Great sports movies have the power to tell universal stories. Even audiences that have no interest in boxing can enjoyRockyorRaging Bull, and it doesn’t take a hockey expert to enjoySlap Shot. In fact,watching sports movies is a lot like watching sports themselves; audiences cheer for players and root against antagonists.
The best sports movies have compelling characters, exciting stories, and interesting themes that attract audiences outside a core group of sports fans. Whether they’re based on true stories or entirely fictitious, these films make up a unique subgenre of cinema that is worth celebrating. Here are ten of the most underrated sports films of the 21st century, ranked.
10’Draft Day' (2014)
Directed by Ivan Reitman
Draft Daytakes a muchdifferent look at football and the NFL seasonthan traditional sports classics likeFriday Night LightsorRudy. The film explores the wheeling and dealing that goes on behind the scenes at the National Football League’s annual draft from the perspective of Sonny Weaver (Kevin Costner), the fictional manager of the Cleveland Browns. Additionally, a youngChadwick Bosemanis a particular standout as the Ohio State prospect Vontae Mack.
GhostbustersdirectorIvan Reitmanuses inventive split screen techniques to showcase Sonny’s strategies. The film also does a great job at showing the perspective of the players themselves.Draft Dayreceived some blowback from sports professionals for its lack of accuracy - former Green Bay Packers vice presidentAndrew Brandt criticized the depiction of the NFL. Nonetheless,Draft Daysuceeds in showing the business side of sports management, and serves as a welcome alternative to other football films.
Watch On Prime Video
9’Southpaw' (2015)
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Southpawmay havea lot in common with other boxing classics, but that doesn’t mean thatAntoine Fuqua’s traditional approach to the material isn’t excellently crafted.Jake Gyllenhaalgives one of his more underrated performances as the boxing champion Billy Hope, who spirals into a path of self-destruction after the shocking death of his wife (Rachel McAdams). As Billy fights his way back to the top, he learns to connect more closely with his young daughter (Oona Chaplin).
WhileFuqua primarily works in the action genre,Southpawshowed that he could make a classically inspirational sports drama.Southpawdoes resort to using some clichés that are common within boxing movies, but the dramatic authenticity that Gyllenhaal brings to his performance makes it well worth watching. Most notably, he committed physically to the demanding role, which resulted in a riveting on-screen journey.
After a fatal incident sends him on a rampant path of destruction, a champion boxer fights to get custody of his daughter and revive his professional career.
Rent On Prime Video
8’High Flying Bird' (2019)
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Leave it toSteven Soderberghto make a film about the accessibility of streaming services, and then release it directly on Netflix. 2019’sHigh Flying Birdexamines a fictionalized NBA player walkout, which inspires the sports manager Ray Burke (Andre Holland) and his assistant Sam (Zazie Beetz) to find a way to connect directly with fans.
Who owns the rights to these games? Is it the agents, the players, or the audiences that view them? Soderbergh analyzes accessibility and race relations with this clever commentary on the infrastructure of modern sports.High Flying Birdmay actually have been ahead of its time. In the aftermath of the film’s release, Soderbergh discussed hispersonal concerns about the lack of transparency in streaming services. The issues of streaming ownership and artistic integrity are critical to the story ofHigh Flying Bird.
High Flying Bird
Watch On Netflix
7’Bleed for This' (2016)
Directed by Ben Younger
Miles Tellerhas proven himself as a talented dramatic actor ever sinceThe Spectacular NowandWhiplash, but he gives the performance of his career in the 2016 biopicBleed for This. The film follows the incredible true story of Vinny Pazienza, a lightweight boxing champion who suffered a critical spinal injury. After being told that he will never fight again, Vinny rebuilds his mind and spirit as he vows to take back his title. The greatAaron Eckhartgives a particularly powerful supporting performance as Vinny’s longtime coach and mentor, Kevin Rooney.
AlthoughTeller has given many great performances, he never made a physical transformation like the one he did forBleed for This. It stands out as a particularly underrated film within his filmography that should have earned him significant award season attention.
Bleed For This
6’Eddie the Eagle' (2016)
Directed by Dexter Fletcher
Rocketmanwasn’t the first creative biopic thatTaron Egertonand directorDexter Fletcherworked on together; they previously collaborated on the 2016 sports comedyEddie the Eagle. The film tells the incredible true story of Michael David Edwards, the English ski jumper that revived the sport by representing his country in the Olympic Games. Michael was determined to become an Olympic athlete from a very young age, and the film has a great time examining why this specific sport is the right one for him.
There’s a lot of fun banter between Michael and his idiosyncratic trainer, Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman). Although there have been manyfilms made about the Olympic Games, the sport of ski jumping was never depicted in as much detail as it was inEddie the Eagle. This makes the film an underrated gem, as it provides information on an underrepresented field of competition.
