150 Best Sports Movies of All Time

In the arena of the sports movie, every story can be told. The impossible underdog team that survives a brutal season into the final game. The kid who’s just starting out and the veteran being pulled back into the game, who both share the same odds: Against. Stories of the power of coming together as a selfless team, and myths of individual strength when you remove all the limits. Sports movies make us cheer, laugh, cry, and scream. They even make us think about renewing that gym membership.

We’re going all the way to the end zone with our list of the 150 Best Sports Movies of All Time, sorted by Adjusted Tomatometer from at least 20 reviews each. (The Adjusted Tomatometer is our special formula which takes into account, among other factors, the movie’s year of release and its number of reviews.) Just about every sport ever played is here: football (Rudy), baseball (Bull Durham), hockey (Miracle), soccer (Bend It Like Beckham), boxing (Rocky), ice skating (I, Tonya). There’s racing: by foot (Without Limits), by car (Talladega Nights), by horse (Seabiscuit). We got fictional sports (Rollerball) and sports we made up through sheer tyranny of will (Murderball). If it’s in the spirit of competition, it’s in this list.

Because this is a movie list, there are no TV movies (we pour one out for Brian’s Song), and nothing rated Rotten — even fan favorites like Any Given Sunday. Please deal with your rage accordingly before continuing.

And with our most recent updates, we welcome in new popular hits like Ben Affleck’s The Way Back, Best Picture nominee Ford v Ferrari, wrestling family drama Fighting With My Family, the vertigo-inducing Free Solo, and Maiden, about the first all-woman crew in a global yacht race.

Ready? For the leisure, life, and love of the game, here are the 150 Best Sports Movies of All Time! (And if you’re ready to go the distance, you can purchase the movies on FandangoNow!)

#150

Adjusted Score: 64.957%

Critics Consensus: The Express crosses the goal line as an inspirational sports drama, although fans of the genre will recognize many — if not most — of its clichés.

Synopsis: Finding Forrester star Rob Brown steps into the cleats of Heisman Trophy-winning gridiron giant Ernie Davis in director Gary Fleder’s… [More]

#149

Adjusted Score: 64.251%

Critics Consensus: A gentle, light, kid friendly comedy about a Chinese-American hoopster turned ping pong pro, Playa is a charming but considerable digression from director Jessica Yu’s previous works.

Synopsis: Christopher «C-dub» Wang is a suburban guy who sports an urban swagger, waxes political on all things Asian American, and… [More]

#148

Adjusted Score: 63.657%

Critics Consensus: Those who enjoy Adam Sandler’s schtick will find plenty to love in this gleefully juvenile take on professional golf; those who don’t, however, will find it unfunny and forgettable.

Synopsis: A failed hockey player turned unconventional golf whiz is determined to win a PGA tournament to save his grandmother’s house… [More]

#147

Adjusted Score: 64.719%

Critics Consensus: The surfing sequences are exhilarating, but the plot is pretty forgettable and trite.

Synopsis: Nothing gets between Anne Marie and her surfboard. Living in a beach shack with three roommates including her rebellious younger… [More]

#146

Adjusted Score: 64.736%

Critics Consensus: A predictable, bland rom-com, but Bettany proves to be an appealing lead.

Synopsis: Peter Colt is an unlucky guy, scoring «love» both professionally and personally. Seeded near the bottom of the world tennis… [More]

#145

Adjusted Score: 64.995%

Critics Consensus: It may be shamelessly derivative and overly nostalgic, but The Sandlot is nevertheless a genuinely sweet and funny coming-of-age adventure.

Synopsis: The Sandlot is a coming-of-age story about a group of young boys growing up in California in 1962. A new,… [More]

#144

Adjusted Score: 65.415%

Critics Consensus: Kyrie Irving’s crossover to comedy is amiable enough to score with basketball fans, but Uncle Drew is held back by formulaic plotting and too much product placement.

Synopsis: After draining his life savings to enter a team in the Rucker Classic street ball tournament in Harlem, Dax (LilRel… [More]

#143

Adjusted Score: 66.274%

Critics Consensus: Despite all the underdog sports movie conventions, the likable cast and lush production values make The Greatest Game Ever Played a solid and uplifting tale.

