinderella Man." RUSSELL CROWE (as Jim Braddock) and Director RON HOWARD (left) on the set of "Cinderella Man." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During the Great Depression, ex-boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) works as a day laborer until his former manager Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti) offers him a one-time slot against a rising young contender. After he wins a shocking upset, Braddock goes back into the ring full-time, against the wishes of his frightened wife, Mae (Renée Zellweger). Dubbed "The Cinderella Man" for his rags-to-riches story, Braddock sets his sights on the defending champion, the fearsome Max Baer (Craig Bierko).
Director
Ron Howard
Producer
Brian Grazer
Screenwriter
Akiva Goldsman, Cliff Hollingsworth
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Imagine Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Some Language|Intense Boxing Violence)
Genre
Biography, Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 3, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$61.6M
Runtime
2h 24m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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