| Title |
Year |
Genre |
Notes |
| The Freshman |
1925 |
Comedy |
Silent film |
| Maker of Men |
1931 |
Drama |
A football player finds it hard to please his coach, who's his father. |
| Horse Feathers |
1932 |
Comedy |
Marx Brothers farce about college football. |
| College Coach |
1933 |
Drama |
Star players get money, academic favoritism under new coach (Pat O'Brien). |
| Pigskin Parade |
1936 |
Comedy |
A "hillbilly" (Stuart Erwin) becomes a Texas college football hero. |
| Over the Goal |
1937 |
Drama |
Football star (William Hopper) risks permanent injury if he keeps playing. |
| Navy Blue and Gold |
1937 |
Drama |
Midshipman (James Stewart) clears father's name in time to play in Army-Navy game. |
| Touchdown, Army |
1938 |
Drama |
A cocky cadet (Robert Cummings) shapes up in time to play in Army-Navy game. |
| $1000 a Touchdown |
1939 |
Comedy |
Joe E. Brown inherits a college, offers money to any player who can score a touchdown. |
| Knute Rockne, All American |
1940 |
Biographical |
Life and career of Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne (Pat O'Brien), with Ronald Reagan as the Gipper. |
| Too Many Girls |
1940 |
Comedy |
Bodyguards hired to watch rich girl (Lucille Ball) in college end up on the football team. |
| Harmon of MIchigan |
1941 |
Drama |
Tom Harmon as himself, a college hero who weds sweetheart, becomes a coach. |
| The Spirit of Stanford |
1942 |
Drama |
Frankie Albert as himself, a high school quarterback who then attends Stanford. |
| Good News |
1947 |
Musical |
Tait College can win the big game, but only if its star (Peter Lawford) passes an exam. |
| Father was a Fullback |
1949 |
Comedy |
The daughter of State College's coach (Fred MacMurray) has a football-playing boyfriend who chooses her over Notre Dame. |
| Easy Living |
1949 |
Drama |
Pro quarterback Pete Wilson (Victor Mature) discovers he has a heart condition. |
| That's My Boy |
1951 |
Comedy |
Martin and Lewis college football comedy. |
| Saturday's Hero |
1951 |
Drama |
A Virginia university's halfback (John Derek) deals with injuries and money issues. |
| The Guy Who Came Back |
1951 |
Drama |
Injured, aging athlete (Paul Douglas) refuses to accept that his playing days are over. |
| The Rose Bowl Story |
1952 |
Romance |
A college gridiron star and a Rose Bowl princess fall in love. |
| Trouble Along the Way |
1953 |
Comedy |
A Catholic college in New York hires a new football coach (John Wayne). |
| Crazylegs |
1953 |
Biographical |
Based on college career of Elroy Hirsch, playing himself. |
| The All-American |
1953 |
Drama |
A quarterback (Tony Curtis) deals with hazing and hardship at a Chicago college. |
| Paper Lion |
1968 |
Biographical |
Adaptation of writer George Plimpton's tryout with Detroit Lions, starring Alan Alda. |
| Number One |
1969 |
Drama |
Fictional story of aging New Orleans Saints pro quarterback (Charlton Heston). |
| Brian's Song |
1971 |
Biographical |
Made for TV. Based on friendship between Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears, and Piccolo's losing battle with cancer. James Caan and Billy Dee Williams. |
| The Longest Yard |
1974 |
Comedy |
Burt Reynolds prison-football film. |
| Two-Minute Warning |
1976 |
Thriller |
Fictional story of stadium sniper, starring Charlton Heston. |
| Gus |
1976 |
Comedy |
Disney tale of a football-kicking mule. |
| Something for Joey |
1977 |
Biographical |
television film on John Cappelletti, who won Heisman Trophy, lost brother to leukemia. |
| Semi-Tough |
1977 |
Comedy |
Based on Dan Jenkins pro football novel, starring Burt Reynolds. |
| Black Sunday |
1977 |
Thriller |
Terrorists attack a Super Bowl game, based on novel by Thomas Harris. |
| Heaven Can Wait |
1978 |
Comedy |
A remake of the 1941 film Here Comes Mr. Jordan, but with football as the backdrop instead of boxing. Warren Beatty as owner-quarterback of the Rams. |
| North Dallas Forty |
1979 |
Drama |
Based on Peter Gent pro football novel. Nick Nolte as a Dallas wide receiver. |
| Fighting Back |
1980 |
Biographical |
Story of Rocky Bleier and obstacles he had to overcome after returning from Vietnam. |
| Grambling's White Tiger |
1980 |
Biographical |
Fact-based TV film on Grambling University's first white quarterback (played by Bruce Jenner). |
| All the Right Moves |
1983 |
Drama |
Tom Cruise as a high school football player. |
| Quarterback Princess |
1983 |
Biographical |
Oregon schoolgirl seeks a chance to quarterback the boys' team. |
| The Bear |
1984 |
Biographical |
Made for TV biopic on the life and career of Alabama's Bear Bryant. |
| Against All Odds |
1984 |
Drama |
Pro receiver (Jeff Bridges) develops fatal attraction to daughter of team's corrupt owner. |
| Lucas |
1986 |
Comedy |
Not primarily about the sport; features a football-related subplot. |
| The Best of Times |
1986 |
Comedy |
Childhood friends replay their biggest game, starring Robin Williams and Kurt Russell. |
| Wildcats |
1986 |
Comedy |
Goldie Hawn as a high school football coach. |
| Johnny Be Good |
1988 |
Comedy |
Anthony Michael Hall as a star high school quarterback. |
| Everybody's All-American |
1988 |
Drama |
Dennis Quaid in adaptation of Frank Deford football novel. |
| Necessary Roughness |
1991 |
Comedy |
Story of a Texas college football team filled with misfits. |
| The Last Boy Scout |
1991 |
Action |
Crime action film; football marginal to plot. |
| School Ties |
1992 |
Drama |
High school bigotry story with Brendan Fraser and Matt Damon. |
| The Program |
1993 |
Drama |
James Caan as a college football coach. |
| Rudy |
1993 |
Biographical |
True story of quest by Rudy Ruettiger to enroll and play at Notre Dame. |
| Little Giants |
1994 |
Comedy |
Fiction about men who coach children's teams. |
| Rise and Walk: The Dennis Byrd Story |
1994 |
Biographical |
Television film on life and career-ending injury of New York Jets' Dennis Byrd. |
| Jerry Maguire |
1996 |
Rom-Com |
Tom Cruise as a pro athlete's agent. An Oscar for Cuba Gooding, Jr. |
| Angels in the Endzone |
1997 |
Comedy |
Direct-to-video sequel of the 1994 version of Angels in the Outfield. |
| The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon |
1998 |
Comedy |
Made for TV. |
| The Waterboy |
1998 |
Comedy |
Adam Sandler as a backward boy who helps Louisiana school's football team. |
| Air Bud: Golden Receiver |
1998 |
Comedy |
The second film in the Air Bud series. |
| Varsity Blues |
1999 |
Drama |
Texas high school football story starring James Van Der Beek. |
| Any Given Sunday |
1999 |
Drama |
Fiction about pro football with Al Pacino as a Miami coach. |
| The Fanatics |
1999 |
Comedy |
A television film with Ed Asner. |
| Marshall University: Ashes to Glory |
2000 |
Documentary |
Made for TV. A history of Marshall University football in late 20th century, starting with the 1970 plane crash and ending with the school's successes in the 1990s. |
| Remember the Titans |
2000 |
Drama |
Based on a true story about a Virginia high school coach, starring Denzel Washington. |
| The Replacements |
2000 |
Comedy |
Keanu Reeves in a fictional story about strike-breakers on a pro football team. |
| Brian's Song |
2001 |
Drama |
A remake of 1971 true story of Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo. |
| Full Ride |
2002 |
Comedy |
Bad-attitude teen is picked to play in a state all-star game. |
| Monday Night Mayhem |
2002 |
Biographical |
The creation of Monday Night Football, with John Turturro as sportscaster Howard Cosell. |
| The Slaughter Rule |
2002 |
Drama |
Ryan Gosling as a Montana high school six-man football player. |
| Junction Boys |
2002 |
Biographical |
Made for TV; based on a true story about coach Bear Bryant. |
| Hometown Legend |
2002 |
Drama |
A drifting teenager tries to play for a demanding high school coach. |
| Second String |
2002 |
Comedy |
television film about a man who gets to quarterback the Buffalo Bills. |
| Radio |
2003 |
Drama |
True story, with Cuba Gooding, Jr. as a challenged young man who aids a football coach. |
| Friday Night Lights |
2004 |
Drama |
Based on a true story about Texas high school football. |
| The Longest Yard |
2005 |
Comedy |
Remake of the 1974 film of the same title, with Adam Sandler. |
| Two for the Money |
2005 |
Drama |
Al Pacino in story about football gambling. |
| Code Breakers |
2005 |
Drama |
ESPN film on 1951 West Point cheating scandal, starring Scott Glenn. |
| Invincible |
2006 |
Drama |
Biopic of bartender Vince Papale (played by Mark Wahlberg), who gets to play for the Philadelphia Eagles. |
| We Are Marshall |
2006 |
Drama |
Matthew McConaughey in true story of college team's 1970 plane crash and aftermath. |
| Facing the Giants |
2006 |
Drama |
Christian-themed story of a high school coach. |
| Gridiron Gang |
2006 |
Drama |
Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, as man who creates team at juvenile detention center. |
| The Comebacks |
2007 |
Comedy |
Spoof of sports movies, featuring football coach "Lambeau Fields." |
| The Game Plan |
2007 |
Comedy |
Pro quarterback (The Rock) discovers that he has a daughter. |
| Leatherheads |
2007 |
Comedy |
George Clooney in fictional story of 1920s pro football. |
| Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 |
2008 |
Documentary |
Alumni (including Tommy Lee Jones) recall a memorable 1968 Ivy League game. |
| The Express |
2008 |
Biographical |
Factual account on the life of Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis. |
| The Longshots |
2008 |
Comedy |
Based on a true story of first girl to play in Pop Warner league. |
| The Band that Wouldn't Die |
2009 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the history of the Baltimore Colts, the team's controversial move to Indianapolis, and the NFL's return to Baltimore, through the common thread of the Colts marching band. |
| The Blind Side |
2009 |
Biographical |
High school career and recruitment of Michael Oher. An Oscar for Sandra Bullock. |
| The Legend of Jimmy the Greek |
2009 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the life of Jimmy "the Greek" Snyder, from his start as a Las Vegas bookmaker through his tenure at, and eventual firing from, The NFL Today. |
| Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL? |
2009 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Follows the rise and demise of the 1980s United States Football League, highlighted by an interview with team owner Donald Trump. |
| The U |
2009 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the rise and dominance of the University of Miami program in the 1980s and 1990s. |
| The Best That Never Was |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Examines the 1981 recruitment of Mississippi high school superstar Marcus Dupree and his injury-prone college and professional career, and how his recruitment changed the recruiting process. |
| Run Ricky Run |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Examines the life and career of Ricky Williams, focusing on his 2004 departure from the NFL. |
| Straight Outta L.A. |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the relationship between the Raiders and the minority fan base during the team's 1982–1994 stint in Los Angeles. |
| The 5th Quarter |
2011 |
Drama |
Based on the story of Jon Abbate and the surprising 2006 season of Wake Forest University. |
| The Marinovich Project |
