At the start of any new season, spending quality time with your teammates is essential. The more time spent getting to know the people you will play with over the next 1 to 4 years is crucial in creating a winning team. What better way to boost team morale than bonding over a comedic, heartwarming, or inspirational film with some candy and popcorn? Watching classic sports movies could give your team some inside jokes or clever rituals that can keep the game light when your team is battling to place at the top.
If you can't think of any classics to watch, here are 15 watch-worthy movies to get you started:
1. Cool Runnings
In the 1993 movie based on a true story, a Jamaican sprinter gets disqualified from the Olympic Games and decides to enlist the assistance of a dishonored coach to begin the first Bobsled Team from Jamaica to compete at the Winter Olympics.
2. King Richard
This 2021 biographical sports film centers around the father and coach of superstars Venus and Serena Williams as they illustrate the journey that led to their glory and fame. Starring actors Will Smith, Anujane Ellis, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, and more, they bring the story of the Williams sisters to life.
3. The Karate Kid
This 1984 classic formed the Karate Kid franchise centered around a New Jersey Kid who moves to California where he doesn't fit into the blond surfer crowd. With his Jersey accent, he stands out and starts to encounter bullies at school. After getting into several fights, he meets Miyagi, a karate teacher, who takes a different approach to the art of Karate. Daniel learns meaningful lessons about life and the importance of personal balance.
4. Bend It Like Beckham
In this 2002 sports comedy-drama, two soccer players, Jesminder Bhamara and Jules Paxton chase their careers of playing professionally, despite their parents wishing otherwise.
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5. Rocky
In the original 1976 Rocky film starring Sylvester Stallone, small-time Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa receives the opportunity to fight the heavyweight champion and go the distance to show what he can do.
6. Creed
This 2015 sports drama stars Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, and more. In this Rocky Balboa sequel, Rocky trains amateur boxer and former rival Apollo Creed's son Adonis Creed as he becomes a legend in his way.
7. The Blind Side
This 2009 film centers on the real-life story of NFL player Michael Oher and his journey from neglect, homelessness, and poverty to becoming one of the greatest NFL athletes in history.
8. Safety
With the assistants of his community, Clemson University football player Ray McElrathbey demonstrates his success on the field while raising his 11-year-old little brother.
9. Miracle
In this inspirational sports classic, the U.S. team overcomes obstacles to become the best in the world. As new coach Herb Brooks joins the 1980 U.S. men's hockey team, he demonstrates a unique style of training to assemble a group of hot-headed college all-stars who were previously humiliated in previous matches. In the process, Brooks unites his team against a common enemy: the Soviets.
Related: Need Inspiration? The 10 Most Motivational Sports Shows/Movies for College Athletes | 2aDays
10. Coach Carter
In this 1999 sports movie starring proclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson, Coach Ken Carter makes a return to his high school in Richmond to whip the basketball team into shape. He establishes the tone for the team by setting rules and academic disciplines to lead his team to success.
11. Remember The Titans
In this 2000 biographical sports film, newly appointed coach Herman Boone attempts to integrate the T.C. William High School football team with the assistance of the previous coach Bill Yoast. They set out to unite the team and generate a shifting paradigm amid division.
12. We Are Marshall
In this 2006 biographical sports drama, a team attempts to rebuild after an entire plane of players, coaches, and staff from the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team pass in a plane crash.
13. Hustle
The 2022 American drama follows an NBA scout Stanley Sugerman (Adam Sandler), on the journey to discovering the raw talent of Spanish basketball player Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangomez). Sugerman helps prepare Bo Cruz for the NBA draft as he experiences some obstacles in between.
14. Fighting With My Family
In this 2019 biographical sports comedy, a former wrestler and his family make a living by hosting venues around the country, but his family dreams of becoming more. Follow Paige as she makes her way to achieving her WWE dreams alongside her brother Zak Zodiac.
15. Bring it On: All or Nothing
In the third installment in the Bring It On Series, cheerleader Britney (Hayden Panettiere) faces barriers in finding her fit in an environment that is different from what she once knew.
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* Originally published on September 27, 2022, by Daesha Harper
