Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning

This documentary examines the life of Jim Thorpe, a Native American athlete whose success in the early 20th century transformed the sports world. The film explores how he overcame systemic racial prejudice to achieve his athletic goals. To tell this story, the production uses the personal writings of Thorpe along with extensive interviews featuring historians, scholars, sports commentators, and athletes from Native American communities.

The film was directed by Chris Eyre, who previously directed Smoke Signals in 1998, Skins and Skinwalkers in 2002, and Hide Away in 2011. Produced by History in the United States, the movie features Jim Thorpe appearing as himself. The project was released on July 7, 2025, with a total runtime of 90 minutes.