What’s the best sports movie? The Rules: Subscribe to post answers. Post your answer as a comment. Make it clear that this is your official answer, one per member. Winner chooses the next week's fight.
Several of my top picks were already taken so I'm falling back on the sports movie that I watch most frequently, and that is Miracle. I'm a hockey player and until Miracle came out we were stuck with terrible movies to represent our sport. The best we had to cling to was Youngblood, which wasn't good, and later on Mystery Alaska (meh) and Mighty Ducks 3 (where they finally started playing some actual hockey for a change).
Miracle was exceptional because they chose to find hockey players who knew how to act instead of finding actors willing to learn how to play hockey. It made all the difference. Even Kurt Russell is a hockey player and therefore knows how hockey players talk and act. Watch this to see what I mean: https://youtu.be/2RJRkIQuW28?si=HTjvZ00nDIqyWx0V
First, if you’ll indulge me, I want to share a few thoughts on the genre...
I used to think sports movies were stupid because I’m so SO not a sports fan... and truthfully, some ARE really stupid, BUT when I actually started watching some of these movies instead of just judging them by the trailers, I found out that I actually LOVE sports movies because very little of the story is actually about the sport being played. Almost always it’s about the people and the human spirit and relationships and community with strong themes of redemption, sacrifice, love, strength of spirit, forgiveness, humility and so on.
With so much crap coming out of Hollywood, sports movies are one of the last genres that still tend to offer a mostly wholesome and entertaining story worth watching.
For me, this question created a three way tie between The Blindside, Radio and We Are Marshall. I finally settled on, We Are Marshall, which is based on a real event that took place in 1970 when Marshall University and the small town of Huntington, West Virginia, suffered devastating losses when a plane crash claimed the lives of 75 of the school's football players, staff members and boosters. The new coach, Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey), hired the following season was tasked with rebuilding Marshall's Thundering Herd.
Football is the vehicle used to bring unity and healing to the grieving community, but very little of the movie is actually about football. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it.
I had to remind Shannon that yes, we did see this one. Great movie. Some other sports movies where the actual sports take a backseat to the larger drama are Cinderella Man, Brian's Song, Rudy, Titans, A League of Their Own, Cool Runnings (which is cheesy but not bad), and filed under the NOT family friendly subheading, Jerry Maguire, The Program, The Last Boy Scout, Coach Carter.
I forgot about Cinderella Man! Another favorite of mine too 🤍
I almost chose A League of Their Own, yet another good one! But the others ranked higher in my opinion or maybe it’s because certain cast members have tainted my original opinion-eh hem—Tom Hanks, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell 🤢 Even so, I still love that movie.
Back in the day, I loved The Last Boy Scout.
On an interesting side note:
When David and I were living very worldly lives-that would be BC, working in and for Hollywood (ironic, I know, since I often wax on about how much I detest it now), we were at a party hosted by one of the producers of TLBS at his home (Shane Black). As we were sitting in his library, taking a break from the dreaded hobnobbing, we both noticed that the room seemed strangely familiar and that’s when we realized it was the house setting used in TLBS. I was more excited by that room than the people at the party 😁
Besides that, it was the only room in the whole house that wasn’t ridiculously audacious and eccentric. The man had a mirrored elevator, a movie theater and bowling alley and all I can really remember is a lot of red velvet and purple. A dreadful combination. Then again, we were only a year outside of the 90’s so there’s that 😂
We left L.A. the FIRST time in late 2000 or early 2001. I can’t remember- aging brain here.
The SECOND time we left, after living in Burbank ever so briefly (not even a full year) was in 2005, I think 🤔
But then there was a move to Ojai, followed by our move to Northern CA for another 16 years where we finally quit and escaped the whole dumpster fire that’s known as California. We are now 15 months into recovery. Where’s our 12 step chip? 😂
It must be like a gravitational black hole. My beloved aunt has been planning to move out of CA for years and then last week when she finally does move she goes to Laguna. The heck, California. Let me people go!
It is hard to leave for so many people. L.A and San Fran have a lot of transients but most Californians have been there for generations especially up in Northern California. They’ve never lived anywhere else and their entire extended family is there. And truly, it is one the most beautiful states in the whole country. Honestly, in terms of weather and natural beauty, I don’t think any state holds a candle to it.
I alsothink most folks are in denial or their priorities are on the wrong things or they’re just stuck, meaning they just don’t have the means or a way to get out.
I will never go back, but I will always miss it. It’s like never eating bread or pasta ever again.
It's fun when you recognize movie locations. Shan can hardly watch a movie shot in L.A. where I don't point out, "Hey I used to eat at that cafe," or, "That's the intersection downtown where I got my first fake ID," etc...
We were watching an episode of Jericho once (supposedly set in Kansas) and I instantly recognized the oak trees and hills of Thousand Oaks or Camarillo. Nice try Hollywood.
