List compiled by Eddie on 19/02/2016
The sporting movie; a genre that must walk the tricky line of paying homage to often true life stories, the line of mawkishness that can sometimes overplay events (Disney sports movies are frequent offenders of this) and the line of thrilling the audience with faithful re-enactments of their chosen sporting code.
Looking at the sporting genre of films in a more personal and biased view, below are 5 highly proficient and often inspirational sporting movies that are required viewing for movie fans and while there are many others films that could’ve made the list, there’s little doubt these are fine examples of why sport themed movies are often so beloved by movie goers of all ages.
Happy reading and happy watching!
For Jordan’s list of 5 Must-See Sports Movies click here.
Disclaimer – plot summaries from IMDB.com
5. Moneyball (2011)
Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane’s successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.
A sports movie in which most of the action takes place in the boardroom, who would’ve thought stats were so fun! Thanks to a larger than life true story, a great team up of stars Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill and a savvy Aaron Sorkin script, Moneyball is a sports movie with a difference and one of the most engaging sports films ever made.
4. Murderball (2005)
Quadriplegics, who play full-contact rugby in wheelchairs, overcome unimaginable obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.
A no holds barred look at the intense and in many ways uplifting world of wheelchair basketball, Murderball is a both a must see documentary and must see sporting tale that will have you on the edge of your seat. Filled with memorable real life characters and a great tale of trials over adversity, Murderball is a film that should be seen by all regardless of their love for sport.
3. Undefeated (2011)
A documentary on an underdog football team who look to reverse their fortunes with coach Bill Courtney.
Winner of the Best Documentary Feature at the 2012 Academy Awards, Daniel Lindsay and T.J Martin’s inspirational look at the Manassas Tigers High School football team and their coach Bill Courtney is emotionally powerful stuff. Filled with human interest stories and also a great tale of rising through the ranks by a team of underdogs, Undefeated is a film deserving a much larger audience than it’s been privy to so far.
2. Warrior (2011)
The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he’s trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament – a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother.
While MMA fighting doesn’t exactly scream standout family drama mixed with white knuckle sporting thrills, Warrior is one of the most successful ever sporting dramas that is deserving of its spot in the IMDB Top 250 films of all-time list. Featuring standout performances from a then still up and coming Tom Hardy and an awards worthy supporting turn from industry veteran Nick Nolte, viewers be not mindful of whether they enjoy MMA as Warrior transcends its background to become a moving motion picture that will make you cheer and shed a tear in equal measure.
1. Friday Night Lights (2004)
Based 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.
This based on a true life story that spawned the highly successful TV show of the same name, Friday Night Lights is quite possibly the greatest feature film centred around the world of American football and arguably one of if not the greatest sporting film ever produced. Filled to the brim with young up and coming acting talent, a sturdy central turn from Billy Bob Thornton and a career making directional turn from actor turned director Peter Berg (whose never come close to matching his work here), Friday Night Lights is a film every sports fan should see and a quintessential part of modern day cinema.
Best of the Rest
6. Seabiscuit (2003)
7. Remember the Titans (2000)
8. Senna (2010)
9. Any Given Sunday (1999)
10. Miracle (2004)
Honourable Mentions – Raging Bull, Rocky, King of Kong, Happy Gilmore, Hoop Dreams, We Are Marshall, Cool Runnings, The Mighty Ducks, The Greatest Game Ever Played, Radio, Slap Shot, Field of Dreams.
Pingback: 5 Must-See Sports Movies: Jordan’s Take | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
It’s a good list but, no “Creed”? No “Invictus”? No “Jerry Maguire”? Those films kept my attention. Thanks for provoking my thoughts!
Sadly yet to see Creed but can’t wait to catch it.
E
Creed had really divided my friends. Half of them love it and think it’s the best movie about sports ever and half say it left them cold. I’ll be interested to see what you think.
Ah interesting consider me even more intrigued to catch it than before 🙂
E
Creed is definitely a great film. It follows the Rocky anthology on perfectly. Great boxing scenes.
Can’t wait to see it.
E
Can’t wait to see it even more so now.
E
I think the music deserved an Oscar nomination. And both the two young leads are just as good as Stallone, but got ignored by Oscar. I think that’s a great pity.
I would add Raging Bull, The Fighter and Rush in there myself. Great list!! Loved Warrior
Cheers man, you’ve named a couple of rippers as well.
E
What, no Footy Legends? Anh Do, Matthew Johns, Rugby League. What more could you ask for………
Ah that’s a likeable one mate, I think I’m more on the serious Australian Rules, that’s a great local sporting flick.
E
Great list. Awesome to see Murderball in the Top 5! I loved it too. Also, cool to see Hoop Dreams in honorable mentions. I really like basketball movies, like Hoosiers. Have you seen On the Shoulders of Giants? I may have name wrong, but it’s an excellent doc from Kareem Abdul Jabbar about a forgotten team that was super influential in the game and for black athletes during segregation.
Ah I’ve not heard of that mate cheers for the recommendation will have to chase down a copy! A good sports doc is always a real treat.
E
Right on #writeon
Fuck yes, Warrior! To this day the only movie to have made me cry in a cinema. I think it is superb in every single way.
You seem to hold Friday Night Lights in high regard – I will add it to my watch list. Love a bit of Billy Box of Thorntons….
I also have Senna on record, so will watch that soon.
Slapshot is my favourite sporting movie of all time, as previously mentioned on Jordan’s take on sports movies.
Yeh warrior is something else man, so glad I saw it at the cinema and shed some man tears. Friday night lights is just as emotionally powerful in my books.
E
Added Friday Night Lights to my watch list. I am dubious about whether it is better than the timeless sporting comedy The Longest Yard, starring the inimitable Adam Sandler…..
Very keen to hear what you think mate.
E
Pingback: 10 Classic Movie Scenes: Eddie’s Take | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Film Review – Jane Got a Gun (2016) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Film Review – Mojave (2015) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Classic Review – Friday Night Lights (2004) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Film Review – War Dogs (2016) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Film Review – The Accountant (2016) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Film Review – Mid90s (2018) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·