Top 5 Sports Movies of All-Time

What makes a sports movie watchable? For many, it's the film's ability to connect the viewer with the content. Obviously, the content needs to be interesting as well, but for many, it's the connection that keeps them coming back to certain movies over the years.

For me, a hopeless romantic with a sports fetish that's probably watched 90% of all movies that have come out since 1979, I'm a sucker for a good underdog story or anything with an emotional twist to go with the sports angle. That's why it's hard for me to make this type of list with all the love I have across the film/sports genre. It makes it nearly impossible to get a five-pack, but here we go!

5- Rudy (1993) — Over the years, I've heard several folks beat this story to death with all the "it's a true story, but that ain't it" comments. Look, I get it. The story was indulged a bit, but that doesn't change the greatness of this movie.

Sean Astin arguably gives the best performance of his career in this story, in which the main guy doesn't necessarily win the big game as his "moment," but just being involved on Notre Dame's gameday roster is his main victory after being given almost zero chance to do so. Several other good actors in this one including Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, and Charles Dutton.

4- Moneyball (2011) — Another movie that some may not have this high on their list, Moneyball gets me in all the right feels. It's a movie that has tons of rewatch value, and even though you know the outcome, you keep coming back.

Brad Pitt is brilliant in this flick and is joined by Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Chris Pratt. This true story (based on the book by Michael Lewis) is about Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane's (Pitt) successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire talent.

3- Raging Bull (1980) — Martin Scorsese's film about boxer Jake LaMotta remains a classic to this day. The story of a middleweight boxer as he rises through the ranks to earn his first shot at the middleweight crown. He falls in love with a gorgeous girl from the Bronx. The inability to express his feelings enters into the ring and eventually takes over his life. He eventually is sent into a downward spiral that costs him everything. Robert DeNiro won his only Best Actor award for his portrayal of the great but troubled former middleweight boxer, and Joe Pesci played a great supporting role (nominated for an Acadamy Award) as Jake's brother Joey.

2- Rocky (1976) — While Raging Bull was a great movie, Rocky will always be the quintessential boxing movie for me. Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer from working-class Philadelphia, who is arbitrarily chosen to take on the reigning world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), when the undefeated fighter's scheduled opponent is injured. While many hold the original as the best, the series spanned over nine movies (the third and fourth were my favorites) and spawned a spin-off (Creed).

This was easily one of the hardest lists of movies I've ever had to put together. I've likely overlooked a movie or two along the way, so make sure to hit that reply button and let me know your top five. That said, here's my number sports movie of all-time.

1- Hoosiers — One of my all-time favorite actors, Gene Hackman, plays failed college coach Norman Dale, who gets a chance at redemption when a tiny Indiana high school hires him. Barbara Hershey and Dennis Hopper play good supporting roles, but Hackman carries this movie. It's time well spent for anyone who loves basketball or good drama, for that matter. Hackman has a way of playing a common man like no other and his acting ability is really on display in this movie that I can watch anytime of the year.

Honorary Mention: Eight Men Out, Any Given Sunday, Bad News Bears, Hoops Dreams, Field Of Dreams, Bull Durham

If you liked the post, make sure to upvote and resteem it. All new followers are welcome, and most are reciprocated.