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In 2009, ESPN began its "30 for 30" documentary series, celebrating the company's 30th year with in-depth documentaries about some of the most compelling sports stories of the past 30 years.
The documentaries were an immediate hit, earning praise and awards from both the sports and film worlds, as ESPN allowed great filmmakers to dive into stories they were passionate about, telling them like they've never been told before.
Today, more than 100 films have been made in some relation to the "30 for 30" banner, with all of them available to ESPN+ subscribers for $4.99 a month. New subscribers can get a free seven-day trial.
Below, we break down some of the best films the series has ever produced.
Directed by: Peter Berg
Original air date: October 6, 2009
Plot synopsis: The first "30 for 30" documentary ever released is still one of the most riveting of the series. "King's Ransom" tells the story of the trade that sent Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings, and how the deal shattered the Edmonton faithful, brought interest to LA, and changed the future of the NHL.
Directed by: Billy Corben
Original air date: December 12, 2009
Plot synopsis: The University of Miami won four national championships between 1983 and 1991, adopting a swagger the likes of which has not been seen since in college football. "The U" dives into how this championship era came to be, and the coaches and players that developed it.
Directed by: Dan Klores
Original air date: March 14, 2010
Plot synopsis: Some of the best "30 for 30" films stem from a filmmaker diving deep into what might seem on the surface to be a simple story. Through "Winning Time," director Dan Klores shows that what Reggie Miller did to the New York Knicks in the 1990s went well beyond basketball — it was a vendetta.
Directed by: Brett Morgen
Original air date: June 16, 2010
Plot synopsis: June 17th, 1994 was, for many reasons, one of the most compelling days in the history of sports — the final round of the US Open, the start of the World Cup, and Game 5 of the NBA Finals, and on top of it all, O.J. Simpson's infamous White Bronco chase. In his documentary, Brett Morgen stitches together news footage from the day to give viewers an idea of what it felt like to live it.
Directed by: Jason Hehir
Original air date: March 13, 2011
Plot synopsis: Michigan's "Fab Five" were one of the most powerful forces in college basketball history. This documentary offers viewers an inside look at their dominance, glory, and the infamous timeout that cost them a shot at a title.
Directed by: Alex Gibney
Original air date: September 27, 2011
Plot synopsis: In 2003, the Chicago Cubs looked poised to make the World Series and potentially end the curse that had haunted the franchise for nearly a century. Then Steve Bartman reached out for a foul ball — as any fan would have — and as believers of the curse would tell it, wound up changing the course of the night, the postseason, and the Cubs franchise. Alex Gibney's film examines the moment, how it happened, what came of it, and the difficulties it brought Bartman.
Directed by: Billy Corben
Original air date: October 2, 2012
Plot synopsis: If you've ever wondered how so many professional athletes wind up in debt, "Broke" is appointment viewing. Billy Corben (who also directed "The U") shows viewers how quickly a signing bonus can turn into bankruptcy for players who aren't prepared.
Directed by: Jeff Zimbalist and Michael Zimbalist
Original air date: June 22, 2010
Plot synopsis: Pablo Escobar was an infamous drug kingpin. Andres Escobar was a soccer superstar in Colombia. Their stories intersect in fascinating ways that you might not expect.
Directed by: Jonathan Hock
Original air date: March 17, 2013
Plot synopsis: Jim Valvano led the NC State Wolfpack on one of the most iconic runs in NCAA tournament history in 1983. While Valvano will always be remembered for his speech and the team's eventual title, the entire run — which included nine win-or-go-home games that all came down to the wire — is even more impressive than fans remember.
Directed by: Nanette Burstein
Original air date: January 16, 2014
Plot synopsis: The controversy surrounding Tonya Harding in 1994 took over the attention of the sports world. "The Price of Gold" takes a fresh look at her story.
Directed by: Jonathan Hock
Original air date: February 8, 2015
Plot synopsis: Everyone remembers Team USA's astonishing win over the USSR at the 1980 Winter Olympics — for Americans, the win is known as the Miracle on Ice. In "Of Miracles and Men," Jonathan Hock tells the story from the perspective of the Soviets.
Directed by: Ken Rodgers
Original air date: December 12, 2015
Plot synopsis: In the early 1990s, the Buffalo Bills made four straight Super Bowls, only to lose every single one. Ken Rodgers' documentary takes viewers through the greatest dynasty that never was.
Directed by: Charlie Ebersol
Original air date: February 2, 2017
Plot synopsis: Charlie Ebersol gives viewers an inside look at the XFL — the alternative football league founded by his father and WWE's Vince McMahon — during its single season of play.
Directed by: Steve James
Original air date: April 13, 2010
Plot synopsis: Before he became "The Answer," Allen Iverson's life was already a national story after a racially-charged bowling alley brawl left him in jail. The subsequent trial impacted Iverson's life in ways that casual fans might not realize.
Directed by: Gary Waksman
Original air date: October 5, 2010
Plot synopsis: In 2004, the Boston Red Sox pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in the history of American sports. Trailing 0-3 to arch rivals in the ALCS, the Red Sox won four straight games to punch its ticket to the World Series and end a curse that had haunted generations.
