The Best Sports Movies of All Time
By
Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer Updated: 07 February 2023
Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer
Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.
The Best Sports Movies
Sports are a popular subject for filmmakers and audiences alike as they can beautifully capture the highs-and-lows of games, seasons, teams, and players. But what are the best sports movies? Everyone has their own opinion that will likely relate to their favorite sports or players.
To provide a fair assessment of sport movie classics, we’ve chosen the top two films relating to each popular US sport. Take note of how many you’ve already seen and be sure to check out any of our recommendations you have yet to. We assure you that you won’t be disappointed.
Why Are These the Best Sport Movies Ever?
We believe that these films represent the best sport movies of all time as they have perfectly captured the individual characteristics of each sport. These movies can be fast-paced and engaging, full of heart, and perfectly demonstrate the best and worst aspects of playing these games.
By reading this guide, you’ll find a brief synopsis of what the films are about, as well as trailers where available. You can use the following links to jump to each sporting category or keep scrolling to read them all. We believe that each film is so good that you won’t have to be a fan of the sport to enjoy the film.
- 🏀 Top Basketball Movies
- ⚾ Best Baseball Movies
- 🏈 Great Football Films
- ⚽ Top Soccer Movies
- 🏒 Best Hockey Films
- 🥊 Other Sport Movies
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Basketball
There have been countless great basketball films made over the years that have covered a range of topics, whether it be disenfranchised high school players or top-league talent. As basketball online betting grows in popularity, you may be looking for some good films to watch in the genre. We’ve listed two below.
He Got Game
He Got Game was released in 1998 to much fanfare, and was immediately praised for its striking visuals and unconventional flare. Written and directed by Spike Lee, the film stars Denzel Washington and Ray Allen in a gripping, high-stakes drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The film follows Washington’s Jake Shuttleworth, who is released from prison by the state’s governor for one week to convince his son and top prospect, Jesus, to play for the governor’s former college. If Jake can convince his son, he is promised a reduced sentence. What follows is an unpredictable and surprising movie about a father and son’s reconciliation.
Space Jam
Who would have thought that a movie that paired all-time great Michael Jordan with the cartoon Looney Tunes would become such a classic. This comedy directed by Joe Pytka appealed to fans of all ages when it was released in 1996, and went on to become the highest-grossing basketball film of all time.
The film tells the fictional story of Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA after his retirement in 1993. The action ensues after Jordan is recruited by the Looney Tunes characters to help them win a basketball match against aliens with evil plans. A number of huge basketball stars make cameos, including Patrick Ewing, Wayne Knight, and Larry Johnson.
Baseball
Baseball is one of the most popular all-American pastimes, so there’s nothing like a good baseball movie to get you rooting for an underdog team on the rise. Both of these films and many others on our shortlist have similar themes, though the following were chosen for their undeniable heart.
A League of Their Own
A League of Their Own is a baseball comedy film directed by Penny Marshall that was released in 1992. The film features an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Madonna, Geena Davis, and Madonna, and became a huge success with audiences and critics alike. It even spawned a TV-show remake in 2022.
The film tells a fictionalized account of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, a real-life league that existed between 1943 and 1954. The movie follows the Rockford Peaches in particular, the most successful team in the league, and is a hilarious and joyous story that is ultimately a celebration of the sport.
Field of Dreams
Field of Dreams was released in 1989 and instantly became a fan favorite. Directed by Phil Alden Robinson, this fantasy drama was nominated for three Academy Awards and further boost Kevin Costner’s status as a leading man. Although the film is quite sentimental, the love for the sport of baseball is put front and center.
The film follows Costner’s Ray Kinsella, a farmer who builds a baseball field in his cornfield after being prompted by the ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson. The film features a number of former baseball greats who are attracted to play on the field, and captures the enduring popularity of baseball and how it connects families and different generations.
Football
Perhaps the best sport movies to watch are football movies. These tend to have the most high-stakes drama, whether it be about college teams or NFL talent. These are great to watch all year round and are particularly good at capturing the strong bonds that form around winning teams.
Rudy
Rudy was released in 1993 and has since been considered one of the best football movies of all time. The film was written by Angelo Pizzo and directed by David Anspaugh, the same team behind Hoosiers. It stars Sean Astin in the titular role of the real-life Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger.
