Sports movies stand alone, so this marathon runs in release order, from Rocky (1976) and Raging Bull through Hoosiers, Field of Dreams and Remember the Titans to Moneyball, Creed, Ford v Ferrari, Challengers and F1 (2025).
- Titles
- 35
- Films
- 35
- Watch time
- 73 hours
- Box office
- $4.13 billion
- Avg IMDb
- 7.5
Sports movies in release order
Here is every Sports title in the order it came out, 1976 to 2025: 35 films.
| # | Title | Year | Type | Runtime | IMDb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rocky | 1976 | Film | 2h | 8.1 |
| 2 | Raging Bull | 1980 | Film | 2h 9m | 8.1 |
| 3 | Chariots of Fire | 1981 | Film | 2h 3m | 7.1 |
| 4 | Hoosiers | 1986 | Film | 1h 54m | 7.4 |
| 5 | Bull Durham | 1988 | Film | 1h 48m | 7 |
| 6 | Field of Dreams | 1989 | Film | 1h 45m | 7.5 |
| 7 | Major League | 1989 | Film | 1h 47m | 7.3 |
| 8 | White Men Can't Jump | 1992 | Film | 1h 55m | 6.8 |
| 9 | A League of Their Own | 1992 | Film | 2h 8m | 7.4 |
| 10 | Cool Runnings | 1993 | Film | 1h 38m | 7 |
| 11 | Rudy | 1993 | Film | 1h 54m | 7.5 |
| 12 | The Sandlot | 1993 | Film | 1h 41m | 7.8 |
| 13 | Hoop Dreams | 1994 | Film | 2h 54m | 8.3 |
| 14 | Jerry Maguire | 1996 | Film | 2h 19m | 7.3 |
| 15 | Space Jam | 1996 | Film | 1h 27m | 6.5 |
| 16 | Remember the Titans | 2000 | Film | 1h 53m | 7.8 |
| 17 | Ali | 2001 | Film | 2h 37m | 6.7 |
| 18 | Miracle | 2004 | Film | 2h 15m | 7.5 |
| 19 | Friday Night Lights | 2004 | Film | 1h 58m | 7.2 |
| 20 | Million Dollar Baby | 2004 | Film | 2h 12m | 8.1 |
| 21 | Cinderella Man | 2005 | Film | 2h 24m | 8 |
| 22 | Invincible | 2006 | Film | 1h 45m | 7 |
| 23 | The Blind Side | 2009 | Film | 2h 9m | 7.6 |
| 24 | The Fighter | 2010 | Film | 1h 56m | 7.8 |
| 25 | Moneyball | 2011 | Film | 2h 14m | 7.6 |
| 26 | Warrior | 2011 | Film | 2h 20m | 8.1 |
| 27 | Rush | 2013 | Film | 2h 3m | 8.1 |
| 28 | Creed | 2015 | Film | 2h 13m | 7.6 |
| 29 | I, Tonya | 2017 | Film | 2h | 7.5 |
| 30 | Ford v Ferrari | 2019 | Film | 2h 33m | 8.1 |
| 31 | King Richard | 2021 | Film | 2h 24m | 7.5 |
| 32 | Air | 2023 | Film | 1h 52m | 7.4 |
| 33 | Challengers | 2024 | Film | 2h 12m | 7 |
| 34 | F1 | 2025 | Film | 2h 36m | 7.6 |
| 35 | The Smashing Machine | 2025 | Film | 2h 3m | 6.3 |
Release or chronological: which order is best?
For Sports Movies, release order and story order are the same thing: every film picks up after the one before it. There is no prequel to slot in early and no flashback to reshuffle, so the list above is the only order you need.
Where to start
Start with Rocky and go in release order.
The whole thing is 73 hours. At two hours a night that is about 37 evenings.
The three highest rated: Hoop Dreams (8.3), Rocky (8.1), and Raging Bull (8.1).
Every Sports movie, explained
One entry per title in release order: what it is about, why it matters to the bigger story, who is in it and how it did.
No. 01 · 1976 · Film · 2h
Rocky
Rocky Balboa is a Philadelphia club fighter who seems to be going nowhere. But when a stroke of fate puts him in the ring with a world heavyweight champion, Rocky knows that it's his one shot at the big time — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go the distance and come out a winner!
