There have been thousands of sports movies over the years. Some have been downright rubbish and most are mediocre at best, but there are a select few that remain deeply embedded in our memories. Those movies not only invoke our passion for sports, but they manage to permeate us and teach us greater life lessons. They teach us the importance of hard work and learning from our mistakes. They teach us that the impossible can come true. That’s what I consider a great sports movie. Well, that or it has to be a lot of fun.
Below are my top 10 sports movies of all time. Some popular movies are missing, either because I don’t think they are as good as the others or because I haven’t seen them.
10. Major League – This one falls into the comedy category. Willie Mays Hays, Jake Taylor, Pedro Cerano, Rick Vaughn and Jake Taylor somehow manage to come together to win the pennant despite its owner. It’s not the best comedy ever, but it’s certainly the best sports comedy ever. Major League 2 is just as good. Let’s assume that Major League 3 was never made.
9. Remember the Titans – The best part of this film is that it shows how sports can transcend society. The black and white high school unification is only successful due to the ties formed between the two schools on the football field.
8.rudy – How not to be inspired watching this? Nobody believed in this kid and he not only got into ND, but he made the soccer team. Most people would have given up long before Rudy, and it’s a testament to his character for sticking with it and being able to live his dream.
7.Miracle – I’m a big fan of ‘Miracle on Ice’, so I was a bit skeptical about the movie. They usually find a way to screw up the story. But surprisingly, Disney stuck to the story almost perfectly. By involving everyone on the original team in the making of the film, including the late Herb Brooks, they ensured that the film was accurate. I love that Al Michaels directs the action; He feels like he’s watching the real game!
6. It has game – This film tells the story of Jesus Shuttlesworth, a high school senior, the best college basketball prospect in the country, as he deals with the pressures of his father and daughter, who try to influence his decision for their own benefit. Ray Allen is the perfect choice for Shuttlesworth because Allen WAS Shuttlesworth in real life a few years earlier. How many actors can make that claim?
5. Eight men out – The best part of the movie was that they didn’t try to simplify it for Hollywood: they tried hard to follow the story as told in the book. This meant that it had the feel of a documentary, which is probably why this movie isn’t that popular, but true sports fans will appreciate that what they get is close to the truth.
4. Field of Dreams – This movie will appeal to sports fans and non-sports fans alike. Sports fans will love how they work on Shoeless Joe and other great classics. Sports fans will appreciate the fantastic journey Ray goes on to build his dream field. “If you build it, he will come” is one of the great movie quotes of all time.
3. When we were kings – I’m too young to remember Ali as a fighter, but this movie really shows his greatness. Forman is a superior fighter, but Ali uses his wits to defeat Forman in “The Rumble in the Jungle,” one of the greatest fights ever.
2. Stockings – If you ever need to cheer yourself up, watch this movie. Nothing seems impossible after watching coach Norman Dale lead his team to the Indiana state championship.
1. The Natural – I have the DVD of The Natural and have seen it more times than I can remember. However, whenever I see it on TV, I immediately freeze and stare at it. It captivates me like few movies. Roy Hobbs has that second chance that we all want. He had the talent to be the greatest pitcher of all time, but a mystery shooter took it from him. Years later, he reappears as an outfielder and leads his team to the top of the league with his famous “Wonder Boy” bat.