We’ve put together the ultimate starting lineup of inspiring sports movies! In no time, you’ll be riding horses, climbing rocks, driving powerful race cars, bolting cross-country, and coaching underdog teams to miraculous victory.
Or they’ll at least get you off the couch.
Some of the most esteemed Certified Fresh inspirational sports movies take on MMA (Warrior), boxing (Creed, Cinderella Man), auto-racing (Rush, Senna), basketball (Hoosiers, He Got Game), hockey (Miracle, Goon). Of course, not everything that glitters is strictly critics’ gold. Which is why we included movies like The Cutting Edge, Stick It, or Lords of Dogtown: They may be lower on the Tomatometer, but they’re high on electric inspiration.
And now it’s 2024 and it’s been a while since we took a look at this list (we were working out the whole time), and we’ve updated it American Underdog, King Richard,
Hustle, Facing Nolan, Champions, Next Goal Wins, The Boys in the Boat, Nyad, Gran Turismo, Shooting Stars, Big George Foreman, Chang Can Dunk, and The Beautiful Game.
Read on for our recommendations of the most inspiring sports movies of all time!
#1
Adjusted Score: 89702%
Critics Consensus: 42 is an earnest, inspirational, and respectfully told biography of an influential American sports icon, though it might be a little too safe and old-fashioned for some.
#2
Adjusted Score: 78788%
Critics Consensus: American Underdog sticks to the standard inspirational sports drama playbook — and proves once again that it can be very effective in the right hands.
#3
Adjusted Score: 100895%
Critics Consensus: The Bad News Bears is rude, profane, and cynical, but shot through with honest, unforced humor, and held together by a deft, understated performance from Walter Matthau.
#4
Adjusted Score: 87020%
Critics Consensus: The Beautiful Game has an undeniable warmth that further elevates an already irresistible true story, helping this inspirational drama score despite a reliance on well-worn clichés.
#5
Adjusted Score: 90150%
Critics Consensus: Inspiring, compassionate, and with a sly undercurrent of social commentary, Bend It Like Beckham is a lively feel-good movie that genuinely charms.
#6
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#7
Adjusted Score: 44132%
Critics Consensus: Big George Foreman had a classic sports story to work with; unfortunately, the sluggishly ordinary way it’s told here is more Tomato Can than Heavyweight Champion.
#8
Adjusted Score: 77361%
Critics Consensus: Thanks to the spirited performances of a talented cast – particularly Will Ferrell and Jon Heder as rivals-turned-teammates — Blades of Glory successfully spoofs inspirational sports dramas with inspired abandon.
#9
Adjusted Score: 65517%
Critics Consensus: The Boys in the Boat tells its inspirational true story with heart and solid craftsmanship, but director George Clooney’s stolidly traditional approach prevents it from leaving much of an impact.
#10
Adjusted Score: 92574%
Critics Consensus: Buoyed by standout performances from James Caan and Billy Dee Williams, Brian’s Song is a touching tale of friendship whose central relationship transcends its standard sports movie moments.
#11
Adjusted Score: 69703%
Critics Consensus: Despite the formulaic, fluffy storyline, this movie is surprisingly fun to watch, mostly due to its high energy and how it humorously spoofs cheerleading instead of taking itself too seriously.
#12
Adjusted Score: 40175%
Critics Consensus: Enthusiastically unpleasant and mostly unfunny, The Bronze fails to stick the landing — or much else along the way.
#13
Adjusted Score: 64891%
Critics Consensus: Although its apparent attempts to be uplifting can often come across as patronizing, Champions is an amiable enough comedy with some seriously talented stars.
#14
Adjusted Score: 96385%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#15
Adjusted Score: 94588%
Critics Consensus: Decidedly slower and less limber than the Olympic runners at the center of its story, Chariots of Fire nevertheless makes effectively stirring use of its spiritual and patriotic themes.
#16
Adjusted Score: 87855%
Critics Consensus: With grittiness and an evocative sense of time and place, Cinderella Man is a powerful underdog story. And Ron Howard and Russell Crowe prove to be a solid combination.
#17
Adjusted Score: 79445%
Critics Consensus: Cool Runnings rises above its formulaic sports-movie themes with charming performances, light humor, and uplifting tone.
#18
Adjusted Score: 110413%
Critics Consensus: Creed brings the Rocky franchise off the mat for a surprisingly effective seventh round that extends the boxer’s saga in interesting new directions while staying true to its classic predecessors’ roots.
#19
Adjusted Score: 59534%
Critics Consensus: Part contrived romance, part hackneyed sports drama, The Cutting Edge shows how difficult it can be to figure skate through cheese.
#20
Adjusted Score: 97193%
Critics Consensus: Better than your average football pic, Damned United is carried by another star turn from Michael Sheen as Brian Clough.
#21
Adjusted Score: 88233%
Critics Consensus: Downhill Racer plunges the viewer thrillingly into the action of the sport — and continues to hold the attention as a thoughtful drama.