Why it matters: The 1976 underdog story; won Best Picture.
- Starring
- Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, and Burt Young
- Director
- John G. Avildsen
- Box office
- $117 million on a $1 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 8.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 93%
No. 02 · 1980 · Film · 2h 9m
Raging Bull
The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.
Why it matters: Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro follow Jake LaMotta, in black and white, in and out of the ring.
- Starring
- Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, and Joe Pesci
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Box office
- $23 million on a $18 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 8.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%
No. 03 · 1981 · Film · 2h 3m
Chariots of Fire
In the class-obsessed and religiously divided UK of the early 1920s, two determined young runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell, a devout Christian born to Scottish missionaries in China, sees running as part of his worship of God's glory and refuses to train or compete on the Sabbath. Harold Abrahams overcomes anti-Semitism and class bias, but neglects his beloved sweetheart in his single-minded quest.
Why it matters: Two British sprinters, one Jewish and one devout Christian, run for gold at the 1924 Olympics.
- Starring
- Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, and Cheryl Campbell
- Director
- Hugh Hudson
- Box office
- $59 million on a $6 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 84%
No. 04 · 1986 · Film · 1h 54m
Hoosiers
Failed college coach Norman Dale gets a chance at redemption when he is hired to coach a high school basketball team in a tiny Indiana town. After a teacher persuades star player Jimmy Chitwood to quit and focus on his long-neglected studies, Dale struggles to develop a winning team in the face of community criticism for his temper and his unconventional choice of assistant coach: Shooter, a notorious alcoholic.
Why it matters: Gene Hackman coaches a tiny Indiana high school basketball team to the state finals in the 1950s.
- Starring
- Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, and Dennis Hopper
- Director
- David Anspaugh
- Box office
- $29 million on a $9 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 90%
No. 05 · 1988 · Film · 1h 48m
Bull Durham
Veteran catcher Crash Davis is brought to the minor league Durham Bulls to help their up and coming pitching prospect, "Nuke" Laloosh. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start and is further complicated when baseball groupie Annie Savoy sets her sights on the two men.
Why it matters: Ron Shelton's minor-league comedy, with Kevin Costner as a catcher tutoring a wild young pitcher.
- Starring
- Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins
- Director
- Ron Shelton
- Box office
- $51 million on a $7 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 97%
No. 06 · 1989 · Film · 1h 45m
Field of Dreams
Ray Kinsella is an Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious voice telling him to turn his cornfield into a baseball diamond. He does, but the voice's directions don't stop -- even after the spirits of deceased ballplayers turn up to play.
Why it matters: An Iowa farmer builds a ballfield in his corn and the ghosts of the 1919 White Sox come to play.
- Starring
- Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, and Gaby Hoffmann
- Director
- Phil Alden Robinson
- Box office
- $84 million on a $15 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 88%
No. 07 · 1989 · Film · 1h 47m
Major League
When Rachel Phelps inherits the Cleveland Indians from her deceased husband, she's determined to move the team to a warmer climate—but only a losing season will make that possible, which should be easy given the misfits she's hired. Rachel is sure her dream will come true, but she underestimates their will to succeed.
Why it matters: A spiteful owner fills the Cleveland Indians with misfits, and they start winning anyway.
- Starring
- Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, and Corbin Bernsen
- Director
- David S. Ward
- Box office
- $75 million on a $11 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 83%
No. 08 · 1992 · Film · 1h 55m
White Men Can't Jump
Two street basketball hustlers try to con each other, then team up for a bigger score.
Why it matters: Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes hustle pickup basketball games on Los Angeles courts.
- Starring
- Woody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes, and Rosie Perez
- Director
- Ron Shelton
- Box office
- $91 million on a $31 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 75%
No. 09 · 1992 · Film · 2h 8m
A League of Their Own
As America's stock of athletic young men is depleted during World War II, a professional all-female baseball league springs up in the Midwest, funded by publicity-hungry candy maker Walter Harvey. Competitive sisters Dottie Hinson and Kit Keller spar with each other, scout Ernie Capadino and grumpy has-been coach Jimmy Dugan on their way to fame.
Why it matters: Penny Marshall's comedy about the women's baseball league formed during World War II.