😁 you and David are cut from the same cloth. I lived there WITH him and he still can’t resist pointing out every street corner, restaurant or landmark and busting them when it’s really a faked location... only... tell Shannon, mine is so SO much worse because my ex-film biz guy feels the need to tell me, “oh, hey, we filmed in that house...in that alley... in that canyon... in that downtown office building... <sigh 😑>
I punted this choice to my husband, who's more knowledgeable about sports movies than I, and although we discussed many titles—some winners, some losers—he kept coming back to "Hoosiers" as the best.
I just told Shannon last night that this was going to be my choice. Dangit. Hoosiers is great because it hits all of the sports movie high notes without being bland and tropish, which characterized so many sports movies that came later trying to emulate it.
It's got flawed characters you still root for, perfect pacing, and is beautifully shot. But mostly I was gonna pick it because I just watched Barbara Hershey in something playing an evil witch and wanted to remembner her as a moral character again.
I don't know if this adds or detracts from my vote, but I don't like sports movies...like, ever. But I did like (loved, even) Remember the Titans, which had great characters, hard conflict, and tons of humor amid all the sportsy-McSportsiness of the football games.
You'd like it anyway. It's about two schools in the 70's, a white school and a black school, that merged during bussing. The two football teams merged and had to overcome racism. Great performances by Denzel Washington and others. True story. I read the white coaches book, he's a Christian.
I’m going with Iron Will! Gorgeous scenery. Beautiful dogs. Shows the value of the love of family and perseverance. A great movie night for the whole family. It’s what made me fall in love with mushing. Win-win-win!
Ooops Rocky also chosen. I’ll nominate a very different boxing movie, Raging Bull. Because of all the highs and lows. It’s an intense character study and I get it’s not exactly a crowd pleasing sports movie. But it’s hard not to be drawn into his downward spiral.
To me, the best sports movie is Woodlawn. Based on historical events, this movie shows spiritual revival starting with a sports team at a public school, and all the furor that happens around that awakening.
Okay the tie is finally broken and the winner is Mama Mia with The Karate Kid. Congratulations, MM, you get to choose Monday's question.
Several of my top picks were already taken so I'm falling back on the sports movie that I watch most frequently, and that is Miracle. I'm a hockey player and until Miracle came out we were stuck with terrible movies to represent our sport. The best we had to cling to was Youngblood, which wasn't good, and later on Mystery Alaska (meh) and Mighty Ducks 3 (where they finally started playing some actual hockey for a change).
Miracle was exceptional because they chose to find hockey players who knew how to act instead of finding actors willing to learn how to play hockey. It made all the difference. Even Kurt Russell is a hockey player and therefore knows how hockey players talk and act. Watch this to see what I mean: https://youtu.be/2RJRkIQuW28?si=HTjvZ00nDIqyWx0V
Miracle, I love it.
Never seen it. I guess I need to make a list.
🤦
Hahaaaaa
The Karate Kid (the original). Great movie (and like Shannon, I don't like sports-anything, but I love that movie).
Oh maaan, this was hard!
First, if you’ll indulge me, I want to share a few thoughts on the genre...
I used to think sports movies were stupid because I’m so SO not a sports fan... and truthfully, some ARE really stupid, BUT when I actually started watching some of these movies instead of just judging them by the trailers, I found out that I actually LOVE sports movies because very little of the story is actually about the sport being played. Almost always it’s about the people and the human spirit and relationships and community with strong themes of redemption, sacrifice, love, strength of spirit, forgiveness, humility and so on.
With so much crap coming out of Hollywood, sports movies are one of the last genres that still tend to offer a mostly wholesome and entertaining story worth watching.
For me, this question created a three way tie between The Blindside, Radio and We Are Marshall. I finally settled on, We Are Marshall, which is based on a real event that took place in 1970 when Marshall University and the small town of Huntington, West Virginia, suffered devastating losses when a plane crash claimed the lives of 75 of the school's football players, staff members and boosters. The new coach, Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey), hired the following season was tasked with rebuilding Marshall's Thundering Herd.
Football is the vehicle used to bring unity and healing to the grieving community, but very little of the movie is actually about football. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it.
I had to remind Shannon that yes, we did see this one. Great movie. Some other sports movies where the actual sports take a backseat to the larger drama are Cinderella Man, Brian's Song, Rudy, Titans, A League of Their Own, Cool Runnings (which is cheesy but not bad), and filed under the NOT family friendly subheading, Jerry Maguire, The Program, The Last Boy Scout, Coach Carter.
Yesss👏🏻 Great list!
I forgot about Cinderella Man! Another favorite of mine too 🤍
I almost chose A League of Their Own, yet another good one! But the others ranked higher in my opinion or maybe it’s because certain cast members have tainted my original opinion-eh hem—Tom Hanks, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell 🤢 Even so, I still love that movie.
