Where would society be without movies? One of the oldest forms of entertainment in human history, movies have provided people with information, entertainment, comfort, and so many other things. There are a plethora of movie genres and sports is one of the brightest ones. It was difficult to compile a list of only 5 sports movies to share as there are so many incredible ones to choose from, but these are infamous in the industry, and if you haven't seen them before, you are missing out.
Related: 7 Best College Sport Movies
This memorable film is based on the true story of Coach Ken Carter, a memorable Richmond, California, high school basketball coach. The team succeeds when Carter takes over the coaching responsibilities, but his players' grades in school are not up to par. Carter makes the decision to shut down the team until they get their grades up. This movie is important for any athlete to watch, academics come first, and that is why we are called student-athletes.
- Miracle
Miracle is the real life story of the 1980 U.S. men's Olympic hockey team and their young coach, Herb Brooks, who brings a unique style of coaching to the national team. Brooks gets his “hot-headed” college all-star athlete team to rally around the idea of beating the high powered and favored Soviet team. As the Olympics go on, this team becomes an icon for American patriotism during a time of need in the Cold War. This movie really goes to show the power of teamwork and the importance of competing for a bigger cause than just for yourself.
- Hoosiers
Hoosiers is loosely based on the real life story of the 1954 Milan High School basketball team, located in a small town in Indiana. The movie follows the journey of the team as they are coached by Norman Dale, a failed college coach who has a short temper and unconventional coaching styles. After coach Dale loses his star player due to academics, he needs to rally the team to play for him and succeed while also garnering interest and commitment from the community. This movie, similarly to Coach Carter, shows the importance of rallying around your coach and working together to reach a common/shared goal.
- The Blind Side
The Blind Side is a heavier film than the others listed above, but its story makes it a must-watch. The film follows the life journey of former NFL offensive lineman, Michael Oher, a young African-American teenager who was homeless for multiple years, until Sean and Leigh Tuohy take him into their home and begin to turn his life around. The Tuohy's become his legal guardians and continue to push him to maximize his potential, both on the field and in the classroom. The incredible journey that Oher went on to reach the NFL serves as motivation for all people out there, not even just athletes.
- 42
Another heavier film, but once again an important one. 42 follows the barrier breaking signing of Jackie Robinson in 1946 by the Brooklyn Dodgers and their manager, Branch Rickey. Being the first African-American baseball player to ever play the sport, Robinson faced racism from not only the public, but also some of his peers. Manager Rickey knew the move would result in backlash due to the time period, but he didn't care, and neither did Robinson. Robinson didn't let the noise and negativity bring him down, and his remarkable talent on the baseball field served as his response. Everyone should already know about this true story, but seeing it play out in a movie is just as powerful and important.
Let us know your thoughts on the 5 movies in this list and what your personal favorite sports movie is in the comments section below!
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* Originally published on May 18, 2022, by Ashton Grenon
