Hundreds of sports films have been produced and watched since the invention of recorded video over 100 years ago. So which are the best? After research and personal speculation, the results are in; here are the top ten movies of all time.

10. Cool Runnings, 1993 (Directed by Jon Turteltaub)

“Feel the rhythm, feel the ride. Get on up, it’s bobsled time! COOOOOL RUNNINGS!!!” Based on the true story of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, four Jamaican runners, well three and a push-cart derby star, take their skills to the ice. With the help of coach Irv Blitzer (played by John Candy), the first Jamaican bobsled team proves to themselves, as well as everyone else, that they have the abilities compete on an Olympic level.

This film is unique for its focus on bobsledding as a sport. It shows live footage of the runs made by the actual 1988 Olympic team and depicts the hardships the team had to face for being “different.” Additionally, this well-written Disney movie is fun for the whole family, and full of witty humor.

9. The Sandlot, 1993 (Directed by David M. Evans)

Scotty Smalls moves to a new town and, by his mother’s wishes, attempts to make friends with the neighborhood boys on the diamond. Though never having thrown or caught a baseball before, the team is in desperate need of a ninth player and agrees to let him play. Rodriquez, the team’s MVP, teaches Smalls the ins-and-outs of the game and eventually helps transform Scotty from an “L-7 weenie” to one-of-the-guys. One day Scotty’s step-father’s autographed Babe Ruth baseball gets hit over the fence and into a rundown house guarded by a monstrous beast. The storyline follows the trials and tribulations the boys go through to get the one and only ball back from “the Beast” without getting eaten alive.

This lighthearted classic of our generation reminds us of our childhood days of pick-up ball and running around with the neighborhood gang. It does a flawless job of integrating major league admiration with adolescent imagination while still maintaining an appropriate sense of humor and providing classic lines like, “you play like a girl!” and “Your killin’ me Smalls!”

8. A League of Their Own, 1992 (Directed by Penny Marshall)

During World War II when men were off at war, professional baseball was converted into a sport for women. Complete with short pink dresses as uniforms, curled hair, and bubble-gum blowing the size of your head, this “girl power” flick follows two farm sisters from Oregon, Dottie and Kit, in their recruitment adventure to Chicago to play ball. As the star catcher and pitcher for the Rockford Peaches, Dottie and Kit lead their team to the World Series while having to put up with their once-famous, now alcoholic coach Jimmy Dugan (played by Tom Hanks), and compete with one another to find out which sibling is the best.

Filled with a real illustration of the era, well played ball, and sensible amusement, this flick respectably promotes female athletics into the world of sports while simultaneously making light of their stereotypes. It is the perfect blend of emotions and an inspirational movie for any young female athlete.

7. Breaking Away, 1979 (Directed by Peter Yates)

Disclaimer: As a website primarily focused on Indiana University Athletics, there shouldn’t have to be a need for a synopsis; you should have already seen it! But just in case you haven’t…

Breaking Away tells the story of the animosity between the Bloomington local “cutters” and the Indiana University college students. 19 year old townie, Dave, develops an overdramatic obsession for the Italian cycling team while his three best friends Mike, Cyril, and Moocher decide how they want to live the rest of their lives upon graduating high school. Dave meets a young college girl, pretends to be a foreign exchange student and cyclist to woo her, and eventually competes in the Indiana University little 500 Cyclist Race to win her over from her snobby boyfriend Rod. Find out who wins the race, the girl, and the ultimate title of Bloomington’s best.

As Bloomington locals and Indiana University students and alumni all know, the little 500 race is the biggest sporting event on campus with a rich history for both the university and the town. It’s necessary for the Hoosier culture to be shown to the rest of society.

6. Miracle, 2004 (Directed by Gavin O’Connor)

Based on a true story of the 1980 Winter Olympics, this film proves that miracles can happen. United States Ice hockey coach, Herb Brooks is given a second chance to win an Olympic Gold Medal with the help of 20 young athletes. Herb attempts to transform this group of young men into Olympians capable of facing the intimidating Soviet Union team. The two teams momentarily take the public’s eyes of the political world around them and onto the ice to see if the United States has what it takes to keep up with the daunting Soviets.

This film was so monumental because it documented a historical moment for not just the sporting world, but the political world as well. It is only appropriate for it to be honored among the best.

5. Caddyshack, 1980 (Directed by Harold Ramis)

A handful of the funniest men of their time (including Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, and Bill Murray) take to the elite Bushwood Country Club to play a round, give advice to their caddies about the future, relax in the clubhouse, and rid a pesky gopher.

This dim-witted comedy, composed of multiple storylines, is the kind of “stupid-funny” that makes your abs hurt! It is jovial, random, and leaves you thinking, “Why am I still watching this?” – But you can’t stop, it’s just that good.

4. Field of Dreams, 1989 (Directed by Phil Alden Robinson)

A desolate town in Iowa serves as the backdrop to the remembered 1919 World Series. Farmer Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner) builds a baseball diamond out of his cornfield after repeatedly hearing a voice tell him, “If you build it, he will come.” Upon building the field, ghosts of the 1919 World Series Chicago Black Sox team appear from the cornfields and play ball on the baseball field. With the continuing of the voice, Ray consults help and meaning of these voices in hopes of discovering the purpose of it all.

The storyline of this film is so imaginative and holds an important message. It also gracefully pays tribute to an important event in baseball history. The truly amazing aspect of this film is that the sense of imagination displayed in the movie can still be witnessed. Just go to Dyersville, Iowa with your glove and try out the field, you’ll see what I mean.

3. Remember the Titans, 2000 (Directed by Boaz Yakin)

In a time where segregation was at an all time high, two high school football teams – one composed of all white men and one of all black men – were forced to work as one team, under the head coach of African American, Herman Boone, and assistant coach, Bill Yoast. While tension in the locker room dwindled over time, it escalated throughout the town; that was until the team proved to the community that blacks and whites could come together as one.

This controversial movie puts a pain in my stomach to see the hardships that were faced between races. I was skeptical to put this movie on the list, due to my personal dislike to the film, however, the portrayal of this activist movement is respectfully executed and the overall outcome is very uplifting.

2. Rocky, 1976 (Directed by John G. Avildsen)

Rocky Balboa, full-time debt collector and part time boxer, is given the once in a lifetime shot to prove himself in the ring against the legendary Apollo Creed. This film follows the “Italian Stallion’s” journey of preparing for the big fight with the help of trainer, Mickey, and lover, Adrian.

The uplifting love story conveys the powerful message of following your dreams and positively promotes the results of the “underdog status.” It has been deemed a classic.

1. Hoosiers, 1986 (Directed by David Anspaugh)

Based on the true story of the blood, sweat, tears, and determination of a small town high school in Indiana, this classic is an inspiration. Starring a disciplined coach and his drunken counterpart, the two team-up and coach a group of six young men to the state championship to compete against the best in hopes of winning the state title.

Ok, ok, so I may be a bit biased being a Hoosier, but this storyline is truly admirable. I’m not the only one who thinks it’s the best, do some research; plenty of people agree it should be #1.

Other Top Competitors that didn’t make the list include…

• Eight Men Out
• Bull Durham
• Jerry McGuire
• The Natural
• Slap shot
• Rudy