With the recent premiere of the critically-acclaimed A League Of Their Own reboot series, movie fans all over the internet have been left to reflect upon some of the best presentations of sports in film - and Reddit users have been extremely keen to share their picks for best in the genre.
Sports movies have always been one of the most popular genres of film, probably because they're able to tell uplifting and inspirational stories in an environment that all audiences are familiar with - and when they're done right, they can make for some of the most entertaining viewing experiences of all.
White Men Can't Jump (1992)
Rent On Apple TV
Whilst White Men Can't Jump doesn't tell the same kind of inspirational underdog story that you'd find in most sports movies, it remains one of the funniest and most creative entries in the genre for a long time. Woody Harrelson plays a conman named Billy Hoyle, whose hustle involves tricking Black basketball players into thinking he can't play.
Harrelson stars opposite Wesley Snipes in the film, and the two have brilliant chemistry together - in both the comedic and dramatic scenes. Reddit user tinoynk calls the film "hilarious, cathartic, believable, relatable... and the sports action is pretty solid and realistic."
Cool Runnings (1993)
Stream On Disney+
Cool Runnings is still one of the greatest underdog movies ever made, and one that has aged surprisingly well since its release almost 30 years ago. The film follows the Jamaican bobsleigh team as they train for the Winter Olympics in 1988.
There's something about Cool Runnings' narrative that's impossible not to root for - all the characters are funny and compelling, and the story is so easy to relate to. Redditor druchii5 describes it as a "feel-good film," which perfectly sums up its unique tone and atmosphere.
Rush (2013)
Stream On Netflix
At the center of Rush are two widely-beloved Formula 1 racers, James Hunt and Niki Lauda, who soon became famous for their intense rivalry within the sport. Played by Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl respectively, the two drivers find themselves pushed to their limits in Rush as their rivalry is put to the test.
Even for those who don't know much about F1, the deeply human narrative at the heart of the film should be enough to keep interests piqued. Redditor thejudojeff claims that they "couldn't care less about Formula 1" but Rush had them "hooked the entire time."
Happy Gilmore (1996)
Stream On Peacock
Although it might not be the critics' pick, Happy GIlmore is one of the most entertaining sports movies out there thanks to a hilarious screenplay and a wonderfully charming performance from Adam Sandler. Whilst the sport of golf isn't actually the main focus of the film, it still plays a huge role in the overall story.
There's a reason that Happy Gilmore is considered one of Adam Sandler's best films, and that's thanks to its witty script and compelling narrative. Reddit user keeponrollingbaby praises the writing of Sandler's protagonist: "Happy's goal isn't to be the best golfer... his motives are completely selfless, he just wants to help his grandmother."
Raging Bull (1980)
Stream On Amazon Prime
Throughout his career, Robert De Niro is no stranger to playing real people, but Raging Bull is probably his most authentic and vulnerable performance to date. He completely transforms into middleweight boxer Jake La Motta, which allows Scorsese to tell this story with an overwhelming sense of honesty and intrigue.
Redditor michaelrocco1 names Raging Bull as "the closest you can get to an objectively correct answer" to the question of which sports movie is best. It has everything you could ever want - great sports action, beautiful cinematography, and a story that will entertain just as much as it will make you think.
Field Of Dreams (1989)
Stream On Peacock
Despite being fairly predictable and formulaic, there's something about Field of Dreams that's simply impossible not to enjoy. Instead of focusing on the sport itself (despite several thrilling sports sequences), Field of Dreams prioritizes instead the emotional family dynamic at the story's core.
There are several moments in Field of Dreams that still stick with audiences today. Reddit user general_astronaut_20 shares a couple: "When he gets to play catch with his dad... and when his daughter chokes and the player saves her knowing he can’t go back - solid writing."
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Stream On HBO Max
Undoubtedly one of the most emotional films on this list, Million Dollar Baby tells the story of a young boxer named Maggie, who quickly forms a close bond with her trainer Frankie - but a dark moment in Maggie's career makes things much more complicated for the duo.
According to Redditor destiny_jump, the only reason more people don't talk about Million Dollar Baby is because "we're all still in therapy from it," proving just how emotionally devastating the film is at points. It's certainly not an easy watch, but it's an effective warning against the obsessive nature of competitive sports.
Moneyball (2011)
Stream On Hulu
Bennett Miller's Moneyball follows Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill as two baseball experts on a quest to build the next great baseball team using entirely computer-based methods, despite the many challenges that this poses to the game. It's one of the most exciting movies in the sports genre thanks to the bleak tone and slick editing.
Reddit user spaceman_spifffff writes about Moneyball: "I barely know anything about any sports, but I’ve watched this one over and over." It's one of the most accessible sports movies out there, because it doesn't rely on prior knowledge of the sport to understand its layered narrative.
Rocky (1976)
Stream On AMC+
When it comes to the most popular sports movies, Rocky simply couldn't go unmentioned. It practically invented the sports movie genre with its inspirational underdog story, which still resonates with plenty of audiences worldwide today.
Redditor cousin_rabid claims that "Rocky was the greatest sports movie of all time when it came out for sure," and that "Rocky is still the greatest character in sports film." There are very few films that have managed to achieve the same level of popularity in pop culture as Rocky, and there's obviously a reason why.
Creed (2015)
Rent On Vudu
Directed by Ryan Coogler, Creed takes everything that was great about the original Rocky films and adapts them for a new age. The film boasts all the same sports action and competitive rivalries, but with the added 'legacy sequel' touch that gives it an inexplicable sentimentality.
Even years later, Creed remains one of lead actor Michael B. Jordan's best films, and most likely the one that he's best known for today. Reddit user zofinda has plenty to say about the greatness of Creed: "It's the best parts of Rocky, plus something a little new and fresh. And the boxing is (slightly) more realistic."