# ESPN's Greatest Sports Films of All Time list. Agree? Disagree? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 3, 2002, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826 "2002-09-03T16:46:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/21 "2002-09-04T03:10:34Z")
Dammit, where’s _The Cutting Edge_? That’s the best damn ice skating movie ever. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/22 "2002-09-04T03:14:40Z")
I, too, can’t understand how anyone would see “Bull Durham” as being the best sports movie of all time. Gag. Another vote here for “Hoosiers.” “The Rookie” might make my Top 20 list, if for no other reason than Dennis Quaid’s masterful performance. ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/23 "2002-09-04T04:08:53Z")
Jerry Maguire was not a sports movie. He happened to be an agent, but it could have been about any profession that requires an agent. It was as much about sports as The Naked Gun since that had scenes from an Angels game. I thought the sports angle was a cheap shot to rope guys into coming to see it. In fact, I think they made 2 trailers, one to appeal to the women, emphasising the little boy and the relationshp and one to appeal to the men, emphasizing the cameos and sports talk. Bull Durham doesn’t fall into that category because there was plenty of action and inside information. It involved athletes in their element. It combined baseball with sex, quite possibly the greatest combination since peanut butter and chocolate. I must be weird because I’m a baseball nut and fanatic but I was bored to death while watching The Natural. Glad to see Eight Men Out get mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/24 "2002-09-04T05:48:54Z")
I’d rate \*\*The Hustler[/] as #1. A lot of the other movies you’re talking about are great movies, but _The Hustler_ approaches art. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/25 "2002-09-04T07:44:32Z")
I hated _The Natural_. And pool is not a sport, so _The Hustler_ is not anymore of a sports movie than _The Cincinatti Kid_ was. I don’t have a problem with any others on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/26 "2002-09-04T10:50:22Z")
Yesterday on the radio I heard Dan Patrick say that Mark Grace is like Kevin Costner in Bull Durham. I thought to myself, “I have now officially heard too many Bull Durham references from sports broadcasters and, as a result, I no longer like that movie”. Later that same day I found this thread. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Clawman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@The\_Clawman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Clawman)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/27 "2002-09-04T12:09:45Z")
Where, pray, is **Escape to Victory** in this list? Michael Caine, Max von Sydow, Sylvester Stallone, Bobby Moore, Pele, Ozzy Ardiles, and introducing the raw talent that was John Wark. Playing football to escape a WWII prisoner of war camp. Single-handedly defined a brand new genre. Worthy of inclusion, surely? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/28 "2002-09-04T12:10:46Z")
What, no “Escape to Victory”? Pah. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/29 "2002-09-04T12:11:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Clawman \* > \*\*Where, pray, is **Escape to Victory** in this list? > \*\* Beaten by one minute! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Clawman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@The\_Clawman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Clawman)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/30 "2002-09-04T12:12:04Z")
Beat you by one minute, **amanset**! ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/31 "2002-09-04T13:03:58Z")
I would like to throw in a vote (probably in the 17-20 range) for The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh. Campy, awful, but still worth a watch or two. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/32 "2002-09-04T13:25:21Z")
Dammit, Mullinator, you **just** beat me with that one! Dr. J, Meadowlark Lemon, and a psychic Stockard Channing–what else does a movie need? I concur with _Bull Durham_ at #1, BTW. It’s certainly **my** favorite sports movie, and really shows what it’s like to be a ballplayer in the minor leagues on a day-to-day-basis. Sure, it’s at least as concerned with its characters’ love lives, but it couldn’t take place in any milieu other than the one it does. Don’t get me wrong–I like _The Natural_, but for some reason Redford lacked the courage to take the movie to the conclusion that Malamud took the book. That would have made it a perfect baseball movie. And it is a little bit overwrought, although Wilford Brimley and Joe Don Baker are real bright spots. Good call by **Number Six** on _Vision Quest_. Most people don’t remember it as a sports movie, but it was, and a darned good one. Very realistic portrayal of high school wrestling. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/33 "2002-09-06T07:13:39Z")
Some good ones haven’t even been mentioned yet, like Spike Lee’s _He Got Game_. The opening sequence alone makes it a great sports film. _Endless Summer_ the archetypal waxhead dream. _This Sporting Life_ football, but not American football. _The Program_ American football in college, with Halle Berry as a bonus. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/34 "2002-09-06T13:29:40Z")
What the hell is wrong with you people? Jesus, the ten greatest sports films of ALL TIME and not one of them has been mentioned yet. Ahem…to set the record straight: 1. Slam Dunk Ernest 2. Rodeo Bloopers 2 3. Air Bud 4. Air Bud: Golden Receiver 5. Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch 6. Air Bud: World Pup 7. Roller Derby Girl 8. All the Marbles 9. LadyBugs 10. Over the Top You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/35 "2002-09-06T13:54:10Z")
Kansas City Bombers (Raquel Welch as a Roller Derby mama - whew, hot stuff). ---
**Author:** ![SAustinTx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/57b2e6/32.png) [@SAustinTx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SAustinTx)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/36 "2002-09-08T00:34:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mouthbreather \* > \*\*What the hell is wrong with you people? Jesus, the ten greatest sports films of ALL TIME and not one of them has been mentioned yet. > > Ahem…to set the record straight: > > 1. Slam Dunk Ernest > 2. Rodeo Bloopers 2 > 3. Air Bud > 4. Air Bud: Golden Receiver > 5. Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch > 6. Air Bud: World Pup > 7. Roller Derby Girl > 8. All the Marbles > 9. LadyBugs > 10. Over the Top > You’re welcome. \*\* You forgot: [list=1] [li]H.O.T.S.[/li][li]Major League 3: Back to the Minors[/li][li]Gimme An F[/li][li]Knightriders[/li][li]Aspen Extreme[/li][li]Blue Crush[/li][li]Body Slam[/li][li]Eight Seconds[/li][li]Rollerball (2002)[/li][li]Cool Runnings[/li][/list=1] SAustinTx ---
**Author:** ![aramis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@aramis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aramis)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/37 "2002-09-08T01:41:59Z")
I’d like to add American Flyer and Tin Cup, and no I don’t have a thing for Kevin Costner, I just think they’re both good movies. I was also going to add Cool Runnings but SAustinTX beat me to it, though he added more than a hint of sarcasm. Personally I think it’s a classic sports movie. I also haven’t seen anybody mention Downhill Racer. ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/38 "2002-09-08T02:21:32Z")
What about Eddie and that movie with Matt Leblanc and the monkey… or was that the same movie? ---
**Author:** ![WSLer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826/39 "2002-09-08T02:49:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JDeMobray \* > \*\*I cannot imagine what possessed them to put both _Bull Durham_ and _Jerry Maguire_ on a list of **sports** movies. They’re both fine movies. . . but I don’t really think sports has much to do with either one. 10) Beyond the Mat \*\* Professional wrestling is **not** a sport. It is entertainment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espns-greatest-sports-films-of-all-time-list-agree-disagree/126826.md?page=1)