Dave's Top 10 Favorite Sports Movies of all-time

Here’s a look at my Top 10 movies of all time, as well as an honorable mention list.

You can also check out Rick Solem’s list of Top 10, HM, as well as most overrated sports movies.

1. Major League (1989)

The new owner of the Cleveland Indians puts together a purposely horrible team so they’ll lose and she can move the team. But when the plot is uncovered, they start winning just to spite her.

Director: David S. Ward (as David Ward)

Writer: David S. Ward (as David Ward)

Stars: Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097815/

 

2. Bull Durham (1988)

A fan who has an affair with one minor-league baseball player each season meets an up-and-coming pitcher and the experienced catcher assigned to him.

Director: Ron Shelton

Writer: Ron Shelton

Stars: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094812/

 

3. Rocky 2 (1979)

Rocky struggles in family life after his bout with Apollo Creed, while the embarrassed champ insistently goads him to accept a challenge for a rematch.

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Writer: Sylvester Stallone

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079817/

 

4. Hoosiers (1986)

A coach with a checkered past and a local drunk train a small town high school basketball team to become a top contender for the championship.

Director: David Anspaugh

Writer: Angelo Pizzo

Stars: Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091217/

 

5. Field of Dreams (1989)

An Iowa corn farmer, hearing voices, interprets them as a command to build a baseball diamond in his fields; he does, and the 1919 Chicago White Sox come.

Director: Phil Alden Robinson

Writers: W.P. Kinsella (book), Phil Alden Robinson (screenplay)

Stars: Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097351/

 

6. The Wrestler (2008)

A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle.

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Writer: Robert Siegel

Stars: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1125849/

 

7. Rocky 3 (1982)

After winning the ultimate title and being the world champion, Rocky falls into a hole and finds himself picked up by a former enemy.

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Writer: Sylvester Stallone

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084602/

 

8. Raging Bull (1980)

The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that lead him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Writers: Jake LaMotta (based on the book by) (as Jake La Motta)

Stars: Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081398/

 

9. Two for the Money (2005)

 After suffering a career-ending knee injury, a former college football star aligns himself with one of the most renowned touts in the sports-gambling business.

Director: D.J. Caruso

Writer: Dan Gilroy

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Al Pacino, Rene Russo

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417217/

 

10. Above the Rim (1994)

Story of a promising high school basketball star and his relationships with two brothers, one a drug dealer and the other a former basketball star fallen on hard times and now employed as a security guard.

Director: Jeff Pollack

Writers: Jeff Pollack (story), Benny Medina (story) | 2 more credits »

Stars: Duane Martin, Tupac Shakur,

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109035/

Honorable Mentions

(in no particular order)

• White Men Can’t Jump
• The Sandlot
• The Hurricane (Denzel)
• The Babe (John Goodman)
• The Natural (Redford)
• The Pistol
• The Rookie
• Angels in the Outfield
• The Blind Side
• Rocky 4
• Hoop Dreams
• The Longest Yard (original version)
• Rocky 5
• Friday Night Lights
• Varsity Blues

RICK’S TOP SPORTS MOVIES
1. COOL RUNNINGS
2. BREAKING AWAY
3. HAPPY GILMORE
4. WHITE MEN CAN”T JUMP
5. ABOVE THE RIM
6. MAJOR LEAGUE
7. THE SANDLOT
8. REMEMBER THE TITANS
9. THE ROOKIE
10. VARSITY BLUES

HM (no particular order)
THE KARATE KID
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
HE GOT GAME
JERRY MAGUIRE
THE PROGRAM
MILLION DOLLAR BABY
RUDY
DAYS OF THUNDER
NO HOLDS BARRED

MOST OVERRATED (no particular order)
Hoosiers
Caddy Shack
Dodgeball
Talladega Nights
Blue Chips
Field of Dreams
Slap Shot
Hoop Dreams
Space Jam