Top sports movies of all time
Sports movies are widely considered to be one of the most popular genres in the cinema industry. They continue to further impress their viewers due to its unpredictable nature hero-creating process and action. This article will examine the top 10 sports movies of all time.
10. Cinderella Man
While Russell Crowe is most notably acclaimed for this performance in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, Cinderella Man is undoubtedly a movie worth watching. Crowe acts as a former boxer James Braddock who does manual labor to support his family. The action takes place during the Great Depression, and when the situation becomes unbearable, he decides to fight again for money.
The movie received three Academy Award nominations and was met with positive reception. It is an incredible story of both failure and success, with Crowe delivering his outstanding performance as usual. Cinderella Man enjoyed a $108.5 million box office with a budget of $88 million.
9. The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix
Directed in 1975, The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix remains as the most widely seen Norwegian movie of all time, with 5.5 million tickets sold since release. It tells a story of Reodor Felgen, inventor, who primarily works as a bicycle mechanic. He becomes involved in a race competition with Rudolf Blodstrumpoen who has stolen the design of his car. The film is pleasant to watch with actors performing at its best.
The movie came out at an amazing time as well. Norwegians were trying to find ways to travel all over Europe and find various sports to entertain themselves with. This recent trend quickly grew into betting habits for Norwegians, but as they were returning home, they’d find very little opportunities to bet on. Seeing the movie for the first time introduced them to the lush world of racing.
This encouraged the number of trusted Norwegian sports betting sites to add more racing sports to their catalog in order to attract more locals. Needless to say, it was a great success considering that most of the options were for Formula 1 and horse racing matches.
8. Ali
Muhammad Ali (formerly Cassius Clay) who is considered by some as the greatest sportsman of all time was a central figure not only in the history of the sport but in general as well. Ali which is a biopic stars Will Smith in the titular role. It depicts the life of Muhammad Ali and controversial events that surrounded him throughout the whole life.
The movie includes Ali’s conversion to Islam, opposing of the Vietnam War, his prominent encounters with George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Sonny Liston. Jon Voight who stars commentator Howard Cosell received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.
7. The Fighter
The Fighter is a 2010 movie directed by David O. Russell and starring Mark Walhberg alongside Christian Bale. It is a portrayal of an Irish boxer Micky Ward and his half-brother Dicky Eklund.
Dicky is a former boxer who is a cocaine consumer and acts as a trainer for his brother. At one point Micky is defeated, but he still makes a comeback. The film is a beautiful depiction of constant working and love.
The Fighter was a tremendous success. Melissa Leo and Christian Bale won awards in Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor respectively. However, it is still a thing of debate whether Bale was the leading actor or not due to his mesmerizing performance.
6. Rush
Nicky Lauda and James Hunt – two lifelong rivals, two different personalities. Ron Howard did a fantastic job by choosing Chris Hemsworth (Hunt) and Daniel Bruhl (Lauda) as leading actors as well as Olivia Wilde in the supporting role.
The film depicts a rivalry between the two masters of racing Nicky Lauda and James Hunt. They are entirely different figures with Hunt being a playboy-like macho who attracts a lot of women, and Lauda, a hard-working, calm guy. This provides an excellent opportunity for the movie to portray the events in a well-mannered fashion successfully.
5. The Wrestler
Darren Aronofsky once again proves that not only he could direct movies which are psychologically enchanting and depressing, but also ones like The Wrestler which actually contains some decent sports action in it.
The Wrestler stars Mickey Rourke (perhaps most known for his movie 9 ½ weeks) as an aging professional wrestler who struggles with his health and relationship. Throughout the whole movie, you have an impression that something unexpected is going to happen, and it makes you immerse in the action.
The Wrestler was a commercial success and received several nominations at Academy Awards.
4. Raging Bull
Raging Bull is one of the greatest works of Martin Scorsese, and the biopic is about an American professional boxer Jake LaMotta. The film is entertaining not only for its plot but enormously delighting visual styles and boxing choreography as well.
Robert De Niro who stars in a titular role once again does not disappoint. The star of Once Upon a Time in America and Godfather demonstrates that he is a versatile actor and can adapt to various roles.
Raging Bull gained high popularity and is considered one of the greatest films ever directed.
3. Million Dollar Baby
Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 movie directed by Clint Eastwood and is regarded as the Magnum Opus of the American. It stars Hillary Swank as well as Clint Eastwood himself and portrays a reclusive boxing coach, who is disappointed with life, but the situation soon changes when he is approached by a girl called Maggie Fitzgerald. She wants to pursue a boxing career, and despite the initial reluctance, he agrees to train her.
The film progresses relatively slowly, but it shows the value of determination, hard work, and love. If you are interested in boxing, you should probably watch this movie, which was a critical success and won 4 Academy Awards nominations.
2. Coach Carter
Almost all of the movies on the list were mainly about boxing. Now it’s time for Basketball and Coach Carter is a movie which brilliantly mixes basketball with an ordinary life.
It is based on a true story about Richmond High School coach Ken Carter (portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson), who manages to turn a failing basketball team into the victorious side. The plot of the movie is captivating, and people can learn a lot.
It is not only one of the greatest sports movies but perhaps the most excellent basketball movie ever directed. The ending makes it more worthwhile and exciting to watch.
1. Rocky
And the respectable first place goes to the 1976 movie Rocky, starring Sylvester Stallone in the titular role. It was Stallone himself, whose idea was to create a character of Rocky Balboa. First Rocky paved the way for future sequels and created a whole franchise spawning seven sequels.
The film depicts Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer who earns a possibility to fight against Apollo Creed. Rocky is very determined to claim a victory, so he undergoes rigorous training and tasks.
What makes the movie more exciting and fascinating to watch is the power of sheer will and determination. Rocky is a person who is not giving up who is resolute in achieving his goals no matter what. It is probably one of the most influential sports movies of all time and holds a respective first place in the list.
