Top 20 sports movies

Celtic Fan · May 14, 2008

soo I assume we all like sports movies here since we all love sports.
I admit I'm a sucker for sports movies, good and bad. Sure most of them are formulaic and predictable and yet I usually am sucked right in to them regardless, save for a few exceptions (Any Given Sunday being the biggest one)

Sports documentaries however, are almost always interesting and quite a few are great. I'd watch a good sports documentary on water polo. The one documentary I haven't seen and really want to see is the one about wheelchair basketball, murderball.

Here's my list of fav sports movies and sports documentaries;

1. Hoosiers - classic movie, great acting, great atmosphere, I get sucked in every time
2. Hoop Dreams - Great documentary and dose of reality for any HS basketball player who's counting on making the NBA no doubt.
3. Friday Night Lights - engrossing characters, doesn't have the typical feel good ending and some great acting by unknown actors
4. Rocky - "Adddrian!!!" If you don't like Rocky.. well there's little or no hope for you as a sports fan.
5. Slap Shot - I missed out on this movie for years and finally saw it and nearly pissed myself laughing. Paul Newman is great as always in this indie feeling film.
6. The Longest Yard (original) - Burt Reynolds at his cocky best, as he leads the inmates vs the prison guards in football in an improbable story that draws you in anyways
7. Remember the Titans - what can I say, it's got that Disney feel but still it draws you in and the fact that it deals with race relations in the south during the 60's too.
8. Rocky III - Clubber Lang has to be one of my all time fav bad guys "Hey, Woman. Hey, Woman! Listen here. Since your old man ain't got no heart, maybe you like to see a real man. I bet you stay up late every night dreamin' you had a real man, don't ya? I'll tell you what. Bring your pretty little self over to my apartment tonight, and I'll show you a real man." "What do I predict for the fight?" "Pain."
9. Brian's Song - Based on a true story about Bears running back Brian Piccolo and Gayle Sayers. This was a TV movie but damn if the acting is great. I get sucked into this movie every time I catch it too.
10. When We Were Kings - documenting 'The Rumble in the Jungle' of Ali vs Foreman, this is a great look at the build up to this great boxing match.
11. Rounders - hey if ESPN can bludgeon us over the head with Poker, then I'll toss in this well acted movie about this sport. Great performance by Ed Norton, Matt Damon, John Turturro and John Malkovich as Teddy KGB.
12. The Smashing Machine - documentary following one time MMA star Mark Kerr during the height of his popularity in Japan as an MMA fighter for Pride FC. This unflinching look at this caring, friendly and flawed person shows just how messed up a person can be while at the height of their athletic career. Mark gives the documentary crew all access to his success and demons which makes for a fascinating story, regardless if you're a fan of the sport or not.
13. Beyond the Mat - you don't have to be a fan of WWE style wrestling to watch this documentary. Wrestling isn't an actual sport as it is scripted but it still takes ton of athletic ability to do the fall and stunts they perform so it makes my list. This documentary follows 3 main wrestlers and the events that happen to them and around them. What you'll see is so engrossing you can't help but talk about it afterwards. Jake 'the Snake' Roberts is both sad and scary at the same time. A must watch for anyone who enjoys engrossing documentaries.
14. Victory - Sly Stalone playing soccer with Pele?? yup this is not your typical WWII POW movie
15. Million Dollar Baby - Clint Eastwood once again delivers a poignant movie that is well acted. The fact that it's about female boxing just shows you how diverse Clint is and the he's one of this era's great directors and actors.
16. The Natural - I swear I've never seen the entire movie beginning to end in one sitting, but I've been sucked into watching it from wherever I catch it on TV about a dozen times. Robert Redford is of course superb.
17. The Hustler - Paul Newman as a great but flawed pool Hustler who's out to prove he's the best no matter what. It may be a bit too artistic and dialogue driven for anyone who lives and dies by action movies and comedies, but if you enjoy a well acted film that has depth to it, this is a great film.
18. Caddyshack - sure it's dated a bit, but the cast makes this still a funny film
19. Happy Gilmore - Just some good outrageous fun made at the expense of the serious sport of golf "The Price is wrong Bitch!"
20. Coach Carter - a solid feel good basketball story and once again based on real events. Having Samuel L Jackson adds a lot to this movie IMO as he delivers his usual brilliance.

that's my list.. did I miss any greats?
what's your list of favorite sports movies?