2011 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the rise and fall of former USC and NFL quarterback Todd Marinovich, focusing especially on the complex relationship between him and his father. |
| Pony Excess |
2011 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A history of football at Southern Methodist University, focusing especially on the 1987 scandal that shut down the program for two years and on SMU football's struggle to rebuild. |
| Roll Tide/War Eagle |
2011 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the Iron Bowl, the intense rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn University, and how a devastating tornado and a destructive act of vandalism helped to place the rivalry in perspective. |
| Undefeated |
2011 |
Documentary |
Chronicles the 2009 season of Manassas High School, a longtime doormat of Memphis football attempting to pick up its first playoff win in history. Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. |
| Ghosts of Ole Miss |
2012 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A 50-year retrospective on 1962 at the University of Mississippi, marked by an undefeated football season against the backdrop of violence over the school's integration. |
| Elway to Marino |
2013 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A 30-year retrospective on the six quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, focusing specifically on John Elway, the first of the six to be selected, and Dan Marino, the last. |
| Title |
Year |
Genre |
Event(s) |
Notes |
| College |
1927 |
Comedy |
|
Silent film with Buster Keaton trying multiple sports. |
| Olympic Games |
1927 |
Comedy |
|
Our Gang children's version of the Olympics. |
| Million Dollar Legs |
1932 |
Comedy |
Shotput |
W.C. Fields fable of team from "Klopstokia" competing in 1932 Olympic Games. |
| Jim Thorpe - All-American |
1951 |
Biographical |
Decathlon |
True story of the famed Native American athlete, starring Burt Lancaster. |
| The Bob Mathias Story |
1954 |
Drama |
Decathlon |
Biographical film on two-time Olympic gold medalist Bob Mathias. |
| Geordie |
1955 |
Comedy |
Hammer |
Story of Scotsman out to get to the Olympic Games |
| It Happened in Athens |
1962 |
Comedy |
Marathon |
Jayne Mansfield in story set at 1896 Olympics in Greece. |
| The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner |
1962 |
Drama |
Distance running |
Acclaimed film from U.K. starring Tom Courtenay. |
| Billie |
1965 |
Comedy |
Sprints |
Patty Duke as a fictional athlete who competes with boys in high school. |
| Walk, Don't Run |
1966 |
Comedy |
Race walking |
Final film of Cary Grant, set during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. |
| The Games |
1970 |
Drama |
Marathon |
Ryan O'Neal and Michael Crawford as fictional distance runners. |
| The World's Greatest Athlete |
1973 |
Comedy |
Track |
Disney tale of a jungle boy who becomes a star athlete. |
| The Loneliest Runner |
1976 |
Drama |
Marathon |
Made for TV, written and directed by Michael Landon. |
| See How She Runs |
1978 |
Drama |
Marathon |
Made for TV |
| Crossbar |
1979 |
Drama |
High Jump |
Made for TV |
| The Jericho Mile |
1979 |
Drama |
Mile |
Made for TV about a prisoner given a chance to qualify for the Olympics. |
| Running |
1979 |
Drama |
Marathon |
Michael Douglas as fictional Olympic distance-running hopeful. |
| Goldengirl |
1979 |
Sci-fi |
Sprints |
A scientifically enhanced girl (Susan Anton) trains for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. |
| Chariots of Fire |
1981 |
Drama |
Sprints |
True story set during 1924 Olympics. Four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. |
| Graduation Day |
1981 |
Horror |
Track |
Slasher film about members of school's track team being murdered. |
| Personal Best |
1982 |
Drama |
Track |
Mariel Hemingway in fictional story of women's track and field. |
| Running Brave |
1983 |
Drama |
10,000 m |
Biographical film on the life and career of Billy Mills, starring Robby Benson. |
| On the Edge |
1985 |
Drama |
Trail running |
A distance runner (Bruce Dern) fights for amateurs' rights during California's Dipsea Race. |
| The Jesse Owens Story |
1985 |
Biographical |
Sprints, long jump |
True story of legendary 1930s athlete Jesse Owens, portrayed by Dorian Harewood. |
| Cracked Up |
1987 |
Drama |
Track |
A high school athlete has a serious problem with cocaine. |
| Run for Your Life |
1988 |
Drama/Thriller |
Marathon |
Italian-British production starring David Carradine. |
| The Four Minute Mile |
1988 |
Biographical |
Mile |
Record-breaking run of Roger Bannister, made for television. |
| Across the Tracks |
1991 |
Drama |
Track |
Brad Pitt and Rick Schroeder as brothers who compete in high school track and field. |
| Pentathlon |
1994 |
Thriller |
Pentathlon |
The life of a modern pentathlete (Dolph Lundgren) is in danger. |
| Higher Learning |
1995 |
Drama |
Track |
Fictional story of college students, with Omar Epps as track athlete. |
| Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story |
1996 |
Biography |
100m H |
True story of hardships and success of great U.S. female athlete. |
| Prefontaine |
1997 |
Biography |
Running |
True story of Oregon middle distance runner Steve Prefontaine. |
| Without Limits |
1998 |
Biography |
Running |
Another version of life and death of Steve Prefontaine. |
| Endurance |
1999 |
Drama |
Distance running |
Biographical film about Haile Gebrselassie. |
| The Long Run |
2000 |
Drama |
Ultramarathon |
Story of the Comrades Marathon, an annual 55-mile foot race in South Africa. |
| Pumpkin |
2002 |
Comedy |
|
Christina Ricci in story about a developmentally challenged youth. |
| Hitler's Pawn - The Margaret Lambert Story |
2004 |
Documentary |
High Jump |
True story of Gretel Bergmann, who was not permitted to compete in 1936 Olympics for being Jewish, then replaced by an athlete who turned out to be a man. Later dramatized in film Berlin 36. |
| Four Minutes |
2005 |
Biography |
Mile |
Made for TV. Chronicles the successful quest of Roger Bannister to break the four-minute barrier in the mile. |
| The Ringer |
2005 |
Comedy |
|
Johnny Knoxville bad-taste spoof of Special Olympics. |
| Saint Ralph |
2005 |
Drama |
Marathon |
A 15-year-old boy attempts to run in the 1954 Boston Marathon. |
| Terry |
2005 |
Documentary |
Road running |
Made for TV. Documents the Marathon of Hope, the 1980 attempt of cancer patient and amputee Terry Fox to run across Canada. |
| Berlin 36 |
2009 |
Drama |
High jump |
Top athlete Gretel Bergmann is excluded from Berlin Olympics for being Jewish. |
| Salute |
2008 |
Documentary |
Multiple events |
Australia film looking back at 1968 Mexico City Olympics. |
| Run Fatboy Run |
2007 |
Romantic comedy |
Marathon |
David Schwimmer-directed comedy about an out-of-shape British man who enters a marathon. |
| The One Man Olympics |
2008 |
|
|
|
| The Runner |
2009 |
|
Ultra Trail |
|
| Into the Wind |
2010 |
Documentary |
Road running |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Another look at Fox's 1980 Marathon of Hope, co-directed by NBA superstar Steve Nash, who had followed Fox's run as a young child in Victoria, British Columbia. |
| Marion Jones: Press Pause |
2010 |
Documentary |
Sprints |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the career of Marion Jones, her 2007 admission of performance-enhancing drug use, and subsequent prison sentence. |
| The Robber |
2010 |
Drama |
Marathon |
German film about an Austrian bank-robbing runner. |
| Paan Singh Tomar |
2012 |
Drama |
Steeplechase |
Indian film based on the true story of an athlete Paan Singh Tomar. |
| 9.79* |
2012 |
Documentary |
100 m |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look back at the final of the men's 100 metres at the 1988 Summer Olympics, in which Ben Johnson set a world record but was disqualified after testing positive for steroids. |
| Fast Girls |
2012 |
Drama |
Sprints |
British film about two women sprinters. |
| Title |
Year |
Genre |
Type |
Notes |
| The Crowd Roars |
1932 |
Drama |
Open wheel |
Motor racing saga featuring James Cagney. |
| The Big Wheel |
1935 |
Drama |
Open wheel |
Mickey Rooney as a young driver out to win the Indianapolis 500. |
| Speed |
1936 |
Drama |
Open Wheel |
A carburetor's designer (James Stewart) tries Indy 500, then seeks world speed record. |
| Ten Laps to Go |
1936 |
Drama |
Midget |
Rival drivers compete for national championship and a girl. |
| Indianapolis Speedway |
1939 |
Drama |
Open wheel |
Three-time Indy champ (Pat O'Brien) wants a young driver to go to college. |
| To Please a Lady |
1950 |
Drama |
Open Wheel |
Newspaper columnist gets reckless racer Mike Brannan (Clark Gable) banned. |
| The Racers |
1953 |
Drama |
Open wheel |
European circuit racing drama starring Kirk Douglas. |
| Genevieve |
1953 |
Musical |
Vintage cars |
A British comedy about an automobile rally. |
| Roar of the Crowd |
1953 |
Drama |
Open wheel |
Indy 500 contender vows to quit, becomes a sparkplugs salesman. |
| Checkpoint |
1956 |
Crime |
Road racing |
A criminal gets into a confrontation with British police at an auto race. |
| The Devil's Hairpin |
1957 |
Drama |
Road racing |
Undefeated champion (Cornel Wilde) is coaxed out of retirement. |
| Thunder in Carolina |
1960 |
Drama |
Stock car |
Rivals vie in Southern 500, starring Alan Hale, Jr. of Gilligan's Island fame. |
| The Green Helmet |
1961 |
Drama |
Road racing |
A British film about racers competing in Italy. |
| The Iron Maiden |
1962 |
Comedy |
Traction engines |
Alan Hale, Jr. again, in a story about a steam-engine rally. |
| The Lively Set |
1964 |
Drama |
|
A mechanic (James Darren) feels he's perfected a revolutionary turbine engine. |
| 24 heures d'amant |
1964 |
Drama |
Sports car |
Claude Lelouch-directed film set at Le Mans. |
| Viva Las Vegas |
1964 |
Musical |
Sports car |
Elvis Presley is out to win the big race and Ann-Margret. |
| The Great Race |
1965 |
Comedy |
Vintage cars |
Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis slapstick about long-distance car race. |
| Grand Prix |
1966 |
Drama |
Open wheel |
James Garner and Yves Montand in fictional story of drivers' lives and loves. |
| Red Line 7000 |
1966 |
Drama |
Stock car |
Howard Hawks-directed fiction, starring James Caan. |
| Fireball 500 |
1966 |
Comedy |
Stock car |
Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello vehicle. |
| Spinout |
1966 |
Musical |
Open wheel |
Elvis Presley is out to win the big race and Shelley Fabares. |
| Thunder Alley |
1967 |
Romance |
|
Stunt driver (Fabian), boss's daughter (Annette Funicello) team up in 500-mile race. |
| Hell On Wheels |
1967 |
|
|
|
| A Man and a Woman |
1967 |
Drama |
Open wheel |
French film about a woman who falls in love with an auto racer. |
| The Love Bug |
1968 |
Family |
|
Demolition derby driver gets his hands on a magical Volkswagen. |
| Speedway |
1968 |
Musical |
Stock car |
Elvis Presley is out to win the big race and Nancy Sinatra. |
| The Wild Racers |
1968 |
Drama |
|
Fabian now races on the European circuit. |
| Winning |
1969 |
Drama |
Indy car |
Paul Newman and Robert Wagner as rival drivers. |
| Monte Carlo or Bust! |
1969 |
Comedy |
Vintage cars |
a.k.a. Those Daring Young Men in their Jaunty Jalopies |
| Le Mans |
1971 |
Drama |
Sports car |
