Top 10 Sport Movies

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent
Rated R

Raging Bull is a 1980 American sports drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta, a former middleweight boxer whose self-destructive and obsessive rage, sexual jealousy, and animalistic boxing style reignited his career in the 1940s. The film follows LaMotta's struggles with life outside the ring, including his relationship with his wife, Vickie (Cathy Moriarty), and brother, Joey (Joe Pesci). LaMotta's career culminates with a 15-round fight against Sugar Ray Robinson (Johnny Barnes) in 1947 in which Robinson is victorious. Raging Bull won two Academy Awards, including Best Actor for De Niro and Best Editing for Thelma Schoonmaker. The film was also nominated for four other Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Pesci), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From John G. Avildsen, starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers
Rated PG

Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Sylvester Stallone. The film follows Rocky Balboa, an uneducated but kind-hearted debt collector for a loan shark in Philadelphia. When Rocky is granted the chance to fight world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed in a bout for the title, he must become the underdog against all odds to try and achieve the impossible. Through sheer determination and hard work, Rocky begins to shape himself both physically and mentally to take on the challenge of a lifetime. With the help of his trainer Mickey and his newfound love Adrian, Rocky embarks on a journey of self-discovery, overcoming all odds to become a champion.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel
Rated PG-13

Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 American sports drama film directed, co-produced and scored by Clint Eastwood. The film follows a female boxer (played by Hilary Swank) who dreams of becoming a professional. With the help of her mentor and trainer, Frankie Dunn (played by Clint Eastwood), she works to become a successful boxer and ultimately win the championship. Along the way, her relationship with Frankie and the other characters in her life help her to develop and grow. The film is an exploration of themes such as determination, perseverance, the bond between teacher and student, and the importance of family.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Craig Bierko, Paul Giamatti
Rated PG-13

Cinderella Man is a 2005 American biographical sports drama film directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger. The film tells the story of boxer Jim Braddock, a struggling husband and father in the 1930s who fought his way back to the top, becoming a champion and an inspiration to millions of Americans during the Great Depression. Braddock's hardscrabble life was filled with struggle, but ultimately he was able to overcome his personal and financial hardships to become the world heavyweight boxing champion. As the film progresses, Braddock is forced to make difficult decisions, both in and out of the ring, in order to provide for his family and find success. With the help of his wife, manager, and trainer, Braddock is able to overcome the odds, becoming a symbol of hope for a nation in dire straits.

From David O. Russell, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
Rated R

The Fighter is a 2010 biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell and starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, and Mickey O'Keefe. It tells the story of professional boxer, Micky Ward (Wahlberg), and his struggle to break free of his dysfunctional family and rise to the top of his sport. With the help of his half-brother Dicky Eklund (Bale) and his girlfriend Charlene (Adams), Micky learns to face his fears and find the strength to become a champion. The Fighter is a powerful story of resilience and redemption that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit.

From Boaz Yakin, starring Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst
Rated PG

Remember the Titans is a 2000 American sports drama film directed by Boaz Yakin, starring Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, and Donald Faison. The film follows a newly appointed African-American coach, Herman Boone (Washington), and his efforts to lead a newly desegregated high school football team in Alexandria, Virginia during the early 1970s. Despite the odds being against them, the team is successful, due to Boone's leadership and perseverance. Along the way, Boone and his team learn to overcome their racial prejudice and prove that a unified team can achieve excellence.

From Peter Yates, starring Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern, Jackie Earle Haley
Rated PG

Breaking Away is a 1979 American coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Peter Yates. Written by Steve Tesich, it follows four teenage working-class friends in Bloomington, Indiana, who have recently graduated from high school. Dave (Dennis Christopher), the main character, is an avid cyclist with dreams of competing in the prestigious Little 500 bicycle race. His three friends join him in training for the race, helping him develop his cycling skills and supporting him as he deals with his strained relationship with his father, who wants him to pursue a more traditional career path. Dave must also deal with the local college students who mock and belittle him for his small-town background. In the end, Dave and his friends overcome the odds and participate in the Little 500, competing against the college students and ultimately overcoming their taunts and criticism. The film is a touching, inspiring story of friendship and determination that ultimately triumphs over prejudice and preconceptions.

From John Lee Hancock, starring Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Jae Head
Rated PG-13

The Blind Side is a sports drama film directed by John Lee Hancock and released in 2009. It stars Sandra Bullock in the lead role and tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American teen from a broken home. With the help of Leigh Anne Tuohy, a strong-minded woman, Michael is taken in and provided with a stable home. Leigh Anne eventually becomes Michael’s legal guardian and helps him become an honor student and football star. The story follows Michael’s journey of self-discovery, as well as his struggles to fit in with his new family. The film received a positive reception from critics and won several awards, including two Academy Awards for Best Actress and Best Picture.

From Phil Alden Robinson, starring Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Amy Madigan
Rated PG

Field of Dreams is a 1989 American fantasy-drama film directed by Phil Alden Robinson, adapting W. P. Kinsella's novel Shoeless Joe. The film stars Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster in his final film role. The film tells the story of an Iowa farmer (Costner) who, after hearing a mysterious voice in his cornfield, builds a baseball diamond on his farm. He brings the spirits of deceased ballplayers back to life, including Shoeless Joe Jackson (Liotta). Despite the objections of his wife (Madigan) and neighbors, the farmer continues to follow the voice's instructions, which leads him to a journey of self-discovery. The film received positive reviews and was a commercial success, grossing over $64 million at the box office in the United States. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including for Best Original Score and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From David Anspaugh, starring Sean Astin, Jon Favreau, Ned Beatty, Greta Lind
Rated PG

Rudy (Sean Astin) is a determined young man from a lower-class family who dreams of playing football for the University of Notre Dame. Despite his small size and the objections of his family, Rudy works hard to overcome formidable obstacles and fulfill his dream of playing for the Fighting Irish. With the help of his friends and family, Rudy perseveres and eventually achieves his goal, becoming an inspiration to everyone who knows him.

From David Anspaugh, starring Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper, Sheb Wooley
Rated PG

From Barry Levinson, starring Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger
Rated PG

From Gavin O'Connor, starring Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Nathan West, Noah Emmerich
Rated PG

From Gary Ross, starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Cooper
Rated PG-13

From Clint Eastwood, starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng
Rated PG-13

From Penny Marshall, starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna
Rated PG

From John G. Avildsen, starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Martin Kove
Rated PG

From James Gartner, starring Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, Austin Nichols, Jon Voight
Rated PG

From Peter Berg, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Jay Hernandez, Derek Luke, Lucas Black
Rated PG-13

From Ron Shelton, starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Trey Wilson
Rated R