10 Sports Films You Need to Watch If You Haven't Already

Build it and they will come

Sports movies have the ability to inspire, entertain, and thrill. Whether it's a story of an underdog team, a triumph over adversity, or simply a tale of dedication and perseverance, sports movies have a way of capturing our hearts. It's no wonder we love them so much.

We scoured through countless reviews and ratings on popular movie review websites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes to identify the top 10 sports movies based on consistently high ratings, variety of sports, and impact on its audience.

Let’s count down the top 10 sports movies of all time, as well as some honorable mentions that are worth checking out.

10. The Sandlot (1993)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65 %

IMDb Score: 7.8

"The Sandlot" tells the story of a group of young boys who spend their summer playing baseball on a dusty field and learn about a lot more than ball-playing in the meantime. The movie packs in the nostalgia. You may find yourself reliving the joy of playing sports with friends as a kid. This quintessential tale of what it means to be a kid captures a lot more than the feeling of tossing a baseball around.

9. Remember the Titans (2000)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%

IMDb Score: 7.8

The true story of a high school football team in Virginia plays out in “Remember the Titans.” The team overcomes racial tensions in their quest to become champions. Denzel Washington shines in his performance, as does the rest of the cast depicting this inspiring story about the power of teamwork.

8. Miracle (2004)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%

IMDb Score: 7.4

Here’s another sports movie based on a true story, this time a tale from the 1980 Olympics. In “Miracle,” a scrappy U.S. Olympic hockey team beats the odds to take down the heavily-favored Soviet team. If you’re looking for a true underdog story based on true events, this is the sports movie for you.

7. A League of Their Own (1992)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%

IMDb Score: 7.3

When World War II breaks out, so many men ended up fighting overseas that it gutted things like Major League Baseball, leading to the formation of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. “A League of Their Own” tells the story of the women’s league, including the many hurdles the players had to overcome to earn respect as athletes. The movie features an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna.

6. Chariots of Fire (1981)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

IMDb Score: 7.1

"Chariots of Fire" takes place upon the historical backdrop of the 1924 Olympics, when two British track athletes, one Jewish and one Christian, had to do a lot more than win a race to find their places in the world. This historical drama shows the runners contending with their own pride, as well as crises of conscious, while they strive to represent Great Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympics.

5. Field of Dreams (1989)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

IMDb Score: 7.5

Most of us might ignore a strange voice telling us to build a baseball diamond on our cornfield, but not Kevin Costner’s character in “Field of Dreams.” Though just a farmer, he follows that voice, and the dream it evokes, chasing it despite the obstacles. Along the way, he learns a lot about family, regret, and the love of the game alongside co-star James Earl Jones.

4. The Karate Kid (1984)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

IMDb Score: 7.3

"The Karate Kid" tells the story of a down-on-his-luck teenager who learns about martial arts and so much more from a Japanese master who takes him under his wing. Ralph Macchio plays the bullied teen, who comes to respect himself, marital arts, and others through his training with Mr. Miyagi, played by Noriyuki “Pat” Morita.

3. Hoosiers (1986)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

IMDb Score: 7.4

A lot of the best sports movies come from true stories, and “Hoosiers” is no exception. It tells the tale of a small-town high school basketball team that defies the odds to win the state championship. Gene Hackman gives a great performance as the team's coach in this moving testament to the power of hard work.

2. Rocky (1976)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

IMDb Score: 8.1

"Rocky" is a classic underdog story about a small-time boxer who gets a shot at the heavyweight title. The movie won three Academy Awards and launched Sylvester Stallone's career. It's a timeless classic about determination against all odds.

1. Raging Bull (1980)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

IMDb Score: 8.1

"Raging Bull" is a biographical sports drama about the life of boxer Jake LaMotta. The movie features a career-defining performance from Robert De Niro. It won two Academy Awards for its gritty, intense portrayal of the darker side of the sporting world.

Honorable Mentions

There were many great sports movies that didn't make the top 10, but still deserve recognition. Some of these include "Bull Durham," "The Natural," "Moneyball," "Friday Night Lights," and "Warrior."

Whether you’re looking for a classic tale of scrappy underdogs, a heart-warming coming of age story or a drama based on true events, you can find it among the sports movies listed here. So grab your popcorn and pick a sport. You can’t go wrong trying out something new here.

This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.