Here is the ultimate list of the best sports movies ever made. Most guys, even some girls can't resist a tale about mostly make believe athletes. Sports may be the overarching theme in these movies, but that doesn't mean that there's anything deeper beneath the surface. These movies allow us guys to connect with our inner emotions through hidden love stories, tales of adversity, humor and ultimately the triumph of the human spirit.
At the heart of the best sports movies is relationships between the characters. Some of the best sports films like Rocky, Raging Bull and the Blind Side have either been nominated and/or won multiple Academy Awards. Others like Brian's Song, Hoosiers and Field of Dreams often times will cause viewers to feel triumphant with the characters, if they don't shed a tear as well.
But people can't resist an amazingly funny sports film. You can point to classics like Major League, Caddyshack, Bad News Bears and White Men Can't Jump as the best sports comedies.
Anyone can contribute to this list of the best sports movies, which makes this ranking an accurate, real-time reflection of the crowd's collective opinion. Rank your favorites or add whatever sports movie you see missing.
list ordered by
1
1,861 886
RockySylvester Stallone, Joe Frazier, Burgess Meredith Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and both written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It tells the rags to riches American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, an ...more
2
1,713 1,002
Remember the TitansHayden Panettiere, Ryan Gosling, Denzel Washington Remember the Titans is a 2000 American sports drama film produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Boaz Yakin. The screenplay, written by Gregory Allen Howard, is based on the true story of ...more
3
1,527 764
HoosiersGene Hackman, Dennis Hopper, Barbara Hershey Hoosiers is a 1986 sports film written by Angelo Pizzo and directed by David Anspaugh. It tells the story of a small-town Indiana high school basketball team that wins the state championship. It ...more
4
1,596 773
Field of DreamsBen Affleck, Matt Damon, Kevin Costner Field of Dreams is a 1989 American fantasy-drama film directed by Phil Alden Robinson, who also wrote the screenplay, adapting W. P. Kinsella's novel Shoeless Joe. It stars Kevin Costner, Amy ...more
5
1,570 778
RudyVince Vaughn, Sean Astin, Jon Favreau filmography Rudy is a 1993 American sports film directed by David Anspaugh. It is an account of the life of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, who harbored dreams of playing football at the University of ...more
6
1,760 639
Major LeagueCharlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Rene Russo Major League is a 1989 American sports comedy film written and directed by David S. Ward, starring Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Dennis Haysbert, Wesley Snipes, James Gammon, Bob Uecker and ...more
7
1,704 502
The SandlotJames Earl Jones, Denis Leary, Karen Allen The Sandlot, also known as The Sandlot Kids, is a 1993 American coming-of-age film Comedy directed by David M. Evans, which tells the story of a group of young baseball players during the summer ...more
8
1,392 667
CaddyshackBill Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield Caddyshack is a 1980 American sports comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and written by Brian Doyle-Murray, Ramis and Douglas Kenney. It stars Michael O'Keefe, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, ...more
9
1,339 586
MiracleKurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Ken Dryden Miracle is a 2004 American sports docudrama about the United States men's hockey team, led by head coach Herb Brooks, that won the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics. The USA team's victory ...more
10
1,142 608
Bull DurhamKevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy sports film. It is partly based upon the minor league experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton and depicts the players and fans of the Durham ...more
11
1,225 607
The NaturalKim Basinger, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall The Natural is a 1984 sports drama. It is a film adaptation of Bernard Malamud's 1952 baseball novel of the same name, directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robert Redford, Glenn Close, and ...more
12
1,237 558
A League of Their OwnMadonna, Tom Hanks, Rosie O'Donnell A League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Directed by Penny Marshall, the ...more
13
1,172 574
MoneyballBrad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright Moneyball is an American 2011 biographical sports drama film directed by Bennett Miller from a screenplay by Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. The film is based on Michael Lewis's 2003 ...more
14
1,132 685
The Blind SideSandra Bullock, Lily Collins, Kathy Bates The Blind Side is a 2009 American semi-biographical sports drama film. It was written and directed by John Lee Hancock, and based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael ...more
