10 Best Sports Movies Based On Real Life

We are in one of the slowest sports stretches of the calendar year. Major League Baseball is in full force of its season. Golf has just finished up its third Major of the year, and the MLS is in season. The NBA has crowned a champion and the NFL and college football seasons are a few months out. So, to fill the dead space I decided to rank my top 10 favorite sports movies that are based on a true story. Most people that know me, know this is probably my number one or two favorite movie genre. Again, this is MY favorite, and it combines the story itself, how it’s told, and the acting within. Some of these are no brainers and some are going to have you asking, “Why that one and not this one?”

1. Remember the Titans – Denzel always brings it, but the story will have you cheer and cry no matter who you are and it is easily my favorite one of all-time!

2. Friday Night Lights – Everyone acting in this movie killed it! It is one of the few sports movies where the main characters don’t come out a winner in the final game, but the true story shows the winning in life beyond that one game when it didn’t look like a bright future was there for too many of them.

3. Miracle – Yes, a hockey movie. They told the story of historical significance to perfection! Easily one of my faves!

4. Coach Carter – Another monster performance by the one and only Samuel L. Jackson. The moment towards the end when Cruz stands up and recites his part to the question of fear is one of the most powerful moments in sports movie history.

5. Invincible – I love this movie and have probably seen just as much, if not more than all the other movies on this list. The acting is well done, depicting the city of Philadelphia, its fans, and that time in history and how hard things were back then was done to perfection!

6. The Rookie – Here’s my baseball movie! This isn’t my favorite baseball movie as a baseball guy, but it is my favorite one that is based on a true story. Especially considering the age and he was a pitcher like myself. Disney does great in teaching that you never know, and no matter what there is nothing wrong with chasing a dream that may only last for a few moments in time.

7. The Blind Side – Another one of those movies that brought out the star power on screen and a reminder that with all of the bad in the world, there will always be good people. Another amazingly done movie with story line between sad and happy, tears and cheers.

8. Glory Road – We bring more historical significance with this one and a lot of good actors top to bottom in yet another Disney film. This helped shape the greatness of the college basketball product we see today. P.S. Derek Luke is one of my favorite actors that doesn’t get enough credit!

9. We Are Marshall – This one had to be tough to get through as it was a true tragedy and almost ended a great program forever, along with the loss of so many amazing people and kids! A few more big names and this one isn’t on a lot of people’s radar of a list like this, but it is definitely in my top 10 for multiple reasons. The story told, the people remembered, the acting, and the remembrance of the resiliency of everyone involved in a special place.

10. Moneyball – This one squeezed in ahead of a few that are on everyone else’s list. However, may I remind you I’m a baseball guy and I love watching the mental part of the game both as a player and coach, and as a GM or player development guy. This was really neat diving into a new way of scouting and how you can mix the old with the new and be successful in your own right. There is more than one road to success.

So, now you’re asking why not a film like Hoosiers or Rudy? Well, aside from a lot of the things in Rudy not being too true, he was in fact offsides. Hoosiers would normally be on there, but a few newer movies slightly go above. I still completely enjoy those movies, but not in my top 10 any longer.