iStock With the NFL season now back in full force, the NBA season just around the corner, the MLB playoffs set to start in just a few weeks and what seems to me as a somehow even larger invigorating spark for the world of sports, I have compiled my top 10 favorite sports films based off of my viewing experience, cultural significance and some input from multiple sources and credited online databases.
10 “Gridiron Gang”
A movie about gang rivalries and violence turns into a story about second chances. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson leads a group of troubled kids and forms a football team who ultimately overcomes physical and emotional obstacles. This movie shows real factors of life and what some kids live with daily. I love this movie’s message and transformation of hatred into love.
9 “Happy Gilmore”
Adam Sandler playing Happy Gilmore goes from hockey reject to professional golfer with the help of legend “Chubbs” played by Carl Weathers. This movie brings comedy from the top to the bottom. From humorous violence to heartfelt moments, this movie was so good that they had to make a sequel. “Dude, we’ve been talking about a Happy 2 and we’re working on some stuff… but don’t tell anybody,” (Adam Sandler on The Dan Patrick Show, airing on May 20, 2024.)
8 “A League of Their Ow”n”
Major League Baseball is forced to a halt due to world conflict during the 1940’s… until women decided to fill the void of America’s pastime: baseball. I know some people may choose Field of Dreams instead, but A League of Their Own is in a league of its own.
7 “Rocky”
A man who lives in the slums of Philadelphia turns to boxing when he does not have an answer to his life. Rocky hands us one of the most iconic scenes in sports films when running through the streets, leading Philadelphia to build a statue of their fictional hero.
6 “Friday Night Lights”
Drama filled Friday nights fuel this movie with a group of teenagers who overcome obstacles within their families and their team. Considered one of the best football movies ever, it eventually earned its own T.V. show in 2006.
5 “Miracle”
February 22nd, 1980 the United States upset the powerhouse, Soviet Union, and went on to win their first Gold Medal as a country. Is there anything else that really needs to be said? . This movie, based on a true story, is the end all be all of inspiration. Because it is a true story, there was less directive creativity, making its ranking a bit lower than it could be. .
4 “Raging Bull”
Robert De Niro is a professional boxer who meets his lover and becomes the movie’s storyline. After finding what he believes is love, his mentality alters. This movie has several intense scenes that had my heart racing prior to writing this article.
3 “Remember the Titans”
In a time where racism is strong, a group of black teenagers are forced to an all-white school in Virginia 1971. Eventually the group grows closer through football, but they still face trouble in their everyday lives. With a movie that sends a message as strong as Remember the Titans does, it deserves a top 10 in anyone’s list.
2 “Coach Carter”
Samuel L. Jackson as Coach Carter leads a group of young teenagers to perform better on the court and in the classroom. The movie creates storylines for every player and the team ends up connecting as one. Coach Carter presents a real-life high school experience different than the ones in most films. It is better than Remember the Titans due to length. I believe the audience can grow a tighter connection with the characters compared to others.
1 “The Sandlot”
Fireworks, baseball, and friendship. The three main ingredients to this movie create the most perfect cinematic atmosphere no matter who the viewer is. Sandlot is an iconic film and will be watched for generations to come. The number one movie on my list may deserve some more explanation so I will end with a quote. “While the line between pastime and what’s trending seems closer to blurring than ever, one facet that has remained consistent across all walks of life are the friendships we’re passing the time with,” (Nick Sherman in an article titled “Why We Still Love the Sandlot 25 Years Later” which was published on ign.com on April 13, 2018. ).
I know my list speaks to a more recent generation . The older generation is probably asking themselves as they read this, where is this movie? Or, what about that one? This is my list and that is final!
Sports movies that come out nowadays are hard to beat any of the 10 movies listed above and that is mainly due to how iconic each film is. From Gridiron Gang to Sandlot, each movie on this list tells a story and teaches a lesson.
The Sandlot beats every movie on this list due to its popularity. Everyone has seen The Sandlot and quotes from the movie are still recited today. For example, “You’re killing me smalls.”
All movies that display the action of teamwork in my list convey a message that can be applied to life. Such as in Remember the Titans, when kids of different races are able to play on the same team for the first time.
Each movie has its own storyline that creates the possibility of different interpretations which is why I believe these are the top 10 sports movies ever created.