Sports movies: The top 50 sports films of all time

Get into the game with our definitive list of the best sports movies: inspirational dramas, rude comedies and classic documentaries celebrating the real thing.

By David Fear, Joshua Rothkopf and Keith Uhlich Mon Sep 17 2012

Sports movies: Sugar (2008)
Sports movies: Pat and Mike (1952)
Sports movies: Friday Night Lights (2004)
Sports movies: The Natural (1984)
Sports movies: The Endless Summer (1966)
Sports movies: Ali (2001)
Sports movies: Seabiscuit (2003)
Sports movies: Tokyo Olympiad (1965)
Sports movies: The Karate Kid (1984)
Sports movies: The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

Sports movies: Sugar (2008)

Sugar (2008)

For every Adrián Beltré success story (he was signed to the Dodgers at age 15 and transitioned well), there are a dozen Dominican players like the fictional composite Miguel “Sugar” Santos—a talented pitcher hacking it out in the U.S. minor leagues. Filmmakers Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden lay on the culture clashes beautifully, but it’s the dangling promise of the American Dream that really gets this movie hitting fly balls over the fence.—David Fear

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Pat and Mike (1952)

In real life, Katharine Hepburn was no slouch on the tennis court or the golf course; that’s Kate herself swinging those rackets and clubs in this rom-com costarring Spencer Tracy. Her natural abilities, plus cameos from pro athletes like Betty Hicks and Gussie Moran, add an edge of realism to this story about competitions of the body and the heart.—David Fear

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Friday Night Lights (2004)

Before there was a beloved TV series, there was Peter Berg’s feature film about high-school football in Texas—a lyrical, stirring look at the way communities revolve around their pigskin heroes. Even a viewer who doesn’t know a punt from a pass could understand how these games could give an economically gutted small town something to believe in.—David Fear

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The Natural (1984)

This is the moment when baseball becomes golden-hued pageantry onscreen, the diamond dappled with sunbeams and the promise of redemption. Even if the film changed the ending of Bernard Malamud’s classic novel, there’s no doubting the genius of cinematographer Caleb Deschanel (Zooey’s dad) and effortless star Robert Redford.—Joshua Rothkopf

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The Endless Summer (1966)

The granddaddy of surfing docs follows longboarders Mike Hynson and Robert August as they trek around the world looking for the perfect wave. Bruce Brown’s lively film not only set the template for every extreme-sports vérité profile that followed, it helped sell surf culture to a global audience, inspiring thousands to start hanging ten.—David Fear

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Ali (2001)

Michael Mann’s vivid, visceral biopic explores an eventful decade (1964–1974) in the life of prominent prizefighter Muhammad Ali (Will Smith, exuding both mystery and magnetism). More than just the story of a man, this hypnotically impressionistic film weighs the influential athlete’s accomplishments against a tumultuous historic period.—Keith Uhlich

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Seabiscuit (2003)

As Gary Ross’s biopic shows, the title’s gangly bay beat the odds to become a champion racehorse and brought out the best in his stellar jockey, Red Pollard (Tobey Maguire). It also demonstrates how, like the best champions, the thoroughbred inspired a wounded nation to brush itself off and get back in the saddle.—David Fear

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Tokyo Olympiad (1965)

Japan’s first hosting of the Games in 1964 was considered a massively important moment for national rebranding. After testy Akira Kurosawa was taken off the plum assignment, the job went to the more flexible Kon Ichikawa, who produced an unusually thorough and artful tribute to both winners and losers.—Joshua Rothkopf

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The Karate Kid (1984)

Or Rocky for teens: The underdog in this rousing ’80s gem is bullied adolescent Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio) who crane-kicks his way to the top with the help of martial-arts sage and car-waxer extraordinaire Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat” Morita).—Keith Uhlich

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The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

Angrier-than-thou young man Tom Courtenay wants to pick a fight with the world; instead, this borstal boy finds solace in competitive running. This British drama gives viewers a great sense of the way sports can help troubled kids wrestle their demons and gain self-confidence. It also ends with one of the most unlikely inspirational movie moments ever.—David Fear

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(5 ratings)

do we read this list as higher numbers are better? perhaps the list maker is trying to judge a sports movie by the usual parameters of movie making for "good". you don't do that. a good movie tells a sports story well by emphasizing the elements that make sports so interesting and entertaining, and often meaningful. i also note no effort to change the list when obvious omissions like remember the titans are pointed out (and don't tell me titans is "formula".. yes, it pushes all the correct buttons and manipulates its audience to no end.. but it is a good story well told and denzel washington and the rest of the cast, with just a few exceptions, ring true. anyways, thanx for this, now i don't have to check out any more of your "lists"

don marks Tue Oct 23 2012
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no rudy, sandlot, remember the titans, or he got game .. major league? the program?

guy Tue Oct 23 2012
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Good movies, good list. The order will always by negotiable because people have different tastes, but I was really struck when I couldn't find Remember the Titans.

Wilmar Tue Oct 23 2012
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Overall a good list but I feel as though it hit the right movies just wrong order. Without Limits wasn't even on this list and honestly that hidden gem could make top 10, and Any Given Sunday deserves better than #20.

Gage Tue Oct 23 2012
Rated as: 3/5
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Are you kidding me?! Rudy isn't on the list wtf is wrong with you. . .

Reece Tue Oct 23 2012
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This list has some significant omissions, such as: Jim Thorpe All American It Happens Every Spring Band the Drum Slowly Angels in the Outfield (original) just to name a few.

Craig Lumpkins Sat Oct 20 2012
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Stick It and Cool Runnings missing... And really? Bend it like Beckham is LAST!?

Molly Sat Oct 20 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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What a joke of a list. Do you even watch sports? Terrible...just terrible.

Shane Fri Oct 19 2012
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terrible list # 1 Rudy, # 2 Sandlot # 3 Remember the titans.... go crawl in a hole and never come out

your mom Fri Oct 19 2012
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And although it's kinda new, the movie Goon is a really good sports flick. This list needs trimming and have better more beloved movies in there. The whole, "it's old so it's good" thing has run it's course.

Silly Fri Oct 19 2012
Rated as: 2/5
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