Synopsis: The true story of an upset victory that helped change the sport of golf forever provides the basis for this… [More]

#142

Adjusted Score: 66.924%

Critics Consensus: Despite the formulaic, fluffy storyline, this movie is surprisingly fun to watch, mostly due to its high energy and how it humorously spoofs cheerleading instead of taking itself too seriously.

Synopsis: The hard work, dedication, and personal politics behind «rah rah rah!» and «sis boom bah!» go under the microscope in… [More]

#141

Adjusted Score: 66.924%

Critics Consensus: It’s noticeably subject to the law of diminishing returns, but Rocky III still has enough brawny spectacle to stand in the ring with the franchise’s better entries.

Synopsis: Sylvester Stallone returns to the character which made him famous in this wildly successful sequel. Rocky III starts with the… [More]

#140

Adjusted Score: 67.207%

Critics Consensus: Rousing, heartwarming, and squarely traditional, Secretariat offers exactly what you’d expect from an inspirational Disney drama — no more, and no less.

Synopsis: Based on the Novel «Secretariat: The Making of a Champion» By William Nack, Secretariat chronicles the spectacular journey of the… [More]

#139

Adjusted Score: 67.464%

Critics Consensus: Though formulaic, this horse story’s saving grace is its strong performances.

Synopsis: Ben Crane was once a great horseman, whose gifts as a trainer were now being wasted on making other men’s… [More]

#138

Adjusted Score: 67.617%

Critics Consensus: Race is nowhere near as thrillingly fleet or agile as its subject, but the story — and a winning central performance from Stephan James — are enough to carry it over the finish line.

Synopsis: Race is based on the incredible true story of Jesse Owens, the legendary athletic superstar whose quest to become the… [More]

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#137

Adjusted Score: 67.7%

Critics Consensus: Tommy Lee Jones’s searing performance helps to elevate Cobb above your typical sports biopic; he’s so effective, in fact, that some may find the film unpleasant.

Synopsis: What does a biographer do when the truth about his subject is far less pleasant than the legend? That is… [More]

#136

Adjusted Score: 67.902%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: THE SHORT GAME follows the lives of eight of the best 7-year old golfers in the world as they train… [More]

#135

Adjusted Score: 68.349%

Critics Consensus: Even if it’s mainly distinguished by its unique setting, Olympic Dreams remains a romcom with a heartfelt story and likable leads.

Synopsis: Set against the splendor of the Winter Olympic Games, an intimate and unexpected love story develops between two lonely hearts,… [More]

#134

Adjusted Score: 68.724%

Critics Consensus: Even though it’s based on a true story, Coach Carter is pretty formulaic stuff, but it’s effective and energetic, thanks to a strong central performance from Samuel L. Jackson.

Synopsis: The true-life story of a coach who tries to teach his players that there’s more to life than basketball is… [More]

#133

Adjusted Score: 69.012%

Critics Consensus: In Rollerball, social commentary collides with high-speed action — and the audience is the winner.

Synopsis: In a future world ruled by industrialists, «civilized» society has removed violent activity and a new sport, rollerball, has emerged…. [More]

#132

Adjusted Score: 70.269%

Critics Consensus: Pleasant to a fault, Million Dollar Arm is a middle-of-the-plate pitch that coasts on Jon Hamm’s considerable charm without adding any truly original curves to Disney’s inspirational sports formula.

Synopsis: Based on a true story, Disney’s «Million Dollar Arm» follows JB Bernstein, a once-successful sports agent who now finds himself… [More]

#131

Adjusted Score: 70.306%

Critics Consensus: Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable is far more risk-averse than its thrill-seeking subject, but still provides a reasonably inspiring introduction to her story.

Synopsis: Bethany Hamilton is rewriting the rules on being a fearless athlete. This is the untold story of the heart of… [More]

#130

Adjusted Score: 71.479%

Critics Consensus: While not a home run, Fever Pitch has enough charm and on-screen chemistry between the two leads to make it a solid hit.

Synopsis: Nick Hornby’s acclaimed memoir about one man’s struggle to balance his love of a woman and his love for soccer… [More]

#129

Adjusted Score: 71.843%

Critics Consensus: Though the film may not delve as deep as some would prefer, More Than a Game is an inspiring documentary featuring likable youngsters, a positive message, and some exciting in-game footage.

