As the world cup is currently taking over my life, I thought it would be good to do a top 10 list of my favorite sports movies. Now this is just some of my favorites and they are in no particular order. Let me know your favorites and any you think should be on my list.
Cool Runnings
Year: 1993
A family favorite starring the legend that is John Candy. The Jamaican bobsled team take part in the winter Olympics for the first time and surprise everyone.
Mighty Ducks
Year: 1992
Another family favorite. A group of kids struggling to play ice hocky for there district get turned into a championship winning side by there new coach, played by Emilio Estevez. Also stars Joshua Jackson.
Escape to Victory
Year: 1981
In World War II, a group of Nazi officers come up with a propaganda event in which an all star Nazi team will play a team composed of Allied Prisoners of War in a Soccer (Football) game. The Prisoners agree, planning on using the game as a means of escape from the camp. Stars lots of big names from the sports world including Pele, Bobby Moore and Osvaldo Ardiles as well as starring Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine.
The Football Factory
Year: 2004
Danny Dyer stars in this true English football hooligan film. It shows how firms who support different teams meet to fight after or before a game. Very popular film amoung English football fans.
Rocky
Year: 1976
A big franchise that still isnt dead it seems. Sylvester Stallone plays the role of boxer Rocky in a number of films which sees him defeat the odds and run out champion. My personal favorites are Rocky 1, 3 and 4.
The Longest Yard (The Mean Machine)
Year: 1974
A film that has been remade a few times now, once as a football movie starring Vinnie Jones, but this original stars Burt Reynolds, as a team of cons take on the guards in an American football match.
Raging Bull
Year: 1980
Robert De Niro plays the role of Jake La Motta who is a prize fighting boxer, but he also seems to treat his family and friends in the same way. His rage helped make him a boxing champ but it also drives his family away. This movie picked up 2 Oscars.
The Wrestler
Year: 2008
The famous return of Mickey Rouke to the big time. He plays a faded professional wrestler who must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle. Nominated for 2 Oscars.
The Sandlot Kids
Year: 1993
A favorite film from my childhood. A great fun family film about a bunch of kids who play baseball on the local sandlot. They encounter all sorts of stuff including the local big baseball team, tree houses, and of course the beast which is a massive dog over the fence where they hit there baseballs.
Invictus
Year: 2009
A true story about how Nelson Mandela united the South African people through a triumphant victory for the Spring Box (the South African rugby team). Great performances by Morgan Freeman who plays Mandela and Matt Damon who stars as the captain of the team François Pienaar.
Just a few of my favorite sports movies. I’m sure you will all have your own opinions so please feel free to leave a comment below and let me know what should be on my list.
Not a fan of sport movies but I want to see ‘Invictus’ and ‘The Wrestler’. So unfortunate that I missed them. I’m not even sure if they were in cinemas… ‘The Wrester’ is on DVDs but I always forget to buy it. And sadly, they do not rent. My favorite sport flick is ‘The Blind Side’, although it’s a bit sentimental.
Great that you keep posting!