Top Sports Movies

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

Raging Bull is a biographical drama directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro as the main character, Jake LaMotta. The movie follows the life of LaMotta, a middle-weight boxer from the 1940s and 1950s. It follows his meteoric rise to fame and subsequent fall from grace as his personal and professional lives spiral out of control. Along the way, LaMotta faces off with his brother Joey, falls in love and out of love with his wife Vickie, and battles with his own inner demons as he struggles to find redemption and purpose. The movie is an exploration of his psyche, as well as a meditation on the nature of fame, violence, and masculinity.

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

Rocky tells the story of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), an uneducated but kind-hearted debt collector for a loan shark in Philadelphia. When Rocky is chosen as the challenger for the current heavyweight champion of the world, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), he must do whatever it takes to step up and prove himself in the ring. With the help of a trainer, a former boxer, and the love of a woman, Adrian (Talia Shire), Rocky’s dream of becoming a championship boxer becomes a reality. This classic underdog story follows Rocky's journey as he overcomes his underdog status and becomes a champion. While the film culminates in a climactic boxing match between Rocky and Apollo, the real victory is Rocky's journey of self-discovery and realization of his own potential.

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, and starring Eastwood, Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman. When a determined boxer named Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank) arrives at the Hit Pit gym, determined to become a professional fighter, she meets Frankie Dunn (Eastwood), an aging former boxer and trainer who is reluctant to take her on as a student. Ultimately, Frankie agrees to train Maggie and the two form an unlikely bond. As Maggie's career begins to take off, Frankie finds himself facing personal demons and difficult decisions, including when to accept that Maggie's career has outgrown his own. In the end, Maggie's courage and determination lead her to the top and Frankie learns that there is more to life than victory in the ring.

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. The film stars Russell Crowe as James J. Braddock, a down-on-his-luck boxer who made a remarkable comeback to become a world champion during the Great Depression. Renée Zellweger plays his wife, Mae, and Paul Giamatti plays the fight promoter, Joe Gould. The film begins in 1928, when Braddock is a successful boxer. He is then forced to take a job as a longshoreman after suffering a series of hard-fought losses and a broken right hand. Despite his struggles, Braddock refuses to give up and eventually earns a shot at the heavyweight title for a fight against Max Baer. With the help of his wife and family, Braddock goes on to beat Baer in a dramatic 15 round fight and is crowned the heavyweight champion of the world in 1935. Cinderella Man is a stirring, inspiring story of determination and hope in the face of overwhelming odds. Braddock's courage and resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the human spirit and a reminder that anything is possible if we believe in ourselves.

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

The Fighter (2010) is a biographical drama directed by David O. Russell. It stars Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward, a struggling boxer from Lowell, Massachusetts, and Christian Bale as his older half-brother and trainer, Dicky Eklund. The film follows Micky's attempt to win the world light welterweight title, while battling the personal demons brought on by his troubled family life. With the help of his supportive girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams), Micky is able to overcome his past and realize his potential as a world-class fighter. Ultimately, Micky's triumph is not only personal, but it serves as an inspiring story of family and redemption.

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

"Remember the Titans" is a 2000 film directed by Boaz Yakin. It is based on a true story and follows the journey of an African-American head coach, Herman Boone (Denzel Washington), who is hired to lead the newly integrated T.C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia in 1971. The team must overcome deep racial prejudice and come together to win the state championship. Along the way, Coach Boone and his players learn how to work together towards a common goal, as well as how to value teamwork, loyalty and respect for one another. The film features strong performances from Denzel Washington, Will Patton and Wood Harris, and culminates in an emotional and triumphant conclusion.

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 film directed by Peter Yates and written by Steve Tesich. It follows a group of four teenage boys in Bloomington, Indiana, who have recently graduated from high school. The main character, Dave (Ron Howard), is an intelligent but aimless young man who is obsessed with the Italian cycling team that competed in the 1959 Tour de France. Dave's friends, Cyril (Daniel Stern), Moocher (Jackie Earle Haley), and Mike (Dennis Christopher) are all struggling to find their place in the world and to establish an identity for themselves. They are at odds with the affluent college students who live in the town. Dave's obsession with cycling serves as a source of inspiration and helps him to find his own path and purpose in life. When a local university's cycling team challenges Dave and his friends to a race, they rise to the challenge and use their wit and ingenuity to outsmart their opponents. In the end, Dave and his friends come out triumphant and their newfound self-confidence allows them to begin their journey into adulthood.

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

The Blind Side is a 2009 American biographical drama film written and directed by John Lee Hancock, and based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. The film follows the story of Michael Oher, an African American teenager from a broken home, taken in by a well-to-do white family in Memphis, Tennessee. Michael is then helped by the family to become an All-American football player and later a first-round NFL draft pick. The film stars Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy, Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher, and Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy. It also features a cameo from professional football player Michael Oher. The Blind Side demonstrates how love and support can help a young boy overcome significant obstacles in his life. It inspires viewers to reach out and help those in need, and shows how anyone can make a difference in someone's life. The film was a commercial success and earned critical acclaim, with Sandra Bullock winning the Academy Award for Best Actress at the 82nd Academy Awards.

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 and starring Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster. The film follows Ray Kinsella (Costner), an Iowa corn farmer, who hears a mysterious voice telling him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield. He does so, and the ghosts of various deceased baseball players from the past come to play on it. Ray then finds himself being taken on a journey through time, learning about the importance of family, and ultimately reuniting with his long-dead father. The film is beloved by many for its combination of fantasy, drama, and Americana.

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

Rudy is a 1993 American biographical sports film directed by David Anspaugh. It is an account of the life of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, who harbored dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame despite significant obstacles. It stars Sean Astin as Rudy, with Ned Beatty, Jason Miller, Robert Prosky, Lili Taylor, and Jon Favreau in supporting roles. The film tells the story of Rudy Ruettiger, a small, underprivileged man from the steel mill town of Joliet, Illinois who dreams of attending the University of Notre Dame and playing football for the Fighting Irish. Despite his family's financial condition, Rudy is determined to make it to South Bend. With the help of his friends, family, and the determination and support of his priest, Rudy overcomes the odds and is finally accepted into Notre Dame. Rudy then faces the daunting challenge of making the Fighting Irish football team. Although he is constantly told he is not good enough, Rudy does not give up and eventually earns the chance to dress for the last home game of his senior year. Rudy makes the most of this opportunity, forcing a turnover on the last play of the game and leading the crowd in

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