What’s the best sports movie of all time? We asked 14 notables this impossible question. (Photo Illustration: Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/Yahoo News; photos: Kara Durrette/Getty Images, Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images, Christopher Polk/Getty Images, NBC)
Did you know how former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo fell in love with No. 9? The answer has nothing to do with football, but a beloved baseball film with Robert Redford.
If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about the emotional grip sports films still have, nothing will. The Super Bowl has a way of reminding us why these stories stick — not just the ones happening on the field, but the ones we’ve been rewatching for years. The movies we quote without realizing it. The scenes that still get us every single time. The ones we can’t wait to pass down, argue about or swear are untouchable classics.
Because sports movies aren’t really about sports. (OK, not entirely about sports.) They’re about underdogs and egos, fathers and daughters, last chances and impossible comebacks. They’re about the feeling — that lump-in-your-throat, stand-up-from-the-couch, “OK fine I’ll run through a wall” moment that hits whether you care about the actual game or not.
So ahead of the Super Bowl, we asked a mix of actors, athletes, broadcasters, podcasters and pop-culture obsessives a deceptively simple question: What’s the best sports movie of all time? The answers were passionate, nostalgic and — as expected — all over the map. From the classics playing on repeat in Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen’s house, to the runaway favorite: Remember the Titans.
Tony Romo, CBS Sports broadcaster, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and star of the Bayer Highlights REAL campaign
“That’s easy: The Natural with Robert Redford, who played Roy Hobbs. I wore number 9 in football because of the movie. It’s near and dear to my heart.”
Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers captain and host of the Not Just Football podcast
“Remember the Titans. Denzel Washington’s performance is incredible, and the film features iconic speeches, realistic football scenes and endless quotable lines. A close second is Little Giants. Rick Moranis, Ed O’Neill and John Madden were a huge part of my childhood. Every kid I knew was addicted to that movie, and both remain must-watches in my household.”
Olivia Culpo, model, partnering with Heluva! Good dips for the Super Bowl
“The Sandlot. I’m already excited to [show my daughter someday].”
Kaley Cuoco, actress, Vanished
“Remember the Titans.”
Leon Robinson, actor, Cool Runnings and Above the Rim
“I don’t know about the best one, but Brian’s Song, Raging Bull, Hoosiers and Chariots of Fire are all up there. And they’re up there just as great movies, period.”
Hailee Steinfeld, actress, starring in State Farm’s Super Bowl ad
“Do I have to say just one? Top of the list would be Raging Bull. My husband [Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen] would probably say Miracle or Angels in the Outfield. I have to throw in Million Dollar Baby, that’s one of my favorites.”
Brett Arnold, film critic for Trust Me, I Watch Everything and host of Roger & Me
“Creed — makes me cry every time.”
Nate Tice, Yahoo Sports NFL expert and cohost of the Football 101 podcast
“A comedy that actually nailed aspects about the absurdity of professional sports and where it was going in the future. Other movies might be more touching and heartfelt, but sports can be hilarious and ridiculous — and that’s what BASEketball is.”
Maddy Sells, WAG Talk host
“It would have to be Hoosiers. Being a Hoosier myself, it would be outrageous for me to pick any other movie.”
Kevin James, actor, Solo Mio
“The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds. I love that one. And I love the [Adam] Sandler one too. But the original — that’s a classic for me.”
Logan Hackett, Sports With Logs creator
“She’s the Man — truly ahead of its time.”
Mariah Rose, Hoops for Hotties host
“Remember the Titans.”
Dianna Russini, the Athletic’s senior NFL insider and host of the Scoop City: Inside the NFL podcast
“‘You can’t win!’ There’s no better moment for me than that one from Rocky IV — Adrian standing at the top of the steps, and for the first time, Rocky losing the belief of his biggest supporter. I’ve referenced this movie so many times when explaining NFL matchups, and this scene never stops landing. We all know how it ends, and there’s still no better sports movie, start to finish, than this classic.”
D.B. Sweeney, actor, The Cutting Edge
“I think the big three are: Slap Shot, Raging Bull and Bull Durham.”
Looking for more recs? Find your next watch on the Yahoo 100, our daily-updated list of the most popular movies of the year.
