Remember sports? Sure you do! If it weren’t for the damn coronavirus, you’d be cursing your March Madness bracket right about now. Well, the NCAA may have canceled this year’s tournament, and the NBA and NHL may have suspended their seasons, but sports live on thanks to the magic of movies. I was watchingVarsity Bluesjust yesterday while wondering what other movies I could watch later this week to get my sporting fix. You may have wondered the same thing. Well, wonder no longer, folks, because I have put together a list of sports movies you can watch right now on the four major streaming services – Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. I’m not getting too deep into the weeds here, but if I can introduce to just one new movie, I will feel like I have done my job.
There are dozens of other sports movies streaming out there, so feel free to poke around on your own, but if you’re in need of a quick-and-easy guide, then look no further. And if you’re looking for a broader list of recommendations, check outour list of the best movies on Netflix right now.
Goon- Proving he’s more than just Stifler from theAmerican Piemovies,Seann William Scottplays Doug Glatt, a bouncer who becomes an enforcer for a semi-pro hockey team.Jay Baruchelplays Doug’s supportive best friend, whileLiev Schreiberplays Doug’s mustachioed rival. This movie will tickle your funny bone – if you don’t break it first.
Any Given Sunday- The greatest football movie ever made, period.Oliver Stone’s epic comes the closest to capturing the intensity and the insanity of pro football. The entire cast is excellent, from Oscar winnersAl PacinoandJamie Foxxall the way toLL Cool JandBill Bellamy, but the MVP isLawrence Tayloras Luther ‘Shark’ Lavay, who leaves it all on the field.
Kingpin- An absolutely hilarious movie from the Farrelly Brothers that arrived in between their comedy classicsDumb & DumberandThere’s Something About Mary.Woody Harrelsonplays a legendary bowler who takes an Amish bowling prodigy (Randy Quaid) under his rubber wing.Bill Murraybowls a perfect game as Harrelson’s nemesis Big Ern McCracken.
Space Jam- This movie came out in 1996 and is just now getting a sequel, so what better time to brush up on the original?Michael Jordanhelps Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes take on the Monstars in this zany basketball comedy that co-starsBill MurrayandSeinfeld’sWayne Knight. Plus,Charles Barkley,Larry Bird,Patrick Ewingand many more play themselves, though some are better than others in front of the camera.
Ali-Will Smithstars in this epicMuhammad Alibiopic from directorMichael Mann, who wisely narrows his focus from 1964 to 1974. Smith delivers one of his very best performances, and I loveJon Voight’s turn asHoward Cosell. Yeah,Raging Bullis streaming on Netflix as well, but that movie may be a little too dark for these challenging times. UnlikeJake LaMotta, Ali is an inspiration. You’ve gotta stay strong out there!
Cool Runnings- The late, greatJohn Candyplays the coach of the first Jamaican bobsled team as they compete for Olympic glory. The chemistry between starsLeon,Doug E. Doug,Malik YobaandRawle D. Lewisis palpable, so as tough as things seem right now, I have a feeling this feel-good film will sneak up on you and put a smile on your face.
Free Solo- DirectorsJimmy ChinandElizabeth Chai Vasarhelyido a fantastic job chroniclingAlex Honnold’s attempt to become the first person to ever free solo climb El Capitan. This gripping documentary won an Oscar for a reason – you won’t be able to take your eyes off the screen, knowing that one wrong step could be fatal. Your palms are going to sweat watching this film, so remember to wash ‘em after!
Secretariat- Sure, theTobey MaguiremovieSeabiscuithas a higher profile, but I really enjoyed this 2010 film from directorRandall Wallace. The agelessDiane Lanestars asPenny Chenery Tweedy, who backs the right horse as they chase the Triple Crown together in 1973. A great supporting cast goes a long way here, including memorable turns from several character actors, includingJohn MalkovichandMargo Martindale.
Miracle-Kurt Russellscores asHerb Brooks, who coached the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over a seemingly invincible Soviet squad. Disney adheres to a tried-and-true formula, but it really works here, and it helps if you think of the Russian team like the coronavirus – not going down without a fight, but certainly capable of beating beaten.
