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This story originally ran on January 29, 2019.
It has been updated with new movies, and were republishing now in honor of the2024 Paris Olympics.
Its like saying that desert movies are a genre, or ocean movies are.
Though loving the sport does help.
But for some reason, many sports moviesinsiston being predictable, adhering to the formula.
The best sports surprise us: These great sports movies do the same.
50.Without Limits(1998)
50.
Some sports films are less about winning and losing and more about the mysterious drives powering world-class athletes.
49.Personal Best(1982)
49.
The early 80s were a big time for movies featuring people running long distances in slow motion.
48.Bang the Drum Slowly(1973)
48.
47.Goon(2012)
47.
46.Senna(2011)
46.
45.King Richard(2021)
45.
44.I, Tonya(2017)
44.
Have we been unfair to Tonya Harding all this time?
43.The Longest Yard(1974)
43.
And this has one of the more satisfying Big Game finishes youll find.
42.The Boxer(1997)
42.
This is probably the weakest of Day-Lewiss three films with Jim Sheridan, but its still powerful.
41.White Men Cant Jump(1992)
41.
In the case of Snipess Sidney, that means becoming a responsible father and husband.
40.Major League(1989)
40.
Plus, everything Bob Uecker does in this movie is funny.
39.Dodgeball(2004)
39.
Ben Stiller has a grand time as White Goodman, and Jason Bateman is simply hilarious throughout.
The Lance Armstrong cameo hasnt aged that well, though.
Or, you’re able to just find it hilarious from start to finish.
Ferrell tweaked hisRon Burgundypersona to give us another portrait of entitled-white-male dumbness.
And wed love to seeAmy Adamscut loose like this more often.
37.Rudy(1993)
37.
The movie gets extra credit for introducing Vince Vaughn toJon Favreau; they both have small roles as teammates.
36.Bend It Like Beckham(2003)
36.
35.The Karate Kid(1984)
35.
34.Eight Men Out(1988)
34.
Rather,Eight Men Outis an honest look at labor long before the era of $200 million contracts.
33.The Fighter(2010)
33.
32.Happy Gilmore(1996)
32.
Are you too good for your home?!?
But the films MVP is Christopher McDonald, who goes all-in as our heros nemesis on the links.
Shooter McGavin is an inspired boo-hiss villain, and McDonald has a blast with the characters vanity and stupidity.
31.The Color of Money(1986)
31.
30.Creed(2015)
30.
29.The Iron Claw(2023)
29.
28.The Bad News Bears(1976)
28.
27.Challengers(2024)
27.
Who knew tennis could be this electric?
26.Sugar(2009)
26.
25.Rush(2013)
25.
Ron Howards mildly daring race-car movie suggests, Well, what ifbothof our main characters are jerks?
24.Tin Cup(1996)
24.
Its a shame that didnt happen.
23.Caddyshack(1980)
23.
(Honestly, who cares about Danny Noonan in this movie?)
22.Hoosiers(1986)
22.
The movies magic still works.
Just dont think too hard about it.
21.Love and Basketball(2000)
21.
The movie is wise and warm and smart, and it has an absolute killer of an ending.
20.Moneyball(2011)
20.
19.The Damned United(2009)
19.
Nice guys dont finish first but sometimes, right bastards dont either.
18.Miracle(2004)
18.
Believe,Miracles posters proclaimed.
17.Chariots of Fire(1981)
17.
16.He Got Game(1998)
16.
(He last played in the league in 2014, retiring two years later.)
Through Allens startlingly babyish face,He Got Gamereminds us that sports greatness cant last forever.
15.Murderball(2005)
15.
Even if you dont care a lick about sports, youll care passionately about these raw, vigilant warriors.
14.When We Were Kings(1996)
14.
However, nobody told Ali that he was predicted to lose.
13.Field of Dreams(1989)
13.
Yeah, we know, but its sappy in areally, reallygreat way.
11.Million Dollar Baby(2004)
11.
(Remember, screenwriter Paul Haggis also didCrash.)
10.Slap Shot(1977)
10.
9.A League of Their Own(1992)
9.
It is funny to think that when this movie was released, the main draw wasMadonna.
(Who is actually really funny in this!)
8.Ali(2001)
8.
14 on this list) had already sufficiently encapsulated his legacy.
Plus, could Will Smith possibly capture the great boxers spirit and swagger?
Two decades later,Ali(like the man it depicts) still proves its doubters wrong.
7.The Wrestler(2008)
7.
He doesnt quite get it, but those involved with this movie sure did.
6.Pride of the Yankees(1942)
6.
Bonus points for Babe Ruth being played by … Babe Ruth, a mere six years before he died.
5.Foxcatcher(2014)
5.
4.Bull Durham(1988)
4.
(You really did have to be there.)
All three leads were never better, and it still somehow captures the games soul 30 years later.
And its not so dumb about matters of the heart either.
3.Rocky(1976)
3.
But hes got heart, kid.
This series is more than 40 years old now, but, asCreedshowed, this story remains eternal.
Its probably going to outlive us all.
2.Raging Bull(1980)
2.
1.Hoop Dreams(1994)
1.
And its a movie that becomes more poignant the older you get.
James has named his more recent projectsLife ItselfandAmerica to Me.
Either title would have been perfect for this definitive American family snapshot.
