The best sports movies of all time include These films offer viewers an inside look at the lives of individual athletes and the behind-the-scenes team dynamics that contribute to their success. Additionally, it humanises them as they open up about their struggles.

We compiled this list of the greatest sports movies of all time after assessing factors such as the IMDb rating, award nominations and wins, and fan reception. We relied on IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and The Guardian to provide the most accurate information.

Through interviews, news footage, and archived video, O.J.: Made in America reflects on the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson. From his days as a budding football player at the University of Southern California to his high-profile murder case, acquittal and 2007 conviction due to robbery. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and received several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Hoop Dreams is among the famous sports movies highlighting the challenges that aspiring Black American basketball players face in their journey to the top. From limited finances, injuries and the pressure to succeed, William Gates and Arthur Agee’s future depends on their on-court success.

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Despite its five-minute runtime, the animated film effectively captures Kobe’s love for basketball. He narrates his journey from a young kid playing basketball and shooting imaginary hoops to his retirement. Fans loved the production, which was feted at the Academy Awards for Best Short Animated Film, the Annie Award and the Sports Emmy Award.

Brazilian Formula One driver Aryton Senna was the face of the sport in the eighties and nineties. Backed by his success, Senna was a beloved figure, charismatic, skilful, and not afraid to take risks on the track.

Despite his untimely death in 1994 due to mechanical failure during a race, Senna is still talked about in the sport. This film is a reflection of his career and a great way to pay homage to one of F1’s legendary drivers.

Based on the autobiography, Raging Bull: My Story by Jake LaMotta, the movie captures the boxer’s rise and fall. LaMotta’s rage helped him achieve success in the ring, but ultimately destroyed his life.

His controlling tendencies alienated his family and team, sabotaging his career. Robert De Niro received the Best Actor at the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for his portrayal of LaMotta.

Ford v Ferrari was released to critical acclaim because it provided a perfect mix of racing action and human drama, enough to entice non-racing enthusiasts. Led by Henry Ford II, the company wanted to develop a car that would challenge perennial winners Scuderia Ferrari at the 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Starring Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Don King, the movie tells the story of the famous 1974 boxing match, Rumble in the Jungle. Apart from the boxers, Ali and Foreman, it peers into the historical significance of relocating the bout to Zaire and taking funding from the brutal dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Considered one of the best boxing films ever released, it has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Bill Courtney, a white, middle-aged man, volunteers to coach the Manassas High School football team. The team is underfunded, and its players are from low-income families, which affects their performance.

However, it becomes a cohesive unit and historically qualifies for the playoffs. Besides the on-field success, they create bonds and character that shape them.

Based on a true story and Michael Lewis’ book Moneyball, the movie captures how Billy Beane revolutionised baseball through sabermetrics. Coaching the Oakland Athletics with a lean budget compared to his competitors, he was forced to find other ways to be competitive.

He built his philosophy on scouting undervalued players with good on-base percentage (OBS). This resulted in a 20-game winning streak, showing that numbers can be used to improve performance.

The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg (1999) narrates the story of Hank Greenberg, a Jewish baseball player, who refused to play on Yom Kippur in 1934. During the World War years, his career was interrupted as he served in the military and afterwards returned. He was one of the few people who gladly welcomed Jackie Robinson.

The Pride of the Yankees is the story of Lou Gehrig, a gifted and beloved baseball player who died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He made his way up the baseball ranks to the devastation of his mother, who wanted him to become an engineer. However, Gehrig becomes a national figure, and his parents support him. The film reminisces about his career and life.

Tony Richardson focuses on a teenager living in hardship, but his talent provides a pathway to a better life. He gets an opportunity to compete in a high-profile event. During his training, the film flashes into the turmoil in his life, but he realises that the system contributes to his troubles. In defiance, he tanks a race he was about to win.

An adaptation of David Peace’s book, The Damned United, Hooper dramatises Brian Clough’s 44-day tenure as Leeds United manager. His attitude alienates players, fans and the board, which ultimately contributes to the end of his job.

Jafar Panahi explores gender discrimination in Tehran through football, where women are not allowed in stadiums. During the 2006 World Cup qualifiers between Iran and Bahrain, some women were desperate to follow the action, but the law prohibited them. To circumvent this, they disguise themselves in male clothing but are caught and held by authorities closer to the stadium.

Pumping Iron looks into professional bodybuilding and focuses on the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe competitions. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno have an intense rivalry as they try to outdo each other. It is the film that launches Schwarzenegger into stardom and his infamous figure.

Set in Charlestown, the local hockey team, the Charlestown Chiefs, is on the verge of closure due to falling attendance and poor performances. To rescue the situation, the team’s coach, Reggie (Paul Newman), resorts to unconventional, violent tactics to draw media and fans' attention.

The owner of the Cleveland Indians, Margaret Whitton, wants to relocate the team to Miami. However, she needs a justifiable reason and attempts to exploit an escape clause that would allow her to move the team if attendance falls below a certain threshold. To make this happen, she deliberately builds a poor team. However, when the players discover her plan, they unite and start winning to destroy her scheme.

Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon are caught in a romantic triangle, highlighting a rarely discussed part of baseball culture. Costner is an experienced catcher tasked with mentoring Robbins, a rookie pitcher. However, both of them fall for Sarradon. This combination of passion, desire and romance captures the audience, making it one of the classic sports movies released.

The movie focuses on John McEnroe’s 1984 French Open final against Ivan Lendl. At the time, McEnroe was world number one, and the film focuses on his pursuit of perfection and a courtside seat to this match.

• Directors: Gurinder Chadha
• Writers: Gurinder Chadha, Paul Mayeda Berges, Guljit Bindra

Released in 2002, Bend It Like Beckham is among the top sports movies produced. A British-Indian girl, Jesminder "Jess" Bhamra, navigates the complexities of pursuing a career in football despite her cultural background.

Her Sikh parents expect her to follow the traditional path of education and marriage. The movie challenges the stereotype that football is a man’s sport. It received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Film - Musical or Comedy and won the Best Sports Movie ESPY Award.

These are the best sports movies of all time. Both sports fans and casual viewers gain an inside look at the dynamics shaping the lives of athletes and teams as they prepare for victory. While some films are based on true stories, others blend real-life events with fiction, resulting in compelling and thrilling productions.

Tuko.co.ke published an article on the richest footballers of all time. Footballers are among the highest-paid individuals globally because of the high demand from broadcasters and advertisers to televise the game. Due to their status and achievements, some players earn millions from their salary and other income streams, including social media. Who makes the list? Check out the article for more.

Source: TUKO.co.ke