I will admit that I’m something of a sports nerd, especially when it comes to my home state’s teams (it’s so nice to have a good Detroit Lions team after so many years of suffering). So, naturally, I’m also a fan of sports movies, especially the ones that try and do something unique with the concept rather than just following the conventional clichés of the genre.
But that’s just my own tastes, which aren’t exactly universal. Sometimes I like to recommend sports films to my friends who aren’t exactly fans of any particular sport (most of my friends, then). This is sort of like telling someone who doesn’t enjoy scary movies that 2025 was the best year for horror in ages. Still, it’s led me to be more careful about the films I recommend, and I think I’ve curated the perfect list of sports media that even non-fans can find some enjoyment in.
Moneyball
A different kind of sports film
Moneyball isn’t a movie I’d recommend for its captivating on-field sequences, because it honestly doesn’t have a lot of those. Instead, Moneyball follows the baseball team the Oakland Athletics during their 2002 season and focuses mostly on general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) as he tries to put together a competitive team with less money than the higher profile teams. He uses an unorthodox method of scouting players to put together a team that has arguably changed the face of baseball in the modern era.
But if you don’t care about any of that, that’s perfectly fine. Pitt gives one of the best performances of his career in Moneyball, and the script, co-written by Aaron Sorkin, is extremely fun and engaging. Plus, Moneyball does a good enough job of explaining its mechanics that you won’t be confused, even if you know almost nothing about baseball. This is one of the best sports films out there, and it’s also perfect for any non-fan. Best of both worlds.
The Wrestler
More drama than sport
I really need to see more movies about professional wrestlers, and The Wrestler is a big reason why. Directed with carefully realized empathy by Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler isn’t just some by-the-numbers sports movie about achieving greatness. No, instead, the film is centered around aging wrestler Robin Ramzinski (Mickey Rourke), who has given his entire life to the industry and received very little in return.
It’s hardly even a sports film at all, but it’s absolutely one of the best dramas I have ever seen. The borderline tragic unfolding of events all led to a conclusion that left me emotionally reeling from the impact of it all. None of this would even be half as impactful if not for Rourke’s vulnerable, affecting performance. The Wrestler asks us the question, “Can anyone really change, or are we trapped by our choices?” And the answer left me devastated, but in the best way, the way only art can.
The Wrestler
- Release Date
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December 17, 2008
- Runtime
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109 minutes
The Sandlot
You’re killing me, Smalls
It’s a classic for a reason, and I believe that has a lot to do with how relatable the young characters are, more than its fascination and reverence for the sport of baseball. Everyone remembers, at least vaguely, what it was like to be a child with that group of close friends. I remember those care-free days in the summer where nothing mattered but what my friends and I were up to.
The Sandlot is the ultimate nostalgia trip, no matter what generation you grew up in. Yes, there are a lot of fun baseball sequences, but it’s the touching coming-of-age story that really lands here. In fact, The Sandlot has become something of a feel-good movie for me to watch whenever life seems to be just a little too much. If you’ve been avoiding the film, and baseball is the reason why, I implore you to rectify that as soon as humanely possible.
The Sandlot
- Release Date
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April 7, 1993
- Runtime
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101 minutes
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Mike Vitar
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez
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Patrick Renna
Hamilton ‘Ham’ Porter
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Chauncey Leopardi
Michael ‘Squints’ Palledorous
The Replacements
Watch for the all-star cast
Okay, so this film is definitely more by-the-numbers when it comes to sports films and the clichés that generally follow them. During a general strike by professional football players, team owners decide to bring in replacement players to finish out the season. These players are washed up or those who came close to greatness but never quite achieved it, and now it’s their chance to grasp it. You can pretty much guess how that plays out.
But it’s not really the story or the sports sequences that make The Replacements such a joy to watch. No, it’s the all-star cast. From Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman to Jon Favreau and Orlando Jones, this film is stacked to the top with talent. And they’re all hilarious together. The Replacements didn’t exactly receive a warm critical reception, and I understand why, but I still think it’s a fun way to spend two hours, especially if you’re a fan of great casts.
The Replacements
- Release Date
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August 11, 2000
- Runtime
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118 minutes
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Gene Hackman
Jimmy McGinty
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Brooke Langton
Annabelle Farrell
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Orlando Jones
Clifford Franklin
Cinderella Man
An acting showcase for Paul Giamatti
Another dramatic sports movie that also fits into the biographical film category. Telling the story of James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe), the eponymous character, Cinderella Man is about Braddock’s struggles to retire from boxing after he breaks his hand. When the Great Depression comes, Braddock steps back into the ring and begins a stunning climb toward championship glory.
While this is all nice enough for us sports fans, what makes Cinderella Man so universally accessible is the human element. Crowe brings a sad and uplifting humanity to Braddock, and Paul Giamatti steals the show as Braddock’s manager, Joe Gould. Even if boxing or sports aren’t your thing, I have a feeling you’ll be rooting for all the main characters by the time the third act kicks in.
Field of Dreams
Sports with a side of the supernatural
I’m realizing now just how many great sports movies are centered around baseball, especially the ones that can appeal to just about anyone. Well, Field of Dreams is no exception to that. There’s a reason it’s considered a classic, after all. Telling the story of Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), who turns his farmland into a baseball field after being directed to by a mysterious voice, Field of Dreams is a film that captures the spirit of the sport, literally.
After Ray builds the field, ghosts of long-dead famous baseball players begin to visit the field. This is a great twist on the concept of sports films, and Costner really brings his real-life love of baseball to the forefront here. What makes it work for non-sports fans, though, is the supernatural and family-centered elements. This is a movie I watched with my grandparents growing up, and I believe it works great as something the whole family can watch together.
Cool Runnings
John Candy at his best
As a big fan of John Candy, I recently watched John Candy: I Like Me, and not only was it a fantastic documentary, but it took me down a rabbit hole of rewatching classic Candy films. Cool Runnings is easily one of my favorites, and it has a lot to do with Candy’s warm presence throughout. It’s the story of a bobsleigh team that tries to win at the Olympics with disgraced former bobsled champion Irving Blitzer (Candy).
Cool Runnings is particularly inspiring because of its message of reaching to achieve your dreams, no matter who tells you that you can’t. Which is, of course, the perfect theme for a sports movie. Still, Candy’s performance and the chemistry he has with everyone else on screen, plus the well-delivered humor, will make this a treat for any non-sports lover to enjoy. It’s also a reminder of just how much I miss Candy.
Sports films can be a great window into the indomitable human spirit
While some might argue that sports films are a bit over-the-top or cheesy, I would argue that those elements are part of what makes a sports movie great. Still, these particular films add a little something on top to make them more palatable for a more general audience. But hey, if you’re really set on not watching sports films, fear not. Maybe you’ll be more interested in some of the best horror films of 2025 instead.
