Hit a home run: Watch these inspirational sports movies on Netflix now
2020 was a pretty tough year for all of us. As we recover in 2021, it’s important to indulge in some good R&R, which, of course, involves a ton of feel-good movies. And if sports and feeling good are your thing, then we have good news for you. Netflix has a pretty buff catalogue of inspirational sports movies.
Whether you’re a baseball fan or love the Olympics, there are tons of sports movies for you to enjoy! Here are the ones we think you should get to watching ASAP.
Full Count
Full Count is great for baseball fans – but it’s also good for people who just love an uplifting, inspirational story. The film follows Milton Young (John Paul Kakos) who is forced by circumstances to leave his baseball career and return to his run-down hometown. Being home proves to be even harder than training at baseball, and the struggle against adversity is something we can all relate to.
Miracle
Miracle is another sports movie about the fight against personal challenges – this time it’s based on a true story of how the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team beat the seemingly undefeatable USSR team in a tense matchup during the 1980 Olympics. The match coincided with the Cold War, a politically tense time when the U.S. & USSR were embroiled in an arms & technology race against each other.
This sports movie from 2004 follows the U.S. hockey team’s coach, Herb Brooks, who is portrayed by Kurt Russell. Miracle smashed the box offices, proving that everyone loves an inspirational story.
The Last Whistle
The Last Whistle is an exciting sports movie about betrayal, tragedy, and, ultimately, the importance of team spirit & community. In the film, a high school football player collapses during practice. But instead of putting the season on hold, the coach will do whatever it takes to keep the team winning.
The coaches’ actions cause the members of the town to rise up against him, reminding him – and the audience – that people are more important than medals.
A Kid from Coney Island
If you like documentaries, A Kid from Coney Island is a must-watch. This film follows the epic highs & lows of the career and life of ex-NBA star, Stephon Marbury. Marbury, born 1977, is now a professional basketball coach, but was one of the most well-known basketball players in his day.
After his freshman year at Georgia Tech, Marbury was picked for the Milwaukee Bucks, and, pretty much as soon as he stepped on the court, was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In his thirteen-year NBA career, Marbury also played for the New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics.
Soul Surfer
Ever since it came out in 2011, Soul Surfer has been something of a cult classic. The nontraditional sports movie is an adaptation of Bethany Hamilton’s 2004 autobiography Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board.
The film follows a young surfer who loses her arm in a tragic shark attack. But she doesn’t let that stop her and fights against all odds to get back in the water. The film also has a pretty impressive cast, with AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Lorraine Nicholson, Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo, Sonya Balmores, Branscombe Richmond, and Craig T. Nelson.
Amateur
If you’re looking for your basketball fix, Amateur might be right up your ally. The film follows fourteen-year-old basketball prodigy Terron Forte, as he makes his way through the world of amateur basketball. Amateur started as a crowd-funding endeavor, and was originally known as Manchild. Director Ryan Koo seemingly struck gold when Netflix bought the rights to the film.
Undefeated
Last but not least, Undefeated is one of the most inspiring sports movies out there. The film follows three underprivileged athletes in Memphis whose volunteer coach will stop at nothing to see their success in all facets of their lives. Undefeated premiered at the South by Southwest film festival in 2011, and was a crowd favorite. Shortly after, the Weinstein Company bought the title, as well as remake rights.