#22
Adjusted Score: 91454%
Critics Consensus: Eddie the Eagle‘s amiable sweetness can’t disguise its story’s many inspirational clichés — but for many viewers, it will be more than enough to make up for them.
#23
Adjusted Score: 50820%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#24
Adjusted Score: 96578%
Critics Consensus: Essential viewing for baseball fans and just as captivating for the uninitiated, Facing Nolan pays persuasive tribute to one of the sport’s greatest characters.
#25
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#26
Adjusted Score: 105601%
Critics Consensus: Much like the sport it celebrates, Fighting with My Family muscles past clichés with a potent blend of energy and committed acting that should leave audiences cheering.
#27
Adjusted Score: 111189%
Critics Consensus: Ford v Ferrari delivers all the polished auto action audiences will expect — and balances it with enough gripping human drama to satisfy non-racing enthusiasts.
#28
Adjusted Score: 106387%
Critics Consensus: Free Solo depicts athletic feats that many viewers will find beyond reason – and grounds the attempts in passions that are all but universal.
#29
Adjusted Score: 92118%
Critics Consensus: Michelle Rodriguez gives a compelling performance, despite lack of a boxing background; Karyn Kusama packs a punch with this directorial debut.
#30
Adjusted Score: 84676%
Critics Consensus: Goon is a crude slapstick comedy with well-formed characters and a surprising amount of heart.
#31
Adjusted Score: 65091%
Critics Consensus: Gracie can be rousing and touching in spots, but is ultimately undone by its predictable story arc and a lack of nuance.
#32
Adjusted Score: 77734%
Critics Consensus: Gran Turismo‘s brisk action and feel-good underdog drama are undermined by its loose telling of the fact-based story, but this is still a generally solid racing movie.
#33
Adjusted Score: 66723%
Critics Consensus: Despite all the underdog sports movie conventions, the likable cast and lush production values make The Greatest Game Ever Played a solid and uplifting tale.
#34
Adjusted Score: 65429%
Critics Consensus: Those who enjoy Adam Sandler’s schtick will find plenty to love in this gleefully juvenile take on professional golf; those who don’t, however, will find it unfunny and forgettable.
#35
Adjusted Score: 83620%
Critics Consensus: Though not without its flaws, He Got Game finds Spike Lee near the top of his game, combining trenchant commentary with his signature visuals and a strong performance from Denzel Washington.
#36
Adjusted Score: 95309%
Critics Consensus: It may adhere to the sports underdog formula, but Hoosiers has been made with such loving craft, and features such excellent performances, that it’s hard to resist.
#37
Adjusted Score: 101971%
Critics Consensus: Hustle doesn’t have any fancy moves, but it doesn’t need them — Adam Sandler’s everyman charm makes this easy layup fun to watch.
#38
Adjusted Score: 61674%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#39
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#40
Adjusted Score: 85910%
Critics Consensus: Delivered with typically stately precision by director Clint Eastwood, Invictus may not be rousing enough for some viewers, but Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman inhabit their real-life characters with admirable conviction.
#41
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#42
Adjusted Score: 93948%
Critics Consensus: Utterly predictable and wholly of its time, but warm, sincere, and difficult to resist, due in large part to Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio’s relaxed chemistry.
#43
Adjusted Score: 100581%
Critics Consensus: The King of Kong is funny and compelling with more than a few poignant insights into human behavior. Director Seth Gordon presents the dueling King Kong players in all their obsessive complexity and with perfectly al dente observations.
#44
Adjusted Score: 105291%
Critics Consensus: King Richard transcends sport biopic formulas with refreshingly nuanced storytelling — and a towering performance from Will Smith in the title role.
#45
Adjusted Score: 88079%
Critics Consensus: Sentimental and light, but still thoroughly charming, A League of Their Own is buoyed by solid performances from a wonderful cast.
#46
Adjusted Score: 60156%
Critics Consensus: Lords of Dogtown, while slickly made and edited, lacks the depth and entertaining value of the far superior documentary on the same subject, Dogtown and Z-Boys.
#47
Adjusted Score: 89290%
Critics Consensus: Confident directing and acting deliver an insightful look at young athletes.
#48
Adjusted Score: 103981%
Critics Consensus: Enthralling viewing even for audiences with little to no knowledge of or interest in sailing, Maiden pays powerful tribute to a true pioneer.
#49
Adjusted Score: 86099%
Critics Consensus: Major League may be predictable and formulaic, but buoyed by the script’s light, silly humor — not to mention the well-built sports action sequences and funny performances.
#50
Adjusted Score: 91077%
Critics Consensus: Gripping visually as well as narratively, Meru is the rare documentary that proves thought-provoking while offering thrilling wide-screen vistas.
#51
Adjusted Score: 86286%
Critics Consensus: Kurt Russell’s performance guides this cliche-ridden tale into the realm of inspirational, nostalgic goodness.
#52
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#53
Adjusted Score: 86845%
Critics Consensus: Though heavy with sentiment, The Natural is an irresistible classic, and a sincere testament to America’s national pastime.
