When the thrill of competition is combined with an emotional love story, great filmmaking can be achieved. The best romantic sports movies feature rivals fighting for first place in life and in love. This is a list of the top cinematic sports love stories including everything from The Karate Kid to Cinderella Man to Run Fatboy Run.
What films will you find on this list of athlete romance movies? Tom Cruise makes a few appearances here. In 1990's Days of Thunder, he and Nicole Kidman fell in love on screen and off, while Jerry Maguire finds him telling a sports story from the agency side. Varsity Blues is a good sports movie that finds a starting quarterback dealing with newfound attention from pretty cheerleaders. Other good movies featured on this best athlete love stories movies list include Bull Durham, Major League, and Bring It On.
Which sports love story is your favorite? Give the best unconventional sports films a thumbs up.
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14859Love & Basketball
Tyra Banks, Gabrielle UnionReleased: 2000
Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Love & Basketball is a 2000 American romantic drama film starring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan.... more
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7933Wimbledon
Kirsten Dunst, James McAvoyReleased: 2004
Directed by: Richard Loncraine
Wimbledon is a 2004 romantic comedy film directed by Richard Loncraine. The film centers on a... more3
7330The Cutting Edge
Terry O'Quinn, Moira KellyReleased: 1992
Directed by: Paul Michael Glaser
The Cutting Edge is a 1992 romantic comedy film directed by Paul Michael Glaser and written by... more4
623042
Chadwick Boseman, Nicole BeharieReleased: 2013
Directed by: Brian Helgeland
42 is a 2013 American biographical sports film directed by Brian Helgeland. The powerful story... more5
5020The Karate Kid
Elisabeth Shue, Ralph MacchioReleased: 1984
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
The Karate Kid is a 1984 American martial arts romantic drama film directed by John G.... more6
6333Bend It like Beckham
Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys MeyersReleased: 2002
Directed by: Gurinder Chadha
Bend It like Beckham is a 2002 British comedy-drama film starring Parminder Nagra, Keira... more7
6337Bring It On
Kirsten Dunst, Eliza DushkuReleased: 2000
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Bring It On is a 2000 American teen comedy film that was directed by Peyton Reed and written... more8
4926Jerry Maguire
Tom Cruise, Lucy LiuReleased: 1996
Directed by: Cameron Crowe
Jerry Maguire is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama sports film written, produced and... more9
4424Summer Catch
Jessica Biel, Brittany MurphyReleased: 2001
Directed by: Michael Tollin
Summer Catch is a 2001 romantic comedy film starring Freddie Prinze, Jr., Jessica Biel and... more10
3617Cinderella Man
Russell Crowe, Renée ZellwegerReleased: 2005
Directed by: Ron Howard
Cinderella Man is a 2005 American drama film by Ron Howard, titled after the nickname of... more11
3519Varsity Blues
Ali Larter, Paul WalkerReleased: 1999
Directed by: Brian Robbins
Varsity Blues is a 1999 American coming-of-age sports comedy-drama film directed by Brian... more12
3419Bull Durham
Kevin Costner, Susan SarandonReleased: 1988
Directed by: Ron Shelton
Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy sports film. It is partly based upon the minor... more13
3426Fever Pitch
Drew Barrymore, Jimmy FallonReleased: 2005
Directed by: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly
Fever Pitch is a 2005 Farrelly brothers romantic comedy film starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy... more14
2317Tin Cup
Kevin Costner, Rene RussoReleased: 1996
Directed by: Ron Shelton
Tin Cup is a 1996 romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Ron Shelton, and starring... more15
2015Days of Thunder
Tom Cruise, Nicole KidmanReleased: 1990
Directed by: Tony Scott
Days of Thunder is a 1990 American auto racing film released by Paramount Pictures, produced... more16
1819Major League
Charlie Sheen, Tom BerengerReleased: 1989
Directed by: David S. Ward
Major League is a 1989 American sports comedy film written and directed by David S. Ward,... more17
1820Lucas
Charlie Sheen, Winona RyderReleased: 1986
Directed by: David Seltzer
Lucas is a 1986 American teen tragicomedy film directed by David Seltzer and starring Corey... more18
52High School Musical
Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley TisdaleReleased: 2006
Directed by: Kenny Ortega
High School Musical is a 2006 American teen/children's romantic comedy musical television film... more19
1724The Wrestler
Evan Rachel Wood, Mickey RourkeReleased: 2008
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
The Wrestler is a 2008 American sports drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky, written by... more20
510Bottom of the 9th
Joe Manganiello, Sofía VergaraReleased: 2019
Directed by: Raymond De Felitta
Bottom of the 9th is a 2019 American drama film, directed by Raymond De Felitta. A... more21
1226Run Fatboy Run
Thandie Newton, Hank AzariaReleased: 2007
Directed by: David Schwimmer
Run Fatboy Run is a 2007 British-American comedy film directed by David Schwimmer, written by... more22
1128Mr. Baseball
Tom Selleck, Ken Takakura23
12For Love of the Game
Kevin Costner, Kelly PrestonReleased: 1999
Directed by: Sam Raimi
For Love of the Game is a 1999 American drama sports film based on the novel of the same title... more24
41A League of Their Own
Madonna, Tom HanksReleased: 1992
Directed by: Penny Marshall
A League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account... more25
50Blue Crush
Kate Bosworth, Michelle RodriguezReleased: 2002
Directed by: John Stockwell
Blue Crush is a 2002 surfer film directed by John Stockwell and based on the Outside magazine... more
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