TOP 10 Sporting Movies of All Time

Year after year, there seems to be always a new stellar sports movie that really captivates the essence that goes on with some teams and individuals in sports. They have the magic, the team spirit and the will of individuals to win. That being said, I have compiled a list of the top 10 greatest sports movies of all time in response to ESPN’s terrible ranking of the top 20.

*Numbers in parentheses after the movie title is ESPN’s rank- NR stands for not ranked

1. Rocky (2) - This movie was the ultimate motivating movie for any athlete on any level. A man who has struggled with his life, made all the wrong moves and gone nowhere with his career finally gets a break. But his competition gives him no respect, and he has to earn it by going the distance with the champ. It’s not about winning or losing, but being the best you can. 

2. Rudy (NR) - Another inspirational story about a teenager who just wants to play Notre Dame Football. However, he has trouble getting into the university, but eventually does and works his way to being the most loved player at the end of the game with chants of RUDY! RUDY! RUDY! 

3. Hoosiers (4) - A classic movie that shows the adversity that a team has to go through to win the Indiana state championship. A recent movie, Coach Carter, is a very comparable film, but doesn’t capture the same essence as Gene Hackman does in Hoosiers. 

4. Field of Dreams (7) - A truly well directed film that captures one man’s vision and allows him to show others. Kevin Costner and George Earl Jones are incredible and really bring to life the pursuit of one’s dreams 

5. Rocky 4 (NR) - One of the better movies of the Rocky series, its Russia vs. the U.S.A and this one is for all the marbles. Captivating and compelling fight of nations leaves you fighting for your country. The best of the Rocky series in this writer’s opinion. (Note that this film didn’t even make ESPN’s Top 20 or received votes)