Eddie The Eagle
With unyielding determination and a quirky personality, a British plasterer-turned-ski jumper overcomes a lack of funding, experience, and support to achieve his dream of competing in the Olympics. His relentless pursuit and endearing optimism bring a fresh spark to the staid world of ski jumping, inspiring those around him and drawing international attention.
5’The Program' (2015)
Directed by Stephen Frears
Although there have been several documentaries about Lance Armstrong and his infamous doping scandal,Ben Fostercaptures the twisted psychologyof the controversial athlete inStephen Frears’ excellent 2016 biopicThe Program. The film examines Armstrong’s fall from grace from the perspective of the journalist Dave Walsh (Chris O’Dowd), who discovered the acclaimed champion’s web of lies.
The Program
Watch On Hulu
4’Win Win' (2011)
Directed by Tom McCarthy
Win Winis just a great feel good movie about the importance of parental figures.Paul Giamattigives one of his best performances as Mike Flaherty, a lawyer who becomes a mentor and coach to the aspiring wrestler Kyle Timmons (Alex Shaffer). Although initially Mike’s goals are selfish, he learns to form an actual relationship with Kyle as the two become more involved in each other’s lives.
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Although the film risks being overly saccharine at times, Mike is such an expressive character that the film never becomes too sentimental.Giamatti has given many great performances, butWin Winstands out as a unique role for him because of how seamlessly it blends comedy and drama.Win Winis about more than just sports, but the scenes that depict wrestling are expertly handled by directorTom McCarthy.
A struggling lawyer and volunteer wrestling coach’s chicanery comes back to haunt him when the teenage grandson of the client he has double-crossed comes into his life.
3’Borg vs. McEnroe' (2017)
Directed by Janus Metz Pedersen
Borg vs. McEnroeexamines one of the most historic rivalries in tennis history. The film follows the American hotshot John McEnroe (Shia Labeouf) and the reclusive Swedish champion Björn Borg (Sverrir Gudnason) during the lead up to their iconic series of matches at the 1980 Wimbledon Championship. It’s the rare film about a sports rivalry that shows each characters’ perspective equally.
Despite their radically different approaches to the game, Borg and McEnroe discover they have much more in common than they had initially known. Labeouf in particular does a great job at capturing McEnroe’s temperamental nature. There are relatively fewfilms about tennis, butBorg vs. McEnroestands out as one of the most undervalued. The film finds a way to bring memorable sports figures to life and make them feel real. Even for those that don’t know as much about the game play of tennis itself,Borg vs. McEnroeis simply a great rivalry movie.
Borg vs. McEnroe
2’The Greatest Game Ever Played' (2005)
Directed by Bill Paxton
While there aren’t necessarilya lot of great golf movies out there,Bill Paxton’s 2005 dramaThe Greatest Game Ever Playeddoes a pretty great job dramatizing one of the most important moments in the history of the sport. The film explores the rise of the young golf enthusiast Francis Ouimet (Shia Labeouf), who competed as an amateur at the 1912 U.S. Open and took home the championship. Ouimet gets the chance to compete against his hero, the British professional golfer Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane).
The Greatest Game Ever Playedshows both the benefits and issues of hero worship in sports. AlthoughDisney produced many sports classics in the 1990s,The Greatest Game Ever Playedtakes a more serious approach to its material. The film’s earnestness and respect for the game of golf make it one of the more underrated Disney sports films.
The Greatest Game Ever Played
A captivating drama based on the real-life story of Francis Ouimet, a young amateur golfer who challenges the elite of the golfing world at the 1913 U.S. Open. Despite his humble beginnings and lack of formal training, Francis enters the prestigious tournament, facing off against renowned players like Harry Vardon. With the help of his spirited caddie, Eddie, he navigates the pressures of competition and societal prejudice.
Watch On Disney+
1’The Damned United' (2009)
Directed by Tom Hooper
AlthoughCatsandThe Danish Girlmay have suggested otherwise,Tom Hooperis actually a pretty talented filmmaker, especially when it comes to stories about real moments in British history. Hooper dramatizes one of the most infamous scandals in British football history in the 2009 dramaThe Damned United.Michael Sheenstars as Brian Clough, the newly appointed manager of Leeds United who was fired after less than two months.
Although Clough was considered hot-headed in his media appearances, Sheen does a good job at showing a more sensitive side to his personality. WhileThe Damned Unitedhas been criticized by football experts, the film isn’t as much about the sport as it is about reputation, perception, and the cost of victory. It’s an underrated film that both football buffs and non-experts can enjoy because of the potent story that it tells.
