The Best Sports Movies for Families

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What are the Best Sports Movies for Families?

Sports are a passion for fans of all ages. It isn’t something that you are going to grow into in most cases, you either are a fan or you aren’t. But if you are one of those fans, it can be difficult to want to watch movies about other subjects. The slow burn of a courtroom drama doesn’t feel the same as a two minute drill with a team down six and the ball in their quarterback’s hands. These films encapsulate all of the excitement and tradition that we love about sport, and the best parts of cinema, with outstanding performances, sensational cinematography, and definitive direction. 

The best sports movies are the ones that remind us of when we played. They feature close teammate bonds and unforgettable friendships as well as impactful mentorships with coaches. They serve to inspire us and show us true sportsmanship in the games that we love. These movies do all of that and more. They are classics of the sports genre and are perfect to be passed between generations of athletes. Check in with us at Zone Report in the future so you can help us decide who makes the cut for our upcoming lists.

Best Football Movies

Remember the Titans

A story of football, respect, and tolerance, Remember the Titans is one of the most important films to watch on any young player’s journey. It teaches the important lesson that we will meet people who think wildly differently than us, but we always need to listen and work together because at the end of the day, we are on the same team and working towards the same goals. Aside from the messages that are present, the movie is just flat out great. It has a star studded cast, instantly memorable quotes and an ending that can only happen in a movie.

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Rudy

Rudy is a true story of a Notre Dame football player named Daniel Ruettiger. Rudy struggled and fought for his slot on the roster and when he eventually did get to play he made the most of his opportunity. Rudy is a football legend and proves to any young player that things like size always come second to heart. Everyone can be reminded what Rudy was able to accomplish and be inspired to put themselves out there when they can.

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Best Basketball Movies

Like Mike

A fun and fantastical basketball tale that is the epitome of ‘90’s basketball, Like Mike is all about finding a way out of a bad situation through belief and hope. Calvin and a pair of His Airness’s shoes are struck by lightning; he is given incredible powers that allow him to hoop at the highest level. When looking for a classic basketball movie, don’t subject yourself to the charmless realities of the Space Jam movies, opt for something just as fun, with similar basketball stars, in Like Mike.

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Hoosiers

When basketball is more than just a game to fans, recommend them the all time classic Hoosiers. There are some places in the world where basketball, on every level, is a way of life and something that fans and players alike are passionate about. Indiana is one of those places. It is the birth place and home of legends. Hoosiers was the first of the “coach” movies as we call them. It depicts Gene Hackman as Norman Dale who takes over a struggling basketball program and overhauls the team with life lessons and hard work. It is an all time story and we recommend it for all basketball or sports movie fans.

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Best Baseball Movies

The Sandlot

No film makes fans wish they could go out into the neighborhood and play ball one more time, just like they used to. It doesn’t matter what generation watches either, the idea is always the same. Everyone remembers the childhood friends who we would hold onto and spend the long summers with. As arguably the most iconic sports movie ever made, it is safe to say that most fans have seen The Sandlot, but on the off chance you haven’t, we can’t recommend it enough for your next family movie night.

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Field of Dreams

An inspiring story of how the game and the legends who play it never die, Field of Dreams is one of the world’s favorite sports movies. It stands the test of time generation after generation as a reminder that what happens on the baseball field is worth far more than any one person. With all time great performances by Kevin Costner and the late great Ray Liotta, there is something in Field of Dreams that fans of all ages can enjoy.

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Best Hockey Movies

The Mighty Ducks

The best franchise on our list, the Mighty Ducks consists of three quality movies that explore human nature and growing up through the lens of hockey. In the initial outing for the franchise, it is a familiar story of a coach taking over a struggling team and helping them achieve victory. In the later films, we see said team grow and learn about life in ways that help us look at ourselves and improve. Especially learning that the drive to win can be an all consuming one. Remember that regardless of what happens, ducks fly together.

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Miracle

A true story, Miracle details how the United States overcame the odds and beat the Soviet hockey team in the 1980 Winter Olympics. This a true underdog story as the US team was far from favored in their match ups, especially after their early struggles that year. Kurt Russell is turning in an all time performance as Herb Brooks and in this film, he delivers arguably the greatest inspirational speech in any sports movie. Miracle is a movie for Americans and those looking to be inspired, just as much as it is a movie for sports fans.

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Best Soccer Movies

Bend it Like Beckham

Bend it Like Beckham is a different kind of sports movie. It is not about overcoming adversity to win, it is about overcoming adversity to become who you are. This British film features Jess hiding her semi professional soccer career from her parents, who do not want her playing. It is just as inspirational as all of the other movies on the list while focusing on different people and situations than most American sports movies. For fans looking to switch it up from what they normally watch, Bend it Like Beckham is one of the best sports movies out there.

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Kicking and Screaming

It is rare that the comedic gold of Will Ferrell is palatable for all ages, but Kicking and Screaming might be the best of all of them. It features generations of fathers and sons caught up in a hilarious but bitter soccer rivalry that teaches players and coaches important lessons. When compared to Kurt Russell in Miracle, or Samuel L Jackson in Coach Carter, Will Ferrell’s Phil Weston is a terrible coach. He does just about everything wrong, but learns about how to improve and take care of his players, all while they learn to be confident in themselves. Any family who needs a heartfelt laugh should tune in to Kicking and Screaming.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Sports Movies for Families

What do all sports movies have in common?

All sports movies are connected by a genre. Almost, if not, all of the films have themes and messages of inspiration and motivation. Beyond that they also usually deal with winning in some way and what it means to win.

What sports movies are good for young kids?

Every child is different and it is up to the parents discretion on what to show their kids. We have found that movies like The Sandlot, Like Mike, and The Mighty Ducks are popular among children.

What sports movie features real athletes?

A large number of sports movies feature real athletes playing their professional sport. Some movies like Space Jam feature an athlete playing themselves as the main character or movies like Rudy and 42 are biopics of athletes.

How popular are sports movies?

Sports movies are one of the most popular subgenres in all of film because they can be so many other main genres. Drama, comedy, or action, it is all there in different sports movies. There is a sports movie for everyone.