With the Olympics well underway, I think all of Australia has found that patriotic, national spirit. Cheering on the green and gold. However, with only just over a week remaining, the adrenaline will start to wear off, so I am here today to count down the best sports films of all time. Yes, there are plenty of them, but I believe these 10 to be among the best. They’ll make you laugh, they’ll make you cry and they’ll make you cheer. So without further ado, here are my top 10 favorite sports flicks.
10. Creed (2015) – Rebooting the ‘Rocky’ franchise was no easy task. The franchise has become one of, if not the most prolific, sports franchise of all time. Rocky Balboa is iconic, he has fought a number of opponents, but in the 2015 reboot ‘Creed’, Rocky takes on the role of a mentor, coaching Adonic Creed, son of his dear friend and competitor Apollo Creed. Michael B. Jordan stars in this film as Adonis, and he is terrific. Ryan Coogler delivers a heartfelt, and emotionally poignant entry in the Rocky franchise, trading in the cheesy montages and 1980s rock, for a grounded and realistic boxing drama. Stallone is also masterful here as Rocky, he has aged and is going through his own difficulties, and I love the relationship he forms with Adonis. This is a truly great film and an example of how a reboot can work. Take note Hollywood.
Buy The Creed Movies on DVD or Blu-ray Here
9. Cool Runnings (1993) – Who could forget the 1993 Olympic classic, that saw the amazing Jamaicans take on the world in Bobsledding. This true story is truly remarkable and so damn uplifting. The film has a great tone to it, emphasizing the relationship between the team and anchored by a great performance from the late great John Candy as the team's coach and disgraced Olympic athlete Irv, who is looking for redemption himself. ‘Cool Runnings’ is just a delightful film and if you aren’t crying at the end of the film when the characters are carrying the bobsled to the finish line, then you are a robot. I love this one.
8. Eddie The Eagle (2016) – Yet another underdog story, ‘Eddie The Eagle’ follows Eddie, an aspiring Olympian who just wants a shot at the gold. He hasn’t been successful in his attempts at the summer Olympics, but after finding out that there is potential to become a Ski Jumper. Eddie’s spirit is truly inspirational, he just does not give up and there is something truly inspiring about that. Director Dexter Fletcher helms a beautiful story here, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry but you will be nothing short of inspired after watching this true story come to life.
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7. The Way Back (2020) – This is the most recent release n this list, but it is also one of the most effective sports films I have seen in quite some time. Ben Affleck plays Jack, an alcoholic down on his luck, ex-high school, basketball superstar who is given a shot at redemption when he is asked to return to his high school as the new basketball coach of his old team. The film provides a realistic look at alcoholism and Ben Affleck gives a career-best performance as jack. He is wonderful here and channels a lot of his own life into this role. The film takes a few twists and turns also, which I found to be inspiring but also unexpected. I really like this one and would recommend you check it out.
Buy The Way Back On DVD or Blu-ray Here
6. Fighting With My family (2019) – now we take a trip into the wrestling arena with the 2019 dramedy, ‘Fighting With My family’, directed by The Office co-creator (the U.K version), Stephen Merchant and starring the wonderful Florence Pugh, the film follows two siblings looking to break into the world of professional wrestling (the WWE). The film has a great sense of humor with cameo performances from john Cena, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as themselves and a great dramatic turn from Vince Vaughn as their coach. The film deals with envy, jealousy, and the family dynamic. I think this is a great film and an interesting look into the world of professional wrestling.
Buy Fighting With My Family on DVD Here
5. Ford V Ferrari (2019) – Yet another entry from 2019, this time looking at the professional racing circuit, following Carroll Shelby (played by Matt Damon) and Ken Miles (played by Christian Bale) as they look to create the fastest car in the world and take on Ferrari. This is a truly inspiring tale, and as someone who was unfamiliar with the story, I found this film to be fantastic. Filled with nail-biting action set pieces and wonderful performances. This film is truly inspiring and yet again shows the underdog spirit. I love this film and found great enjoyment in the story.
Buy Ford V Ferrari on DVD or Blu-ray Here
4. Moneyball (2011) – I couldn’t make this list without putting a baseball flick in it and this time I am choosing ‘Moneyball’. The film focuses on the analytical side of baseball with the Oakland A’s coach Billy Beane (played by Brad Pitt) as he works with statistical analyst Peter Brand (played by Jonah Hill) as they put together an affordable team of MLB rejects. The film shows the behind-the-scenes of putting together a winning team with no money. Again, the film is inspiring and is a different look at the sport, putting more of an emphasis on the behind-the-scenes makings of a great team, rather than the on-field story. The film is unique and immensely satisfying.
3. Remember The Titans (2000) – Nothing beats a true story in film, especially when it’s a sports tale. ‘Remember The Titans’ follows Coach Herman Boone (played by Denzel Washington) as he take son the head coaching job at a high school in the teams first year as a racially integrated unit. The film boasts strong performances and a truly impactful story that is still culturally and politically relevant to this day. The film also has terrific sports sequences, showcasing the intensity of High School football in America. The sequences are brutal to watch at times and that adds to the overall impact on the field that Coach Boone is having. I do love this film and find it truly inspiring.
Buy Remember The Titans on DVD Here
2. Dodgeball: An Underdog Story (2004) – This choice may come as surprise for many of you, but this comedy flick has become one of my all-time favorite sports movies and one of my favorite comedies. Vince Vaughn’s Peter La Fleur registers his team ‘Average Joes Gym’ to take on Ben Stiller’s White Goodman’s 'Globo Gym in Dodgeball to save their gym. This film is hilarious, with Stiller and Vaughn going toe-to-toe on-screen as these ridiculous characters. They are hilarious and the film remains endlessly quotable. The film also, surprisingly, has a lot of heart to it as well. I love this film and find myself re-watching it on a regular basis, at least once a year.
1.Rocky (1976) – My number one pick of course is 1978’s ‘Rocky’. How could it not be? This is THE sports movie. It started it all. The training montages, the underdog story, all of it comes from this film. Stallone wrote this film as he was trying to make it in Hollywood, and boy oh boy, did he make a great impression. Filled with iconic moments, a great soundtrack, and of course the man himself, Rocky Balboa. A name that is synonymous with the sports movie and a name that everyone will recognise, even if you are not a fan of the franchise. I adore ‘Rocky’ and find it still to this day, to be my favorite sports flick of all time.
Buy The Rocky Movie Collection on DVD Here
Well there you have it, my top 10 favorite sports flicks of all time. You might not agree with me, but I think that this list has something for everyone. Be sure you pick up these titles online from Sanity today.
Christopher Pattison wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here
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