The Best High School Sports Movies

Ranker Film
Updated June 23, 2023 6.4K votes 878 voters 41.6K views
Over 800 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best High School Sports Movies

The best high school sports movies will help you remember the good old days when life felt so innocent, and the future seemed wide open, waiting for you to step into it. The feelings of hundreds of people gathered together in a venue cheering on your team at the football game? The days when the only responsibilities you had were to wake up early, rush to get to school on time and cram for the next test? Our high school days have some of our fondest memories. It was a time when life felt so simple and so complex all at once.

So what are the best high school sports movies? The smell of popcorn and hot dogs, the sound of an excited crowd screaming at the top of their lungs, cheerleaders strutting out to the middle of the field in honor of their team and - oh the famous marching bands featuring the biggest nerd in school proudly playing his tuba all come to mind when we think about high school sports.

This list discusses the most popular high school sports movies, including The Blind Side, Hoosiers, The Basketball Diaries, and Remember the Titans, as well as some of the best cheerleading movies. 

Most divisive: He Got Game
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  • Remember the Titans
    1

    Remember the Titans

    Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Donald Faison
    450 votes
    • Released: 2000
    • Directed by: Boaz Yakin
    Based on a true story, Remember the Titans is a compelling sports drama. Set in 1971, it tells the tale of a newly integrated high school football team in Virginia. The African American coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) and his assistant Bill Yoast (Will Patton), who is white, must work together to unite their racially divided team. As they battle prejudice and adversity both on and off the pitch, their struggles culminate in a high-stakes championship game. This inspiring film won the Black Reel Award for Network/Cable - Best Film in 2001.

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  • Hoosiers
    2

    Hoosiers

    Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper
    370 votes
    • Released: 1986
    • Directed by: David Anspaugh
    In the heartland of Indiana, a small-town high school basketball team, led by their new coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman), embarks on an unlikely journey to the state championship. Dale, a former college coach with a checkered past, employs controversial methods that ruffle feathers in the tight-knit community. His assistant Shooter (Dennis Hopper), a troubled local and former basketball star, aids him in this quest. Hoosiers, inspired by true events from 1954, is a sports drama that received two Academy Award nominations, including one for Hopper's supporting role.

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  • Friday Night Lights
    3

    Friday Night Lights

    Billy Bob Thornton, Derek Luke, Jay Hernandez
    359 votes
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Peter Berg
    In the heart of Texas, football reigns supreme. Friday Night Lights, a sports drama directed by Peter Berg, captures this fervor. Based on H.G. Bissinger's non-fiction book, the movie follows the 1988 Permian High School Panthers and their dramatic season. Coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) leads an ensemble cast that includes star player Boobie Miles (Derek Luke) and quarterback Mike Winchell (Lucas Black). The film explores themes of community pressure, racial tension, and personal sacrifice in a small town where football is everything but a game.

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  • Varsity Blues
    4

    Varsity Blues

    James Van Der Beek, Jon Voight, Paul Walker
    337 votes
    • Released: 1999
    • Directed by: Brian Robbins
    In the heartland of Texas, football is king. Varsity Blues delves into this cultural phenomenon, painting a vivid portrait of high school football through the eyes of its protagonist, Jonathan Mox Moxon (James Van Der Beek). When star quarterback Lance Harbor (Paul Walker) suffers a career-ending injury, Mox must step up to lead his team and navigate a landscape riddled with pressure, politics, and personal dilemmas. Supported by his fellow players like Billy Bob (Ron Lester) and Tweeder (Scott Caan), Mox challenges the authoritarian coaching style of Bud Kilmer (Jon Voight). The film, a classic sports drama that won an MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Male Performance, expertly captures the highs and lows of teenage life under Friday night lights.

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  • Coach Carter
    5

    Coach Carter

    Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown
    279 votes
    • Released: 2005
    • Directed by: Thomas Carter
    In the film Coach Carter, Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) is a high school basketball coach with a controversial yet effective approach to molding his team. Amidst a backdrop of inner-city struggles, Carter imposes an academic contract on his players, sparking a heated debate within the community. The movie delves into themes of discipline, teamwork, and personal responsibility. It's based on a true story, adding an extra layer of authenticity to this sports drama. Its poignant narrative and Jackson's standout performance continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

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  • The Karate Kid
    6

    The Karate Kid

    Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue
    329 votes
    • Released: 1984
    • Directed by: John G. Avildsen
    In the heart of the 1984 martial arts drama The Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), a high school student, finds himself in the crosshairs of bullies at his new school. To defend himself, he seeks guidance from a wise and enigmatic karate master Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). Through rigorous training, Daniel learns not just about physical combat but also life's profound lessons. Directed by John G. Avildsen, this film gained an Academy Award nomination for Morita and remains one of the most enduring classics in its genre.

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