- Starring
- Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Lori Petty
- Director
- Penny Marshall
- Box office
- $132 million on a $40 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 82%
No. 10 · 1993 · Film · 1h 38m
Cool Runnings
When a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican bobsled team.
Why it matters: Jamaica's bobsled team.
- Starring
- Leon, Doug E. Doug, and Rawle D. Lewis
- Director
- Jon Turteltaub
- Box office
- $155 million on a $14 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 75%
No. 11 · 1993 · Film · 1h 54m
Rudy
Rudy grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. There were only a couple of problems. His grades were a little low, his athletic skills were poor, and he was only half the size of the other players. But he had the drive and the spirit of 5 people and has set his sights upon joining the team.
Why it matters: A small, determined walk-on spends years trying to get onto the field for Notre Dame.
- Starring
- Sean Astin, Jon Favreau, and Ned Beatty
- Director
- David Anspaugh
- Box office
- $23 million on a $12 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 80%
No. 12 · 1993 · Film · 1h 41m
The Sandlot
During a summer of friendship and adventure, one boy becomes a part of the gang, nine boys become a team and their leader becomes a legend by confronting the terrifying mystery beyond the right field wall.
Why it matters: Baseball and the Beast, summer 1962.
- Starring
- Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, and Patrick Renna
- Director
- David Mickey Evans
- Box office
- $34 million on a $7 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 66%
No. 13 · 1994 · Film · 2h 54m
Hoop Dreams
Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes each way from inner-city Chicago to St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, a predominately white suburban school well-known for the excellence of its basketball program. Gates and Agee dream of NBA stardom, and with the support of their close-knit families, they battle the social and physical obstacles that stand in their way. This acclaimed documentary was shot over the course of five years.
Why it matters: A documentary filmed over five years following two Chicago teenagers who hope to reach the NBA.
- Starring
- William Gates, Arthur Agee, and Emma Gates
- Director
- Steve James
- Box office
- $8 million
- Scores
- IMDb 8.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 98%
No. 14 · 1996 · Film · 2h 19m
Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire used to be a typical sports agent: willing to do just about anything he could to get the biggest possible contracts for his clients, plus a nice commission for himself. Then, one day, he suddenly has second thoughts about what he's really doing. When he voices these doubts, he ends up losing his job and all of his clients, save Rod Tidwell, an egomaniacal football player.
Why it matters: Tom Cruise as a fired sports agent with one client left, Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Rod Tidwell.
- Starring
- Tom Cruise, Renée Zellweger, and Cuba Gooding Jr.
- Director
- Cameron Crowe
- Box office
- $274 million on a $50 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 86%
No. 15 · 1996 · Film · 1h 27m
Space Jam
With their freedom on the line, the Looney Tunes seek the help of NBA superstar Michael Jordan to win a basketball game against a team of moronic aliens.
Why it matters: Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes.
- Starring
- Michael Jordan, Wayne Knight, and Theresa Randle
- Director
- Joe Pytka
- Box office
- $250 million on a $80 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 46%
No. 16 · 2000 · Film · 1h 53m
Remember the Titans
After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone – tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions.
Why it matters: Denzel Washington coaches a newly integrated Virginia high school football team in 1971.
- Starring
- Denzel Washington, Will Patton, and Wood Harris
- Director
- Boaz Yakin
- Box office
- $137 million on a $30 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 72%
No. 17 · 2001 · Film · 2h 37m
Ali
In 1964, a brash, new pro boxer, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory, explodes onto the scene: Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African Americans in sport with his proud public self-confidence and his unapologetic belief that he is the greatest boxer of all time. Yet at the top of his game, both Ali's personal and professional lives face the ultimate test.
Why it matters: Michael Mann and Will Smith cover Muhammad Ali's decade from Sonny Liston to George Foreman.
- Starring
- Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Voight
- Director
- Michael Mann
- Box office
- $88 million on a $107 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.7 · Rotten Tomatoes 69%
No. 18 · 2004 · Film · 2h 15m
Miracle
When college coach Herb Brooks is hired to helm the 1980 U.S. men's Olympic hockey team, he brings a unique and brash style to the ice. After assembling a team of hot-headed college all-stars, who are humiliated in an early match, Brooks unites his squad against a common foe: the heavily-favored Soviet team.
