Dammit, where’s The Cutting Edge? That’s the best damn ice skating movie ever.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
What, no “Escape to Victory”?
Pah.
Beaten by one minute!
Beat you by one minute, amanset!
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.
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.
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.
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:
- Slam Dunk Ernest
- Rodeo Bloopers 2
- Air Bud
- Air Bud: Golden Receiver
- Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch
- Air Bud: World Pup
- Roller Derby Girl
- All the Marbles
- LadyBugs
- Over the Top
You’re welcome.
Kansas City Bombers (Raquel Welch as a Roller Derby mama - whew, hot stuff).
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
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.
What about Eddie and that movie with Matt Leblanc and the monkey… or was that the same movie?
Professional wrestling is not a sport.
It is entertainment.