15
1,071 635
Happy GilmoreAdam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Julie Bowen Happy Gilmore is a 1996 sports comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and produced by Robert Simonds. It stars Adam Sandler as the title character, an unsuccessful ice hockey player who discovers ...more
16
927 491
Rocky IISylvester Stallone, Burgess Meredith, Roberto Durán Rocky II is a 1979 American film written and directed by and starring Sylvester Stallone, that is the sequel to Rocky, a motion picture in which an unknown boxer had been given a chance to go ...more
17
877 499
Rocky IVSylvester Stallone, James Brown, Mr. T Rocky IV is a 1985 American sports film written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, who also starred in the film. The film co-stars Dolph Lundgren, Burt Young, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Tony ...more
18
697 554
Raging BullRobert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Martin Scorsese Raging Bull is a 1980 American biographical black-and-white sports drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, produced by Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler and adapted by Paul Schrader and Mardik ...more
19
793 499
Rocky IIISylvester Stallone, Hulk Hogan, Burgess Meredith Rocky III, the third installment in the Rocky film series, is a 1982 American motion picture written and directed by, and starring Sylvester Stallone as the title character. The movie features ...more
20
919 492
Slap ShotPaul Newman, M. Emmet Walsh, Swoosie Kurtz Slap Shot is a 1977 comedy film directed by George Roy Hill, written by Nancy Dowd and starring Paul Newman and Michael Ontkean. It depicts a minor league hockey team that resorts to violent ...more
21
716 479
42Harrison Ford, Christopher Meloni, Nicole Beharie 42 is a 2013 American biographical sports film written and directed by Brian Helgeland about the racial integration of American professional baseball by player Jackie Robinson, who wore jersey ...more
22
874 448
The Longest YardBurt Reynolds, Bernadette Peters, Ray Nitschke The Longest Yard is a 1974 American sports comedy film directed by Robert Aldrich. Written by Tracy Keenan Wynn based on a story by producer Albert S. Ruddy, the film follows inmates at a prison ...more
23
834 578
Cool RunningsJohn Candy, Malik Yoba, Jay Brazeau Cool Runnings is a 1993 American sports film directed by Jon Turteltaub, and starring Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba and John Candy. The film was released in the United States on ...more
24
734 427
Brian's SongDick Butkus, James Caan, Billy Dee Williams Brian's Song is a 1971 ABC Movie of the Week that recounts the details of the life of Brian Piccolo, a Wake Forest University football player stricken with terminal cancer after turning pro, ...more
25
752 583
White Men Can't JumpWoody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes, Rosie Perez White Men Can't Jump is a 1992 American sports buddy comedy film written and directed by Ron Shelton, starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson as streetball hustlers. The film was released in ...more
26
703 531
Million Dollar BabyClint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Hilary Swank Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 American sports drama film directed, co-produced and scored by Clint Eastwood, and starring Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman. This film is about an ...more
27
753 374
Friday Night LightsAmber Heard, Connie Britton, Tim McGraw Friday Night Lights is a 2004 sports drama film, directed by Peter Berg, which documents the coach and players of a high school football team and the Texas city of Odessa that supports and is ...more
28
782 419
We Are MarshallMatthew McConaughey, Kate Mara, January Jones We Are Marshall is a 2006 American historical drama biopic film directed by McG. It depicts the aftermath of the 1970 plane crash that killed 37 football players on the Marshall University ...more
29
651 558
Any Given SundayCameron Diaz, Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx Any Given Sunday is a 1999 American drama film directed by Oliver Stone depicting a fictional professional American football team. The film features an ensemble cast, consisting of Al Pacino, ...more
Eight Men OutCharlie Sheen, Christopher Lloyd, John Cusack Eight Men Out is a drama film based on Eliot Asinof's 1963 book 8 Men Out. It was written and directed by John Sayles. The film is a dramatization of Major League Baseball's Black Sox scandal, ...more
33
710 324
The Karate KidElisabeth Shue, Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita The Karate Kid is a 1984 American martial arts romantic drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by Robert Mark Kamen, starring Ralph Macchio, who was 22 years old during principal ...more
34
689 446
Tin CupKevin Costner, Rene Russo, Don Johnson Tin Cup is a 1996 romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Ron Shelton, and starring Kevin Costner and Rene Russo with Cheech Marin and Don Johnson in major supporting roles.
