Even if you’re not a sports fan, you’re more than likely still a sports film fan. There’s something about seeing an underdog clawing his way to the top while an inspirational song plays in the background. That shit’s been working since Chariots Of Fire and the formula will never change. It works and we love it. Below are my top 5 favourite sports films.
5.
Remember The Titans
American football movies are almost always crowd pleasers, but this one goes a step further by casting some great social commentary on the fall of the segregation era in the U.S. when certain schools were forced to start integrating. The film uses the team as a microcosm of ‘70s America and the difficulties faced when black students try to make it in this “new” world where they are told they can be anything but they are surrounded by people who don’t want them to succeed.
Some brilliant performances from Will Patton, Wood Harris and Hayden Panettiere way before she became the cheerleader in Heroes. Oh, and Denzel Washington is this too.
4.
Mean Machine
This film was based on the American football movie, The Longest Yard, starring Burt Reynolds. The British came along and turned it into a REAL football movie (soccer) and added the British cast that sent this film into sport movie hall of fame.
Vinnie Jones leads the all-star British cast in this film where the inmates at the prison take on the guards in one of the most hilarious and heartwarming football matches you’ll ever have the pleasure of seeing.
3.
Stickmen
The New Zealand classic is set in the underground crime world of high stakes pool tournaments. Very few people have seen this film but I encourage you to watch it. Not just an excellent sports film but also an amazing comedy that will have you quoting lines for days after you’ve seen it.
2.
Major League
Wild Thing Ricky Vaughn!!! Charlie Sheen steals the show in this baseball comedy when the Cleaveland Indians try to make it to the major league. Underdog stories are what make these films our favourites and this is one of the best ever made.
1.
Rocky
I’m not even going to try and justify why I have this as my number one. I’ll just show you the final scene from the fight between Rocky and Apollo.
THAT IS ALL
No documentaries. Let’s save that for another top 5 list. Do you think I missed the goal post with my choices? Let me know in the comments what you would have listed.
bigscreenhooligans.com 
Nice top 5 Ramz…However I don’t agree with it 100%. If I was to publish a top 5 it would be as follows.
1. Rocky – Your reasons are on the money, No need to explain too much why this movie is the greatest sport movie of all time.
2. Any Given Sunday – This is a classic, the collisions, the parties, the women and the rock n roll is on another level. The story line was great and the cast was well balanced with some really amazing performances and who will ever forget Al Pacinos change room speech? I still listen to that ish to psych myself up for work or anything else I hate doing.
3. Remember the Titans – ” Left side , strong side, Left side strong side (que music) aaaaahhhhhhh!!! ”
4. The Replacements – Another classic story of the power of the underdog, misfits who people said were done, some were criminals and others straight up losers. The coach believed otherwise and was able to extract the last bit of greatness in those men, assembling a tight knit band of brothers under the leadership of Keanu Reeves. The movies humour was great and it was a cool reminder “that its not over until its over”.
5. The Waterboy – This was just hilarious. Perfect movie for a 10 year old in 1998.
“Na na na na na na na na Hey hey hey Goodbye”
Check yall later – Peace out!!
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I disagree with this list as it does not have Warrior on it. Tom Hardy is super sexy (no homo)
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The classic surf movie would be, The Endless Summer and Rolllng Thunder.
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Good choices all…
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Also, i agree with Nadieem. Endless summer, or even Big Wednesday could have been on the list.
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Honourable mention:
Cool Runnings
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Hi..This is good list but I think a few more underdog movies should be on that list or receive honorable mentions.
1. Who can forget the classic underdog movie of the early 90’s – Mighty Ducks!….and the infamous flying V…”Ever seen a duck fight? No way. Why? Because the other animals are afraid. They know that if they mess with one duck, they gotta deal with the whole flock. I’m proud to be a Duck, and I’d be proud to fly with any one of you. So how about it? Who’s a Duck?”.
2.A league of their own – Women playing baseball while the men are at war
3. Rudy – A young man who does not have the strength,size or grades to play American football, for 1 of the top Universities, but has the heart to succeed.
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Mmmmm…. not sure about these. All of them are great in their own right I suppose. I prefer these 🙂
A League of their own was a great film.
Coach Carter is an all time great too
We are Marshall – Underrated movie. Really good.
The Wrestler if you’re watching for a great story line.
And then the fucking ulitmate… DODGEBALL (Nobody makes me bleed my own blood)
Honorable mentions – Chariots of Fire, Any given Sunday, Bend it like Beckham, Ali, Gleaming the cube, White men can’t jump, Southpaw.
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