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The Most Inspiring True Story Sports Movies Ever Made

The Most Inspiring True Story Sports Movies Ever Made

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50 Must-See Sports Movies Based on Real Events

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

50. We Are Marshall (2006)

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

49. Tommy's Honour (2016)

Courtesy of Roadside Attractions

48. Ali (2001)

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

47. Prefontaine (1997)

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

46. Million Dollar Arm (2014)

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

45. Concussion (2015)

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

44. 80 for Brady (2023)

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

43. Lords of Dogtown (2005)

Courtesy of TriStar Pictures

42. Dreamer (2005)

Courtesy of DreamWorks Distribution

41. The Express (2008)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

40. Secretariat (2010)

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

39. Invincible (2006)

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

38. Goon (2011)

Courtesy of Magnet Releasing

37. The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

36. Battle of the Sexes (2017)

Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

35. The Rookie (2002)

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

34. Coach Carter (2005)

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

33. Foxcatcher (2014)

Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

32. Invictus (2009)

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

31. Greater (2016)

Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

30. Seabiscuit (2003)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

29. Cool Runnings (1993)

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

28. The Blind Side (2009)

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

27. Fear Strikes Out (1957)

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

26. A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)

Courtesy of A24

25. Eddie the Eagle (2015)

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

24. A League of Their Own (1992)

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

23. Eight Men Out (1988)

Courtesy of Orion Pictures

22. Friday Night Lights (2004)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

21. The Stratton Story (1949)

Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

20. Without Limits (1998)

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

19. McFarland, USA (2015)

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

18. Rudy (1993)

Courtesy of TriStar Pictures

17. Miracle (2004)

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

16. Remember the Titans (2000)

Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

15. Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)

Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

14. The Hurricane (1999)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

13. Heart Like a Wheel (1983)

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

12. Chariots of Fire (1981)

Courtesy of The Ladd Company

11. Fighting with My Family (2019)

Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

10. The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

9. Cinderella Man (2005)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

8. Hoosiers (1986)

Courtesy of Orion Pictures

7. I, Tonya (2017)

Courtesy of 30WEST

6. Moneyball (2011)

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

5. The Fighter (2010)

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

4. Rush (2013)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

3. The Pride of the Yankees (1942)

Courtesy of RKO Pictures

2. Raging Bull (1980)

Courtesy of United Artists

1. Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

50 Must-See Sports Movies Based on Real Events
50. We Are Marshall (2006)
49. Tommy's Honour (2016)
48. Ali (2001)
47. Prefontaine (1997)
46. Million Dollar Arm (2014)
45. Concussion (2015)
44. 80 for Brady (2023)
43. Lords of Dogtown (2005)
42. Dreamer (2005)
41. The Express (2008)
40. Secretariat (2010)
39. Invincible (2006)
38. Goon (2011)
37. The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
36. Battle of the Sexes (2017)
35. The Rookie (2002)
34. Coach Carter (2005)
33. Foxcatcher (2014)
32. Invictus (2009)
31. Greater (2016)
30. Seabiscuit (2003)
29. Cool Runnings (1993)
28. The Blind Side (2009)
27. Fear Strikes Out (1957)
26. A Prayer Before Dawn (2017)
25. Eddie the Eagle (2015)
24. A League of Their Own (1992)
23. Eight Men Out (1988)
22. Friday Night Lights (2004)
21. The Stratton Story (1949)
20. Without Limits (1998)
19. McFarland, USA (2015)
18. Rudy (1993)
17. Miracle (2004)
16. Remember the Titans (2000)
15. Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)
14. The Hurricane (1999)
13. Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
12. Chariots of Fire (1981)
11. Fighting with My Family (2019)
10. The World's Fastest Indian (2005)
9. Cinderella Man (2005)
8. Hoosiers (1986)
7. I, Tonya (2017)
6. Moneyball (2011)
5. The Fighter (2010)
4. Rush (2013)
3. The Pride of the Yankees (1942)
2. Raging Bull (1980)
1. Ford v Ferrari (2019)

50 Must-See Sports Movies Based on Real Events

Many of the best sports movies are based on the inspirational lives of real people. These movies showcase the determination, skill, and spirit of individuals who often overcame obstacles on on their way to success. Some of the most amazing sports stars have lives that are far more compelling and complex than any fictional tale could ever be. Read about the 40 most successful athletes of the 21st century.

Whether these movies highlight the determination of an underdog facing adversity or the camaraderie that takes teamwork to a level beyond technical accomplishment, these stories show the heart and humanity of revered athletes. At their best, they prove to us that with dedication and focus, anyone can achieve their goals.

To determine the best sports movies based on reality, 24/7 Tempo developed an index using average ratings from IMDb, an online movie database owned by Amazon, and a blend of audience and Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes, an online movie and TV review aggregator, as of April 2023, weighting all ratings equally. Documentaries were not considered. Cast credits were sourced from IMDb.

Several of the best sports films follow the journeys of football players and teams, depicting stories that range from high school teams that unite their communities, to college athletes that defy physical limitations, to NFL stars overcoming homelessness or financial hardships to achieve their dreams.

Some of the listed films involve crimes, including "I, Tonya," which portrays figure skater Tonya Harding and her role in the 1994 attack on competitor Nancy Kerrigan. And "Foxcatcher," which follows the tragic story of wrestlers, brothers Mark and David Schultz, and their association with a wealthy DuPont heir who would eventually murder one of them.

These films portray the lives of coaches, boxers, golfers, racecar drivers, tennis players, ski jumpers, runners and more. They feature well-known figures like Muhammad Ali and Lou Gehrig, as well as lesser-known stars like Scottish golfer Tommy Morris, New Zealand speedbike racer Burt Munro, and the First Lady of Drag Racing, Shirley Muldowney. Here are the most exciting races in Indy 500 history.

Here are 50 must-see sports movies based on real events:

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