Sports movies can often be some of the most crowd-pleasing stories to watch and that can often be due to the movies not being too concerned with realism. But there are also many fans who want to see their favorite fans of sports depicted in a real way and represented truthfully.
Whether these movies are fiction or based on true stories, these sports movies can be applauded for their realism. They do a terrific job of showing the hard work of the athletes, the darker sides of the sport, and the fact that there is not always a happy Hollywood ending.
Warrior (2011)
The sports drama Warrior takes a look at the world of mixed martial arts competitions that have become such big events in the sports world. At its center, it is the story of two estranged brothers who separately start their own paths as fighters, leading to them facing off in the ring at a global competition.
While that aspect of the movie might stretch believability, the way the sport is handled is quite realistic. Instead of going for carefully staged brawls, the movie shows the strategy of these fights, including the vicious holds that fighters put each other in to force the opponent to tap out.
Ali (2001)
Taking a look at one of the most famous sports figures of all time demands that a movie take a realistic approach to the sport. Luckily, Ali had a terrific director in Michael Mann at the helm and an incredible performance from Will Smith as boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
The movie recreates some of the most significant bouts of Ali's boxing career, staging them as they were rather than attempting to make them more exciting. However, much of the movie takes place outside the ring, taking a look at the various figures and political events Ali became associated with.
Miracle (2004)
While the sport is not represented as often in Hollywood, Miracle is seen as one of the best hockey movies of all time. It is the true story of the so-called "Miracle on Ice" game in which the underdog American team upset the intimidating Soviet team to win the Olympic gold medal in 1980.
Hollywood loves a good underdog story even if they have to play around with the facts to make an exciting one. However, Miracle has the benefit of telling one of the greatest underdog sports stories of all time which was thrilling enough without the embellishment.
The Fighter (2010)
Sometimes sports movies can be exciting not because of the sport itself but because of the characters involved. Such was the case with The Fighter which tells the true story of boxer Micky Ward and his half-brother and trainer Dicky Eklund.
The movie captures the intensity of Micky's boxing matches quite well as well as the hilariously dysfunctional family. But it is Dicky's story that is the most compelling. Christian Bale gives an amazing performance showing a grounded look at a promising athlete who lost it all to drug addiction.
The Way Back (2020)
On paper, The Way Back might seem like a predictable redemption story mixed in with a sports drama. Ben Affleck stars as a former basketball player who has been driven to alcoholism by personal tragedy. He is given a new purpose when he is asked to coach a high school team.
The movie is less about winning the big game and more about the grind of getting better. It also takes some surprising turns in the journey of Affleck's character that fans might not expect from a movie of this kind. But it is a rare sports movie that is not concerned with a perfect crowd-pleasing ending.
Raging Bull (1980)
Given that Martin Scorsese is one of the greatest directors of all time, it is no surprise that he would deliver one of the greatest boxing movies of all time with Raging Bull. Likewise, Robert De Niro gives one of his best performances as real-life troubled boxer Jake La Motta.
Many sports movies want to glamorize the sports and the athletes, but Raging Bull is no such movie. It doesn't shy away from the brutality of the boxing matches. The movie also portrays La Motta as a very flawed character filled with violence and anger while making his fall from grace particularly hard to watch.
The Color Of Money (1986)
Long before legacy sequels became popular in Hollywood, Martin Scorsese made this follow-up to The Hustler 25 years after the original was released. The Color of Money sees Paul Newman return as Fast Eddie Felson who trains a cocky young pool player to be a hustler.
The movie is more about players playing each other rather than playing a game, making for realistic and unremarkable victories. But the movie is also about Eddie getting older and realizing he might not be the best anymore which is handled in a relatable way.
He Got Game (1998)
Spike Lee's underrated basketball drama He Got Game starts with a bit of an outlandish idea. Denzel Washington plays a man who is given the chance to get out of prison early if he can convince his high school basketball star son to play for a certain university.
But the movie is also a very real look at the pressure of young athletes facing their future. While Washington's son has all the control on the court, he is surrounded by outside influences trying to push him in certain directions as he attempts to figure out what is best for him.
The Wrestler (2008)
Wrestling can be seen as a bit of a joke in the sports world for its theatricality and staged aspects. The Wrestler shows it as being far from a joke as it focuses on what happens to a former big name in the sport when the fame is gone.
Mickey Rourke plays a wrestler who now lives a meager and lonely life, performing at smaller matches whenever he can. But the physical toll the sport takes on his body and the kinds of things he is willing to go through in order to entertain fans is nothing short of heartbreaking.
Friday Night Lights (2004)
Before Friday Night Lights became a hit series, it was made into a movie starring Billy Bob Thorton as the coach of a Texas high school football team. While the show had some uplifting elements to it as well as a lot of heart, the movie is far grimmer.
It shows how big of a deal high school football is in these small towns and the immense pressure the athletes are under to perform. It also deals with injuries sidelining a young athlete's entire future and the difficult home lives some of these young men have to deal with.