Synopsis: Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about friendship and… [More]

#128

Adjusted Score: 71.877%

Critics Consensus: Though perhaps no film could fully do justice to the fascinating life and personality of Muhammad Ali, Mann’s direction and Smith’s performance combine to pack a solid punch.

Synopsis: The life story of heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, following the champ’s early days as Cassius Clay and his rise… [More]

#127

Adjusted Score: 72.993%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Fire In Babylon is the breathtaking story of how the West Indies triumphed over its colonial masters through the achievements… [More]

#126

Adjusted Score: 72.033%

Critics Consensus: It may not be as powerful as the 1984 edition, but the 2010 Karate Kid delivers a surprisingly satisfying update on the original.

Synopsis: When a 12-year-old from Detroit moves to China with his mother and incurs the wrath of the class bully at… [More]

#125

Adjusted Score: 72.262%

Critics Consensus: It might strike some viewers as a little too pat, but The Blind Side has the benefit of strong source material and a strong performance from Sandra Bullock.

Synopsis: Taken in by a well-to-do family and offered a second chance at life, a homeless teen grows to become the… [More]

#124

Adjusted Score: 72.386%

Critics Consensus: Breezy and predictable, Tin Cup is a likeable sports comedy that benefits greatly from Kevin Costner’s amiable lead performance.

Synopsis: Roy McAvoy (Kevin Costner) is a talented golf pro, who owns his own driving range. That sounds impressive, but the… [More]

#123

Adjusted Score: 73.261%

Critics Consensus: Rocky II is a movie that dares you to root again for the ultimate underdog — and succeeds due to an infectiously powerful climax.

Synopsis: After scoring a personal victory (though a physical defeat) in his «Cinderella» bout with Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)… [More]

#122

Adjusted Score: 73.379%

Critics Consensus: Mariel Hemingway has a career-making star turn in this highly physical drama about two Olympic athletes who find each other during competitive training.

Synopsis: In 1982, there was a brief cycle of homosexual-relationship films, none of which were successful enough to form the basis… [More]

#121

Adjusted Score: 74.292%

Critics Consensus: Proudly profane and splendidly silly, Dodgeball is a worthy spiritual successor to the goofball comedies of the 1980s.

Synopsis: Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story revolves around amiable underachiever Peter LaFleur (Vince Vaughn), whose rundown… [More]

#120

Adjusted Score: 74.562%

Critics Consensus: Taking full advantage of the large IMAX screen, Ultimate X is a thrill ride for extreme sports junkies and novices alike.

Synopsis: In August, 2001, the Summer X Games came to the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and some of the… [More]

#119

Adjusted Score: 74.764%

Critics Consensus: Beastie Boy Adam Yauch proves his worth as a director with Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot, a fun-filled chronicle of the top high school hoopsters of 2006.

Synopsis: On the corner of 155th and Frederick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem lies Rucker Park. By appearances, the concrete pavement, anchored… [More]

#118

Adjusted Score: 76.014%

Critics Consensus: Thanks to the spirited performances of a talented cast – particularly Will Ferrell and Jon Heder as rivals-turned-teammates — Blades of Glory successfully spoofs inspirational sports dramas with inspired abandon.

Synopsis: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, and Will Arnett headline this high-concept comedy concerning two male figure-skating rivals aching to compete despite… [More]

#117

Adjusted Score: 76.222%

Critics Consensus: As simple and authentic as the gritty South Philly invirons in which it’s set in, Invincible sends a uplifting and heartfelt message packed with an athletic enthusiasm that shouldn’t be missed.

Synopsis: This is the true story of Vince Papale, who became a member of the Philadelphia Eagles football team as a… [More]

#116

Adjusted Score: 77.234%

Critics Consensus: Though it occasionally stalls, Talladega Nights’ mix of satire, clever gags, and excellent ensemble performances put it squarely in the winner’s circle.

