Top 10 Sports Movies — Cinema Sugar

10. Whip It

Subdued, gently measured, shot using accessible daylight and invulnerable to the lures of speedy revision, Whip It resembles what you’d have if Hal Ashby made movies relating to teenage girls. It’s the kind of movie where, when two people go on a date, they’ll quietly drift amidst an array of miscellaneous scenes, the footage will trail them, and you’ll be thankful for the opportunity to have been invited along. The movie has its casual flashes of an anticipated story line (Does the important roller-derby showdown conflict with another event? You better believe it!) and over-sentimentalism (the part where Bliss loses her virginity, which is oddly poignant in its manifestation of simple teen dreams). Nevertheless, it feels like it earns these moments by being so much more character-driven and relaxed than you imagine. It’s a loss for the movie industry that Drew Barrymore hasn’t directed anything since. —Natalie Bauer (streaming, libraries)

9. White Men Can’t Jump

Thirty years later, Ron Shelton’s White Men Can’t Jump still serves up some of the finest basketball scenes ever put to screen. The genuine skills of its two leads Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes, the lyrical smack talking, the tubular ‘90s fashion—it’s all there for the taking. But even so, this film is not really about the basketball. It’s about the hustle, the competitive spirit, and the emotional, social and psychological mayhem that comes with one’s pursuit of getting ahead. As Snipes’ character Sidney Deane explains, “you either smoke or you get smoked” and on a recent rewatch, I can confirm: hot damn this movie smokes. —Kevin Prchal (streaming, libraries)

8. Friday Night Lights

The TV version of Friday Night Lights is beloved and better than the average drama series, but it’s got nothing on the 2004 Peter Berg-helmed movie it’s based on (itself an adaptation of a popular book), which establishes a whole mood unlike any other sports movie I’ve seen. The handheld camerawork, the electrifying vitality of the Explosions in the Sky soundtrack, the gritty blue-collar ‘80s Texas milieu—all of these elements blend beautifully to help tell the gripping story of one high school football team overcoming adversity and personal turmoil and seemingly life-or-death stakes in pursuit of perfection. —Chad Comello (streaming, libraries)

7. A League of Their Own

There’s no crying in baseball, but there is crying in baseball movies. Especially when you love the olden days of the game; when you have two daughters and want nothing more than a fair and equitable future for them; and when you’re rolling over with laughter when the Rockford Peaches meet their infamous and inebriated manager Jimmy Dugan (played to perfection by Tom Hanks) for the first time. This is a landmark sports movie, not just because of its impeccable cast (shout-out to Madonna who owns every scene she’s in), familiar family feuding, and endlessly quotable dialogue (“The hard is what makes it great”)—but because of its enduring message of equality at a time when it’s still vital. But as great as it is, don’t think I’m done holding out hope for Dottie and Jimmy to live happily ever after... —Kevin Prchal (streaming, libraries)

6. Rocky

Decades of amazing and accomplished imitators of this 1976 classic have proven one thing: A story like Rocky never goes out of style. We all want to believe in the scrappy kid against the odds because we’ve all been that kid. It’s a timeless American story, not just because of our titular working class hero’s rise to greatness, but because of its mirrored reality in newcomer Sylvester Stallone taking this small budget film from the streets of Philly to the Oscars stage where it was crowned Best Picture. From its “Yo Adrian” romance to its epic and dramatic conclusion, Rocky is still swinging nearly 50 years later. —Kevin Prchal (streaming, libraries)

5. The Natural

The Natural is the grandfather of all modern sports movies. Based on a novel—which is also loosely based on the legend of Sir Percival—it tells the story of Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford), the baseball player from nowhere determined to be the best there ever was in the game. Roy gets picked up to play in the majors for the Cubs when his life is changed forever on the train ride to Chicago. The story then jumps to 16 years later when he is only just arriving in the majors as a 35-year-old rookie. The movie is jam-packed with prolific talent, memorable quotes, and epic moments that make you cry and jump out of your seat—the stuff (sports) dreams are made of. But what really sets it apart is its meditation on being haunted by our mistakes and the dark side of where the search for our respective holy grails can take us. If you haven’t seen this movie, you’re sleeping on one of the greatest stories ever told. —Natalie Pohorski (streaming, libraries)

4. Cool Runnings

Hans Zimmer? Oh, you mean the composer of the soundtrack to COOL RUNNINGS??? This movie gives me serotonin and I simply do not care if the entire thing is not-so-secretly an Adidas commercial. Based very loosely on a real story, Derice Bannock, a hero sprinter of Jamaica, after squandering his shot to contend in the Winter Olympics, chooses to switch sports and tackle bobsledding. There are only two issues: 1) he and his fellow participants have never heard of it, and 2) they’ve never seen snow before. Employing the guidance of former two-time gold medal champion Irving Blitzer to train them, it’s a tale about collaboration, discrimination, and perseverance with a feel-good core. It’s also yet another celluloid testimonial to how authentic John Candy was; the fervor in his delivery is unmatched. —Natalie Bauer (streaming, libraries)

3. Remember the Titans

Is this movie historically inaccurate? Woefully. Was it still shown in a lot of social studies classes during civil rights units? Yep. Does it still rule? You bet your John Brown hind parts it does. With Denzel at an all-pro level as Coach Boone and an impeccably cast supporting roster (Donald Faison! Ryan Gosling! Wood Harris!) making big plays throughout, it’s hard not to cheer for the Titans as they overcome their opponents on the field and prejudice off of it. Underrated players: Trevor Rabin’s triumphant score, Will Patton’s gruffly charming Coach Yoast, and a bunch of primo ‘60s and ‘70s needle drops. —Chad Comello (streaming, libraries)

2. Field of Dreams

Ray Kinsella lives on a farm with his family and hears a voice that tells him to build a baseball field. As he starts listening to this voice, miracles start to happen and dreams come true—his final dream being to have a catch with his deceased father. Even people who have never seen Field of Dreams can probably quote it (“If you build it, they will come”). The ‘80s are a great backdrop for the movie, but the story is timeless. As James Earl Jones’ character muses: “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball.” The movie’s tone is somehow both comedic and ethereal, dripping with nostalgia. Not only is it a sports fan favorite, but it received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Recently, they started playing MLB games at the Field of Dreams, which still stands in Iowa. They introduced the opening game with an homage to the movie that brought me, and I assume everyone in America, to tears. —Natalie Pohorski (streaming, libraries)

1. Miracle

Because it tells the story of one of the most famous sporting events in history and you know the outcome in advance but your heart is still pounding during the thrilling finale. Because the actors could really play hockey and it shows. Because of the exceptional on-ice choreography and cinematography. Because even though Al Michaels re-recorded his entire play-by-play for the movie, they used his iconic original “do you believe in miracles?!” line since it could not (and will not) be topped. And because it shows how a game can be just a game but also everything. —Chad Comello (streaming, libraries)