Steve McQueen as a competitor in 24 Hours of Le Mans. |
| Weekend of a Champion |
1971 |
|
|
|
| The Last American Hero |
1973 |
Biographical |
Stock car |
Fictional biography of Junior Johnson, starring Jeff Bridges as "Junior Jackson". |
| Herbie Rides Again |
1974 |
Comedy |
|
Sequel to The Love Bug. |
| Flåklypa Grand Prix |
1975 |
|
|
|
| Death Race 2000 |
1975 |
Action |
|
Science-fiction about dangerous car race, starring David Carradine. |
| Bobby Deerfield |
1977 |
Drama |
Formula One |
Al Pacino as a famed driver who falls in love with a dying woman. |
| Greased Lightning |
1977 |
Biographical |
Stock car |
True story of stock-car trailblazer Wendell Scott, starring Richard Pryor. |
| Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo |
1977 |
Comedy |
|
The third entry in The Love Bug series. |
| The Quick and the Dead |
1977 |
Documentary |
Open wheel |
A behind-the-scenes look at Grand Prix racing, narrated by Stacy Keach. |
| Herbie Goes Bananas |
1980 |
Comedy |
|
The fourth entry in The Love Bug series. |
| Six Pack |
1982 |
Comedy |
Stock car |
Kenny Rogers stars and sings hit theme song. |
| Safari 3000 |
1982 |
Adventure |
Endurance |
A 3,000-mile race across Africa attracts a young American (David Carradine). |
| Heart Like a Wheel |
1983 |
Biographical |
Drag racing |
Based on the life of Shirley Muldowney, played by Bonnie Bedelia. |
| Stroker Ace |
1983 |
Comedy |
Stock car |
Burt Reynolds as a fictional NASCAR star. |
| Born to Race |
1988 |
Drama |
Stock car |
Fiction featuring Joseph Bottoms in lead role. |
| La Carrera Panamericana |
1990 |
|
Historic sports car |
|
| Checkered Flag |
1990 |
|
Open wheel |
Unsold TV pilot |
| Dorf Goes Auto Racing |
1990 |
Comedy |
Stock car |
Direct-to-video short film. Part of Tim Conway's Dorf series. |
| Days of Thunder |
1990 |
Drama |
Stock car |
Tom Cruise as a NASCAR newcomer, based loosely on Tim Richmond. |
| Thunderbolt |
1995 |
Action |
Touring car |
Hong Kong film with Jackie Chan as a race-car mechanic. |
| Race the Sun |
1996 |
|
Solar car |
|
| The Love Bug |
1997 |
Comedy |
|
Made-for-TV sequel to the original 1968 film of the same title. |
| Super Speedway |
1997 |
Documentary |
Open wheel |
Paul Newman narrates documentary on the building of a race car. |
| Driven |
2000 |
Action |
Open wheel |
Sylvester Stallone as a former Formula One star. |
| éX-Driver The Movie |
2002 |
|
|
|
| Michel Vaillant |
2003 |
|
|
Based on a French comic book. |
| Right on Track |
2003 |
Family |
Drag racing |
Disney Channel story about a pair of drag-racing sisters. |
| NASCAR: The IMAX Experience |
2004 |
Documentary |
Stock car |
|
| 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story |
2004 |
Documentary |
Stock car |
Made for TV. Chronicles the life and career of Dale Earnhardt. |
| Herbie: Fully Loaded |
2005 |
Comedy |
Stock car |
The most recent entry in The Love Bug series. |
| Cars |
2006 |
Animated |
Stock car |
Family comedy featuring voices of Paul Newman, Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy. |
| Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby |
2006 |
Comedy |
Stock car |
Will Ferrell as a cocky, crazy NASCAR driver. |
| Dale |
2007 |
Documentary |
Stock car |
Chronicles the life and legendary career of Dale Earnhardt. |
| Ta Ra Rum Pum |
2007 |
Drama |
Stock car |
Indian film. |
| Death Race |
2008 |
Sci-fi |
|
Jason Statham in a revised version of 1975 film. |
| Death Racers |
2008 |
Sci-fi |
|
Futuristic story of prisoners competing in race to the death. |
| Truth in 24 |
2008 |
Documentary |
Sports car |
A team's preparation for 2008's 24 Hours of LeMans. |
| Speed Racer |
2008 |
Action |
|
Live-action version of Japanese anime series, with Emile Hirsch as Speed. |
| Love The Beast |
2009 |
Documentary |
Tarmac rally |
|
| Racing Dreams |
2009 |
Documentary |
Karting |
|
| Senna |
2010 |
Documentary |
Open wheel |
The life and death of Formula One great Ayrton Senna. |
| Tim Richmond: To the Limit |
2010 |
Documentary |
Stock car |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the career of Tim Richmond, his lifestyle, and his death from AIDS. |
| Red Dirt Rising |
2011 |
|
Stock car |
Based on the life of early driver Jimmie Lewallen |
| Cars 2 |
2011 |
Animated |
Sports car |
Sequel to 2006 family comedy hit. |
| Truth in 24 II: Every Second Counts |
2012 |
Documentary |
Sports car |
Sequel to 2008 film, documenting Audi's adventurous and cliffhanging 2011 race |
| Title |
Year |
Genre |
Notes |
| Heading Home |
1920 |
Biographical |
A silent film about young Babe Ruth, who stars as himself. |
| Fireman, Save My Child |
1927 |
Comedy |
Silent film. |
| Elmer, the Great |
1933 |
Drama |
Joe E. Brown as an egotistical Chicago Cubs baseball star. |
| Alibi Ike |
1935 |
Comedy |
Joe E. Brown as a pitcher with a million excuses. |
| Death on the Diamond |
1935 |
Mystery |
Ballplayer (Robert Young) tries to find who's killing his fellow St. Louis Cardinals. |
| The Pride of the Yankees |
1942 |
Biographical |
The life and career of Lou Gehrig, with Gary Cooper as Gehrig and Babe Ruth as himself. |
| The Babe Ruth Story |
1948 |
Biographical |
The life and career of Babe Ruth, starring William Bendix. |
| It Happens Every Spring |
1949 |
Comedy |
Ray Milland as a scientist whose secret formula turns him into a great pitcher. |
| The Stratton Story |
1949 |
Biographical |
The career and fateful accident of pitcher Monty Stratton, starring James Stewart. |
| Take Me Out to the Ball Game |
1949 |
Musical |
Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly as singing, dancing ballplayers. |
| The Kid from Cleveland |
1949 |
Comedy |
The '48 World Series champion Cleveland Indians come to the aid of a young fan. |
| Kill the Umpire |
1950 |
Comedy |
William Bendix as a baseball fan who becomes an umpire. |
| The Jackie Robinson Story |
1950 |
Biographical |
Baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson as himself, with Ruby Dee as his wife. |
| Angels in the Outfield |
1951 |
Comedy |
A Pittsburgh Pirates manager (Paul Douglas) gets some help from above. |
| Rhubarb |
1951 |
Comedy |
Ray Milland in a cute tale about a cat. |
| The Pride of St. Louis |
1952 |
Biographical |
Dan Dailey as the colorful pitcher Dizzy Dean. |
| The Winning Team |
1953 |
Biographical |
Based on pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander, played by Ronald Reagan. |
| The Kid from Left Field |
1953 |
Comedy |
The son of a peanut vendor (Dan Dailey) becomes the leader of a big-league team. |
| Big Leaguer |
1953 |
Drama |
Hans Lobert (Edward G. Robinson) runs a training camp for baseball's New York Giants. |
| Fear Strikes Out |
1957 |
Biographical |
The life and career of Jimmy Piersall, played by Anthony Perkins. |
| Damn Yankees |
1958 |
Musical |
A man sells his soul to the devil on behalf of Washington's baseball team. |
| Safe at Home! |
1962 |
Comedy |
With Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris as themselves. |
| Bang the Drum Slowly |
1973 |
Drama |
A pitcher's friendship with a catcher (Robert De Niro) who has a terminal disease. |
| The Bad News Bears |
1976 |
Comedy |
Walter Matthau's bad Little League team gets help from a girl pitcher (Tatum O'Neal) and a motorcycle-riding slugger (Jackie Earle Haley). |
| The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings |
1976 |
Comedy |
About a barnstorming team of Negro Leagues players, with James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor. |
| The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training |
1977 |
Comedy |
Sequel to The Bad News Bears. |
| One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story |
1978 |
Biographical |
A made-for-television film on the life and career of Ron LeFlore, starring LeVar Burton. |
| A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story |
1978 |
Biographical |
Fact-based made-for-TV account of Yankee immortal's marriage and tragedy, featuring Blythe Danner and Edward Herrmann. |
| The Bad News Bears Go to Japan |
1978 |
Comedy |
Second sequel to The Bad News Bears. |
| The Kid from Left Field |
1979 |
Comedy |
television film, remake, with Gary Coleman. |
| Squeeze Play! |
1980 |
Comedy |
Sexy women form a softball team. |
| Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige |
1981 |
Biographical |
television film with Louis Gossett, Jr. as the ageless 1940s pitcher. |
| Blue Skies Again |
1983 |
Comedy |
Denver Devils' potential second baseman isn't a man, it's a young woman. |
| Tiger Town |
1983 |
Comedy |
Early Disney Channel film about an aging Detroit Tiger (Roy Scheider). |
| The Natural |
1984 |
Drama |
Robert Redford in a fable about an unlikely, unlucky hero, Roy Hobbs. |
| Brewster's Millions |
1985 |
Comedy |
Richard Pryor as a minor-leaguer with a chance to inherit 300 million dollars. |
| The Slugger's Wife |
1985 |
Romance |
An Atlanta Braves player tries to break Roger Maris' record and make a marriage work. |
| A Winner Never Quits |
1986 |
Biographical |
television film on one-armed pro ballplayer Pete Gray, played by Keith Carradine. |
| Long Gone |
1987 |
Comedy |
Early cable television film about a minor-league ballclub starring William Petersen. |
| Trading Hearts |
1987 |
Comedy |
Has-been player (Raúl Juliá) and his romance with a Florida single mom. |
| Amazing Grace and Chuck |
1987 |
Drama |
A Montana boy refuses to pitch Little League until the world bans nuclear weapons. |
| Bull Durham |
1988 |
Rom-Com |
Ron Shelton's screwball comedy of a woman's (Susan Sarandon) summer with two minor-leaguers (Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins). |
| Eight Men Out |
1988 |
Biographical |
Based on the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. |
| Stealing Home |
1988 |
Drama |
Mark Harmon and Jodie Foster in a fictional tale of lost love. |
| The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! |
1988 |
Comedy |
Someone's out to kill the Queen of England during an Angels baseball game, and it's up to bumbling detective Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) to foil the plot. |
| Field of Dreams |
1989 |
Drama |
Voices tell an Iowa farmer (Kevin Costner) to build a baseball stadium in his cornfield. |
| Major League |
1989 |
Comedy |
Fictional story of a team of misfit Cleveland Indians. |
| Night Game |
1989 |
Crime drama |
A ballpark murder mystery starring Roy Scheider. |
| Mr. Destiny |
1990 |
Comedy |
A man (James Belushi) blames his misfortune on a long-ago baseball game. |
| Taking Care of Business |
1990 |
Comedy |
A man (James Belushi) escapes jail to see the Chicago Cubs play in a World Series. |
| Pastime |
1990 |
Drama |
A pair of minor leaguers, one 17, one 40, form a bond. |
| The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson |
1990 |
Drama |
Andre Braugher in TV biopic of Robinson's court-martial in U.S. Army. |
| Talent for the Game |
1991 |
Drama |
A fictional Angels baseball scout (Edward James Olmos) finds a fantastic young pitcher. |
| The Babe |
1992 |
Biographical |
Based on the life and career of Babe Ruth, starring John Goodman. |
| The Comrades of Summer |
1992 |
Comedy |
television film about a manager (Joe Mantegna) asked to take over a Soviet ballclub. |
| A League of Their Own |
1992 |
Comedy |
A fictionalized account of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League of the 1940s. |
