Breaking Down the Best Sports Movies

Sports Movie Genre Definition

A sports film is a genre in which a sport is integral to the plot, often featuring an underdog who overcomes adversity to achieve victory or personal growth.

Tropes of the Best Sports Movies

At its core, a sports movie places a sport, athletic competition, or an athlete as a central element of the plot. It's not just a film that happens to have a game in it; sports are the driving force behind the motivations, conflicts, and ultimate resolutions presented on screen.

So what tropes can we expect to see in these movies?

Core Tropes

• The Underdog: The protagonist—whether an individual or a team – starts as the unlikely contender, facing overwhelming odds. Think Rocky Balboa or the Bad News Bears.
• The Comeback: The team or athlete suffers a crushing defeat or loses their edge, but through grit and determination, they fight to reclaim their former glory.
• The Rival: A skilled opponent who pushes the protagonist to improve, often going beyond simple "villain" status to become a complex character.
• The Training Montage: A series of sequences showcasing the athletes' relentless training, often set to an inspiring soundtrack, highlighting their dedication.
• The Big Game: The climactic moment where it all comes down to one final match, tournament, or race, and stakes are at their highest.

Character-Based Tropes

• The "Washed Up" Star: An athlete past their prime, their skills fading, who seeks a shot at redemption or to prove they still have something left to offer.
• The Hotshot Rookie: A cocky, naturally talented newcomer who needs to learn teamwork and humility to truly succeed.
• The Reluctant Coach: A seasoned (and often gruff) coach brought in to whip a team into shape, but who reveals a hidden heart of gold over time.
• The Supportive Love Interest: A romantic partner who provides emotional support and belief even when the athlete's faith wavers.

Narrative Tropes

• Second Chances: Sports films often center around a character getting another chance at a dream they had written off.
• Overcoming Obstacles: The journey is never just physical. Athletes must overcome injuries, self-doubt, family issues, societal pressures, or past failures.
• Finding Unity: A team full of misfits and rivals learns to set aside their differences and function as a cohesive group.
• Inspiring Speeches: Pre-game pep talks, halftime regrouping, and moments of emotional clarity often feature moving speeches, usually by the coach.

A List of the Best Sports Movies

1. Rocky (1976): A down-on-his-luck Philadelphia boxer gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the world heavyweight championship.
2. Raging Bull (1980): A gritty and unflinching biopic of boxer Jake LaMotta, charting his rise to fame and self-destructive fall.
3. Hoosiers (1986): A disgraced coach with a second chance leads a small-town Indiana high school basketball team to the state finals.
4. Field of Dreams (1989): An Iowa farmer builds a baseball field in his cornfield after hearing voices, leading to a magical encounter with his past.
5. Bull Durham (1988): A romance blossoms between a veteran minor league catcher and a baseball groupie, against the backdrop of quirky minor league life.
6. A League of Their Own (1992): Two sisters join a professional women's baseball league during World War II, overcoming sexism and rivalry on their path to success.
7. Hoop Dreams (1994): A powerful documentary following two inner-city Chicago teens as they chase their dreams of playing in the NBA.
8. Jerry Maguire (1996): A disillusioned sports agent has a crisis of conscience and strikes out on his own, prioritizing relationships over profit.
9. The Sandlot (1993): A coming-of-age story about a group of friends who spend their summer days playing baseball and encountering the legendary dog 'The Beast'.
10. Remember the Titans (2000): A black coach works to integrate a racially divided high school football team in Virginia during the 1970s.
11. Moneyball (2011): Oakland A's General Manager Billy Beane challenges traditional scouting methods by using data to build a winning team on a budget.
12. The Wrestler (2008): A washed-up professional wrestler struggles with his failing health and strained family relationships while trying to reclaim past glory.
13. Senna (2010): A gripping documentary exploring the life, achievements, and tragic demise of Formula One racing legend Ayrton Senna.
14. Bend It Like Beckham (2002): A British-Indian teenage girl dreams of playing professional soccer, defying cultural expectations and family pressures.
15. Rudy (1993): A young man with limited football ability, but overflowing determination, fights to walk onto the Notre Dame football team.
16. Caddyshack (1980): A hilarious clash of personalities at a snooty golf club, featuring an unforgettable battle between a gopher and a groundskeeper.
17. The Blind Side (2009): A wealthy white family takes in a homeless black teenager, helping him overcome obstacles to become an NFL star.
18. Miracle (2004): The true story of the underdog U.S. hockey team's shocking victory over the unbeatable Soviets in the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics.
19. Warrior (2011): Two estranged brothers with a complicated past collide on a path to face each other in a major mixed martial arts tournament.
20. Friday Night Lights (2004): A look at the intensity, pressures, and small-town dreams surrounding a Texas high school football team with state championship aspirations.
21. The Karate Kid (1984): A bullied teenager learns karate from an unassuming maintenance man to face down his tormentors.
22. White Men Can't Jump (1992): Two streetball hustlers in LA form an unlikely partnership, navigating their rivalry and learning about each other in the process.
23. The Natural (1984): A middle-aged baseball player with a mysterious past emerges out of nowhere to become a legend.
24. 42 (2013): The inspiring story of Jackie Robinson as he breaks baseball's color barrier and faces down racism on his path to greatness.
25. Ford v Ferrari (2019): Automotive designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles push boundaries and battle corporate interference to build a revolutionary race car for Ford to challenge Ferrari.