Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary!
by Alex Billington
June 8, 2026
Source: YouTube
“It’s time to lock in!” “Yes, coach!” 🥊 Disney’s Andscape has revealed the official trailer for a sports drama movie titled They Fight, inspired by the true story of ex-con helping teach some young boys to step it up in the ring. This boxing movie is premiering at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival before it’s out to watch on Hulu starting in July this summer. Walt Manigan chases redemption, desperate to reclaim his soul, but he must return to the one place he swore he’d never set foot in again—a crumbling boxing gym clinging to life under the watchful eye of his old mentor, Slim. Inside, a ragtag trio of young fighters—Quincey, Peanut, and Twin —battle their own demons with nothing but grit and gloves. As Walt is pulled back into a world he escaped, he realizes his toughest fight was never in the ring. Starring André Holland, Wendell Pierce, Samira Wiley, Anthony B. Jenkins, Toussaint Francois Battiste, & Mykelti Williamson. Director Sheldon Candis explains: “They Fight is my love letter to one of my all-time favorite directors John G. Avildsen. It’s a Karate Kid-inspired narrative punched in the face with a John Hughes coming-of-age story about Southeast D.C. kids fighting to dream within amateur youth boxing.” Looks like this movie lands a few strong punches.
Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Sheldon Candis’ film They Fight, direct from YouTube:
A reformed ex-con, Walt (André Holland) returns to Southeast D.C. a changed man. Chasing redemption, desperate to reclaim his soul, but he must return to the one place he swore he’d never set foot in again—a crumbling boxing gym clinging to life under the watchful eye of his old mentor, Slim (Wendell Pierce). Inside, a ragtag trio of young fighters — Quincey, Peanut, Twin — battle their own demons with nothing but grit and gloves. As Walt is pulled back into a world he tried to escape, he realizes his toughest fight was never in the ring. They Fight is written and directed by inde filmmaker Sheldon Candis, director of the films Luv, Baltimore Boys, and some other TV series previously. Based on the Washington Post article “It Ain’t All About Boxing: Young D.C. Boxers Find a Role Model and Find Their Way” by Michael Minahan; and also the documentary They Fight by Andrew Renzi. Produced by Jason Michael Berman, Andrew Renzi, & Ben Renzo. This is premiering first at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival this month. Andscape debuts Candis’ They Fight film streaming on Hulu / Disney+ starting July 17th, 2026 this summer. Who wants to watch?