| Mr. Baseball |
1992 |
Rom-Com |
Tom Selleck as a baseball star who ends up in Japan. |
| Rookie of the Year |
1993 |
Comedy |
A boy develops a magical right arm and becomes a big-league pitcher for the Cubs. |
| The Man From Left Field |
1993 |
Comedy |
television film about a homeless man (Burt Reynolds) coaching a Little League team. |
| The Sandlot |
1993 |
Comedy |
A man reminisces about his childhood friends and the games they played. |
| Baseball |
1994 |
Documentary |
Comprehensive history of the game, 18 hours-plus, as chronicled by Ken Burns. |
| Angels in the Outfield |
1994 |
Comedy |
Disney remake of the 1951 film of the same name. |
| Cobb |
1994 |
Biographical |
The career and last days of Ty Cobb, played by Tommy Lee Jones. |
| Little Big League |
1994 |
Comedy |
A child becomes owner of the Minnesota Twins. |
| Major League II |
1994 |
Comedy |
Second film in the Major League series. |
| The Scout |
1994 |
Comedy |
A desperate Yankee scout (Albert Brooks) comes upon a phenomenal but psychologically troubled prospect. |
| Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream |
1995 |
Documentary |
Aaron's pursuit of Babe Ruth's all-time homer record, directed by Michael Tollin. |
| Dorf on the Diamond |
1996 |
Comedy |
Direct-to-video short film in the Dorf series starring Tim Conway. |
| Ed |
1996 |
Comedy |
Matt LeBlanc becomes friends with a baseball-playing chimpanzee. |
| The Fan |
1996 |
Thriller |
A deranged San Francisco fan (Robert De Niro) kills a player, kidnaps another's son. |
| Soul of the Game |
1996 |
Biographical |
Story of baseball trailblazers including Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson. |
| Joe Torre: Curveballs Along the Way |
1997 |
Biographical |
Paul Sorvino as the former New York Yankees manager. |
| The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg |
1998 |
Documentary |
The life and career of a former Detroit Tigers star and war hero. |
| BASEketball |
1998 |
Comedy |
A new game is invented combining baseball with basketball. |
| If the Sun Rises in the West |
1998 |
Drama |
South Korean story of an umpire. |
| Major League: Back to the Minors |
1998 |
Comedy |
Third film in the Major League series. |
| For Love of the Game |
1999 |
Drama |
In possibly his last start, a Detroit pitcher (Kevin Costner) goes after a perfect game. |
| Perfect Game |
2000 |
Comedy |
television film starring Ed Asner. |
| Angels in the Infield |
2000 |
Comedy |
Second made-for-TV sequel to the 1994 film. |
| 61* |
2001 |
Drama |
HBO film directed by Billy Crystal about the 1961 home run record chase of Roger Maris. |
| Hardball |
2001 |
Drama |
Keanu Reeves as a young man who takes charge of an inner-city team. |
| Summer Catch |
2001 |
Romance |
Fictional love story starring Freddie Prinze, Jr. |
| Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch |
2002 |
Comedy |
Fourth entry in the Air Bud series. |
| The Rookie |
2002 |
Biographical |
Based on true story of a high school coach, pitcher Jim Morris, portrayed by Dennis Quaid. |
| Bleacher Bums |
2002 |
Comedy |
television film version of 1970s stage play about diehard fans in the outfield bleachers. |
| Battlefield Baseball |
2003 |
Action |
Japanese film. |
| Day of Independence |
2003 |
Drama |
Short film |
| Hustle |
2004 |
Biographical |
ESPN dramatization on the career and controversies of Pete Rose, starring Tom Sizemore. |
| Mickey |
2004 |
Drama |
John Grisham story about a Little Leaguer and his father. |
| Mr. 3000 |
2004 |
Comedy |
A potential Hall of Famer (Bernie Mac) is told he's actually three hits shy of 3,000. |
| This Old Cub |
2004 |
Documentary |
Chronicles life of Ron Santo, focusing on baseball career and struggle with type 1 diabetes. |
| Up for Grabs |
2004 |
Documentary |
A battle over who owns ball hit in 2001 by Barry Bonds for his 73rd home run. |
| The Winning Season |
2004 |
Drama |
A child from 1985 wakes up in 1909 and meets hero Honus Wagner (Matthew Modine). |
| Fever Pitch |
2005 |
Rom-Com |
Loosely based on Nick Hornby's soccer story, in this case a devoted Boston Red Sox fan (Jimmy Fallon). |
| Game 6 |
2005 |
Drama |
A playwright (Michael Keaton) has a wild night during a Red Sox playoff series. |
| Bad News Bears |
2005 |
Comedy |
Remake of 1976 film of same name, starring Billy Bob Thornton. |
| The Sandlot 2 |
2005 |
Comedy |
Direct-to-video sequel to The Sandlot. |
| The Benchwarmers |
2006 |
Comedy |
David Spade and Rob Schneider as middle-aged nerds who want to play ball. |
| Everyone's Hero |
2006 |
Animation |
Cartoon family film with baseball theme. |
| Beer League |
2006 |
Comedy |
A town drunk plays in a big softball game. |
| Off the Black |
2006 |
Drama |
An umpire (Nick Nolte) befriends a high school player who hated him. |
| Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball |
2006 |
Documentary |
Broadcast on the U.S. PBS series POV. Explores the phenomenon of high school baseball in Japan. |
| The Final Season |
2007 |
Drama |
Based on 1991 season of Norway High School in Norway, Iowa, before it was closed and consolidated into its county school district, starring Sean Astin. |
| The Sandlot: Heading Home |
2007 |
Comedy |
Second direct-to-video sequel to The Sandlot. |
| The Bronx Is Burning |
2007 |
Biographical |
A docudrama about the 1977 New York Yankees, with John Turturro as Billy Martin. |
| Black Irish |
2007 |
Drama |
Boston teen tries to escape family problems through his pitching. |
| Chasing 3000 |
2008 |
Drama |
Two boys go a long way to witness 3,000th career hit of Roberto Clemente. |
| City Without Baseball |
2008 |
Drama |
Chinese film. |
| Sugar |
2008 |
Drama |
Story about a Dominican prospect and his adjustment to life in the U.S. |
| Touching Home |
2008 |
Drama |
Brothers with pro-ball ambitions deal with their homeless father (Ed Harris). |
| The Perfect Game |
2009 |
Drama |
Based on true story of Mexico team that won 1956 Little League World Series. |
| The Open Road |
2009 |
Drama |
Minor leaguer Justin Timberlake has issues with baseball-legend dad Jeff Bridges. |
| Fernando Nation |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the impact of Fernando Valenzuela's 1981 rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. |
| Four Days in October |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the Boston Red Sox' comeback from a 3–0 series deficit against the New York Yankees in the 2004 ALCS. |
| Hero |
2010 |
Drama |
Christian film about fathers and sons. |
| How Do You Know |
2010 |
Rom-Com |
A romantic triangle involving a softball player (Reese Witherspoon) and a Washington Nationals pitcher (Owen Wilson). |
| The House of Steinbrenner |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the legacy of George Steinbrenner's ownership of the New York Yankees. |
| Jordan Rides the Bus |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores Michael Jordan's brief career in minor league baseball after his first retirement from basketball. |
| Little Big Men |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the Kirkland National Little League team that scored a stunning victory in the 1982 Little League World Series, and the players' lives in the nearly three decades that followed. |
| Silly Little Game |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look back at the group of New York writers and academics who created Rotisserie fantasy baseball, and how their creation eventually left them behind. |
| Catching Hell |
2011 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the relationship between Steve Bartman and Chicago Cubs fans since Bartman's famous incident in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS. |
| Moneyball |
2011 |
Drama |
Based on a true story, the Michael Lewis best-seller about Oakland A's exec Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt. |
| Trouble with the Curve |
2012 |
Drama |
Clint Eastwood as a veteran Atlanta Braves scout. |
| Knuckleball! |
2012 |
Documentary |
A season following pitchers Tim Wakefield and R.A. Dickey. |
| Home Run |
2013 |
Drama |
A ballplayer dealing with substance abuse returns to his hometown. |
| 42 |
2013 |
Biographical |
Story of Jackie Robinson and his history-making signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey (played by Harrison Ford). |
| Title |
Year |
Genre |
Notes |
| The Big Fix |
1947 |
Drama |
Army vet Ken Williams, a basketball hero, is threatened to fix his school's games. |
| The Basketball Fix |
1951 |
Drama |
A college player in need of money agrees to shave points for a gambler. |
| The Harlem Globetrotters |
1951 |
Drama |
A new kind of basketball team dazzles audiences with its skills. |
| Tall Story |
1960 |
Comedy |
A co-ed (Jane Fonda) tries to win the heart of the team's star (Anthony Perkins). |
| The Absent-Minded Professor |
1961 |
Comedy |
Miracle substance called "Flubber" invented by a college professor (Fred MacMurray) enables school's basketball players to bounce sky-high. |
| Drive, He Said |
1971 |
Drama |
Directed by Jack Nicholson, story of a college player who becomes a campus activist. |
| Maurie |
1973 |
Biographical |
Life-changing injury's impact on NBA teammates Maurice Stokes and Jack Twyman. |
| Mixed Company |
1974 |
Comedy |
A Phoenix Suns coach and his wife adopt children of various ethnic backgrounds. |
| Cornbread, Earl and Me |
1975 |
Drama |
A teenager about to get a basketball scholarship (Jamaal Wilkes) is mistaken for a thief and shot by police. |
| One on One |
1977 |
Drama |
A highly recruited college freshman (Robby Benson) runs afoul of a demanding coach. |
| Coach |
1978 |
Drama |
A basketball coach (Cathy Lee Crosby) hired by mistake is harassed by her superior. |
| Fast Break |
1979 |
Comedy |
Gabe Kaplan as a New Yorker who dreams of being a coach and finally gets a shot. |
| The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh |
1979 |
Comedy |
A laughing stock basketball squad transforms itself as the Pittsburgh Pisces. |
| The Great Santini |
1979 |
Drama |
A high school star's life is complicated by his father (Robert Duvall), a mean Marine. |
| Inside Moves |
1980 |
Drama |
When a bartender's injury heals, he becomes a player for the Golden State Warriors. |
| That Championship Season |
1982 |
Drama |
A reunion of a Pennsylvania state championship team turns into an angry confrontation. |
| Teen Wolf |
1985 |
Comedy |
Sci-fi slapstick starring Michael J. Fox. |
| Hoosiers |
1986 |
Drama |
Gene Hackman in story based loosely on the 1953–54 Milan High School basketball team. |
| Amazing Grace and Chuck |
1987 |
Drama |
An NBA superstar (real-life NBA star Alex English) joins the anti-nuclear protest of a Montana Little League pitcher (see also "Baseball" section above). |
| The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend |
1991 |
Drama |
Biographical film based on the early life of Pete Maravich. |
| White Men Can't Jump |
1992 |
Comedy |
Two outdoor court hustlers (Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson) try to con opponents as well as each other. |
| Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story |
1992 |
Drama |
television film, biographical film about doomed Loyola Marymount star. |
| Blue Chips |
1994 |
Drama |
Nick Nolte as a successful college coach who violates the rules to recruit new stars. |
| Hoop Dreams |
1994 |
Documentary |
