MOVIES

Sweat—Tears and Triumphs: The Best Sports Movies Ever

Remembering the best sports movies in history

Photo by Teitur Hansen on Unsplash

What are the best sports movies ever? That is a good question, as there are a number that could be mentioned. These are some of the best sports movies in history.

To start with, you cannot ignore Rocky, the series, and the movies as being amongst the best sports films in history. The original 1976 movie would be a fitting choice as the best of the series. This is a boxing film, a triumph for the underdog boxer. Not only was Stallone at his best, but the film had a memorable soundtrack. From 1976 onward, numerous sequels in the series ensured a large following. However, the 1976 film did win three Academy Awards.

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Bull Durham is an exceptional baseball film. Starring Kevin Costner, the film has sharp, humorous dialogue, accurate baseball, and some great sports-film moments.

Caddyshack made a notable effort and must at least be a contender for the most humorous sports film ever made. Caddyshack uses golf as its subject sport and has some of the most entertaining sports sequences you are likely to see.

Hoosiers has often been cited as the best sports movie. It features an underdog basketball team that reaches the state championship final. It has a splendid screenplay and was nominated for two Oscars.

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Another notable sports film is Tin Cup. A golf film, this told the story of a golf pro on a journey to win the US Open. At any rate, with some superb shot sequences, the film provides a realistic golfing comedy.

The 1981 film, Chariots of Fire, deserves to be mentioned simply because of its achievements. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, which is more than any other sports film. It is based on the true story of a 1924 British Olympic running team.

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Field of Dreams was a big hit in 1989. Another baseball film, it is regarded as a classic and a uniquely American drama. It seems from the reviews that almost everybody loves the film!

These sports films have really made the genre. I cannot say which is the best of these. However, in terms of box-office impact, Rocky would have to be considered the best. The original movie, or a number of its sequels, which weren’t bad either. If you look at the Academy Awards, the original also has strong credentials, having received three in total.

Then there are other films like Chariots of Fire, which won four, or possibly Hoosiers, which was nominated in two categories. They are all certainly amongst the best sports movies of the time.

Read more of my movie articles on Medium:

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The Cold War in Popular Film

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