Synopsis: When America’s number one NASCAR speed-demon is issued a direct challenge from a gay, French Formula One racer with a… [More]

#115

Adjusted Score: 49.85%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: The debut feature film from Sori is a tale of adolescent angst and stylish table tennis sequences. Ping Pong’s main… [More]

#114

Adjusted Score: 77.639%

Critics Consensus: An inspirational crowd-pleaser with a healthy dose of social commentary, Remember the Titans may be predictable, but it’s also well-crafted and features terrific performances.

Synopsis: Based on actual events that took place in 1971, a white southern high school is integrated with black students from… [More]

#113

Adjusted Score: 78.781%

Critics Consensus: Though unabashedly crude and juvenile, Caddyshack nevertheless scores with its classic slapstick, unforgettable characters, and endlessly quotable dialogue.

Synopsis: An elite country club has to deal with a brash new member and a gopher intent on destroying their beloved… [More]

#112

Adjusted Score: 78.793%

Critics Consensus: Cool Runnings rises above its formulaic sports-movie themes with charming performances, light humor, and uplifting tone.

Synopsis: Cool Runnings fictionalizes the true story of a bobsledding team from Jamaica making it to the Olympics. The tale begins… [More]

#111

Adjusted Score: 79.692%

Critics Consensus: White Men Can’t Jump provides a fresh take on the sports comedy genre, with a clever script and a charismatic trio of leads.

Synopsis: Ron Shelton (Bull Durham) wrote and directed the basketball-oriented seriocomedy White Men Can’t Jump. Woody Harrelson plays Billy Hoyle, a… [More]

#110

Adjusted Score: 80.007%

Critics Consensus: Powerfully acted and emotionally affecting, The Phenom proves a baseball movie can step away from the mound and still deliver a heater down the middle.

Synopsis: When major-league rookie pitcher Hopper Gibson (Johnny Simmons) can’t find the plate, he’s sent down to the minor leagues and… [More]

#109

Adjusted Score: 80.526%

Critics Consensus: This drama about American track star and hero Steve Prefontaine intelligently looks at the character of this oft mythologized athlete and features a fantastic performance by Donald Sutherland as Prefontaine’s trainer.

Synopsis: A film about the late Oregon running legend Steve Prefontaine and his coach, Bill Bowerman. Bowerman helped create a generation… [More]

#108

Adjusted Score: 80.517%

Critics Consensus: The Hammer perseveres as both an above-average sports comedy and a perfect starring vehicle for Carolla.

Synopsis: Can a guy edging into middle age become a success fighting guys half his age? That’s the big question behind… [More]

#107

Adjusted Score: 81.255%

Critics Consensus: Though undeniably sentimental and predictable, Rudy succeeds with an uplifting spirit and determination.

Synopsis: Since he was a little boy, Rudy Ruttinger (Sean Astin) has idolized the University of Notre Dame and its football… [More]

#106

Adjusted Score: 81.349%

Critics Consensus: A coming of age drama with a surfing twist, Breath navigates seemingly familiar waters — but has surprising depth below the surface.

Synopsis: Based on the award-winning, international best-selling novel by Tim Winton, Simon Baker’s directorial debut BREATH follows two teenage boys, Pikelet… [More]

#105

Adjusted Score: 81.574%

Critics Consensus: The harder they come, the harder they fall — this film shows, in raw, gripping detail, that even skater dudes can’t resist the life of the rich and famous. It’s more poignant than hard-core, and gives us a portrait of a life run over by the whims of the entertainment industry.

Synopsis: The aggressive style of Mark «Gator» Rogowski (a.k.a. Gator Mark Anthony)–his unpredictable lines, and outrageous personal antics–made him a favorite… [More]

#104

Adjusted Score: 82.282%

Critics Consensus: You don’t have to be a soccer fan to enjoy this stylish, breezy slice of 1970s sports history.

Synopsis: While professional soccer is still struggling to find a firm foothold in the United States, in the 1970s the North… [More]

#103

Adjusted Score: 82.47%

Critics Consensus: Equal parts tough and funny, and led by a perfectly cast Burt Reynolds, The Longest Yard has an interesting political subtext and an excellent climax — even if it takes too long to get there.

Synopsis: Ex-football star Paul Crewe (Burt Reynolds) ends up in a prison run by sadistic sports-nut Warden Hazen (Eddie Albert). Strong-armed… [More]

#102