A pair of Chicago high school athletes try to succeed on the court and make it to college. |
| Above the Rim |
1994 |
Drama |
Story about a New York high school player who falls in with a bad crowd. |
| The Air Up There |
1994 |
Comedy |
Kevin Bacon as a college coach who goes to Africa searching for new talent. |
| The Basketball Diaries |
1995 |
Drama |
Harrowing true story of drug addiction starring Leonardo DiCaprio. |
| Forget Paris |
1995 |
Rom-Com |
A temperamental NBA referee (Billy Crystal) tries to make his new marriage work. |
| Slam Dunk Ernest |
1995 |
Comedy |
Featuring the character played in many films by Jim Varney. |
| Space Jam |
1996 |
Comedy |
Combines live action and animation, featuring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny. |
| Eddie |
1996 |
Comedy |
Whoopi Goldberg as a New York Knicks fan who becomes their head coach. |
| Celtic Pride |
1996 |
Comedy |
A couple of Boston basketball fans (Daniel Stern and Dan Aykroyd) kidnap the opposition's top player (Damon Wayans). |
| Sunset Park |
1996 |
Drama |
A woman (Rhea Perlman) becomes coach of an all-male team. |
| Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault |
1996 |
Drama |
television film, biographical film of the New York playground legend. |
| Air Bud |
1997 |
Comedy |
Family adventure about a basketball-playing dog. |
| The 6th Man |
1997 |
Comedy |
Ghost of a teammate returns to inspire a University of Washington player. |
| My Giant |
1998 |
Comedy |
A gentle man nearly 8 feet tall (Gheorghe Mureșan) is found by an American (Billy Crystal) with big ideas. |
| BASEketball |
1998 |
Comedy |
A league is formed featuring a new game that combines baseball and basketball. |
| Bad as I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story |
1998 |
Drama |
television film, biographical film of NBA star. |
| He Got Game |
1998 |
Drama |
Fictional look at highly recruited high schooler and imprisoned father (Denzel Washington). |
| City Dump: The Story of the 1951 CCNY Basketball Scandal |
1998 |
Documentary |
HBO's look at a New York college team's point-shaving disgrace. |
| Michael Jordan: An American Hero |
1999 |
Drama |
Biographical film of former NBA great. |
| Passing Glory |
1999 |
Drama |
A 1960s priest (Andre Braugher) organizes a game between racially segregated teams. |
| That Championship Season |
1999 |
Drama |
Remake of 1982 film, based on Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Jason Miller. |
| Love and Basketball |
2000 |
Romance |
Male and female basketball players attend college together and fall in love. |
| Finding Forrester |
2000 |
Drama |
A reclusive author (Sean Connery) mentors a prep-school student-athlete. |
| The Luck of the Irish |
2001 |
Comedy |
TV family film about a junior high school student. |
| O |
2001 |
Drama |
An adaptation of Othello, updated to a modern American high school and its team. |
| Juwanna Mann |
2002 |
Rom-Com |
A basketball player becomes a female impersonator. |
| The Red Sneakers |
2002 |
Fantasy |
television film about a player with a lucky pair of shoes. |
| Like Mike |
2002 |
Comedy |
Magical shoes turn a 14-year-old (Lil' Bow Wow) into a basketball sensation. |
| A Season on the Brink |
2002 |
Drama |
Television film based on the book of the same title, documenting the 1985–86 season of Bob Knight and Indiana University. |
| Double Teamed |
2002 |
Biographical |
Disney Channel biopic of Heather and Heidi Burge, twins from Palos Verdes who both end up in the WNBA. |
| Crossing the Line |
2002 |
Drama |
A coach of a girls' team clashes with angry parents. |
| Full-Court Miracle |
2003 |
Family |
Story of a team from a Hebrew Academy in a big tournament. |
| The Year of the Yao |
2004 |
Documentary |
Chronicles Yao Ming's first season in the NBA. |
| Rebound |
2005 |
Comedy |
A coach banned from college ball (Martin Lawrence) ends up teaching middle-school kids. |
| Coach Carter |
2005 |
Drama |
Based on a true story, starring Samuel L. Jackson as a high school coach. |
| The Heart of the Game |
2005 |
Documentary |
Behind-the-scenes look at a Seattle high school girls team. |
| Crossover |
2006 |
Action |
A college student tries to concentrate on both basketball and medical school. |
| Like Mike 2 |
2006 |
Comedy |
Direct-to-DVD sequel to Like Mike. |
| Glory Road |
2006 |
Drama |
Based on true story of the 1965–66 Texas Western College team. |
| Believe in Me |
2006 |
Drama |
Assigned to an Oklahoma girls' team against his will, a coach takes it to the state championship game. |
| Home of the Giants |
2007 |
Crime drama |
A robbery creates complications for an Indiana high school team. |
| Quantum Hoops |
2007 |
Documentary |
Caltech's team tries to end a 21-year losing streak in conference play in the final week of the 2005–06 season. |
| Dribbles |
2007 |
Drama |
|
| The First Basket |
2008 |
Documentary |
Explores the influence of professional basketball on Jewish culture. |
| Game of Change |
2008 |
Documentary |
A segregated Mississippi State team, defying a court order, plays integrated Loyola in the 1963 NCAA Tournament. Produced and directed by Jerald Harkness, son of 1963 Loyola star Jerry Harkness. |
| Road to Redemption |
2008 |
Documentary |
Nike-produced film. |
| Semi-Pro |
2008 |
Comedy |
Silly story with Will Ferrell about an American Basketball Association team. |
| Hurricane Season |
2009 |
Drama |
Based on true story of a Louisiana coach (Forest Whitaker) rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. |
| The Mighty Macs |
2009 |
Drama |
Based on the 1972 Immaculata College women's team, coached by Cathy Rush, that won the first official women's national championship. |
| More Than a Game |
2009 |
Documentary |
Chronicles the high school careers of LeBron James and four of his hometown friends. |
| Sonicsgate |
2009 |
Documentary |
Explores the controversial relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City. |
| Just Wright |
2010 |
Romance |
A physical therapist (Queen Latifah) falls for a player from NBA's New Jersey Nets. |
| Without Bias |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the career of Len Bias, his death from a cocaine overdose shortly after he was selected in the 1986 NBA Draft, and the impact of his death on the sport. |
| Guru of Go |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the 1985–1990 head coaching tenure of Paul Westhead at Loyola Marymount University, highlighted by his frenzied offensive pace and players such as Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble. |
| Once Brothers |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. The story of Croat Dražen Petrović and Serb Vlade Divac, former Yugoslavia national teammates, and how the Yugoslav Wars irretrievably broke their friendship. |
| Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Examines the impact of Reggie Miller on the New York Knicks in the 1990s, focusing especially on the 1994 and 1995 playoffs and Miller's interaction with Knicks superfan Spike Lee. |
| The Fab Five |
2011 |
Documentary |
Made for TV follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Documents the University of Michigan's early-1990s Fab Five and their impact on the sport and culture. |
| Off the Rez |
2011 |
Documentary |
Made for TV. Focuses on high school career of University of Louisville women's player Shoni Schimmel, a Native American who grew up on an Oregon reservation. |
| Unguarded |
2011 |
Documentary |
Made for TV follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles life and career of former NBA player Chris Herren, battle with drug addiction and ongoing recovery. |
| The Announcement |
2012 |
Documentary |
Made for TV follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Examines the impact of Magic Johnson's 1991 announcement that he had tested positive for HIV. |
| Benji |
2012 |
Documentary |
Examines the life and 1984 killing of Ben Wilson, a high school superstar from Chicago's South Side. |
| The Other Dream Team |
2012 |
Documentary |
Focuses on the resurrection of the Lithuania national basketball team after the restoration of the country's independence in 1990 and its journey to the 1992 Olympics. |
| Thunderstruck |
2012 |
Family |
A teenager who idolizes Kevin Durant (who stars as himself) switches talents with the NBA star, becoming a phenom while Durant is mired in a slump. |
| Survive and Advance |
2013 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A 30-year retrospective on North Carolina State's improbable run to win the 1983 ACC and NCAA Tournaments. |
| Linsanity |
2013 |
Documentary |
An inside look at pro player Jeremy Lin. |
| Title |
Year |
Genre |
Notes |
| Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph |
1894 |
Documentary |
Silent film |
| Boxing Match; or, Glove Contest |
1896 |
Documentary |
Silent film |
| The Gordon Sisters Boxing |
1901 |
Documentary |
Silent film |
| Battling Butler |
1926 |
Comedy |
Silent film |
| The Champ |
1931 |
Drama |
Story of a boy's love for a doomed ex-boxer. Academy Award for Wallace Beery. |
| Winner Take All |
1932 |
Drama |
Washed-up Jimmy Kane (James Cagney) fights to earn money for a young widow. |
| The Big Timer |
1932 |
Comedy |
Cooky Bradford ends up fighting for, and falling for, his manager's daughter. |
| The Bermondsey Kid |
1933 |
Drama |
A British newsboy ends up in a fight contest against a friend. |
| The Prizefighter and the Lady |
1933 |
Romantic Comedy |
Real-life boxer Max Baer co-stars in a glove story with Myrna Loy. |
| Excuse My Glove |
1936 |
Comedy |
A meek British man accepts a dare to step into a boxing ring at a fair. |
| The Milky Way |
1936 |
Comedy |
A milkman (Harold Lloyd) who can deliver a punch becomes an overnight sensation. |
| Prison Shadows |
1936 |
Drama |
Out on parole, a boxer called "Killer" ends up with most of his opponents dead. |
| Keep Fit |
1937 |
Comedy |
A department store employee (George Formby) takes up boxing. |
| Kid Galahad |
1937 |
Comedy |
Edward G. Robinson turns a young bellhop into a boxer. |
| Golden Boy |
1939 |
Drama |
A promising violinist (William Holden) risks his hands by prizefighting. |
| There Ain't No Justice |
1939 |
Drama |
An aspiring boxer (Jimmy Hanley) discovers corruption in the sport. |
| They Made Me a Criminal |
1939 |
Drama |
Accused of murder, a boxing champ (John Garfield) becomes a fugitive. |
| City for Conquest |
1940 |
Drama |
James Cagney as a fighter who is blinded in the ring. |
| Golden Gloves |
1940 |
Drama |
A sportswriter sets out to clean up amateur boxing. |
| Here Comes Mr. Jordan |
1941 |
Comedy |
A fighter taken too soon is reincarnated in a new body. Remade in 1978 as Heaven Can Wait, but with American football as the backdrop instead of boxing. |
| Knockout |
1941 |
Drama |
Arrogant boxer Johnny Rocket (Arthur Kennedy) has a manipulative manager. |
| Bowery Blitzkrieg |
1941 |
Comedy |
The East Side Kids end up in Golden Gloves bouts in this Bowery Boys tale. |
| Sunday Punch |
1942 |
Rom-Com |
A janitor and a medical student become pals, then rival prizefighters. |
| Gentleman Jim |
1942 |
Biographical |
Light-hearted biopic, with Errol Flynn as heavyweight champ James J. Corbett. |
| The Great John L. |
1945 |
Biographical |
Boston strong boy John L. Sullivan wins the belt, battles the bottle. |
| The Kid from Brooklyn |
1946 |
Comedy |
