When We Were Kings

1h 29m · 1996 · Directed by Leon Gast · 4.1 / 5 on Letterboxd

When We Were Kings (1996) runs 1h 29m, directed by Leon Gast. It is one of 3,647 films in the 100 Minute Movies catalog — every one rated 3.0 or higher by Letterboxd members and short enough to finish in an evening.

It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a willing backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire, and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set, including a musical festival featuring some of America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King.

Genres: Documentary, Music, History, TV Movie

Where to watch: HBO Max (US, checked 9 July 2026)