Must-see movies that celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship

Movies, just like sports, are loved for their ability to excite, keep one at the edge of their seat, and make the viewer experience levels of joy and sadness that they never probably experienced before. And when the two mediums come together, whether to tell a fictional tale or document real-life sporting legends, like in the recently-released Maidaan—a movie based on the Indian football team during the 1950s—the feeling is unforgettable. Watching a group of individuals, each bringing their unique skill set to the game and being united for one goal—victory—excitement always hits a fever pitch.  

Here’s a list of six spectacular sports films that are inspiring and entertaining. 

Any Given Sunday (1999)

The film is considered to be the best film made on American football for its loud, R-rated, brutal, and realistic portrayal of the sport from those off the field. It features an ensemble cast that includes Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx, James Wood, Cameron Diaz, and a couple of professional players such as Jim Brown, Lawrence Taylor, and Dick Butkus. Pacino portrays Tony D’Amato, the head coach of the fictional Miami Sharks who is at constant loggerheads with the new owner (played by Diaz). Along with the ego clashes, the film shows the ugly side of the sport—the struggles between owner and coach, the dilemma around the use of prescription drugs and so on. One of the main reasons why you’ll like (maybe even love) the movie is because it doesn’t sugarcoat anything and tackles the issues head-on. Just like the players in the sport. 

Watch on: YouTube and Amazon Prime Video

Lagaan (2001)

While Lagaan had everything a Bollywood blockbuster requires—a popular lead actor (Aamir Khan) at the top of his game and a phenomenal soundtrack—it was the high-stakes game of cricket that had us hooked even before the first ball was bowled. The earnest performances of every character make you root for them at every single step. Yes, it was a rather dramatised version of the game and the last-ball excitement is unmatched, but don’t we all enjoy that (we are looking at you, Indian Premier League fans!). 

Watch on: Netflix

Miracle (2004)

The movie depicts the journey of the USA Men’s Ice Hockey team who beat the mighty Soviet Union, dubbed ‘The Miracle on Ice’ at the 1980 Winter Olympics hosted at Lake Placid, New York. It’s the true story of Herb Brooks, the coach (played by Kurt Russell) who is tasked with putting together a team to compete, let alone manage a finish at the podium. Filled with players from college who are unproven and easily crumble under pressure, Brooks carries the entire weight of a nation to coach them to victory. While one knows the outcome right from the very first scene, it’s a terrific lead performance backed with a group of kids working together to beat their arch-rival and claim gold in front of their home supporters. 

Watch on: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV

Chak De! India (2007)

Here’s another story that celebrates the underdog. There’s little chance that the audience didn’t know or weren’t expecting Kabir Khan (played by Shah Rukh Khan) and his team of girls playing hockey to win the World Cup, but this journey was of redemption. Redemption for a coach battling his past and working with a team that no one believes in and redemption for the entire name, each of whom comes with their baggage and a wish to prove their worth and calbre to the world. Getting 11 players hailing from different parts of the country to play as one team (one of the best scenes in the movie) is an onerous task that Khan takes up and succeeds at. Filled with iconic dialogues and scenes that had SRK in top form, the film inspired a host of girls to take up the sport, saw advertisers extend their support to women’s games, and made us say ‘Chak De! India’ whenever we witnessed any sportsperson making the country proud.

Watch on: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV

Moneyball (2011)

Many times it’s the people who plan the game that make a team unbeatable. This 2003 film revolves around the unconventional, yet exceptional data-driven approach of the Oakland Athletics baseball team under their visionary general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) to produce a winning team despite battling severe financial constraints. Based on the 2003 nonfiction book, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis, the film is filled with fascinating insights. It shows how analytics and stats can challenge pre-conceived notions to revolutionise the game. For a movie focusing on the making of a successful sports team, Moneyball keeps the viewer engaged with a host of emotional and hair-raising moments, even if they know nothing about baseball. 

Watch on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV

Maidaan (2024)

It’s always good to watch a movie about a team or coach that increases your curiosity about the sport. The recently-released Maidaan does just that. Much before India was a cricketing superpower, the country was known as ‘Brazil of Asia’ with the football team ending in fourth place at the 1956 Olympics and winning gold at the Asian Games in 1951 and 1962, thanks to the vision and coaching of Syed Abdul Rahim. Starring Ajay Devgn as Rahim, the film kicks the ball out of the park in celebrating his love and dedication for the sport and putting India on the world footballing map. It doesn’t just show his victories, but the struggles he faced (fighting politics, the media, and regional and societal biases) to turn a team of nobodies into world-beaters.

Lead image: Amazon Prime Video

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