The movie follows Rudy’s struggles to fulfil his dream of playing football at the University of Notre Dame. Without the money or grades to be accepted, Rudy fights to earn his place on the famous team in what is an inspiring and memorable tale of hard work and perseverance.
Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights is perhaps best known for inspiring the hit TV-show of the same name, but the original film is just as worthy of praise. Released in 2004 by writer and director Peter Berg, the film tracks the real-life account of the Texan High School Panthers football team on their run to the state championship.
Billy Bob Thornton stars as coach Gary Gaines, who is tasked with leading the team after its star tailback is seriously injured. The team is the pride and joy of the small town, so Gaines has to navigate pressure from the locals while inspiring the young players to reach their potential.
Soccer
As soccer isn’t as popular in the USA as it is in the UK and Europe, there aren’t many great US movies about the sport. This means that both of our top soccer movies are from across the pond, which gives them a very charming though nevertheless relatable charm. It’s a great way to get in the mood before you bet on soccer games.
The Damned United
The Damned United was released in 2009. Directed by Tom Hooper from a script by Peter Morgan of Rush fame, it is based on the fictional account of Brian Clough’s time as manager of Leeds United in 1974. Clough is played by Michael Sheen who was praised for his intelligent and intenseperformance.
Over the course of 44 days, we follow Clough as he takes the reigns of the team and is instantly met with resistance from the players and the team’s executives. The film is somewhat of a tragedy, as Clough’s quick downfall comes at the hand of his abrasive nature and desire to be better than his beloved predecessor.
Bend It Like Beckham
Bend It Like Beckham is a 2002 comedy film directed by Gurinder Chadha which is famous for being the breakout film of a teenage Kiera Knightley. The film is considered to be a British classic for its heartwarming portrayal of adolescence and women in sports.
The film focuses on a young South Asian girl and her friend’s pursuit of becoming professional football players despite their families’ resistance. While the film tackles major social issues, it remains a light-hearted, inspiring, and entertaining story from start to finish. Of course, it also celebrates the uniting nature of soccer.
Hockey
Before you commit to betting at legal hockey betting sites, why not take a moment to appreciate some of the best ice hockey films? These capture the fast-paced, exciting and even violent characteristics that the sport is known for while getting audiences firm behind each team, whether real or fictional.
Miracle
Miracle was released in 2004 and tells the real-life story of the United States national hockey team’s win at the 1980 Winter Olympics. The protagonist is coach Herb Brooks, who is played by Kurt Russell, who led the team to what was called the ‘Miracle on Ice’.
The film follows the lead-up to the games, as Brooks works toward leading the team to a victory over the Soviet Union. Although the film does feature several major sports movie tropes, it manages to be inspiring and exciting without feeling too sentimental or predictable.
The Mighty Ducks
It’s not often that a film has a real-world impact on the sport that it’s based on, but The Mighty Ducks are one exception. The original film was released in 1992 to immediate fandom and spawned two sequels, a television series, and the formation of the NHL team, the Anaheim Ducks.
The original and the best film follows Gordon Bombay, an attorney who is sentenced to 500 hours of community service for drunk driving. He ends up coaching a peewee hockey team with a reputation for constant losses, the Ducks. The film tracks the team’s rise and eventual title win.
Other Sports
We couldn’t write a guide for the best sport movies classics without mentioning the following two films on our list. While each film is very different from the other, they are similar in that they get you completely invested in two dedicated men that have come to define their respective sports.
Senna
Although Senna, released in 2010, is a documentary, it’s constructed in a way that makes it feel like a white-knuckle thriller film. The film tells the story of the life and tragic death of Brazilian formula one champion Ayrton Senna. It was directed by Asif Kapadia and utilizes only archive footage and voiceovers.
This creates a personal and cinematic experience that is unlike anything you’ve ever watched before. Highlights include Senna’s incredible performance in rainy conditions and the story of his family life. Word of advice: watch the Director’s Cut for a more detailed story.
Rocky
We couldn’t write a list of the best sports movies without mentioning Rocky, the 1976 boxing film that launched Sylvester Stallone to international stardom. The film is considered not only one of the best sports films of all time but one of the best films of all time.
The film follows the rise of Rocky Balboa, a true underdog who is given a chance to claim the world heavyweight championship against Apollo Creed. We watch as Rocky trains with the feisty Mickey and tries to win over Adrian. The movie is remembered for it’s iconic dialogue and heart-pumping soundtrack.
