Camaraderie, heart, and a good underdog story are often at the core of a good sports drama. The top sports drama movies tap into a universal quest for greatness in the setting of a field, court, or track. This is a list of great dramas about athletes featuring everything from Field of Dreams to The Blind Side to Friday Night Lights.
What films will you find on this list of great dramas about sports? Of course, Rocky has to make an appearance here. The 1977 Academy Award winner had everyone rooting for the title character inside the ring and out while he rose up to fight adversity. Raging Bull – directed by Martin Scorsese – is another great sports drama about a tough boxer.
Many notable sports movies are about men, but women stepped into the spotlight, and up to the plate, with A League of Their Own. Other good movies featured on this top sports dramas list include The Hurricane, The Karate Kid, and My All American.
Do you have a favorite sports drama? Take a look at this list, vote your favorites to the top, and please add any good movies about athletes that are missing.
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11439Remember the Titans
Hayden Panettiere, Ryan GoslingReleased: 2000
Directed by: Boaz Yakin
Remember the Titans is a 2000 American sports drama film produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and... more2
11542Rocky
Sylvester Stallone, Joe FrazierReleased: 1976
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen. A small-time boxer... more3
11251The Blind Side
Sandra Bullock, Lily CollinsReleased: 2009
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
The Blind Side is a 2009 American semi-biographical sports drama film. It was written and... more4
8035Miracle
Kurt Russell, Patricia ClarksonReleased: 2004
Directed by: Gavin O'Connor
If you like this flick, check out our list of docudrama movies.
Miracle is a 2004 American sports docudrama about the United States men's hockey team, led by... more5
7435Field of Dreams
Ben Affleck, Matt DamonReleased: 1989
Directed by: Phil Alden Robinson
Field of Dreams is a 1989 American fantasy-drama film directed by Phil Alden Robinson, who... more6
7740Coach Carter
Samuel L. Jackson, Channing TatumReleased: 2005
Directed by: Thomas Carter
Coach Carter is a 2005 American biographical teen sports drama film directed by Thomas Carter,... more7
6630The 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.... more8
6430Hoosiers
Gene Hackman, Dennis HopperReleased: 1986
Directed by: David Anspaugh
Hoosiers is a 1986 sports film directed by David Anspaugh. A coach with a checkered past (Gene... more9
7439Rudy
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... more10
6136A 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... more11
4730Invincible
Elizabeth Banks, Mark WahlbergReleased: 2006
Directed by: Ericson Core
Invincible is a 2006 sports film directed by Ericson Core set in 1976. It is based on the true... more12
4427Brian's Song
Dick Butkus, James CaanReleased: 1971
Directed by: Buzz Kulik
Brian's Song is a 1971 ABC Movie of the Week that recounts the details of the life of Brian... more13
513642
Chadwick Boseman, Nicole BeharieReleased: 2013
Directed by: Brian Helgeland
42 is a 2013 American biographical sports film directed by Brian Helgeland. The powerful story... more14
4428The Fighter
Amy Adams, Christian BaleReleased: 2010
Directed by: David O. Russell
The Fighter is a 2010 American biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell.... more15
4530The Rookie
Dennis Quaid, Brian CoxReleased: 2002
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
The Rookie is a 2002 sports drama film directed by John Lee Hancock and produced by Walt... more16
4834Cinderella 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... more17
4328Raging Bull
Robert De Niro, Joe PesciReleased: 1980
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Raging Bull is a 1980 American biographical black-and-white sports drama film directed by... more18
4936Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood, Morgan FreemanReleased: 2004
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 American sports drama film directed, co-produced and scored by... more19
4432We Are Marshall
Matthew McConaughey, Kate MaraReleased: 2006
Directed by: Joseph McGinty Nichol
We Are Marshall is a 2006 American historical drama biopic film directed by McG. It depicts... more20
4635Friday Night Lights
Amber Heard, Connie BrittonReleased: 2004
Directed by: Peter Berg
Friday Night Lights is a 2004 sports drama film, directed by Peter Berg, which documents the... more21
4028Southpaw
Rachel McAdams, Jake GyllenhaalReleased: 2015
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Southpaw is a 2015 American sports drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua. A champion boxer... more22
4029The 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... more23
3732Warrior
Jennifer Morrison, Tom HardyReleased: 2011
Directed by: Gavin O'Connor
Warrior is a 2011 American sports drama film directed by Gavin O'Connor and starring Tom Hardy... more24
157Bull 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... more25
3533McFarland, 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
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