With 2021 coming to a close, audiences have started racing back into theaters thanks to Spider-Man and the other holiday releases. One of those releases is American Underdog. The Kurt Warner story is just one of many sports movies that have been released this year. While the box office is filled with superheroes, action and a lot of CGI, sports movies are often overlooked.
They may not have lit up the box office, but fans of the genre still have a number of great options to seek out and enjoy over the holiday break and beyond. After all, everybody loves a good underdog story.
Space Jam: A New Legacy - 4.4 (Streaming On HBO Max)
LeBron James ed the Looney Tunes in a sequel to the 1996 classic with Space Jam: A New Legacy. Taking over from Michael Jordan, a rogue artificial intelligence kidnaps James' son, who then has to work with Bugs Bunny to win a basketball game. Ravaged by critics, the film was nonetheless enjoyed by viewers with a 79% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Not to be taken seriously, the main draw is seeing Bugs and the gang back on the big screen and the Tunes don't disappoint, as their zany antics are a highlight. Space Jam also features a number of fun Easter eggs and references to other popular films. While the story and game may not be the most realistic, the movie is certainly entertaining enough for the whole family to enjoy.
Boogie - 5.2 (Streaming On HBO Max)
Basketball is more than just a game for Alfred Chin in Boogie. The coming-of-age tale follows the high school phenom with NBA dreams. Boogie deals with parental pressure, a new girlfriend, school, rivals and expectations in this Queens, New York, set sports drama from writer and director, Eddie Huang.
Audiences are along for the ride as Boogie struggles to figure out his place in the world. It is hard not to root for him to succeed as he struggles with expectations from his Chinese American parents regarding school vs. his NBA dreams. With a chip on his shoulder, the movie focuses on how determination can lead to success on and off the court.
Heart Of Champions - 5.4 (Rent From Amazon)
Michael Shannon steals the show in Heart Of Champions. The film follows a group of friends and crew teammates during their last year at an Ivy League college in 1999 whose lives are changed forever when an army vet takes over as coach of their dysfunctional rowing team. The film captured viewers with an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Hitting familiar beats, Shannon is excellent as a coach looking to get his life back on track. The movie benefits from its subject matter of rowing, which isn't as publicized as other sports. The scenes on the water are exciting and visually pleasing, making them a highlight and setting the movie apart from its competition.
National Champions - 5.9 (Rent From Amazon)
Well-acted, National Champions looks beyond the gridiron and tackles a relevant subject matter as it takes on the NCAA. The movie follows a star quarterback who ignites a players' strike hours before the biggest game of the year in order to fight for fair compensation, equality and respect for student-athletes. The film is 62% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an audience score of 79%.
National Champions stars J.K. Simmons as one of the movie's most likable characters as a head coach stuck between ing his players and ing the NCAA. Student-athlete rights have become a relevant topic in today's world, which gives the riveting drama an added sense of importance. Watching the power struggle unfold keeps viewers engaged throughout and wondering just how things will play out. Stephan James, Lil Rel Howery, Tim Blake Nelson and Timothy Olyphant co-star in the drama.
Bruised - 6.2 (Streaming On Netflix)
Oscar-winner Halle Berry directs and stars in the Netflix original that packs a serious punch. Bruised follows a fallen MMA fighter who finds redemption in the cage and the courage to face her demons when the son she had given up as an infant unexpectedly reenters her life.
In familiar fashion, the fighting drama follows a woman down on her luck in need of a comeback. Berry makes her fighter a likable character and gives a strong performance as a former champ looking to reclaim past glory and get her life back together. She is believable in the role with the fight scenes relatively realistic and fleshed out due to her intense training for the role.
Born A Champion - 6.9 (Streaming On Hulu)
Born A Champion is an MMA fighting movie made with love and respect for the sport. The film stars Sean Patrick Flanery as a former Marine and one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. After losing a controversial match, the fighter prepares for a rematch against his fierce competitor. The movie currently has an 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Co-starring Dennis Quaid, the addition of real-life MMA fighter Edson Barboza helps raise the stakes and add credibility to the fight scenes. The film was also written by Flanery and his ion for the sport is undeniable as viewers root for the older underdog to come out on top.
12 Mighty Orphans - 6.9 (Streaming On Starz)
12 Mighty Orphans is a feel-good true story that can be enjoyed by more than just football fans. The movie follows a devoted high school football coach who leads a scrawny team of orphans to the state championship during the Great Depression and inspires a broken nation along the way. The film sits 64% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an audience score of 95%.
The heartwarming tale stars Luke Wilson, Martin Sheen and Wayne Knight. Setting the movie during the Great Depression helps the film stand out amongst other football stories. Laughs and drama abound as this group of abandoned misfits come together and form their own little family while learning and succeeding in a sport led by those more wealthy and well-off.
Dream Horse - 6.9 (Streaming On Hulu)
Based on a true story, Dream Horse is about what can happen when a town comes together. The movie follows an unlikely racehorse bred by a small-town Welsh bartender. With no experience, she convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to raise a horse in the hopes he can compete with the racing elites.
Starring Toni Collette and Damian Lewis, Dream Horse takes viewers on a ride. The movie looks at a group of people following their dreams and striving to better their lives on a true long shot. Not happy with their lives, the group takes an inspiring risk while never accepting defeat, even when the deck is clearly stacked against them.
King Richard - 7.6 (Rent On Spectrum On Demand)
A Best Picture contender, King Richard stars Will Smith as Richard Williams. The movie looks at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father. The film sits at 91% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an audience score of 98%.
King Richard is a top 10 tennis movie. Smith is terrific as Williams and easily steals the show as a controversial father who still has his girls' best interests at heart. While not always right, Williams hustled to do whatever it took for his girls to succeed. Watching the girls grow up, the movie allows viewers to get a glimpse into their nontraditional childhood. From surviving the streets of Compton to training in Florida, the story looks at the determination and dedication it takes to become a champion.
American Underdog - 7.6 (In Theaters)
The true story of an Iowa boy with big dreams, American Underdog proves that even the longest of shots can pay off if someone works hard enough. The movie tells the story of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American football star.
Striking a chord with audiences, the inspirational tale sits at 75% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an audience score of 98%. Starring Zachary Levi and Anna Paquin, American Underdog captures viewers' attention from the opening frame. Warner had every reason to quit and move on with his life, but held strong and kept striving for success. The unbelievable tale has a number of twists and turns, keeping audiences engaged throughout and rooting for Warner to come out on top.
