Favorite Sports Movies That Aren't Documentaries
There are a ton of great sports documentaries, but just not that many great sports movies. So I guess this is an "in development" list of my favorite sports movies. Please, no hate for excluding "Caddyshack". Golf's a game, not a sport (see profile photos of Craig Stadler or John Daly for proof of this truth). The only flick good enough to override this gray area distinction is "The Hustler".
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- DirectorPhil Alden RobinsonStarsKevin CostnerJames Earl JonesRay LiottaIowa farmer Ray Kinsella is inspired by a voice he can't ignore to pursue a dream he can hardly believe. Supported by his wife, Ray begins the quest by turning his ordinary cornfield into a place where dreams can come true.Not just a great sports movie; a great movie. If you have (older) kids, watch this with them.
10/10 - DirectorRoger DonaldsonStarsAnthony HopkinsDiane LaddIain ReaThe story of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years rebuilding a 1920 Indian motorcycle, which helped him set the land speed world record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967.Fantastic.
9/10 - DirectorRon SheltonStarsKevin CostnerSusan SarandonTim RobbinsA fan who has an affair with one minor-league baseball player each season meets an up-and-coming pitcher and the experienced catcher assigned to him.He's breathing through his eyelids. Classic. Why does Kevin Costner make GREAT sports movies and such lame other stuff? Even "Tin Cup" wasn't bad (but it's golf).
9/10 - DirectorPenny MarshallStarsTom HanksGeena DavisLori PettyTwo sisters join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amid their own growing rivalry.Fun all the way around. This is almost a companion piece to Bull Durham.
8/10 - DirectorRobert RossenStarsPaul NewmanJackie GleasonPiper LaurieAn up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.Paul Newman in his prime.
9/10 - DirectorDavid AnspaughStarsGene HackmanBarbara HersheyDennis HopperA coach with a checkered past and a local drunk train a small-town high school basketball team to become a top contender for the state championship in 1950s Indiana.Solid.
8/10 - DirectorSam WoodStarsGary CooperTeresa WrightBabe RuthThe story of the life and career of famed baseball player Lou Gehrig.Like Costner, baseball seems to generate the best of the sports genre. Watched this as a kid, and loved it. Watched it as an adult and still loved it.
8/10 - DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.Yo, Adrien.
8/10 - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroCathy MoriartyJoe PesciThe life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.8/10
- DirectorCraig GillespieStarsMargot RobbieSebastian StanAllison JanneyCompetitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises amongst the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the activity is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.You had to be there. If you were, this is hysterical. Also, for those who are old enough, it has maybe THE best soundtrack song selection/scene selection pairings of any movie. Pitch perfect.
8/10 - DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsRobert RedfordRobert DuvallGlenn CloseA middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a legendary baseball player with almost supernatural talent.Solid movie, but not (in my humble opinion) top tier.
7/10 - DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanMichael OntkeanStrother MartinA failing ice hockey team finds success with outrageously violent hockey goonery.Ok, I confess, I'm from Minnesota - so I CAN'T leave this off the list without having the gov't run some kind of background check on me.
7/10 - DirectorPeter BergStarsBilly Bob ThorntonJay HernandezDerek LukeBased on H.G. Bissinger's book, which profiled the economically depressed town of Odessa, Texas and their heroic high school football team, The Permian High Panthers.Really good film that highlights the best & worst the seriousness of high school sports has to offer.
7/10 - DirectorRon HowardStarsDaniel BrühlChris HemsworthOlivia WildeThe merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda.7/10
- DirectorDavid S. WardStarsTom BerengerCharlie SheenCorbin BernsenThe new owner of the Cleveland Indians puts together a purposely horrible team so they'll lose and she can move the team. But when the plot is uncovered, they start winning just to spite her.Actually, not one of my favorites, but fun enough to keep watching every once in awhile.
6/10 - DirectorCameron CroweStarsTom CruiseCuba Gooding Jr.Renée ZellwegerWhen a sports agent has a moral epiphany and is fired for expressing it, he decides to put his new philosophy to the test as an independent agent with the only athlete who stays with him and his former colleague.Same as Major League; not great, but definitely good.
6/10