Why it matters: Kurt Russell as Herb Brooks, building the 1980 U.S. hockey team that beat the Soviets.
- Starring
- Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, and Noah Emmerich
- Director
- Gavin O'Connor
- Box office
- $64 million on a $28 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 80%
No. 19 · 2004 · Film · 1h 58m
Friday Night Lights
A small, turbulent town in Texas obsesses over their high school football team to an unhealthy degree. When the star tailback, Boobie Miles, is seriously injured during the first game of the season, all hope is lost, and the town's dormant social problems begin to flare up. It is left to the inspiring abilities of new coach Gary Gaines to instill in the other team members -- and, by proxy, the town itself -- a sense of self-respect and honor.
Why it matters: Peter Berg's film of the 1988 Permian Panthers and a Texas town that lives for football.
- Starring
- Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, and Garrett Hedlund
- Director
- Peter Berg
- Box office
- $61 million on a $30 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 82%
No. 20 · 2004 · Film · 2h 12m
Million Dollar Baby
Despondent over a painful estrangement from his daughter, trainer Frankie Dunn isn't prepared for boxer Maggie Fitzgerald to enter his life. But Maggie's determined to go pro and to convince Dunn and his cohort to help her.
Why it matters: Clint Eastwood trains Hilary Swank as a boxer, then the story takes a hard turn.
- Starring
- Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, and Morgan Freeman
- Director
- Clint Eastwood
- Box office
- $217 million on a $30 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 8.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 90%
No. 21 · 2005 · Film · 2h 24m
Cinderella Man
The true story of boxer Jim Braddock who, following his retirement in the 1930s, makes a surprise comeback in order to lift his family out of poverty.
Why it matters: Russell Crowe as James J. Braddock, the Depression-era boxer who came back to win the title.
- Starring
- Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti
- Director
- Ron Howard
- Box office
- $109 million on a $88 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 8 · Rotten Tomatoes 80%
No. 22 · 2006 · Film · 1h 45m
Invincible
Inspired by the true story of Vince Papale, a man with nothing to lose who ignored the staggering odds and made his dream come true. When the coach of Papale's beloved hometown football team hosted an unprecedented open tryout, the public consensus was that it was a waste of time – no one good enough to play professional football was going to be found this way.
Why it matters: Mark Wahlberg as Vince Papale, a 30-year-old bartender who made the Eagles from an open tryout.
- Starring
- Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, and Elizabeth Banks
- Director
- Ericson Core
- Box office
- $58 million on a $30 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 71%
No. 23 · 2009 · Film · 2h 9m
The Blind Side
The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family.
Why it matters: Sandra Bullock won an Oscar as the Memphis mother who took in future NFL lineman Michael Oher.
- Starring
- Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Quinton Aaron
- Director
- John Lee Hancock
- Box office
- $309 million on a $29 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 65%
No. 24 · 2010 · Film · 1h 56m
The Fighter
Boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky, a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime.
Why it matters: Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale as Lowell boxing brothers Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund.
- Starring
- Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams
- Director
- David O. Russell
- Box office
- $129 million on a $25 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 91%
No. 25 · 2011 · Film · 2h 14m
Moneyball
The story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball team on a budget, by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.
Why it matters: Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, using statistics to build the 2002 Oakland A's on a small budget.
- Starring
- Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Director
- Bennett Miller
- Box office
- $110 million on a $50 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 94%
No. 26 · 2011 · Film · 2h 20m
Warrior
The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament – a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother.
Why it matters: Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton play estranged brothers headed for the same MMA tournament.
- Starring
- Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, and Nick Nolte
- Director
- Gavin O'Connor
- Box office
- $23 million on a $25 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 8.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 84%
No. 27 · 2013 · Film · 2h 3m
Rush
In the 1970s, a rivalry propels race car drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt to fame and glory — until a horrible accident threatens to end it all.
Why it matters: Ron Howard on the 1976 Formula One rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda.
- Starring
- Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, and Olivia Wilde
- Director
- Ron Howard
- Box office
- $90 million on a $38 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 8.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 88%
No. 28 · 2015 · Film · 2h 13m
Creed
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
Why it matters: Apollo's son Adonis, trained by Rocky.
- Starring
- Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson
- Director
- Ryan Coogler
- Box office
- $174 million on a $37 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 95%
No. 29 · 2017 · Film · 2h
I, Tonya
Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises amongst the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the sport is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.
