Sports films are often inspiring, timeless, and tap into the best parts of the human spirit. Seeing an individual or team of people band together to rise above the odds rarely fails to leave audiences cheering as they are caught up in the moment.
However, many sports films, more often than not, are centered around what some call the "big four:" football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. Outside of those four sports, there are enough Rocky films to make up a big part of the boxing movies out there, as well. But there are some movies about other more underrated sports that are worth a watch, even if their subjects get less attention.
The King Of Kong: A Fistful Of Quarters (2007)
In 2007, film audiences were introduced to the concept of e-sports long before it became a more popular competitive medium. This documentary focuses on the culture around world champions of popular retro arcade cabinets, particularly Donkey Kong. The film centers around Steve Wiebe's quest to unseat longtime multiple world record holder, Billy Mitchell, in order to be entered into the Guinness Book of World Records.
This film is an unexpected triumph for such a niche story. Wiebe is a believable underdog and the audience also gets glimpses of what his obsession does to the people around him, making him a formidable villain within this framework.
Seabiscuit (2003)
One of the multiple Academy Award-nominated films mentioned here, Seabiscuit is loosely based on a true story. The undersized racehorse who went on to become a champion in the early 20th century, Seabiscuit was one of the few sports movies nominated for Best Picture and boasts a star-studded cast.
A unique element of the movie revolves around more than just the underdog theme that is present in so many sports films. More than just overcoming the odds, the story takes the angle of showing how someone (or something) looked at as broken can be restorative to other broken things. It's an inspiration of a different kind than what avid sports film viewers are used to seeing, and that's what makes it so special.
Cool Runnings (1993)
In 1993, the world was introduced to everyone's favorite Jamaican bobsled team. Also loosely based on true events from the 1988 Winter Olympics, Cool Runnings was one of comedy legend John Candy's final films and it takes the "fish out of water" approach to the extreme in an unorthodox sports comedy.
While being marketed mostly as a comedy, Cool Runnings depicts strength, pride, and dignity in its characters. The four bobsled athletes march into uncharted territory, in both competition and climate, and the results are both inspiring and hilarious.
Foxcatcher (2014)
Another Academy Award-nominated film, 2014's Foxcatcher explores the fascinating and troubled life of the would-be world champion amateur wrestling team, comprised of former Olympic gold medalists and an enigmatic head coach. The unsettling and tragic story stars Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, and a highly uncharacteristic performance from Steve Carell.
The performances are haunting and highly effective, in that they linger in the audiences' minds far after viewing. No portrayal is more memorable than that of Steve Carell's, who earned a Best Actor nomination for the part. What also sets Foxcatcher apart, though, is the exploration of family tensions that ultimately corrupt the journey for victory, rather than reinforcing it.
Pride (2007)
A group of kids from inner-city Philadelphia are transformed into a competitive swim team by their driven, persevering coach in 2007's Pride. The team, coached by a pairing portrayed by Terence Howard and the late, great Bernie Mac, is not just tasked with developing a team of athletes, but developing young people to cope and overcome the prejudicial adversities they see on a day to day basis and in competition.
The story of Jim Ellis explores some familiar racial tension narratives seen in other sports films set early after the Civil Rights era. There is a novel aspect to this story though, as it is about swimming, a less-explored sport for films. Also, the very real historical s of the treatment of Black communities at swimming pools are given an opportunity to be shown in a sporting context.
Invictus (2009)
Tackling the sport of rugby, 2009's Invictus tells the story of the South African national team's bid to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the year they were also the host nation. Matt Damon turned in a strong performance as the team captain, and the most memorable role was given by Morgan Freeman, who played South African President Nelson Mandela.
Directed by Clint Eastwood, he overachieves in this film to go beyond the simple premise of a team uniting beyond their differences and ascends to the task of portraying a country that is still living in the wake of apartheid. Mandela's vision to use sports as a great unifier pays off and this portrayal is one that lives on today, with a big assist from the reciting of the poem that shares the title of the film.
Queen Of Katwe (2016)
2016's Queen Of Katwe possesses all the ingredients of a great sports tale. Phiona Mutesi, a 10-year-old Ugandan living in poverty outside the capital city of Kampala, rises to prominence as a chess player and struggles with the tension between life as a champion and a life of poverty.
Phiona goes on a journey from obscurity to victory, but the way this film shines is that in Phiona's portrayal, she is so believable in every circumstance as a child would be. She and her fellow teammates steal the show in this hidden gem.
Race (2016)
Race tells the story of Olympic track & field star, Jesse Owens, as he strives to be champion. Owens not only is up against the forces of racism within his own country but squares off against the propaganda of the Nazi Party at the 1939 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
The film explores the varied track and field events well in documenting Owens' expertise. Additionally, it explores the complexities in both Owens's character but also much of the ing cast, including a rival German athlete and Jesse's coach - played by Jason Sudeikis in his most inspirational coaching role that isn't Ted Lasso.
Warrior (2011)
In 2011, the mixed martial arts (MMA) film Warrior snuck onto the scene to give a new spin on a Rocky-style story. Two brothers, one a family man fallen on hard times, and another a war hero with a troubled past end up on a collision course at a high stakes MMA tournament. To top it all off, their recovering alcoholic father, who has traumatized them both in the past, is caught in the middle.
This film succeeds in the sense that all main characters are given more layers than in the typical sports film, and they all possess qualities that drive the viewer to cheer and boo them at different times. The plot still manages to resolve the story in a satisfying, and, as much as it can be, heartwarming conclusion.
McFarland, USA (2015)
McFarland, USA is based on the true story of disgraced high school football coach, Jim White, who moves his family across the country to a rural Latino community in California. There, he learns to adapt to his new surroundings, uncover some of his own personal biases, and build a championship cross country team.
At first glance, this film seems like others of its ilk in regards to underdog athletes, racial tension in the community, and overcoming the odds. But McFarland, USA stands out as White learns genuine humility and demonstrates not only a desire to succeed but also to build community. He achieves a different kind of victory beyond the sport by learning to see his community as the home he belongs to, instead of the neighborhood he had to choose as a last resort.
