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The Best Movies About Underdogs

Updated November 30, 2020 7.0k votes 1.5k voters 143.0k views101 items

List RulesVote up the best movies that inspire you to go up against the odds.

There’s nothing more inspirational than a movie about an underdog who is victorious despite all the odds stacked against them. Viewers love films that highlight a noteworthy person’s triumphs – stories like this give us hope and make us want to fight to the end! These kinds of inspirational stories make amazing movies, but what are the best movies about underdogs? Vote up the best films below and see where your favorites rank. Then go check out TV shows about underdogs and other loveable losers.

The movies on this list tell the stories of an underdog in one way or another. Many of these films were actually based on true events that forever changed our perspectives and left us feeling inspired. Others are completely fictional in nature but inspire viewers nonetheless.

This list features the best movies about underdogs including, Hoosiers, Cinderella Man, Million Dollar Baby, Rudy, Miracle, The Jackie Robinson Story, Friday Night Lights, Remember the Titans, and Rocky. Vote up the best underdog films or add one you love that isn't already on the list!

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Rocky
Sylvester Stallone, Joe Frazier
Released: 1976
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Is this one of the best motivational movies ever?

Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen. A small-time boxer... more on Wikipedia
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The Karate Kid
Elisabeth Shue, Ralph Macchio
Released: 1984
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
The Karate Kid is a 1984 American martial arts romantic drama film directed by John G.... more on Wikipedia
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214
84
Rudy
Vince Vaughn, Sean Astin
Released: 1993
Directed by: David Anspaugh
Rudy is a 1993 American sports film directed by David Anspaugh. It is an account of the life... more on Wikipedia
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Remember the Titans
Hayden Panettiere, Ryan Gosling
Released: 2000
Directed by: Boaz Yakin
Remember the Titans is a 2000 American sports drama film produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and... more on Wikipedia
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170
61
Warrior
Jennifer Morrison, Tom Hardy
Released: 2011
Directed by: Gavin O'Connor
Warrior is a 2011 American sports drama film directed by Gavin O'Connor and starring Tom Hardy... more on Wikipedia
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48
Cinderella Man
Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger
Released: 2005
Directed by: Ron Howard
Cinderella Man is a 2005 American drama film by Ron Howard, titled after the nickname of... more on Wikipedia
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144
47
Rocky IV
Sylvester Stallone, James Brown
Released: 1985
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Rocky IV is a 1985 American sports film written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, who also... more on Wikipedia

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Miracle
Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson
Released: 2004
Directed by: Gavin O'Connor
Miracle is a 2004 American sports docudrama about the United States men's hockey team, led by... more on Wikipedia
9
149
56
Cool Runnings
John Candy, Malik Yoba
Released: 1993
Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Cool Runnings is a 1993 American sports film directed by Jon Turteltaub, and starring Leon,... more on Wikipedia
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34
Invincible
Elizabeth Banks, Mark Wahlberg
Released: 2006
Directed by: Ericson Core
Invincible is a 2006 sports film directed by Ericson Core set in 1976. It is based on the true... more on Wikipedia
11
149
68
8 Mile
Eminem, Kim Basinger
Released: 2002
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
8 Mile is a 2002 American hip-hop biopic film written by Scott Silver, directed by Curtis... more on Wikipedia
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Braveheart
Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau
Released: 1995
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical medieval war drama film directed by and starring Mel... more on Wikipedia
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54
Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman
Released: 2004
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 American sports drama film directed, co-produced and scored by... more on Wikipedia
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Moneyball
Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill
Released: 2011
Directed by: Bennett Miller
Moneyball is an American 2011 biographical sports drama film directed by Bennett Miller from a... more on Wikipedia
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29
The Mighty Ducks
Emilio Estevez, Joss Ackland
Released: 1992
Directed by: Stephen Herek
The Mighty Ducks is a 1992 American sports comedy film directed by Stephen Herek, starring... more on Wikipedia
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McFarland, USA
Kevin Costner, Maria Bello
Released: 2014
Directed by: Niki Caro
McFarland, USA is an American 2015 sports drama film directed by Niki Caro and produced by... more on Wikipedia
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54
Hoosiers
Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper
Released: 1986
Directed by: David Anspaugh
Hoosiers is a 1986 sports film directed by David Anspaugh. A coach with a checkered past (Gene... more on Wikipedia
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25
The Rookie
Dennis Quaid, Brian Cox
Released: 2002
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
The Rookie is a 2002 sports drama film directed by John Lee Hancock and produced by Walt... more on Wikipedia
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Seabiscuit
Elizabeth Banks, Jeff Bridges
Released: 2003
Directed by: Gary Ross
Seabiscuit is a 2003 American biographical sports psychological-drama thriller film based on... more on Wikipedia
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Slumdog Millionaire
Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor
Released: 2008
Directed by: Danny Boyle
Slumdog Millionaire is a 2009 British drama film directed by Danny Boyle Jamal Malik, a young... more on Wikipedia
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The Fighter
Amy Adams, Christian Bale
Released: 2010
Directed by: David O. Russell
The Fighter is a 2010 American biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell.... more on Wikipedia
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DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
Ben Stiller, Chuck Norris
Released: 2004
Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story, commonly referred to as DodgeBall, is a 2004 American sports... more on Wikipedia
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Real Steel
Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly
Released: 2011
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Real Steel is a 2011 film directed by Shawn Levy.
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Major League
Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger
Released: 1989
Directed by: David S. Ward
Major League is a 1989 American sports comedy film written and directed by David S. Ward,... more on Wikipedia
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A League of Their Own
Madonna, Tom Hanks
Released: 1992
Directed by: Penny Marshall
A League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account... more on Wikipedia