Remake of 1936 milkman tale, this time with Danny Kaye. |
| Body and Soul |
1947 |
Film noir |
John Garfield ring drama about a boxer involved with corrupt promoters. |
| Whiplash |
1948 |
Film noir |
A painter adopts the ring name "Mike Angelo" when he fights for a sadistic club owner. |
| The Set-Up |
1949 |
Film noir |
A has-been boxer's manager bets on him to lose, with dire consequences if he doesn't. |
| Champion |
1949 |
Film noir |
An arrogant fighter (Kirk Douglas) makes it to the top, alienating those who care about him. Six Academy Award nominations. |
| Duke of Chicago |
1949 |
Comedy |
Chicago's retired Jim Brody makes a comeback against champ Killer Bronski. |
| Right Cross |
1950 |
Romance |
June Allyson takes over dad's fight promotions, handles boxer Ricardo Montalbán. |
| The Golden Gloves Story |
1950 |
Drama |
An amateur boxer falls in love with a referee's daughter. |
| The Quiet Man |
1952 |
Romance |
A visiting American ex-boxer (John Wayne) meets an Irish lass (Maureen O'Hara) and literally has to fight for her. |
| The Fighter |
1952 |
Drama |
A story by Jack London about a fighter during the 1910 Mexican rebellion. |
| The Square Ring |
1952 |
Drama |
British film about one night's events inside a boxing arena. |
| Flesh and Fury |
1952 |
Drama |
A deaf boxer (Tony Curtis) wins the title, undergoes an operation so he can hear. |
| The Ring |
1952 |
Drama |
A young Mexican (Lalo Ríos) living in the United States becomes boxer to win the respect of the American population. |
| The Joe Louis Story |
1953 |
Biographical |
The life and career of the longtime champ, played by Coley Wallace. |
| Off Limits |
1953 |
Comedy |
A boxer (Mickey Rooney) is drafted into the Army, so his manager (Bob Hope) enlists. |
| It's Always Fair Weather |
1953 |
Musical |
Fight manager Gene Kelly discovers his contender is about to take a dive. |
| The Harder They Fall |
1956 |
Film noir |
A former sportswriter (Humphrey Bogart) works for a mobster who fixes fights. |
| Somebody Up There Likes Me |
1956 |
Drama |
Based on the life of Rocky Graziano, played by Paul Newman. |
| The Square Jungle |
1956 |
Drama |
A grocery clerk (Tony Curtis) fights his way to the middleweight title. |
| World in My Corner |
1956 |
Drama |
New Jersey boy (Audie Murphy) seeks fame, fortune to impress millionaire's daughter. |
| Monkey on My Back |
1957 |
Biographical |
Barney Ross's boxing career leaves him with a morphine habit. |
| Requiem for a Heavyweight |
1962 |
Drama |
A punchy fighter (Anthony Quinn) is betrayed by his manager (Jackie Gleason). |
| Kid Galahad |
1962 |
Musical |
A young Catskills car mechanic (Elvis Presley) turns out to pack quite a punch. |
| Legendary Champions |
1968 |
Documentary |
Harry Chapin's look at boxers of yesteryear. |
| The Great White Hope |
1970 |
Romantic Drama |
Based on Jack Johnson, a story about black prizefighter "Jack Jefferson" in early 20th Century. Oscar-nominated performances by James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander. |
| Fat City |
1972 |
Drama |
A broke, broken-down fighter (Stacy Keach) tries a comeback as a young one (Jeff Bridges) learns the ropes. |
| Hard Times |
1975 |
Drama |
Illegal bare-knuckle bouts in Louisiana, starring Charles Bronson. |
| Let's Do It Again |
1975 |
Comedy |
Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier as Atlanta men who rig a match for a good cause. |
| Rocky |
1976 |
Drama |
Academy Award winner about a Philadelphia pug (Sylvester Stallone) who gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. |
| The Greatest |
1977 |
Drama |
Biographical film with Muhammad Ali as himself. |
| Every Which Way but Loose |
1978 |
Comedy |
A truck driver (Clint Eastwood) with a pet orangutan takes on opponents in bare-knuckle street brawls for money. |
| Matilda |
1978 |
Comedy |
A promoter (Elliott Gould) pits a man against a boxing kangaroo. |
| Movie Movie |
1978 |
Comedy |
Spoof of old boxing films, with palooka Harry Hamlin managed by George C. Scott. |
| The Champ |
1979 |
Drama |
Remake of '30s melodrama about a child who worships a has-been boxer (Jon Voight). |
| The Main Event |
1979 |
Comedy |
Headstrong woman (Barbra Streisand) owns contract of cocky boxer (Ryan O'Neal). |
| Penitentiary |
1979 |
Drama |
Blaxploitation story set in a prison, featuring Leon Isaac Kennedy. |
| Rocky II |
1979 |
Drama |
Rocky Balboa gets a rematch with Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). |
| Ashita no Joe |
1980 |
Animated drama |
|
| Raging Bull |
1980 |
Drama |
Biopic on Jake LaMotta, with Oscar-winning performance by Robert De Niro. |
| Any Which Way You Can |
1980 |
Comedy |
In sequel to 1978 film, mobsters coax bare-knuckle brawler Clint Eastwood into one more fight. |
| Ashita no Joe 2 |
1981 |
Animated drama |
|
| Body and Soul |
1981 |
Drama |
Based on 1947 version, with Leon Isaac Kennedy and then-wife Jayne Kennedy. |
| Penitentiary II |
1982 |
Drama |
Blaxploitation, sequel to 1979 film. |
| Honeyboy |
1982 |
Drama |
Made for TV story with Erik Estrada and Morgan Fairchild. |
| Rocky III |
1982 |
Drama |
Now champ, Rocky is challenged by vicious Clubber Lang, played by Mr. T. |
| Dempsey |
1983 |
Biographical |
Treat Williams stars in made-for-TV biopic of Jack Dempsey. |
| Tough Enough |
1983 |
Drama |
A "toughman" tournament is entered by a Texas musician (Dennis Quaid). |
| The Sting II |
1983 |
Comedy |
Con man Jackie Gleason fixes a fight to double-cross a couple of crooks. |
| Boxer |
1984 |
Drama |
Indian film |
| Rocky IV |
1985 |
Drama |
Rocky goes to the Soviet Union to battle Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). |
| Streets of Gold |
1986 |
Drama |
Two amateur boxers are trained by a Russian (Klaus Maria Brandauer). |
| Teen Wolf Too |
1987 |
Comedy |
Sequel to werewolf comedy, this time starring Jason Bateman. |
| Heart |
1987 |
Drama |
A punchy fighter gets set up by a shady promoter (Steve Buscemi). |
| Split Decisions |
1988 |
Drama |
Gene Hackman as a trainer and father of two totally different sons. |
| Triumph of the Spirit |
1988 |
Drama |
In Auschwitz concentration camp, a Jewish boxer (Willem Dafoe) fights for his life. |
| Homeboy |
1988 |
Drama |
Mickey Rourke as a down-and-out boxer who risks death in the ring. |
| Rocky V |
1990 |
Drama |
A bankrupt Balboa trains up-and-coming heavyweight (real-life boxer Tommy Morrison). |
| Diggstown |
1992 |
Drama |
A con man (James Woods) wagers his fighter can defeat 10 men in 24 hours. |
| Gladiator |
1992 |
Drama |
Cuba Gooding, Jr. and James Marshall take part in illegal fights. |
| Night and the City |
1992 |
Drama |
A shyster (Robert De Niro) defies a mobster to become a boxing promoter. |
| Tyson |
1995 |
Biographical |
HBO biopic of Mike Tyson (played by Michael Jai White), co-starring George C. Scott. |
| The Great White Hype |
1996 |
Comedy |
An out-of-shape champ steps into the ring against an out-of-his-league chump. |
| When We Were Kings |
1996 |
Documentary |
Oscar-winner on 1974 fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. |
| The Boxer |
1997 |
Drama |
Daniel Day-Lewis as an Irish boxer recently released from prison. |
| Don King: Only in America |
1997 |
Biographical |
An ex-con becomes a famous promoter, with Ving Rhames as King. |
| Play It to the Bone |
1999 |
Comedy |
Best friends (Antonio Banderas, Woody Harrelson) fight each other in Las Vegas. |
| Rocky Marciano |
1999 |
Biographical |
A television film with Jon Favreau portraying the undefeated champ. |
| On the Ropes |
1999 |
Documentary |
A coach takes three young boxers under his wing. |
| The Hurricane |
1999 |
Biographical |
False imprisonment of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, played by Denzel Washington. |
| Sanshiro Sugata |
1943 |
Action |
Jujutsu
Judo |
|
| Thammudu |
1999 |
Drama |
Indian Film |
|
| The Opponent |
2000 |
Drama |
An abused woman learns to defend herself, then turns pro. |
| King of the World |
2000 |
Biographical |
A television film with Terrence Howard as young Cassius Clay. |
| Price of Glory |
2000 |
Drama |
A trainer (Jimmy Smits) teaches three of his sons how to fight. |
| Ali |
2001 |
Biographical |
A dramatization of Muhammad Ali's success and controversy, with Will Smith. |
| Undisputed |
2002 |
Drama |
Fictional story of a heavyweight champ who fights a fellow prison inmate. Ving Rhames and Wesley Snipes co-star. |
| Joe and Max |
2002 |
Biographical |
The 1930s rivalry between heavyweights Joe Louis and Max Schmeling. |
| Beautiful Boxer |
2002 |
Drama |
Biographical film about a transsexual fighter from Thailand. |
| Hajime No Ippo: Champion Road |
2003 |
Animated action |
|
| Hajime No Ippo: Mashiba Vs Kimura |
2003 |
Animated action |
|
| Million Dollar Baby |
2004 |
Drama |
Oscar-winner about trainer (Clint Eastwood) who reluctantly teaches a woman (Hilary Swank) to fight. |
| Against the Ropes |
2004 |
Drama |
Based on a true story; Meg Ryan as manager of a young fighter (Omar Epps). |
| The Calcium Kid |
2004 |
Mockumentary |
Orlando Bloom in a satire of boxing films. |
| Cinderella Man |
2005 |
Biographical |
Depression-era comeback of James J. Braddock, played by Russell Crowe. |
| Fighting Tommy Riley |
2005 |
Drama |
A boxer and a gay manager clash, with tragic consequences. |
| Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story |
2005 |
Documentary |
A look at welterweight champ who killed an opponent in the ring. |
| Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson |
2005 |
Documentary |
Emmy-winner by Ken Burns about long-ago heavyweight champ Jack Johnson's battles in and out of the ring. |
| Pacquiao: The Movie |
2006 |
Biographical |
A look at the life and career of Manny Pacquiao. |
| Rocky Balboa |
2006 |
Drama |
Sixth and last in Rocky series, with widower Rocky stepping into ring one more time. |
| Undisputed II: Last Man Standing |
2006 |
Action |
Sequel to 2002 film but with entirely new cast. |
| Annapolis |
2006 |
Drama |
Boxing story set at Naval Academy starring James Franco. |
| Jump In! |
2007 |
Family |
Disney Channel comedy on Golden Gloves boxer's kid in rope-jumping contest. |
| Poor Boy's Game |
2007 |
Drama |
Tempers and racial tensions flare in Nova Scotia story, starring Danny Glover. |
| Apne |
2007 |
Drama |
Bollywood film. |
| Miracle on 1st Street |
2007 |
Comedy |
South Korea film. |
| Muay Thai Chaiya |
2007 |
Drama |
Thailand film. |
| Resurrecting the Champ |
2007 |
Drama |
A sportswriter believes homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson) is former boxing star. |
| The Hammer |
2007 |
Comedy |
A 40-year-old carpenter (Adam Carolla) gets shot at U.S. Olympic boxing team. |
| Blue Blood |
2007 |
Documentary |
Five Oxford students attempt to make Amateur Boxing Club. |
| Muhammad and Larry |
2009 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Examines the 1980 fight between Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes and its impact on both men. |
| Phantom Punch |
2009 |
Biographical |
Ving Rhames' portrayal of former heavyweight champ Sonny Liston. |
| The Fighter |
2010 |
Biographical |
Story of Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and his half-brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale). Oscars for Bale and Melissa Leo (playing their mother). |
| Max Schmeling |
2010 |
Biographical |
A look back at 1930s German heavyweight who twice fought Joe Louis. |