Back in the day, I loved The Last Boy Scout.
On an interesting side note:
When David and I were living very worldly lives-that would be BC, working in and for Hollywood (ironic, I know, since I often wax on about how much I detest it now), we were at a party hosted by one of the producers of TLBS at his home (Shane Black). As we were sitting in his library, taking a break from the dreaded hobnobbing, we both noticed that the room seemed strangely familiar and that’s when we realized it was the house setting used in TLBS. I was more excited by that room than the people at the party 😁
Besides that, it was the only room in the whole house that wasn’t ridiculously audacious and eccentric. The man had a mirrored elevator, a movie theater and bowling alley and all I can really remember is a lot of red velvet and purple. A dreadful combination. Then again, we were only a year outside of the 90’s so there’s that 😂
I used to love that movie but haven't seen it since my own BC. 😀
What year did you escape L.A.? I got out in 1995.
We left L.A. the FIRST time in late 2000 or early 2001. I can’t remember- aging brain here.
The SECOND time we left, after living in Burbank ever so briefly (not even a full year) was in 2005, I think 🤔
But then there was a move to Ojai, followed by our move to Northern CA for another 16 years where we finally quit and escaped the whole dumpster fire that’s known as California. We are now 15 months into recovery. Where’s our 12 step chip? 😂
It must be like a gravitational black hole. My beloved aunt has been planning to move out of CA for years and then last week when she finally does move she goes to Laguna. The heck, California. Let me people go!
😮 oh nooooo 🤭
It is hard to leave for so many people. L.A and San Fran have a lot of transients but most Californians have been there for generations especially up in Northern California. They’ve never lived anywhere else and their entire extended family is there. And truly, it is one the most beautiful states in the whole country. Honestly, in terms of weather and natural beauty, I don’t think any state holds a candle to it.
I alsothink most folks are in denial or their priorities are on the wrong things or they’re just stuck, meaning they just don’t have the means or a way to get out.
I will never go back, but I will always miss it. It’s like never eating bread or pasta ever again.
It's fun when you recognize movie locations. Shan can hardly watch a movie shot in L.A. where I don't point out, "Hey I used to eat at that cafe," or, "That's the intersection downtown where I got my first fake ID," etc...
We were watching an episode of Jericho once (supposedly set in Kansas) and I instantly recognized the oak trees and hills of Thousand Oaks or Camarillo. Nice try Hollywood.
😁 you and David are cut from the same cloth. I lived there WITH him and he still can’t resist pointing out every street corner, restaurant or landmark and busting them when it’s really a faked location... only... tell Shannon, mine is so SO much worse because my ex-film biz guy feels the need to tell me, “oh, hey, we filmed in that house...in that alley... in that canyon... in that downtown office building... <sigh 😑>
I punted this choice to my husband, who's more knowledgeable about sports movies than I, and although we discussed many titles—some winners, some losers—he kept coming back to "Hoosiers" as the best.
I just told Shannon last night that this was going to be my choice. Dangit. Hoosiers is great because it hits all of the sports movie high notes without being bland and tropish, which characterized so many sports movies that came later trying to emulate it.
It's got flawed characters you still root for, perfect pacing, and is beautifully shot. But mostly I was gonna pick it because I just watched Barbara Hershey in something playing an evil witch and wanted to remembner her as a moral character again.
I don't know if this adds or detracts from my vote, but I don't like sports movies...like, ever. But I did like (loved, even) Remember the Titans, which had great characters, hard conflict, and tons of humor amid all the sportsy-McSportsiness of the football games.
I don’t even know if I’ve seen this…but I like your description.😄
Never seen Titans??!! Tony, you must rectify this situation.
Haha…it’s hopeless. I don’t have the football gene.
You'd like it anyway. It's about two schools in the 70's, a white school and a black school, that merged during bussing. The two football teams merged and had to overcome racism. Great performances by Denzel Washington and others. True story. I read the white coaches book, he's a Christian.
I really like, "Warrior," but I'm throwing my hat in the ring* for Rocky.
*do you see what I did there?! :D
I’m going with Iron Will! Gorgeous scenery. Beautiful dogs. Shows the value of the love of family and perseverance. A great movie night for the whole family. It’s what made me fall in love with mushing. Win-win-win!
Ooops Rocky also chosen. I’ll nominate a very different boxing movie, Raging Bull. Because of all the highs and lows. It’s an intense character study and I get it’s not exactly a crowd pleasing sports movie. But it’s hard not to be drawn into his downward spiral.
To me, the best sports movie is Woodlawn. Based on historical events, this movie shows spiritual revival starting with a sports team at a public school, and all the furor that happens around that awakening.
Haven’t seen that one.