Although most sports movies are great, some really just stand out in the back of your mind. The ones that stand out are the ones that still give you the chills during the climax every time. Every sports journalist keeps a list. This list includes their favorite sports movies of all time. Here’s my list:
5. Little Giants
Despite only getting a 5.9 star rating on IMDB.com, I personally think this movie is amazing. And I think most (true) sports fans would agree. It has the same plot as most sports movies (underdog comes out on top) but the overall story really warms the hearts of sports fans across the United States.
For those that haven’t seen the “Little Giants,” first of all, I feel badly for you. But the plot pits two brothers (one athletically inclined, the other, not so much) against each other in a pee-wee football game.
According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, “Little Giants” netted $19,306,000 at the box office, making it the twenty-first most popular football movie of all time.
4. The Sandlot
Probably one of the most quotable sports movies of all time, “The Sandlot” comes in at number four on my list.
All the memorable quotes, from “You’re killing me, smalls,” to “‘S’more of what? I haven’t had anything yet,” can make the most unhappy person in the world at least crack a smirk. Unfortunately, “The Sandlot” was such a great movie that the director had to go and make two terrible sequels that I personally haven’t even taken the time to watch.
The Sandlot netted $32,416,586 at the box office, making it the fifteenth highest grossing baseball movie, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com
3. Cool Runnings
Many sports fans probably wouldn’t have this movie on their list. But the plot is really just absolutely incredible. Had it not been made into a movie, no one would believe that it ever even happened.
The story is about a group of Jamaican misfits, led by John Candy to the Winter Olympics to compete in the bobsledding championships. Although the Jamaican bobsled team doesn’t receive a medal for their efforts, “Cool Runnings” is a heart-warming tale that shows the viewer that diversity and judgement don’t have to stop you from achieving your dreams.
“Cool Runnings” made $68 million at the box office, making it the second most popular Olympic movie behind Blades of Glory, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.
2. Remember the Titans
My obsession with Denzel Washington is not the reason why “Remember the Titans” comes in second on my list. But it certainly attributed to my reasoning.
“Remember the Titans” tells a different side of the Civil Rights Movement that occurred in the 1960s. “Remember the Titans” is set in Alabama in the midst of some of the most heinous race riots that ever occurred in America.
At T.C. Williams High School, a new African American head coach (Denzel Washington) is hired to lead the team into battle. The very diverse football team, comprised of Caucasian and African-American athletes, deals with a large struggle; trying to coexist in a world that doesn’t want the two races to be within 15 feet of each other.
“Remember the Titans” really stuck out in my memory as one of my favorite sports movies because of the real issue presented in the plot. Racism was such a prominent thing in the south during that time period. And “Remember the Titans”, not only captured and exploited this issue, but it showed a group of individuals dealing with the ever present issue to better themselves in the end.“Remember the Titans” came in third place on the list of top grossing football movies, netting $115,654,751, according BoxOfficeMojo.com.
1. Miracle
One time, a friend of mine asked me what my favorite movie of all time was. With absolutely zero hesitation or thought, I said “Miracle.” For some reason, I fell in love with this movie the very first time I saw it. In fact, I still cry every time I hear “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”
Set in the 1980s, “Miracle” follows the trials and tribulations of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team that won a gold medal, against all odds. Like “Remember the Titans” being set in such a controversial time in America, “Miracle” was also set during a very tough time for our country. The fact that a group of 20-something-year-old men gave this country so much hope just by winning that gold medal could inspire just about anyone.
I feel like every time I watch that movie, I need to run ten miles right afterward. That’s how much the movie “Miracle” inspires me, still. Herb Brooks, the historic team USA coach from that gold medal winning team, played by Kurt Russell, sadly passed away before the release of the movie. I find it hard to believe that “Miracle” only made $64 million at the box office. But it’s the truth. BoxOfficeMojo.com named “Miracle” as the number one most popular hockey movie of all time.
Honorable mention:
D2: The Mighty Ducks
Big Green
Friday Night Lights
This list was comprised solely on my own feelings about these particular movies. I don’t expect you to agree with me. But if you haven’t seen any of the movies on this list, I highly suggest that you head to your local video store, rent these movies and enjoy the victories of the Ice Box, Scotty Smalls, the Jamaican bobsled team, T.C. Williams High School and Herb Brooks.
Michelle Berthiaume can be contacted at mberthiaume@keene-equinox.com