Why it matters: Margot Robbie as Tonya Harding, told through mock interviews that disagree with each other.
- Starring
- Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, and Allison Janney
- Director
- Craig Gillespie
- Box office
- $54 million on a $11 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 90%
No. 30 · 2019 · Film · 2h 33m
Ford v Ferrari
American car designer Carroll Shelby and the British-born driver Ken Miles work together to battle corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.
Why it matters: Matt Damon and Christian Bale build the Ford that took on Ferrari at Le Mans in 1966.
- Starring
- Matt Damon, Christian Bale, and Jon Bernthal
- Director
- James Mangold
- Box office
- $226 million on a $98 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 8.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%
No. 31 · 2021 · Film · 2h 24m
King Richard
The story of how Richard Williams served as a coach to his daughters Venus and Serena, who will soon become two of the most legendary tennis players in history.
Why it matters: Will Smith won an Oscar as Richard Williams, father and coach of Venus and Serena.
- Starring
- Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Saniyya Sidney
- Director
- Reinaldo Marcus Green
- Box office
- $39 million on a $50 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 90%
No. 32 · 2023 · Film · 1h 52m
Air
Discover the game-changing partnership between a then undiscovered Michael Jordan and Nike's fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and culture with the Air Jordan brand.
Why it matters: Ben Affleck directs Matt Damon as the Nike scout who bet everything on signing Michael Jordan.
- Starring
- Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, and Ben Affleck
- Director
- Ben Affleck
- Box office
- $90 million on a $80 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 93%
No. 33 · 2024 · Film · 2h 12m
Challengers
Tennis player turned coach Tashi has taken her husband, Art, and transformed him into a world-famous Major champion. To jolt him out of his recent losing streak, she signs him up for a "Challenger" event — close to the lowest level of pro tournament — where he finds himself standing across the net from his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend.
Why it matters: Luca Guadagnino's tennis love triangle, played out over one final and 13 years of flashbacks.
- Starring
- Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor
- Director
- Luca Guadagnino
- Box office
- $94 million on a $55 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 88%
No. 34 · 2025 · Film · 2h 36m
F1
Racing legend Sonny Hayes is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentor a young hotshot driver—while chasing one more chance at glory.
Why it matters: Brad Pitt as an ageing driver returning to Formula One, filmed at real Grand Prix weekends.
- Starring
- Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Javier Bardem
- Director
- Joseph Kosinski
- Box office
- $634 million on a $300 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 82%
No. 35 · 2025 · Film · 2h 3m
The Smashing Machine
In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn.
Why it matters: Benny Safdie directs Dwayne Johnson as early MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
- Starring
- Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Ryan Bader
- Director
- Benny Safdie
- Box office
- $21 million on a $50 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 71%
Sports box office and budgets
The 35 Sports films with reported numbers have grossed $4.13 billion worldwide on about $1.49 billion in combined budgets, roughly 2.8 times what they cost. The biggest is F1 at $634 million, 15% of the franchise's total on its own, followed by The Blind Side ($309 million) and Jerry Maguire ($274 million).
Measured against what it cost, the best return belongs to Rocky, which made 117 times its $1 million budget. The weakest was The Smashing Machine at 42% of its $50 million budget. As a rule of thumb, a film needs about two and a half times its budget at the box office to cover marketing and the theaters' cut.
The best and worst rated Sports movies
Across 35 rated titles, Sports Movies averages 7.5 on IMDb. The top of the list is Hoop Dreams at 8.3, then Rocky (8.1) and Raging Bull (8.1). At the bottom: The Smashing Machine (6.3) and Space Jam (6.5). Money and quality don't line up perfectly: the highest grosser, F1, is only the 15th best rated.