Moo2K4 · May 14, 2008

Not gonna lie, I don't think I've seen 20 sports movies, mainly because I haven't seen any of the "classics". But, in no particular order, ones I do like:

Friday Night Lights
Miracle
The Longest Yard (remake)
Happy Gilmore
Waterboy
The Benchwarmers
Glory Road
Coach Carter
Hoosiers
Remember the Titans
Talladega Nights

And at the moment....those are the ones I can remember. I'm sure I've seen more that I can't remember, but this'll do for now.

Charles · May 14, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Celtic Fan @ May 14 2008, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>that's my list.. did I miss any greats?</div>

Field of Dreams

pegs · May 14, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Charles @ May 14 2008, 01:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Celtic Fan @ May 14 2008, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>that's my list.. did I miss any greats?</div>

Field of Dreams
</div>

He Got Game
White Men Can't Jump
Above the Rim
Blue Chips
Space Jam
Air Bud*
Love & Basketball
Glory Road
Like Mike*

*Just kidding.

Denny Crane · May 14, 2008

your 18 and 19 are #1 and #2

Denny Crane · May 14, 2008

You missed Pride of the Yankmees

Celtic Fan · May 14, 2008

I actually had it on my list but I bumped it to add The Wrecking Machine, which totally enthralled me... just amazing to watch, captivating, depressing and very real.
that and I hadn't seen Pride of the Yankees in eons.

Celtic Fan · May 14, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Charles @ May 14 2008, 12:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Celtic Fan @ May 14 2008, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>that's my list.. did I miss any greats?</div>

Field of Dreams
</div>

yeah good one, another movie I've never seen beginning to end, just bits and pieces.
it'd be in my top 25

Charles · May 14, 2008

I admit I haven't seen it, but everyone that has seen "61" by Billy Crystal has loved it.

Lavalamp · May 14, 2008

lol, I really like basketball and I like movies, but I don't know if I've even think I've seen 20 sports movies in total.

Space Jam
SLAM DUNK ERNST - lol
Like Mike
White Men Can't Jump
Great White Hype
KingPin - Bowling is a sport?
WaterBoy
Happy Gilmore
Semi Pro
Taledega Knights
A Knight's Tale - I'm not sure if I watched all of it though - Is Jousting a sport?

That's 10 total, and most either comedies or not serious family movies lol.

hustler · May 14, 2008

Like Mike (original).

huevonkiller · May 14, 2008

I like Happy Gilmore, He Got Game, Space Jam, White Men Can't Jump, Waterboy, Kingpin, Raging Bull.

cpawfan · May 14, 2008

Here is a list from ESPN Page 2 that I don't fully agree with.

http://espn.go.com/page2/movies/s/top20/fulllist.html

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="495">
<tbody>
<tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">Rank, movie</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">Page 2's review</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="125">1. Bull Durham

(206 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300">The dialogue is sharp and funny, the baseball sequences are accurate and the prevailing sexual tension triumphs throughout.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">2. Rocky

(204 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">Rocky Balboa remains the lovable lughead of an underdog who will register with the everyman inside all of us.</td>

</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="125">3. Raging Bull

(172 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300">A definitive movie about any sport has yet to be made, but this one comes closest. There's nothing formulaic or feel-good.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">4. Hoosiers

(167 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">While
"Rocky" shows what one individual can do in the face of overwhelming
odds, "Hoosiers" is the ultimate parable for the underdog "team."</td>

