My Best Sport Related Movies
This is a list of the best sports related movies I've either seen or own. It's still a work in progress. You'll notice that I haven't included many from the comedy-sports genre as they don't really appeal to me (apart from Caddyshack).
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- DirectorHugh HudsonStarsBen CrossIan CharlesonNicholas FarrellTwo British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win in the 1924 Olympics as they wrestle with issues of pride and conscience.One of only 3 sports movies to have won an Academy Award for Best Picture. Brilliant movie.
- DirectorRon SheltonStarsKevin CostnerRene RussoDon JohnsonA washed-up golf pro working at a driving range tries to qualify for the U.S. Open in order to win the heart of his successful rival's girlfriend.One of the best Golf movies with an amazing finish. Impeccable cast.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsHilary SwankClint EastwoodMorgan FreemanFrankie, an ill-tempered old coach, reluctantly agrees to train aspiring boxer Maggie. Impressed with her determination and talent, he helps her become the best and the two soon form a close bond.Also won an Academy Award for Best Picture.
- 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.Academy Award for Best Picture in 1976.
- DirectorSylvester StalloneStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungRocky struggles in family life after his bout with Apollo Creed, while the embarrassed champ insistently goads him to accept a challenge for a rematch.The classic rematch between Rocky 'The Italian Stallion" Balboa and the "Master of Disaster", "The King of Sting", "The Dancing Destroyer", "The Prince of Punch", "The One and Only" and "The Count of Monte Fisto" Apollo Creed. You can't watch Rocky and not watch Rocky II.
- DirectorRobert TowneStarsBilly CrudupDonald SutherlandMonica PotterThe life of renowned runner Steve Prefontaine and his relationship with legendary coach Bill Bowerman.One of two movies about US distance runner Steve Prefontaine.
- DirectorSteve JamesStarsJared LetoR. Lee ErmeyEd O'NeillBased on the life of Olympic hopeful Steve Prefontaine, a long distance runner who lived in Oregon and died young.
- DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsRobert RedfordRobert DuvallGlenn CloseA middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a legendary baseball player with almost supernatural talent.My favourite baseball movie of all time. Robert Duvall as the pesky sports writer is a classic.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsMichael CaineSylvester StallonePeléAs allied P.O.W.s prepare for a soccer game against the German National Team to be played in Nazi-occupied Paris, the French Resistance and British officers are making plans for the team's escape.Think of "The Great Escape" meets the Football (Soccer). Worth a watch just to see past stars of the round ball Pele, Ossie Ardiles, Bobby Moore, Mike Summerbee and co. Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone and Max von Sydow, as the likeable Major Karl Von Steiner, make this a very enjoyable movie.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsRussell CroweRenée ZellwegerCraig BierkoThe true story of James J. Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer, who returned to the spotlight to win the heavyweight championship of the world.To think that this is a true story is unbelievable.
- DirectorJohn SaylesStarsJohn CusackClifton JamesJace AlexanderA dramatization of the Black Sox scandal when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series.Chicago White Sox become the Black Sox after the unthinkable happens during the 1919 World Series.
- DirectorJames StrongStarsDean AndrewsKate AshfieldNatalie BurtBased on the true story of Manchester United's legendary "Busby Babes", the youngest side ever to win the Football League, and the 1958 Munich Air Crash that claimed eight of their number.
- DirectorTom HooperStarsColm MeaneyHenry GoodmanDavid RoperThe story of the controversial Brian Clough's 44-day reign as the coach of the English football club Leeds United.
- DirectorBennett MillerStarsBrad PittRobin WrightJonah HillOakland 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.
- DirectorBill PaxtonStarsShia LaBeoufStephen DillaneElias KoteasIn the 1913 U.S. Open, twenty-year-old Francis Ouimet played golf against his idol, 1900 U.S. Open champion, Englishman Harry Vardon.
- DirectorGary RossStarsTobey MaguireJeff BridgesElizabeth BanksTrue story of the undersized Depression-era racehorse whose victories lifted not only the spirits of the team behind it but also those of their nation.
- DirectorSimon WincerStarsTom BurlinsonJudy MorrisMartin VaughanThe true story of a New Zealand racehorse that became a champion, with the help of a local stable-boy.
- DirectorRandall WallaceStarsDiane LaneJohn MalkovichMargo MartindalePenny Chenery Tweedy and colleagues guide her long-shot but precocious stallion to set, in 1973, the unbeaten record for winning the Triple Crown.
- DirectorRowdy HerringtonStarsJim CaviezelClaire ForlaniJeremy NorthamJim Caviezel stars as golf legend Bobby Jones, the icon who retired from competition at the tender age of 28.Bobby Jones is the most successful amateur golfer ever to compete on a national and international level. He played in 31 majors, winning 13 and placing among the top ten finishers 27 times. Jones is most famous for his unique "Grand Slam," consisting of his victory in all four major golf tournaments of his era (the open and amateur championships in both the U.S. & the U.K.) in 1930.
