While the Oscars may not be highlighting sports films this year, the conversation about the best sports movies ever made continues. We’ve looked at Google Trends data since 2004 to find out which sports movies are searched most in the United States. Here are the top picks, reflecting America’s favorite on-screen sports stories.
1. Cars
This animated Pixar film from 2006 became a global success, earning $462 million. It tells the story of Lightning McQueen, a race car rookie who, after getting lost in a small town, learns about life beyond winning. Even now, almost twenty years later, ‘Cars’ remains beloved, and its sequels and countless internet memes keep introducing it to new generations.
2. Rocky
Rocky is the quintessential story of an underdog. Rocky Balboa, a boxer from Philadelphia, gets an unexpected chance to fight for the heavyweight championship. This 1976 film launched one of the most successful sports movie franchises in history, with ongoing spin-offs like ‘Creed’ keeping the legacy alive.
3. Space Jam
At the peak of Michael Jordan’s fame, he joined forces with the Looney Tunes in this mix of live-action and animation. To regain their freedom from the Monstars, who stole the talents of NBA stars, the Looney Tunes recruit Jordan. ‘Space Jam’ made $231 million worldwide and became a classic for its fun story and great music. A sequel, ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’, starring LeBron James, was released in 2021.
4. The Karate Kid
Released in 1984, ‘The Karate Kid’ follows a teenager who moves to a new town and learns karate to defend himself from bullies. The film’s popularity led to multiple sequels, a remake in 2010, and the recent TV series ‘Cobra Kai’.
5. The Sandlot
Despite a modest box office of $32.4 million, ‘The Sandlot’ has become a beloved cult classic, still popular over 30 years later. Set in 1962, it’s about a group of kids playing baseball and the memorable summer adventures they share.
6. Creed
Nearly a decade after the last ‘Rocky’ movie, ‘Creed’ offered a modern take on the story. Rocky Balboa becomes the mentor and trainer of Adonis Johnson, son of Apollo Creed. ‘Creed’ earned $174 million globally and has continued with two sequels.
7. Rocky Balboa
The final film in the ‘Rocky’ series, ‘Rocky Balboa’, takes place thirty years after the original. Rocky (Stallone) returns to the ring for one last fight against the current heavyweight champion. Coming 16 years after the previous ‘Rocky’ film, it generated significant buzz and grossed $156 million.
8. The Blind Side
‘The Blind Side’ tells the story of Michael Oher, from a homeless child to a football star and NFL first-round pick, with the help of his adoptive family. The movie won an Oscar and grossed $309 million. However, Oher has since claimed that the family never adopted him and instead placed him under a conservatorship for financial gain. A judge ended the conservatorship last year.
9. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
In 2006, a Will Ferrell comedy was a box office hit, and ‘Talladega Nights’ was no different, earning $163 million. The movie is about NASCAR star Ricky Bobby and his teammate Cal Naughton Jr., whose dominance is challenged by a French Formula One driver.
10. Remember the Titans
Based on a true story, ‘Remember the Titans’ features Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) and his high school football team in Virginia, uniting after the integration of two schools. The film grossed $137 million worldwide and has remained a popular sports movie since its release.
