There's nothing more exciting than an underdog team fighting to win the big game, especially when kids are involved. The top kids sports movies are typically about overcoming differences and working together to reach the same goal. This is a list of sports movies for children featuring everything from The Karate Kid to Cool Runnings to Ladybugs.
What family-favorite movies will you find on this list of the best children's sports films? Baseball fanatics might vote The Sandlot to the top of the collection. This movie has all of the elements of a classic kids' sports film, including teamwork, friendship, and one big, terrifying, slobbering dog. The Bad News Bears is another classic kids sports movie for the whole family. Although Rudy is about a college football team, the title character's relentless spirit is inspiring for sports fans of all ages. Other good films featured on this roundup of top sports movies for kids include The Mighty Ducks, Cars, and Kicking and Screaming.
Do you have a favorite kids' sports movie? Give the best films a thumbs up and please add any good movies that are missing.
Looking for more family friends sports movies? Check out this list of the best Disney sports movies.
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17531The Sandlot
James Earl Jones, Denis LearyReleased: 1993
Directed by: David M. Evans
The Sandlot, also known as The Sandlot Kids, is a 1993 American coming-of-age film Comedy... more on Wikipedia2
13339The 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.... more on Wikipedia3
8632Rookie of the Year
Gary Busey, John CandyReleased: 1993
Directed by: Daniel Stern
Rookie of the Year is a 1993 American sports comedy film starring Thomas Ian Nicholas and Gary... more on Wikipedia4
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10348Space Jam
Michael Jordan, Bill MurrayReleased: 1996
Directed by: Joe Pytka
Space Jam is a 1996 American live-action/animated sports family/comedy film starring... more on Wikipedia6
8033Rudy
Vince Vaughn, Sean AstinReleased: 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 Wikipedia7
8540Little Giants
Alexa Vega, Rick MoranisReleased: 1994
Directed by: Duwayne Dunham
Little Giants is a 1994 family sports comedy film, starring Rick Moranis and Ed O'Neill as... more on Wikipedia8
8239Cool Runnings
John Candy, Malik YobaReleased: 1993
Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Cool Runnings is a 1993 American sports film directed by Jon Turteltaub, and starring Leon,... more on Wikipedia9
9049Cars
Tom Hanks, Billy CrystalReleased: 2006
Directed by: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft
Cars is a 2006 American computer-animated comedy-adventure sports film produced by Pixar... more on Wikipedia10
7542Angels in the Outfield
Matthew McConaughey, Joseph Gordon-LevittReleased: 1994
Directed by: William Dear
Angels in the Outfield is a 1994 remake of the 1951 film of the same name. The film stars... more on Wikipedia11
7746A 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... more on Wikipedia12
6739The Bad News Bears
Tatum O'Neal, Jackie Earle HaleyReleased: 1976
Directed by: Michael Ritchie
The Bad News Bears is a 1976 comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie. It stars Walter Matthau... more on Wikipedia13
5937Little Big League
Jason Robards Jr., Jeff GarlinReleased: 1994
Directed by: Andrew Scheinman
Little Big League is a 1994 family sports film about a 12 year-old who suddenly becomes the... more on Wikipedia14
6850The Karate Kid
Jackie Chan, Taraji P. HensonReleased: 2010
Directed by: Harald Zwart
The Karate Kid is a 2010 Chinese-American martial arts drama film directed by Harald Zwart. It... more on Wikipedia15
6145Air Bud
Mark Jackson, Kevin ZegersReleased: 1997
Directed by: Charles Martin Smith
Air Bud is a 1997 American family comedy film that sparked the franchise centered on the... more on Wikipedia16
5641The Game Plan
Dwayne Johnson, Ashley TisdaleReleased: 2007
Directed by: Andy Fickman
The Game Plan is a 2007 American family sports comedy film directed by Andy Fickman and... more on Wikipedia17
4845The Big Green
Steve Guttenberg, Olivia d'AboReleased: 1995
Directed by: Holly Goldberg Sloan
The Big Green is a 1995 Walt Disney Pictures film starring Steve Guttenberg and Olivia d'Abo,... more on Wikipedia18
3853Ice Princess
Hayden Panettiere, Michelle TrachtenbergReleased: 2005
Directed by: Tim Fywell
Ice Princess is a 2005 American figure-skating film directed by Tim Fywell, written by Hadley... more on Wikipedia19
3448McFarland, USA
Kevin Costner, Maria BelloReleased: 2014
Directed by: Niki Caro
McFarland, USA is an American 2015 sports drama film directed by Niki Caro and produced by... more on Wikipedia20
3450Kicking & Screaming
Will Ferrell, Robert DuvallReleased: 2005
Directed by: Jesse Dylan
Kicking & Screaming is a 2005 American comedy film directed by Jesse Dylan starring Will... more on Wikipedia21
3756Like Mike
Brenda Song, Jimmy KimmelReleased: 2002
Directed by: John Schultz
Like Mike is a 2002 film directed by John Schultz and starring Lil' Bow Wow. The film was... more on Wikipedia22
2846Ladybugs
Rodney Dangerfield, Tommy LasordaReleased: 1992
Directed by: Sidney J. Furie
Ladybugs is a sports-comedy family film released in 1992 starring Rodney Dangerfield and... more on Wikipedia23
3256The Next Karate Kid
Hilary Swank, Pat MoritaReleased: 1994
Directed by: Christopher Cain
The Next Karate Kid is a 1994 American martial arts drama film starring Pat Morita and Hilary... more on Wikipedia24
1744Hardball
Keanu Reeves, Diane LaneReleased: 2001
Directed by: Brian Robbins
Hardball is a 2001 American dramedy film directed by Brian Robbins. It stars Keanu Reeves,... more on Wikipedia25
2060MVP: Most Valuable Primate
Kevin Zegers, Dave ThomasReleased: 2000
Directed by: Robert Vince
MVP: Most Valuable Primate is a 2000 feature film that sparked the MVP franchise. The film's... more on Wikipedia
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