Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 2 hrs ago
Prime Video’s The Greatest traces Muhammad Ali’s rise to heavyweight champion
Prime Video has released an eight-part series about Muhammad Ali.
It follows Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, from his gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics to his 1964 win over Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title.
Newcomer Jaalen Best plays Clay, with Omari Hardwick as his father and Michael Ealy as Malcolm X. The story focuses on Clay’s family life as well as his boxing, showing his return to a segregated Louisville and his rise as a young Black man in Jim Crow America.
It also covers his conversion to Islam and his friendship with Malcolm X. The series has support from Ali’s estate, including his widow, Lonnie Ali, as an executive producer.
Reviews differ on how well the drama works, but several praise Best’s performance and its attention to Ali beyond the ring.
All eight episodes are available on Prime Video.
Prime Video’s eight-episode series The Greatest follows Muhammad Ali’s rise from Olympic gold medallist Cassius Clay to heavyweight champion.
Newcomer Jaalen Best plays Clay, with the story beginning at the 1960 Olympics in Rome and ending after his 1964 victory over Sonny Liston.
The series was made with the support of Ali’s estate, and his widow, Lonnie Ali, is an executive producer.
It also portrays Clay’s family life, conversion to Islam, friendship with Malcolm X and early boxing career.
Reviews differed: some praised its performances and grounded portrait, while others called the story familiar and criticized its execution.
- Who
- Muhammad Ali, played by Jaalen Best, is the subject. The series also features Omari Hardwick, Giovanni Ribisi and Michael Ealy.
- What
- Prime Video released an eight-episode biographical drama tracing Ali’s rise from Cassius Clay to heavyweight champion.
- When
- The series was available on Prime Video on November 5, 2026.
- Where
- It begins at the 1960 Olympics in Rome and also follows Clay’s life in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Why
- Not stated
Reviewers praising the series
Reviewers criticizing the series
Portrait
Reviewers praising the series
Variety called the series a grounded, nuanced portrait of Ali.
Reviewers criticizing the series
The Guardian said the story had been told too many times and faulted its familiar perspective.
Jaalen Best’s performance
Reviewers praising the series
Variety described Best’s turn as magnetic, and Allociné called it convincing.
Reviewers criticizing the series
The Guardian said Best did not set himself apart from earlier portrayals.
Story and execution
Reviewers praising the series
Allociné found the series engaging and well handled for viewers less familiar with Ali’s career.
Reviewers criticizing the series
The Guardian criticized the fight choreography, while Allociné said the show stayed within conventional biopic boundaries.
Cassius Clay wins gold for the United States at the Olympics in Rome.
Sonny Liston earns the heavyweight title by defeating Floyd Patterson, according to Variety.
Clay defeats Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion.
Reviews of The Greatest are published by Variety, IndieWire and the Guardian.
Allociné reports that all eight episodes are available on Prime Video.
- Episodes
- 8
- Lead actor
- Jaalen Best
- Olympic setting
- Rome, 1960
- Opponent in 1964 title victory
- Sonny Liston
- Executive producer and Ali’s widow
- Lonnie Ali
6 sources
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The Greatest goes the distance
What people are saying
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