- DirectorGavin O'ConnorStarsKurt RussellPatricia ClarksonNathan WestThe true story of Herb Brooks, the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Soviet squad.My favourite Ice Hockey movie. Kurt Russell's portrayal of Herb Brooks is truly memorable. Classic movie without too much "Team USA" bravado.
- DirectorCharles BinaméStarsRoy DupuisStephen McHattieJulie LeBretonA story about Quebec's most famous hockey player, Maurice "The Rocket" Richard, focusing on the struggles of a French Canadian in the National Hockey League dominated by Anglophones.
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsDenzel WashingtonVicellous ShannonDeborah Kara UngerThe story of Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.Not so much about sporting ability but more about a person's struggle for truth and freedom.
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsMark WahlbergChristian BaleAmy AdamsBased on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.
- DirectorJon TurteltaubStarsJohn CandyLeonDoug E. DougWhen a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team.Based on the true story of the First Jamacian bobsled team trying to make it to the winter olympics. It's a bit light hearted but tells a good story. John Candy excellent as the coach.
- DirectorThomas CarterStarsSamuel L. JacksonRick GonzalezRobert Ri'chardControversy surrounds high school basketball coach Ken Carter after he benches his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him.
- 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.Remembered for the classic line "If you build it, he will come" which is often paraphrased as "If you build it they will come". What is it with sports movies and Kevin Costner? I suggest watching "Eight Men Out" first to get an historical baseball background. Also stars Burt Lancaster in his final motion picture.
- DirectorBruce BeresfordStarsJack ThompsonGraham KennedyFrank WilsonBoardroom and dressing-room intrigues spill on to the field at the Australian Rules football club.An iconic Australian movie that delves into the on-field and boardroom goings on at a famous Australian Rules Football club. Jack Thompson and Graham Kennedy deliver strong performances.
- 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.
- 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.Gene Hackman makes this movie.
- DirectorLee H. KatzinJohn SturgesStarsSteve McQueenSiegfried RauchElga AndersenTwo car racing champions, an American and a German, face off on the world's hardest endurance course: Le Mans in France.Classic Steve McQueen. The only racing car movie that makes my list.
- DirectorGeorge ButlerRobert FioreStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerLou FerrignoMatty FerrignoArnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno face off in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of Mr. Olympia in this critically-acclaimed film that made Schwarzenegger a household name.
- DirectorDavid EvansStarsColin FirthRuth GemmellLuke AikmanA sports fan's romantic courtship clashes with his obsession with his favorite football team.Classic story of the trials and tribulations of when a football (soccer) nut finally meets a woman.
- DirectorSönke WortmannStarsLouis KlamrothPeter LohmeyerJohanna GastdorfA young boy from a working class family in post-war Germany struggles with his estranged father returning from war captivity, while a friend of his plays for the German National Soccer Team at the 1954 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland.
- DirectorNeil LeiferStarsSuzanne SomersIan McShaneAdam FaithA has-been, alcoholic former soccer star determines to make a comeback. He gets help from his former girlfriend, now a rock star, and her partner.
- DirectorRobert RossenStarsPaul NewmanJackie GleasonPiper LaurieAn up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.
- DirectorMichael CorrenteStarsRobert DuvallMichael KeatonAndy GrayA soccer coach must lead his Scottish team to victory in the Cup despite tensions between his star player and daughter. The owner threatens to move the team to Dublin if they lose.
- DirectorSam RaimiStarsKevin CostnerKelly PrestonJohn C. ReillyAfter 19 years of playing the game he's loved his whole life, Detroit Tigers pitcher Billy Chapel has to decide if he's going to risk everything and put everything out there.
- DirectorJohn Lee HancockStarsDennis QuaidJD EvermoreRachel GriffithsA Texas baseball coach makes the major league after agreeing to try out if his high school team made the playoffs.
- DirectorRalph NelsonStarsAnthony QuinnJackie GleasonMickey RooneyKnockout performances by Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney and Julie Harris highlight this hard-hitting drama of corruption in the ring. Featuring Muhammad Ali.
- DirectorRon SheltonStarsTommy Lee JonesRobert WuhlLolita DavidovichA reporter hired to write the 'official' biography of Ty Cobb discovers just how dark the baseball legend's real story is.
- DirectorSteve RashStarsWhoopi GoldbergFrank LangellaDennis FarinaCoincidences lead to the New York Knicks, getting its loudest fan, Edwina "Eddie" Franklin, as coach. Season victory?I'm a Lakers fan so this movie gets the nod.
- DirectorHarold RamisStarsChevy ChaseRodney DangerfieldBill MurrayAn exclusive golf course has to deal with a flatulent new member and a destructive dancing gopher.I'm not a great lover of the comedy-sports movie sub genre but this one is a classic if only for Chevy Chase's role as Ty Webb an exceptional golfer and free-spirited playboy.
- 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.