The 50 Highest Grossing Sports Movies of All Time

Some of us love to play sports, whether it’s as an individual, as in tennis or golf, or part of a team — with touch football, say, or pick-up basketball. But, players or not, almost all of us love to watch sports. According to the data site Statista, Americans spent a total of 974.7 billion minutes watching NFL football, either in stadiums or on-screen, between November 2022 and November 2023. Though that number greatly exceeds viewership stats for other sports, we also watched 329.7 billion minutes of major league baseball and 285.2 billion minutes of NBA basketball during that same time period. That’s a lot of viewing.

Add in all the other sports that people buy tickets for or tune in — hockey, soccer, the aforementioned tennis and golf, NASCAR and Formula 1 races, horse races, bike races, marathons, and on and on — and it’s clear that competitions and games of skill have a huge audience.

It’s little wonder, then, that filmmakers have produced countless memorable movies over the years based on sports. The first-ever attempt to capture the drama of athletics on film was probably “The Ball Game,” a baseball short produced by no less than Thomas Edison in 1898. The first full-length sports feature, devoted to the same sport, was “Right Off the Bat” (1915), an “original comedy-drama” based on the life of (and featuring) an actual MLB star, outfielder, and highly ranked hitter Mike Donlin.

Since then, the genre has proliferated, with probably hundreds of sports-themed movies stirring viewers and (often) making money. Some are comedies (“The Waterboy,” “Caddyshack,” “Nacho Libre,” “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”). Some blend comedy with drama and/or romance (“The Longest Yard,” “Breaking Away,” “Moneyball,” “Jerry Maguire”). Still others are hard-hitting dramas (literally in some cases, since boxing themes have proven to be particularly appealing to filmmakers), like “Raging Bull,” “Million Dollar Baby,” “Chariots of Fire,” “The Hill,” “Foxcatcher,” and “Ford vs. Ferrari.”

While the subject matter of these films is compelling in itself, it’s worth noting that there’s an abundance of star power in them, too, with such actors as Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Kevin Costner, Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, and of course, Sylvester Stallone — whose “Rocky” films occupy the top four spots hare, with other movies associated with that emblematic character found four more times on the list. (After this article, click here to read about the best baseball player the year you were born.)

Many of these films have not only pleased the public but also made money for their producers. To determine the highest-grossing sports movies, 24/7 Tempo reviewed box office from data film industry site The Numbers, an online movie database owned by Nash Information Services. Sports movies were ranked according to inflation-adjusted worldwide box office receipts as of May 2024. Global ticket sales figures were adjusted for inflation using historical ticket prices from the National Association of Theatre Owners. User ratings on IMDb, an online movie and TV database owned by Amazon, and critics’ Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie and TV review aggregator, are current as of May 2024. Director and cast information is from IMDb.

Scroll down for a list of the highest-grossing sports movies:

50. Friday Night Lights (2004)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $91.4 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (64,155 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 82% (173 reviews)
• Directed by: Peter Berg
• Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Jay Hernandez, Derek Luke

49. Winning (1969)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $94.5 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.0/10 (1,928 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 56% (9 reviews)
• Directed by: James Goldstone
• Starring: Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Robert Wagner

48. Southpaw (2015)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $102.3 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (225,990 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 60% (242 reviews)
• Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
• Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Oona Laurence

47. Coach Carter (2005)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $109.6 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (153,299 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 64% (150 reviews)
• Directed by: Thomas Carter
• Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Rick Gonzalez, Robert Ri’chard

46. 42 (2013)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $109.8 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (90,371 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 81% (195 reviews)
• Directed by: Brian Helgeland
• Starring: Chadwick Boseman, T.R. Knight, Harrison Ford

45. The Champ (1979)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $112.9 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.9/10 (8,295 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 36% (22 reviews)
• Directed by: Franco Zeffirelli
• Starring: Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, Ricky Schroder

44. Bull Durham (1988)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $113.4 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (51,426 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 97% (71 reviews)
• Directed by: Ron Shelton
• Starring: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins

43. Major League (1989)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $114.3 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (65,430 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 83% (40 reviews)
• Directed by: David S. Ward
• Starring: Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen

42. Slap Shot (1977)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $115.0 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (35,678 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 85% (34 reviews)
• Directed by: George Roy Hill
• Starring: Paul Newman, Michael Ontkean, Strother Martin

41. The Rookie (2002)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $127.1 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.9/10 (35,440 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 84% (155 reviews)
• Directed by: John Lee Hancock
• Starring: Dennis Quaid, J.D. Evermore, Rachel Griffiths

40. Moneyball (2011)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $128.6 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (428,352 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 94% (267 reviews)
• Directed by: Bennett Miller
• Starring: Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, Jonah Hill

39. The Color of Money (1986)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $129.1 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.0/10 (78,707 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 89% (47 reviews)
• Directed by: Martin Scorsese
• Starring: Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

38. The Natural (1984)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $130.7 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.5/10 (46,699 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 82% (45 reviews)
• Directed by: Barry Levinson
• Starring: Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close

37. The Hurricane (1999)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $133.9 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (98,363 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 83% (114 reviews)
• Directed by: Norman Jewison
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Vicellous Shannon, Deborah Kara Unger

36. Rollerball (1975)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $135.4 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.6/10 (23,901 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 67% (33 reviews)
• Directed by: Norman Jewison
• Starring: James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams

35. Caddyshack (1980)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $135.7 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (111,106 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 73% (59 reviews)
• Directed by: Harold Ramis
• Starring: Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray

34. The Main Event (1979)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $138.0 million
• IMDb user rating: 5.6/10 (2,835 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 40% (10 reviews)
• Directed by: Howard Zieff
• Starring: Barbra Streisand, Ryan O’Neal, Paul Sand

