There’s something magical about a great sports movie.
It might bring a tear to your eye or a race to your heart. It could give you the motivation to run through a wall or the sweet taste of triumph right from the sofa. You might find yourself feeling satisfied, defeated, confused or anywhere else within the human spectrum of emotion. That’s just it though. Regardless of what you feel, you really feel.
That’s because the best sports movies aren’t really about sports. They’re about humanity. Sports are simply a vessel by which the richness of the human experience — emotion, failure, resilience, success and teamwork — is conveyed.
Whether an all-time classic or a modern box office hit, great sports movies take us on a roller coaster of cinematic experience.
So, which of these roller coaster experiences took me on the wildest rides and earned spots in my top five?
Honorable mentions: “Cool Runnings,” “Creed,” “Surf’s Up”
5. “Ford v Ferrari”
Few sports movies are as well made as “Ford v Ferrari” — it was made with the largest budget on this list, and it raked in the most cash in the box office.
The true story documents underdog racecar driver Ken Miles as he embraces an obsession with perfection and battles corporate politics in a quest to lead Ford’s racing team to a victory over the world-class Ferrari team.
The film includes true underdog triumph, some of the most exhilarating racing scenes the big screen has to offer and strong performances by Christian Bale and Matt Damon, solidifying its place as one of the most captivating watches in sports movies.
4. “Coach Carter”
Another true story, “Coach Carter,” was fundamental in developing my understanding of character and discipline.
Samuel L. Jackson portrays coach Ken Carter and his tough love coaching philosophy that calls his players to a standard bigger than basketball.
While most sports movies put winning at center stage, “Coach Carter” focuses on basketball as a catalyst for real life gifts — maturation, identity and character development — in a way that will leave you feeling like you shared in not just a victory, but a transformation.
3. “The Sandlot”
A true classic, “The Sandlot” captures what a summer at the ball diamond with your friends might feel like in the eyes of a 12-year-old.
Perhaps one of the most quotable movies there is, “The Sandlot” is filled with unforgettable moments and characters from start to finish.
“The Sandlot” is simple, yet wonderful. It’s charming, whimsical and nostalgic. It might even make you feel young again. And of course, it’s impossible to leave off of this list.
2. “Moneyball”
For my fellow nerds, “Moneyball” scratches that analytical itch like no other. Baseball becomes less of a sport and more of a chess match — and it’s thrilling.
Based on the true story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt,) the film follows his radical strategy of using analytics to turn a small-market budget into a championship-caliber squad.
“Moneyball” is another underdog tale, but it flips the script in emphasizing numbers over narratives — yet it uses a masterfully dramatic narrative to do it.
1. “Remember the Titans”
Rounding out the quartet of true stories, “Remember the Titans” has it all. Everything a sports movie might seek to be — this is it.
The story is true, captivating and triumphant in more ways than one. Denzel Washington is remarkable. We see societal walls torn down and a football family built in their stead. We learn lessons on unity, trust and perseverance.
Like I said before, a great sports movie takes us on a journey of human experience. “Remember the Titans” is the trip of a lifetime.
Sports aren’t just about the score — they’re about the stories. These five movies capture that perfectly.
This list is an amusement park of emotion, character and triumph, taking us through the highs of victory and the lows of heartbreak, and revealing that the biggest moments aren’t found in the scoreboard or the highlight reels, but in the quiet struggles, bold choices and human connections that make the game worth playing.