| One Night in Vegas |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the friendship between boxer Mike Tyson and rapper Tupac Shakur, leading up to Shakur's murder in 1996 shortly after attending Tyson's fight with Bruce Seldon in Las Vegas. |
| Lahore |
2010 |
Drama |
|
| Ashita no Joe |
2011 |
Drama |
|
| The Real Rocky |
2011 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Profiles Chuck Wepner, the real-life inspiration for Rocky Balboa. |
| Knockout |
2011 |
Drama |
A janitor (Steve Austin) teaches boxing skills to a student who's up against bullies. |
| Real Steel |
2011 |
Science fiction |
Boxing robots, starring Hugh Jackman. |
| Klitschko |
2011 |
Documentary |
Lives of Ukraine brothers who both became world heavyweight champions. |
| Title |
Year |
Genre |
Notes |
| The Great Game |
1930 |
Comedy |
British film about fictional Manningford F.C. |
| Sportszerelem |
1936 |
Comedy |
|
| The Arsenal Stadium Mystery |
1939 |
Crime comedy |
When a player is poisoned during a match, Detective Inspector Slade must investigate. |
| Das große Spiel |
1942 |
Comedy |
|
| O Leão da Estrela |
1947 |
Comedy-drama |
This Arthur Duarte movie includes original images of the Portuguese cup final Porto - Sporting |
| The Great Game |
1953 |
Comedy-drama |
The chairman of a British club is penalized for approaching a player from a rival team. |
| Két félidő a pokolban |
1961 |
Drama |
Based on 1942's The Death Match between team in modern-day Ukraine (including players from Dynamo Kyiv) and a German Wehrmacht side. |
| Dhanyee Meye |
1971 |
Comedy |
|
| Mohunbaganer Meye |
1976 |
|
|
| Yesterday's Hero |
1979 |
Drama |
Ian McShane as a former football player turned alcoholic. |
| Escape to Victory |
1981 |
War |
Loosely based on The Death Match, with Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine; released in North America as Victory. |
| Gregory's Girl |
1981 |
Comedy |
Scottish teen tale directed by Bill Forsyth. |
| Ultra |
1991 |
Drama |
Italian film. |
| Cup Final |
1991 |
Drama |
Israeli film about a kidnapping during the 1982 FIFA World Cup. |
| Ladybugs |
1992 |
Comedy |
Rodney Dangerfield as a football coach who makes a boy suit up as a girl. |
| Do I Not Like That! |
1994 |
Documentary |
|
| The Big Green |
1994 |
Family Comedy |
A British woman teaches football to Texas school kids. |
| Fever Pitch |
1997 |
Romantic comedy |
Colin Firth in an adaptation of Nick Hornby's book about Arsenal. |
| When Saturday Comes |
1996 |
Drama |
A factory worker (Sean Bean) is recruited by professional football clubs. |
| Soccer Dog: The Movie |
1999 |
Family comedy |
An orphan's dog has an uncanny skill at football. |
| Home Team |
1999 |
Family comedy |
Ex-pro football player (Steve Guttenberg) is sentenced to serve as a handyman at a boys' home. |
| Switching Goals |
1999 |
Family comedy |
Twin sisters (Olsen twins), total opposites, become soccer opponents. |
| Air Bud: World Pup |
2000 |
Family comedy |
Direct-to-video film in the Air Bud series. |
| There's Only One Jimmy Grimble |
2000 |
Comedy-drama |
A 15-year-old's goal is to play for Manchester City. |
| Shaolin Soccer |
2001 |
Comedy |
Hong Kong comedy about a football-playing monk. |
| A Shot at Glory |
2001 |
Drama |
A coach (Robert Duvall) tries to get his team to the Scottish Cup final. |
| Mean Machine |
2001 |
Comedy-drama |
Adaptation of The Longest Yard with association football instead of American football. Stars former footballer Vinnie Jones. |
| Mike Bassett: England Manager |
2001 |
Comedy |
Manager from lower leagues becomes manager of England National Football Team, aims for World Cup in Brazil. |
| The Game of Their Lives |
2002 |
Documentary |
Chronicles North Korea national team that made surprising run to quarterfinals of 1966 FIFA World Cup. |
| Bend It Like Beckham |
2002 |
Comedy-drama |
Two teenaged girls in England (Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley) try out for football. |
| The Miracle of Bern |
2003 |
Comedy-drama |
Set against backdrop of 1954 FIFA World Cup Final, which became known in Germany as the "Miracle of Bern". |
| The Other Final |
2003 |
Documentary |
Match between Bhutan and Montserrat, lowest-ranked teams in FIFA World Rankings, held on same day as 2002 FIFA World Cup Final. |
| United |
2003 |
Comedy |
Norway film. |
| Soccer Dog: European Cup |
2004 |
Comedy |
Sequel to 1999 children's film. |
| Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team |
2005 |
Documentary |
A history of the US women's national team. |
| Goal! |
2005 |
Drama |
Santiago Muñez (Kuno Becker), a Mexican youth in U.S. illegally, gets an opportunity to play in England. |
| Kicking & Screaming |
2005 |
Family comedy |
Will Ferrell screwball comedy about coaching football. |
| Real, The Movie |
2005 |
Documentary |
Explores the history of Real Madrid, incorporating some fictional elements. |
| The Game of Their Lives |
2005 |
Drama |
Based on USA's massive upset of England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. |
| Goal II: Living the Dream |
2006 |
Drama |
Continuation of 2005 story, with Santiago switching from Newcastle to Real Madrid. |
| Offside |
2006 |
Comedy |
Sweden film. |
| Offside |
2006 |
Drama |
Iran film. |
| Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos |
2006 |
Documentary |
Matt Dillon narrates story of North American Soccer League club, with player interviews. |
| Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait |
2006 |
Documentary |
Chronicles life and career of Zinedine Zidane. |
| She’s the Man |
2006 |
Comedy |
(Amanda Bynes) disguises herself so she can play with the boys. |
| Gracie |
2007 |
Drama |
New Jersey girl battles to play on boys' team. Loosely based on Elisabeth Shue, who co-produced film and plays girl's mother. |
| Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal |
2007 |
|
|
| Her Best Move |
2007 |
Comedy |
A 15-year-old girl has a shot to make the US national team. |
| Maradona by Kusturica |
2008 |
Documentary |
A look at the career of Diego Maradona. |
| Kicking It |
2008 |
Documentary |
Colin Farrell narrates a look at the Homeless World Cup. |
| Soccer Mom |
2008 |
Comedy |
TV family movie starring Missi Pyle. |
| Football with a cause |
2009 |
Documentary |
Académica Coimbra team resistance against Portuguese dictatorship, shown to world in cup final against Benfica in 1969 |
| The Damned United |
2009 |
Drama |
A fictionalized version of Brian Clough's tenure as manager of Leeds United. |
| Goal! 3: Taking on the World |
2009 |
Drama |
Direct-to-video third part of trilogy involving a Mexican player's experiences in Europe. |
| Offside |
2009 |
Romantic comedy |
Story about rival footballers in Australia. |
| A Time for Champions |
2009 |
Documentary |
Made for TV. Explores history of football in St. Louis, focusing on Saint Louis University in 1960s and early 1970s. |
| One Night in Turin |
2010 |
Documentary |
Chronicles England's run in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. |
| The Two Escobars |
2010 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores lives of footballer Andrés Escobar and drug lord Pablo Escobar, and links between murders of both men. |
| For the Glory |
2011 |
Drama |
|
| Egaro |
2011 |
Drama |
Indian Bengali team Mohun Bagan wins 1911 IFA Shield against mighty British team East Yorkshire Regiment in Calcutta under background circumstances of Partition of Bengal of 1905. |
| Will |
2011 |
Drama |
After losing parents, 12-year-old journeys across Europe to witness 2005 UEFA Champions League Final, which features dad's favorite football club Liverpool. |
| United |
2011 |
Drama |
Based on Manchester United squad during 1950s and Munich air disaster that took lives of eight players. |
| Playing for Keeps |
2012 |
Rom-Com |
A former professional star (Gerard Butler) coaches a kids' team. |
| Title |
Year |
Genre |
Notes |
| The Derby |
1895 |
Documentary |
Silent film |
| Sporting Blood |
1931 |
Comedy |
Rid Riddell (Clark Gable) enters his horse Tommy Boy in the Kentucky Derby. |
| Thoroughbred |
1936 |
Drama |
A plot in Australia to kill favored Stormalong before the Melbourne Cup. |
| Educated Evans |
1936 |
Comedy |
A wealthy couple ask a Cockney tipster to train their horse. |
| Racing Blood |
1936 |
Drama |
Jockey buys lame colt for under $5, turns him into a champion. |
| A Day at the Races |
1937 |
Comedy |
Marx Brothers in a horse-racing farce. |
| Saratoga |
1937 |
Romance |
Bookie Clark Gable and thoroughbred owner Jean Harlow horse around at Saratoga. |
| Racing Lady |
1937 |
Drama |
Female trainer's filly Katydid is kidnapped before big race at Santa Anita. |
| Kentucky |
1938 |
Drama |
A Civil War family feud continues 75 years later for a Derby horse owner (Loretta Young). |
| Trouble Brewing |
1939 |
Musical |
Light-hearted adventure of a racetrack gambler paid off in counterfeit cash. |
| Flying Fifty-Five |
1939 |
Drama |
British film about the life of a jockey. |
| Long Shot |
1939 |
Comedy |
Certified Check has an outside shot to win a big race at Santa Anita. |
| Maryland |
1940 |
Drama |
A young man decides to ride in Maryland race over his mother's objections. |
| It Ain't Hay |
1943 |
Comedy |
Abbott and Costello mistakenly steal the race horse Tea Biscuit. |
| National Velvet |
1944 |
Drama |
A young Elizabeth Taylor and the steeplechase horse she loves. |
| Home in Indiana |
1944 |
Drama |
An old-timer (Walter Brennan) gives his nephew lessons in harness racing. |
| My Brother Talks to Horses |
1947 |
Comedy |
Lewie Penrose's brother (Peter Lawford) has everything riding on the Preakness. |
| Green Grass of Wyoming |
1948 |
Drama |
The past owners of Flicka and Thunderhead take their trotter Crown Jewel to a race in Ohio. |
| The Return of October |
1948 |
Comedy |
Horse trainer Uncle Willie is reincarnated as a Derby horse called October. |
| The Great Dan Patch |
1949 |
Biographical |
Based on true story of the famous turn-of-the-century trotter. |
| The Story of Seabiscuit |
1949 |
Biographical |
A partly fictionalized account of Seabiscuit's success, starring Shirley Temple. |
| The Rocking Horse Winner |
1949 |
Comedy |
British tale about a boy with a knack for picking racetrack winners. |
| Riding High |
1950 |
Musical |
Bing Crosby in a racetrack tale directed by Frank Capra. |
| Under My Skin |
1950 |
Drama |
A jockey (John Garfield) races in Europe, is pursued by a mobster. |
| The Galloping Major |
1951 |
Comedy |
Exploits of gamblers at an England race course. |
| Boots Malone |
1952 |
Drama |
A sports agent (William Holden) takes a jockey under his wing. |
| Derby Day |
1952 |
Romance |
A day at Epsom Downs for the running of the Darby. |
| Born to the Saddle |
1953 |
Western |
Outlaws try to keep Blue Chip from winning a big quarterhorse race. |
| Fast Company |
1953 |
Romance |
Gay Fleet's owner (Polly Bergen) falls for a fellow who fixes horse races. |
| Glory |
1956 |
Drama |
Margaret O'Brien wants to run her filly in the Kentucky Derby. |
| Just My Luck |
1957 |
Comedy |
Fable of a British bloke whose one-pound wager at the track could win him sixteen thousand. |
| April Love |
1957 |
Musical |
In Kentucky, a wayward youth (Pat Boone) trains a sulky racehorse. |
| Bite the Bullet |
1975 |
Western |
Cowboys compete in a 700-mile race. Co-starring Gene Hackman and James Coburn. |
