Movies Featuring the UFC in 2025: The Smashing Machine, Paperweight and More

Emily Blunt and Ryan Bader Corner Dwayne Johnson to KO Performance in The Smashing Machine

Cageside Press was invited to an advanced screening of The Smashing Machine starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA pioneer Mark Kerr. ***READER BE WARNED, MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD*** Presenting Hollywood’s biggest star in a new light is no easy feat, but that is where A24’s latest film The Smashing Machine shines.  Dwayne Johnson, known around the world as simply “The Rock” from his days as an active WWE superstar, delivered a grounded performance that was …

Movies Featuring the UFC in 2025: The Smashing Machine, Paperweight and More

The UFC has exploded into mainstream popularity over the last decade, transforming from a niche combat sport into a global entertainment powerhouse. In 2025, that influence is hitting the big screen in a major way. With a surge of films and documentaries spotlighting UFC fighters, storylines, and iconic moments, this year marks a turning point where mixed martial arts isn’t just something you watch on fight night—it’s shaping the cinematic narra…