</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="125">5. Slap Shot

(166 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300">Paul Newman demonstrates how goofball sports movies ought to be done (this should be required viewing for Adam Sandler).</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">6. The Natural

(150 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">Authentic
in the nostalgia that's in every adult heart -- the career, game, love,
girl that got away; then turns up again, backlit.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="125">7. Field of Dreams

(122 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300">Just an odd and wonderful premise with baseball acting as a metaphor for so much more about life, and love, and passions.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">8. Caddyshack

(121 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">Perhaps the funniest sports movie ever made, and 22 years later, it still ranks as definitely the most "quotable" sports film. </td>

</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="125">9. The Hustler

(113 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300">Unbelievable
acting, especially by Newman. The scene at the beginning, when he plays
Gleason for the first time, is one of the best.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">10. The Longest Yard

(109 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">One of the best things about sports is the sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle bird they flip at the establishment.</td>

</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="125">11. North Dallas Forty

(93 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300">From
the opening scene, when Nick Nolte struggles to get out of bed, we get
an up-close look at the brutal world of pro football.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">12. Jerry Maguire

(88 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">Somehow
they managed to turn a movie about an agent into a statement against
the greed and selfishness that has overrun professional sports.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="125">13. Hoop Dreams

(82 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300">The
viewer develops more of an emotional attachment to the lead characters
than in any other movie -- because you know they're real.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">14. Breaking Away

(76 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">The scene where Dave rides to keep up with the truck is one of the two most inspiring training scenes in movie history.</td>

</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="125">15. White Men Can't Jump

(74 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300">"The
sun even shines on a dog's ass some days." The constant yammering of
trash talk shines throughout this playground hoops saga.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">16. The Bad News Bears

(70 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">The kids are ruthless, funny, honest and vulnerable. Which is to say, they're just like real kids. </td>

</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="125">17. Chariots of Fire

(70 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300">Behold an intelligent dissection of what makes a championship athlete tick when it really isn't about the money.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">18. Brian's Song

(67 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">A tearjerker that captures the ideal interracial relationship, even in a competitive situation, so rarely achieved.</td>

</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="125">19. Eight Men Out

(55 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300">One
of the great period-piece movies ... it brought 1919 alive. Like most
of John Sayles' movies, it features tremendous ensemble acting.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="125">20. When We Were Kings

(53 points)</td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="55"></td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="5"> </td>

<td bgcolor="#ecece4" width="300">It
has a wonderful beat and rhythm that sweeps you up into the film. And
when Ali is the central figure, you can't possibly look away.</td>

</tr>

<tr valign="top">
<td colspan="5" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="490">Also Receiving Votes:
21. Pride of the Yankees (51), 22. A League of Their Own (41), 23. Bang
the Drum Slowly (40), 24. Tin Cup (32), 25. Hurricane (30), 26. The
Color of Money (27), 27. Rounders (25), 28. Rocky III (25), 29. Rocky
II (24), 30. Heaven Can Wait (20)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>

cpawfan · May 14, 2008

Brian's Song makes grown men cry it has to be top 5.

Caddyshack and Slap Shot are the funniest of all of the sports movies

pegs · May 14, 2008

No love for He Got Game? That's one of my favorite movies all-time.

Celtic Fan · May 15, 2008

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ May 14 2008, 04:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No love for He Got Game? That's one of my favorite movies all-time.</div>
that's on my list of 'watch again' because I saw it in the theatre but can't really recall a lot about it.

I also gotta watch raging bull one of these days...

Big Frame · May 16, 2008

Is beer drinking a sport? if it is then Beerfest has to be number one!
Days of Thunder
Mighty Ducks 3
Mighty Ducks 2
Blades of Glory
Ready To Rumble
I got a soft spot for "For The Love Of The Game"
Eight Men Out
Cobb gets to me also. It is a movie about the greatest ball player EVER!
Sandlot
Major League
The original Angels in The Outfield.

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Top 20 sports movies

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