| International Velvet |
1978 |
Drama |
Tatum O'Neal in an updated version of the 1944 classic. |
| Casey's Shadow |
1978 |
Drama |
An aging New Mexico trainer (Walter Matthau) has a lot riding on a two-year-old colt. |
| Run for the Roses |
1978 |
Drama |
Vera Miles as the owner of a long-shot Derby contender. |
| The Black Stallion |
1979 |
Family drama |
A boy and a horse are rescued from a desert isle, then become masked rider and "mystery horse" in a race. |
| On the Right Track |
1981 |
Comedy |
A homeless child (Gary Coleman) has an uncanny knack for choosing winners. |
| Champions |
1983 |
Biographical |
Based on the story of the winners of the 1981 Grand National—Aldaniti, who came back from chronic leg injuries, and jockey Bob Champion, a testicular cancer survivor. Starring John Hurt. |
| Phar Lap |
1983 |
Drama |
Australian film based on a true story of doomed Depression-era racehorse. |
| The Black Stallion Returns |
1983 |
Family |
In sequel to 1979 story, a boy travels to Morocco to try to get his horse back. |
| Sylvester |
1985 |
Family |
Wild horse is turned into competitive jumper by young woman (Melissa Gilbert). |
| Hot to Trot |
1988 |
Comedy |
Bobcat Goldthwait and a talking horse. |
| Let It Ride |
1989 |
Comedy |
A down-and-out racetrack gambler (Richard Dreyfuss) has the wildest day of his life. |
| Fire, Ice and Dynamite |
1990 |
Action |
German film about a man who fakes a suicide. |
| Eden Valley |
1994 |
Drama |
Story of a British harness-racing community. |
| Shergar |
1999 |
Biographical |
True story of a champion Irish racehorse that mysteriously disappears. |
| Ready to Run |
2000 |
Drama |
Disney Channel family film on a 14-year-old girl who's an aspiring jockey. |
| On the Nose |
2001 |
Comedy |
Dan Aykroyd wants a lucky charm that helps gambler Robbie Coltrane pick winners. |
| Seabiscuit |
2003 |
Biographical |
Based on a true story, with Jeff Bridges as the great horse's owner and Tobey Maguire as his jockey. Nominated for 7 Academy Awards. |
| Hidalgo |
2004 |
Drama |
Based on true story of a 19th-century Arabian distance race, starring Viggo Mortensen. |
| Dreamer |
2005 |
Drama |
Family film with Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning owning an injured thoroughbred. |
| Racing Stripes |
2005 |
Family |
A zebra tries to win a race against horses in Kentucky. |
| Ruffian |
2007 |
Drama |
Made for TV; based on a true story of tragic ending of undefeated filly. |
| Race |
2008 |
Thriller |
Bollywood story. |
| The Boys Club |
2008 |
Thriller |
Crime story, marginal connection with racing. |
| Secretariat |
2010 |
Biographical |
Based on a true story, with Diane Lane as the Triple Crown winner's owner. |
| Shannon's Rainbow |
2011 |
Drama |
A teen girl finds a race horse, plus a mother she never knew. |
| Charismatic |
2011 |
Documentary |
Made for TV as a follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles the run of Charismatic and his jockey Chris Antley in the 1999 Triple Crown races. |
| The Cup |
2011 |
Drama |
Australia film about Damien Oliver, the jockey who rode Media Puzzle to victory in the 2002 Melbourne Cup. |
| Title |
Year |
Genre |
Style |
Notes |
| Sanshiro Sugata |
1943 |
Action |
Jujutsu
Judo |
|
| Sanshiro Sugata Part II |
1943 |
Action |
Judo |
|
| Enter the Dragon |
1973 |
Action |
Jeet Kune Do
Kung Fu |
Bruce Lee's final screen appearance before his death. |
| Cordão de Ouro |
1977 |
Action |
Capoeira |
|
| The Karate Kid |
1984 |
Family |
Karate |
Retired karate master Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) takes a newcomer (Ralph Macchio) under his wing. |
| The Karate Kid, Part II |
1986 |
Family |
Karate |
Sequel to the 1984 hit. |
| No Retreat, No Surrender |
1986 |
Action drama |
MMA |
A Seattle boy ends up fighting a Russian martial-arts star (Jean-Claude Van Damme). |
| Bloodsport |
1988 |
Action |
MMA |
Frank Dux (played by Van Damme), a Canadian, enters a competition in Hong Kong. |
| The Karate Kid, Part III |
1989 |
Family |
Karate |
Second sequel to the 1984 film. |
| Best of the Best |
1989 |
Action |
Tae Kwon Do |
Americans take on Koreans in a tae kwon do tournament. Eric Roberts stars. |
| Kickboxer |
1989 |
Action |
Kickboxing & Muay Thai |
An American and his brother end up in a life-or-death competition in Asia. |
| Sidekicks |
1992 |
Action |
Karate |
A boy with asthma fantasizes about being taught by Chuck Norris, and gets to compete alongside him in a tournament. |
| 3 Ninjas |
1992 |
Family |
Karate |
Three boys learn Ninjutsu from their Japanese grandfather. |
| Only the Strong |
1993 |
Action |
Capoeira |
An ex-Green Beret uses martial arts against Miami drug dealers. |
| The Next Karate Kid |
1994 |
Family |
Karate |
Another sequel, this time with a girl (Hilary Swank) as Mr. Miyagi's apt pupil. |
| Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie |
1994 |
Action |
Various |
|
| Mortal Kombat |
1995 |
Action |
Various |
Based on the video game. |
| The Quest |
1996 |
Action |
MMA |
In 1925, a pickpocket flees America, ends up fighting for his life near Siam. |
| A Fighter's Blues |
2000 |
Drama |
Muay Thai |
|
| Undisputed |
2002 |
Action |
Boxing |
Television film about a boxing match inside a prison. |
| Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior |
2003 |
Action |
Muay Thai |
|
| Undisputed II: Last Man Standing |
2006 |
Action |
MMA |
Sequel to 2002 prison fight film, with a different cast. |
| DOA: Dead or Alive |
2006 |
Action |
Various |
Four females enter a tournament. |
| Redbelt |
2007 |
Drama |
MMA |
An instructor reluctantly enters a tournament. Written and directed by David Mamet. |
| Never Back Down |
2008 |
Action drama |
MMA |
An Orlando, Florida high school boy discovers martial arts. |
| Champions |
2008 |
Action |
Wushu |
|
| Ip Man |
2008 |
Action |
Wing Chun |
|
| Besouro |
2009 |
Action |
Capoeira |
|
| Blood and Bone |
2009 |
Action |
MMA |
|
| Fighting |
2009 |
Action drama |
MMA |
A New York street hustler (Channing Tatum) reneges on a guarantee to lose a big fight. |
| Tekken |
2009 |
Action |
MMA |
|
| Ip Man 2 |
2010 |
Action |
Wing Chun |
|
| The Karate Kid |
2010 |
Family |
Kung Fu |
Remake of 1984 film, with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. Unlike original film, and despite title, this version involves kung fu instead of karate. |
| The King of Fighters |
2010 |
Action |
Various |
|
| Knucklehead |
2010 |
Comedy |
MMA |
An amateur wrestler (Big Show) enters a $100,000 tournament in New Orleans. |
| Ong Bak 3 |
2010 |
Action |
Muay Thai |
|
| Undisputed III: Redemption |
2010 |
Action |
MMA |
In second sequel, convict is taken to Russia for a fight behind bars. |
| Warrior |
2011 |
Action drama |
MMA |
Brothers fight for an MMA championship, one trained by their dad (Nick Nolte). |
| Never Back Down 2 |
2011 |
Action |
MMA |
Sequel to 2008 film. |
| Here Comes the Boom |
2012 |
Comedy |
MMA |
Kevin James as a teacher who moonlights as a UFC competitor. |
This list is intended to include films that explore multiple sports, but not in the context of multisport games such as the Olympics and Paralympics. Films on those subjects have their own list.
Olympic, Paralympics and other similar events are included, does not include films devoted to specific off-field incidents, for example the Munich massacre.
| Title |
Year |
Genre |
Discipline |
Notes |
| The Sport Parade |
1932 |
Drama |
Pro wrestling |
Former college football hero Joel McCrea becomes a pro wrestler. |
| Night and the City |
1950 |
Crime |
Pro wrestling |
A hustler (Richard Widmark) tries to promote a match in England. |
| Racket Girls |
1951 |
Crime |
Pro wrestling |
A gangster ends up managing women wrestlers. |
| Mr. Universe |
1951 |
Romantic comedy |
Pro Wrestling |
|
| Rikidōzan monogatari dotō no otoko |
1955 |
|
Puroresu |
|
| The Wrestler |
1974 |
Action drama |
Pro wrestling |
Fictional story produced by and starring Verne Gagne. |
| Paradise Alley |
1978 |
Drama |
Pro wrestling |
Cosmo Carbone (Sylvester Stallone) and his brothers try the wrestling racket. |
| The One and Only |
1978 |
Comedy |
Pro wrestling |
Out-of-work actor (Henry Winkler) invents a Gorgeous George-style character. |
| Take Down |
1979 |
Comedy-drama |
Scholastic wrestling |
Lorenzo Lamas as a high school wrestler. |
| Below the Belt |
1980 |
Comedy-Drama |
Pro wrestling |
The female wrestling world, based on Rosalyn Drexler's novel To Smithereens |
| ...All the Marbles |
1980 |
Drama |
Pro wrestling |
Peter Falk manages a beautiful female tag team. |
| Lurich |
1984 |
Drama |
|
Biographical film on the career of Georg Lurich. |
| Vision Quest |
1985 |
Drama |
Scholastic wrestling |
Matthew Modine as a high school wrestler. |
| Grunt! The Wrestling Movie |
1985 |
|
Pro wrestling |
|
| Over the Top |
1987 |
Action drama |
Arm wrestling |
Truck driver Sylvester Stallone enters an arm-wrestling competition. |
| Body Slam |
1987 |
Comedy |
Pro wrestling |
A music promoter accidentally ends up in business with a wrestler (Roddy Piper). |
| No Holds Barred |
1989 |
Action |
Pro wrestling |
Hulk Hogan as "Rip," a mean dude only inside the ring. |
| Spooner |
1989 |
Drama |
Scholastic wrestling |
Made for TV, premiered on the Disney Channel, stars Robert Urich.[3][4][5] |
| Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows |
1998 |
Documentary |
Pro wrestling |
Direct-to-video. Follows Bret Hart in the final year of his 1980s–1990s World Wrestling Federation run, culminating in one of the most famous events in professional wrestling history, the Montreal Screwjob. |
| Beyond the Mat |
1999 |
Documentary |
Pro wrestling |
|
| Ready to Rumble |
2000 |
Comedy |
Pro wrestling |
David Arquette and Scott Caan as buddies of a WCW star. |
| Reversal |
2001 |
Romantic drama |
Scholastic wrestling |
Story of a Pennsylvania high school athlete. |
| The Backyard |
2002 |
Documentary |
Backyard wrestling |
|
| Rikidōzan |
2004 |
Drama |
Puroresu |
Biographical film on the seminal Japanese wrestler Rikidōzan. |
| Sting: Moment of Truth |
2004 |
Drama |
Pro wrestling |
Biographical film on the career of Sting. |
| Going to the Mat |
2004 |
Family Comedy |
Scholastic wrestling |
Made for TV, premiered on the Disney Channel, stars Andrew Lawrence.[6] |
| Lipstick and Dynamite, Piss and Vinegar: The First Ladies of Wrestling |
2005 |
Documentary |
Pro wrestling |
|
| Nacho Libre |
2006 |
Comedy |
Lucha libre |
Jack Black comedy loosely based on the career of luchador Fray Tormenta. |
| The Absolute Truth About Pro Wrestling |
2006 |
Documentary |
Pro wrestling |
|
| Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy |
2007 |
Romantic comedy |
Pro wrestling |
|
| God's Tackle Box |
2007 |
Documentary |
Pro wrestling |
|
| Vampiro: Angel, Devil, Hero |
2008 |
Documentary |
Pro wrestling |
Explores the career and outside-the-ring life of Canadian wrestler Vampiro. |
| The Wrestler |
2008 |
Drama |
Pro wrestling |
Mickey Rourke in an Oscar-nominated role as a physically ailing wrestler. |
| From Parts Unknown |
2009 |
|
Pro wrestling |
|
| Bloodstained Memoirs |
2009 |
Documentary |
Pro wrestling |
|
| Legendary |
2010 |
Drama |
Scholastic wrestling |
Oklahoma teen is coached by his older brother (John Cena). |
| Win Win |
2011 |
Comedy/Drama |
Scholastic wrestling |
Broke lawyer Paul Giamatti becomes a boy's coach and guardian. |