- Hoop Dreams8.3 · RT 98%
- Rocky8.1 · RT 93%
- Raging Bull8.1 · RT 92%
- Million Dollar Baby8.1 · RT 90%
- Warrior8.1 · RT 84%
- Rush8.1 · RT 88%
- Ford v Ferrari8.1 · RT 92%
- Cinderella Man8 · RT 80%
- The Sandlot7.8 · RT 66%
- Remember the Titans7.8 · RT 72%
Who appears in the most Sports movies
Sylvester Stallone leads with 2 appearances as Robert 'Rocky' Balboa and Rocky Balboa, ahead of David Neidorf (2) and Kevin Costner (2). Counted from each title's top-billed cast.
| Actor | Role | Titles | First and latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvester Stallone | Robert 'Rocky' Balboa / Rocky Balboa | 2 | Rocky (1976) to Creed (2015) |
| David Neidorf | Everett Flatch / Bobby | 2 | Hoosiers (1986) to Bull Durham (1988) |
| Kevin Costner | Crash Davis / Ray Kinsella | 2 | Bull Durham (1988) to Field of Dreams (1989) |
| James Earl Jones | Terrence Mann / Mr. Mertle | 2 | Field of Dreams (1989) to The Sandlot (1993) |
| Wesley Snipes | Willie Mays Hayes / Sidney Deane | 2 | Major League (1989) to White Men Can't Jump (1992) |
| Renée Zellweger | Dorothy Boyd / Mae Braddock | 2 | Jerry Maguire (1996) to Cinderella Man (2005) |
| Jay Mohr | Bob Sugar / John Fisher | 2 | Jerry Maguire (1996) to Air (2023) |
| Will Smith | Muhammad Ali / Cassius Clay | 2 | Ali (2001) to King Richard (2021) |
| Tim McGraw | Charles Billingsley / Sean Tuohy | 2 | Friday Night Lights (2004) to The Blind Side (2009) |
| Mark Wahlberg | Vince Papale / Micky Ward | 2 | Invincible (2006) to The Fighter (2010) |
| Ray McKinnon | Coach Cotton / Phil Remington | 2 | The Blind Side (2009) to Ford v Ferrari (2019) |
| Christian Bale | Dicky Eklund / Ken Miles | 2 | The Fighter (2010) to Ford v Ferrari (2019) |
Sports directors and creators
31 filmmakers have directed or created Sports Movies; David Anspaugh has the most, with 2.
- David AnspaughHoosiers (1986) and Rudy (1993)
- Ron SheltonBull Durham (1988) and White Men Can't Jump (1992)
- Gavin O'ConnorMiracle (2004) and Warrior (2011)
- Ron HowardCinderella Man (2005) and Rush (2013)
- John G. AvildsenRocky (1976)
- Martin ScorseseRaging Bull (1980)
- Hugh HudsonChariots of Fire (1981)
- Phil Alden RobinsonField of Dreams (1989)
- David S. WardMajor League (1989)
- Penny MarshallA League of Their Own (1992)
- Jon TurteltaubCool Runnings (1993)
- David Mickey EvansThe Sandlot (1993)
- Steve JamesHoop Dreams (1994)
- Cameron CroweJerry Maguire (1996)
- Joe PytkaSpace Jam (1996)
- Boaz YakinRemember the Titans (2000)
How long it takes to watch every Sports movie
All 35 titles add up to 73 hours. That is about 37 two-hour evenings, or 8 days of ten-hour binges. The longest film is Hoop Dreams at 2h 54m.
The 4 best rated films: Hoop Dreams, Rocky, Raging Bull, and Million Dollar Baby.
Everything takes about 2 months.
Track what you've watched on the timeline and it counts the hours left.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Sports movies in?
Sports movies stand alone, so this marathon runs in release order, from Rocky (1976) and Raging Bull through Hoosiers, Field of Dreams and Remember the Titans to Moneyball, Creed, Ford v Ferrari, Challengers and F1 (2025).
How many Sports movies and shows are there?
There are 35 titles in the Sports Movies franchise: 35 films and 0 series, released from 1976 to 2025.
How long does it take to watch all the Sports movies?
About 73 hours for all 35 titles, counting every episode.
What is the first Sports title in chronological order?
Rocky, set in Philadelphia. In release order the first is Rocky (1976).
What is the best Sports movie?
By IMDb score, Hoop Dreams (1994) at 8.3, followed by Rocky at 8.1.
What is the highest-grossing Sports movie?
F1 (2025), with $634 million worldwide. Sports Movies films have made $4.13 billion in total.
Who has appeared in the most Sports movies?
Sylvester Stallone, in 2 of them as Robert 'Rocky' Balboa.
What is the longest Sports movie?
Hoop Dreams, at 2h 54m.
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