Invincible- This is just a great true story.Mark WahlbergplaysVince Papale, a Philadelphia bartender who beat the odds to play for his hometown Eagles in 1976. Wahlberg makes for a charming everyman, and lives out a dream that millions of men and women share across the country. It’s inspirational and motivational – something we could all use right now as we self-quarantine.
61*- This may have originated as a TV movie, but these days, everything is a TV movie!Barry PepperandThomas Janestar asRoger MarisandMickey Mantle, two of the greatest baseball players of all time, and the film follows their race to breakBabe Ruth’s single-season home run record. Baseball fanBilly Crystaldirects this absorbing sports drama, which is worth catching up with if you’ve never seen it before.
Cinderella Man-Russell Crowedelivers one of his best performances asJames J. Braddock, who fought his way back to become a boxing champion in the 1930s. Paul Giamatti rises to the occasion as Braddock’s cornermanJoe Gould, and I’ve always enjoyedCraig Bierko’s turn asMax Baer.
For Love of the Game- This is an underrated baseball movie from directorSam Raimi, working well outside of his comfort zone. Fortunately, his leading man isKevin Costner, who knows a thing or two about baseball movies. Costner plays Billy Chapel, a veteran pitcher who can’t stop thinking aboutKelly Prestonin the midst of a perfect game. Watch out forJohn C. Reilly’s turn as the catcher who tries to keep Billy’s eye on the prize.
Happy Gilmore- One of the funniest sports movies ever made.Adam Sandlerplays a down-on-his-luck hockey player who funnels his aggression into the gentlemanly game of golf. He may not know how to hold a putter, but he can throw down with the best of them, and that includesThe Price Is RighthostBob Barker. As sports comedies go, this is a hole-in-one.
Moneyball- BeforeBrad Pittwon his first acting Oscar, he delivered one of his very best performances as Oakland A’s general managerBilly Beane, who favors math over instinct in assembling a winning team.Jonah Hillis excellent as his right hand man who’s great with numbers, and look out for a youngChris PrattasScott Hatteberg.Philip Seymour Hoffmanis also a standout as A’s managerArt Howe.
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Hoosiers- One of the finest sports films ever made, period.Gene Hackmanplays a basketball coach with a checkered past who turns an Indiana high school team into a contender for the state championship with the help of a local drunk, played byDennis Hopper. One of the Holy Trilogy of basketball movies along withHoop DreamsandWhite Men Can’t Jump– all due respect toHe Got Game.
Blue Chips- This basketball movie may not rank among the Holy Trilogy, but there’s a lot to like here. It’s sort of like theAny Given Sundayof college basketball.Nick Nolteplays a coach who gets in way over his head as his program falls victim to all sorts of scandals.Shaquille O’Nealmakes his presence felt long beforeKazaam.
Creed 2- It wasn’t quite as good as the firstCreedwithoutRyan Cooglerat the helm, but this is a worthy sequel from directorSteven Caple Jr., who brings backDolph Lundgren’s Ivan Drago.Michael B. Jordanbuilds the legend of Adonis Creed, and muscle-bound newcomerFlorian Munteanuis no joke inside the ring. A solid entry in the largerRockyfranchise, that’s for sure.
The Bad News Bears- No, it’s not the original starringWalter Matthau, but there’s still a lot to like aboutRichard Linklater’s remake.Billy Bob Thorntontakes over the role of Morris Buttermaker, the grizzled baseball coach who tries to turn his team of misfits into little league champs. If you’d prefer to rent the original, you should be able to find it on the iTunes store, but as we prepare to enter a recession, you may have to settle for this 2005 reboot, which still has its charms.
The Legend of Bagger Vance- Talk about star power!Matt Damonplays a down-and-out golfer who attempts to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddy, played byWill Smith. This film isn’t as entertaining asHappy Gilmoreor, say,Tin Cup, but it’s a well-made period drama fromRobert Redfordfeaturing two movie stars (three if you includeCharlize Theron) doing what they do best. And if you’ve seen it before, this is one legend worth repeating.