#54
Adjusted Score: 53939%
Critics Consensus: Next Goal Wins finds director/co-writer Taika Waititi with his heart in the right place, even if his crowd-pleasing aim has noticeably strayed from its target.
#55
Adjusted Score: 93758%
Critics Consensus: Nyad is an uplifting sports biopic strictly on the merits of its story, but it’s the outstanding performances from Annette Bening and Jodie Foster that really keep this picture afloat.
#56
Adjusted Score: 88650%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Starring:
#57
Adjusted Score: 76850%
Critics Consensus: Mariel Hemingway has a career-making star turn in this highly physical drama about two Olympic athletes who find each other during competitive training.
#58
Adjusted Score: 57806%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#59
Adjusted Score: 50938%
Critics Consensus: Pride features a typically stellar performance from Terrence Howard, but ultimately falls victim to its over usage of sports movie clichés.
#60
Adjusted Score: 95443%
Critics Consensus: In addition to offering an enlightening early look into the world of future star/politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pumping Iron provides a witty and insightful overview of competitive bodybuilding.
#61
Adjusted Score: 70199%
Critics Consensus: Race is nowhere near as thrillingly fleet or agile as its subject, but the story — and a winning central performance from Stephan James — are enough to carry it over the finish line.
#62
Adjusted Score: 73533%
Critics Consensus: Mamet’s mixed marital arts morality play weaves between action and intellect but doesn’t always hit its target.
#63
Adjusted Score: 76440%
Critics Consensus: An inspirational crowd-pleaser with a healthy dose of social commentary, Remember the Titans may be predictable, but it’s also well-crafted and features terrific performances.
#64
Adjusted Score: 101507%
Critics Consensus: This story of a down-on-his-luck boxer is thoroughly predictable, but Sylvester Stallone’s script and stunning performance in the title role brush aside complaints.
#65
Adjusted Score: 88995%
Critics Consensus: A heart-warming sports flick, The Rookie greatly benefits from understated direction and the emotional honesty Dennis Quaid brings to the role of Jim Morris.
#66
Adjusted Score: 81204%
Critics Consensus: Though undeniably sentimental and predictable, Rudy succeeds with an uplifting spirit and determination.
#67
Adjusted Score: 99920%
Critics Consensus: A sleek, slick, well-oiled machine, Rush is a finely crafted sports drama with exhilarating race sequences and strong performances from Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl.
#68
Adjusted Score: 70721%
Critics Consensus: It may be shamelessly derivative and overly nostalgic, but The Sandlot is nevertheless a genuinely sweet and funny coming-of-age adventure.
#69
Adjusted Score: 97475%
Critics Consensus: Even for filmgoers who aren’t racing fans, Senna offers heart-pounding thrills — and heartbreaking emotion.
#70
Adjusted Score: 91903%
Critics Consensus: The plot is utterly ridiculous, and the soccer in the movie is unlike any ever played anywhere on Earth, but watching Shaolin Soccer, you will probably find it impossible to care.
#71
Adjusted Score: 57169%
Critics Consensus: Although Shooting Stars isn’t without its engaging moments, this dramatized look back at LeBron James’ early years is less entertaining than simply watching him play.
#72
Adjusted Score: 48925%
Critics Consensus: While it’s no slam dunk, Space Jam‘s silly, Looney Toons-laden slapstick and vivid animation will leave younger viewers satisfied — though accompanying adults may be more annoyed than entertained.
#73
Adjusted Score: 35488%
Critics Consensus: Director Jessica Bendinger is unable to transfer her winning Bring It On formula to the world of gymnastics, despite Missy Peregrym’s strong lead performance.
#74
Adjusted Score: 97173%
Critics Consensus: Sugar is an exceptionally-crafted film — part sports flick, part immigrant tale — with touching and poignant drama highlighted by splendid performances.
#75
Adjusted Score: 48710%
Critics Consensus: Though Michael J. Fox is as charismatic as ever, Teen Wolf‘s coming-of-age themes can’t help but feel a little stale and formulaic.
#76
Adjusted Score: 63121%
Critics Consensus: Unbroken is undoubtedly well-intentioned, but it hits a few too many of the expected prestige-pic beats to register as strongly as it should.
#77
Adjusted Score: 70095%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#78
Adjusted Score: 91646%
Critics Consensus: Warrior relies on many of the clichés that critics of the genre love to mock — and it transcends them with gripping action, powerful acting, and heart.
#79
Adjusted Score: 96248%
Critics Consensus: The Way Back‘s occasionally frustrating treatment of a formulaic story is often outweighed by Ben Affleck’s outstanding work in the central role.
#80
Adjusted Score: 93507%
Critics Consensus: While made from overly familiar ingredients, Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut has enough charm, energy, and good-natured humor to transcend its many cliches.
#81
Adjusted Score: 80730%
Critics Consensus: This drama about American track star and hero Steve Prefontaine intelligently looks at the character of this oft mythologized athlete and features a fantastic performance by Donald Sutherland as Prefontaine’s trainer.