What’s the best sports movie ever?
Well, ask any sports fan and they’ll give you a different answer, but here are five of our all-time favourites.
Rocky
Not only one of the best sports movies ever made, but often regarded as one of the best movies full stop!
The story of a small-time boxer and debt collector who undergoes a meteoric rise to the top where he gets a chance at the Heavyweight Title was so successful that it won three Oscars, and spawned a series of sequels that continue to this very day.
Nobody could have foreseen the film’s success in the early days, but it eventually made $225million off a budget of just £1m, and we all know how things turned for Mr. Balboa himself.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
Who said sports films have to be serious? This riotous comedy takes the game of Dodgeball and gives it the big screen treatment.
Starring a wealth of comedy talent including Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Hank Azaria, Dodgeball sends up the clichés of sports movies brilliantly, while also being a damn good example of one in itself. Trying to win a dodgeball contest to save their local gym, the hapless heroes are an infectiously likeable bunch.
Bend It Like Beckham
This charming British film takes the sports movie and puts a romantic and cultural spin on it, as Parminder Nagra’s young Indian girl Jesminder decides she wants to follow in the footsteps of her idol David Beckham and become a footballer – much to the chagrin of her traditional parents.
A rare film that not only explores Indian culture in the UK, but also champions women’s sports.
Next Goal Wins
Infamously regarded as the worst team in international football – especially after their record-breaking 31-0 loss to Australia – American Samoa still have their pride, and this excellent documentary charts their valiant attempts to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
The stats might not be pretty, but the players reveal themselves to be thoroughly committed, and proud; they’re a wonderful bunch to spend time with.
Jerry Maguire
This Oscar-nominated drama features its fair share of action both on-and-off the sports field, as Tom Cruise’s sports agent breaks out on his own with only one major client to his name. The trials and tribulations of a sports agent isn’t often the focus of sports movies, but Jerry Maguire provides fascinating insight into what goes on behind the scenes when all eyes are on the field.
The film also spawned the legendary “Show me the money!” moment – something that most sports betters will have yelled at screens, players and bookmakers over the years! With a William Hill promotional code on bookie-bonus-code.co.uk, could you be lucky?
What’s your favourite sports movie? Let us know below…