The sports genre in film has been responsible for capturing some of the greatest moments in sporting history and encapsulating these moments for generations to come.
Be it a true story or a feel-good flick, sports films work exceptionally well at motivating us in our hour of strife, tugging at our heart strings when we need a tear-jerk or just giving us a good laugh.
Now, with pretty much all sport halted as the world looks to combat the spread of coronavirus, film is one of the few places we can turn to get our sports fix.
Of the vast number of sports films produced, there are several exceptional stories that if I was to rank them, we would end up with at least 10 movies coming in first place.
So instead I will rank my 5 favourite sports flicks from the 2010’s.
- Creed (2015)
IMDB Score: 7.6/10
Director: Ryan Coogler
Headlining Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed. The spin-off and sequel to The Rocky series has birthed an absolutely epic boxing feature. Michael B. Jordan really brings his A-game to the ring with his perfectly tuned hooks and jabs. The Black Panther star leaves nothing on the table as he gives the audience a film that can only be rivalled by Rocky itself.
Check out the trailer here:
- Rush (2013)
IMDB Score: 8.1/10
Director: Ron Howard
Headlining Cast: Daniel Brühl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde
The film follows the merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Given Niki Lauda’s passing in the May of 2019, this movie hits home by remembering him for he was. An epic racer and excellent mechanic and true Formula 1 legend. We also witness Lauda’s horrific crash at the Nürburgring which saw him sustain near fatal injuries and later witness his road to recovery. The movie does a good job in capturing a balance of Hunt’s and Lauda’s on track and off-track rivalry, juxtaposing each of their lifestyles brilliantly.
- Ford v Ferrari (2019)
IMDB Score: 8.1/10
Director: James Mangold
Headlining Cast: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal
American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford in order to defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. You are bound to be treated to one heck of a film when Matt Damon and Christian Bale team up. Damon brings forth the reasoning and level-headed nature of the great Carol Shelby, while Bale portrays the pedal to the metal nature of the great Ken Miles. If you like cars, this is for you. And if you love your cars, I guarantee you will shed a tear in the end.
- I, Tonya (2017)
IMDB Score: 7.5/10
Director: Craig Gillespie
Headlining Cast: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney
Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises amongst the ranks at the U.S figure skating championships, but her future in the activity is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes. Margot Robbie’s performance as Tonya Harding is extraordinary and the stunts she manages to pull off while on ice make the movie even more appealing. I, Tonya has got it all, action, drama, thriller, romance and spot of pure passion. I guarantee you will want to look up ice skating and the triple axel twist after watching this.
- Moneyball (2011)
IMDB Score: 7.6/10
Director: Bennet Miller
Headlining Cast: Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, Jonah Hill |
A biopic about Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane’s successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players. A true underdog story with Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill putting on a brilliant show. The film puts into perspective the sheer amount of work that goes into functions of running and managing a team. It also casts a light on the inner workings of the US baseball league. In the end it is a feel-good film, which will leave you feeling happy and content with the outcome of the Oakland A’s.
By Randev Jayasinha