33. Nacho Libre (2006)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $138.9 million
• IMDb user rating: 5.8/10 (84,585 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 40% (166 reviews)
• Directed by: Jared Hess
• Starring: Jack Black, Ana de la Reguera, Héctor Jiménez

32. The Black Stallion (1979)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $140.2 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (12,360 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 90% (29 reviews)
• Directed by: Carroll Ballard
• Starring: Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr

31. Ali (2001)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $142.2 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.7/10 (101,040 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 68% (156 reviews)
• Directed by: Michael Mann
• Starring: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight

30. The Fighter (2010)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $150.1 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (371,534 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 91% (254 reviews)
• Directed by: David O. Russell
• Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams

29. Semi-Tough (1977)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $152.8 million
• IMDb user rating: 5.9/10 (2,924 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 82% (11 reviews)
• Directed by: Michael Ritchie
• Starring: Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, Jill Clayburgh

28. Bring It On (2000)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $153.7 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.1/10 (91,811 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 63% (120 reviews)
• Directed by: Peyton Reed
• Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford

27. Grand Prix (1966)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $156.5 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.2/10 (8,984 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 100% (11 reviews)
• Directed by: John Frankenheimer
• Starring: James Garner, Eva Marie Saint, Yves Montand

26. Any Given Sunday (1999)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $181.4 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.9/10 (115,431 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 52% (124 reviews)
• Directed by: Oliver Stone
• Starring: Al Pacino, Dennis Quaid, Cameron Diaz

25. Creed (2015)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $188.6 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (258,408 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 95% (311 reviews)
• Directed by: Ryan Coogler
• Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson

24. The Cannonball Run (1981)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $189.5 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.3/10 (34,760 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 30% (33 reviews)
• Directed by: Hal Needham
• Starring: Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett

23. Blades of Glory (2007)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $193.8 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.3/10 (162,814 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 70% (188 reviews)
• Directed by: Josh Gordon & Will Speck
• Starring: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Amy Poehler

22. The Game Plan (2007)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $195.2 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.1/10 (61,897 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 29% (103 reviews)
• Directed by: Andy Fickman
• Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kyra Sedgwick, Madison Pettis

21. White Men Can’t Jump (1992)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $200.3 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (80,745 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 77% (56 reviews)
• Directed by: Ron Shelton
• Starring: Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, Rosie Perez

20. Creed II (2018)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $214.8 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (114,186 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 83% (309 reviews)
• Directed by: Steven Caple Jr.
• Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson

19. Rocky Balboa (2006)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $218.5 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.1/10 (209,597 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 77% (183 reviews)
• Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
• Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Tarver, Milo Ventimiglia

18. Seabiscuit (2003)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $225.9 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (74,088 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 77% (206 reviews)
• Directed by: Gary Ross
• Starring: Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Elizabeth Banks

17. Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $227.8 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.6/10 (174,863 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 71% (187 reviews)
• Directed by: Adam McKay
• Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen

16. Remember the Titans (2000)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $232.4 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.8/10 (218,344 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 73% (135 reviews)
• Directed by: Boaz Yakin
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris

15. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $247.5 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.7/10 (237,668 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 71% (165 reviews)
• Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber
• Starring: Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Vince Vaughn

14. Rocky V (1990)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $260.4 million
• IMDb user rating: 5.3/10 (131,727 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 30% (37 reviews)
• Directed by: John G. Avildsen
• Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young

13. The Longest Yard (2005)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $273.7 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.4/10 (169,218 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 31% (170 reviews)
• Directed by: Peter Segal
• Starring: Adam Sandler, Burt Reynolds, Chris Rock

12. Creed III (2023)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $274.4 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.4/10 (10,088 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 87% (237 reviews)
• Directed by: Michael B. Jordan
• Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors

11. The Karate Kid II (1986)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $284.2 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.1/10 (83,939 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 44% (32 reviews)
• Directed by: John G. Avildsen
• Starring: Pat Morita, Ralph Macchio, Pat E. Johnson

10. A League of Their Own (1992)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $292.3 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (111,120 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 79% (72 reviews)
• Directed by: Penny Marshall
• Starring: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Lori Petty

9. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $342.1 million
• IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (657,818 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 90% (271 reviews)
• Directed by: Clint Eastwood
• Starring: Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman

8. Days of Thunder (1990)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $342.2 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.1/10 (83,639 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 38% (65 reviews)
• Directed by: Tony Scott
• Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall

7. The Love Bug (1968)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $344.0 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.5/10 (15,273 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 76% (17 reviews)
• Directed by: Robert Stevenson
• Starring: Dean Jones, Michele Lee, David Tomlinson

6. The Waterboy (1998)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $371.5 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.1/10 (154,911 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 34% (76 reviews)
• Directed by: Frank Coraci
• Starring: Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Henry Winkler

5. The Blind Side (2009)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $373.4 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.6/10 (336,377 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 66% (206 reviews)
• Directed by: John Lee Hancock
• Starring: Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw

4. Rocky III (1982)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $389.6 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.8/10 (181,323 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 63% (38 reviews)
• Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
• Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young

3. Rocky II (1979)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $742.4 million
• IMDb user rating: 7.3/10 (199,232 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 71% (31 reviews)
• Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
• Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young

2. Rocky IV (1985)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $775.0 million
• IMDb user rating: 6.9/10 (194,615 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 40% (48 reviews)
• Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
• Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young

1. Rocky (1976)

• Global box office, adjusted for inflation: $967.6 million
• IMDb user rating: 8.1/10 (539,768 votes)
• Tomatometer score: 93% (67 reviews)
• Directed by: John G. Avildsen
• Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young