35
706 405
Bad News BearsBilly Bob Thornton, Marcia Gay Harden, Greg Kinnear Bad News Bears is the 2005 remake of the 1976 comedy film The Bad News Bears, produced by Paramount Pictures. It is directed by Richard Linklater and stars Billy Bob Thornton, Greg Kinnear, ...more
36
616 342
InvincibleElizabeth Banks, Mark Wahlberg, Randy Couture Invincible is a 2006 sports film directed by Ericson Core set in 1976. It is based on the true story of Vince Papale, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1976 to 1978. Mark Wahlberg ...more
37
659 344
The ReplacementsKeanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Jon Favreau filmography The Replacements is a 2000 American sports comedy film directed by Howard Deutch. It stars Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, and Brooke Langton.
38
690 381
The Mighty DucksJoshua Jackson, Emilio Estevez, Dan Tamberelli The Mighty Ducks is a 1992 American sports comedy film directed by Stephen Herek, starring Emilio Estevez. It was produced by Avnet–Kerner Productions and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It ...more
39
525 341
For Love of the GameKevin Costner, Kelly Preston, J.K. Simmons For Love of the Game is a 1999 American drama sports film based on the novel of the same title by Michael Shaara. It is directed by Sam Raimi and stars Kevin Costner and Kelly Preston. The film ...more
40
560 318
The RookieDennis Quaid, Brian Cox, Rachel Griffiths The Rookie is a 2002 sports drama film directed by John Lee Hancock and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It is based on the true story of Jim Morris, who had a brief, but famous Major League ...more
41
459 432
The FighterAmy Adams, Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg The Fighter is a 2010 biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell, and starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo. The film centers on the life of ...more
42
577 586
Space JamMichael Jordan, Bill Murray, Larry Bird Space Jam is a 1996 American live-action/animated sports family/comedy film starring basketball player Michael Jordan and featuring the Looney Tunes characters. The film was produced by Ivan ...more
43
501 454
The WrestlerEvan Rachel Wood, Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei The Wrestler is a 2008 American sports drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky, written by Robert D. Siegel, and starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood. Production began in ...more
44
440 401
SeabiscuitElizabeth Banks, Jeff Bridges, Tobey Maguire Seabiscuit is a 2003 American biographical sports psychological-drama thriller film based on the best-selling non-fiction book Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand. The film is ...more
45
400 375
The Pride of the YankeesBabe Ruth, Gary Cooper, Bill Dickey The Pride of the Yankees is a 1942 American film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, and Walter Brennan. It is a tribute to the legendary New York Yankees first baseman ...more
46
491 268
looksharp added The WaterboyAdam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Rob Schneider The Waterboy is a 1998 American sports/comedy film directed by Frank Coraci, starring Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Fairuza Balk, Henry Winkler, Jerry Reed, Larry Gilliard, Jr., Blake Clark, Peter ...more
47
545 426
DodgeBall: A True Underdog StoryBen Stiller, Chuck Norris, Vince Vaughn DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story, commonly referred to as DodgeBall, is a 2004 American sports comedy film produced by 20th Century Fox and Red Hour Productions, written and directed by Rawson ...more
48
376 407
Glory RoadEmily Deschanel, Jon Voight, Tatyana Ali Glory Road is a 2006 American drama sports film directed by James Gartner, based on a true story surrounding the events leading to the 1966 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship. Don ...more
49
450 357
wiabux added Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky BobbyAmy Adams, Will Ferrell, Sacha Baron Cohen Ricky Bobby (WILL FERRELL) has always dreamed of driving fast -- real fast -- like his father, Reese Bobby (GARY COLE), who left the family to pursue his racing dreams. Early on, Ricky’s mother, ...more
50
349 369
Chariots of FireStephen Fry, Kenneth Branagh, Ian Holm Chariots of Fire is a 1981 British historical drama film. It tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of ...more
