Sports movies aren’t just about winning the big game. They’re about everything that leads up to it – the team bonding, the long-held rivalries, the underdogs, and of course, the last-second shot that makes everyone collectively hold their breath.
Whether they’re real stories, wild comedies, legendary racetracks, or brutal arenas of the future, the best sports films go beyond the game. They show us why it matters.
Here are 10 sports movies streaming on Paramount+ that crush the competition when it comes to inspiration, nostalgia, or just a really funny umpire routine.
All-time favorite sports movies
Sports movies remind us that while victory is sweet, the bigger picture is even sweeter. Getting to know the backgrounds and personalities of the people involved, raises the stakes and keeps us even more on the edge of our seats for every pivotal moment.
Varsity Blues (1999)
What it’s about: A backup quarterback (James Van Der Beek) in a small Texas town is forced into the spotlight when the star player (Paul Walker) goes down. As he leads the team, he clashes with a tyrannical coach (Jon Voight) and faces the possibility that there’s more to life than football.
Why you should watch: This movie is an unforgettable classic. In a town where football is a cultural cornerstone, players live like rockstars. However, after some tough life lessons, they come away with a whole new perspective on the game. The trick plays like the “hook and ladder,” the muddy practice fields, and the Friday night lights that feel bigger than life will stick with viewers long after the credits. Notably, the whipped cream scene became pop-culture shorthand, but the true lasting impact is its vivid depiction of pressure and team dynamics.
WATCH NOW: Varsity Blues
Days of Thunder (1990)
What it’s about: Hotshot stock-car driver Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise), bursts onto the NASCAR scene, and learns the craft the hard way: through intense rivalries, dramatic crashes, and grueling comebacks.
Why you should watch: If you like big stunts, and high-octane drama, Days of Thunder is right up your alley. The drafting duel with Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker), and the Daytona 500 sequence are awesome. Real NASCAR legends like Richard Petty were consulted, adding authenticity to the film. But let’s be honest, we’re here to see Cruise flooring it until sparks fly.
WATCH NOW: Days of Thunder
Funny sports movies
This type of feel-good sports movie turns the intensity of locker rooms, sidelines, and medal podiums into settings for comedy gold. For these films, success isn’t measured by points scored, but by laughs earned.
80 for Brady (2023)
What it’s about: Four lifelong friends (Hollywood legends Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field) turn their shared Tom Brady fandom into a wild adventure. Their ultimate dream is to see the quarterback legend in Super Bowl action. Along the way, they stumble into hilarious situations that test their friendship, and turn their football pilgrimage into a beautiful bonding experience.
Why you should watch: 80 for Brady is a unique road-trip comedy that puts mature women in the driver’s seat, showing that the spirit of adventure doesn’t retire.
WATCH NOW: 80 for Brady
The Longest Yard (2005)
What it’s about: In this remake of the 1974 Burt Reynolds classic, an incarcerated quarterback (Adam Sandler) assembles a team of inmates to square off on the gridiron against a team of prison guards.
Why you should watch: The Longest Yard delivers rough-and-tumble football fun. Reynolds even puts in an appearance (this time as a mentor figure).
WATCH NOW: The Longest Yard
Blades of Glory (2007)
What it’s about: When rival figure skaters, bad-boy Chazz Michael Michaels (Will Ferrell) and sensitive Jimmy MacElroy (Jon Heder), are banned from the men’s singles competition, they find a loophole, and compete as the first male-male pair in figure-skating history.
Why you should watch: It’s funny. It’s absurd. It’s got a finale set to Queen’s “Flash Gordon” theme – a sequence that delivers slapstick and genuine, crowd-pleasing triumph.
WATCH NOW: Blades of Glory
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
What it’s about: Police Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) stumbles his way through a conspiracy plot that ends at a baseball stadium – and with Drebin calling balls and strikes, and trading lines with slugging great Reggie Jackson.
Why you should watch: Sports fans still trade quotes about Jackson’s cameo (“I must kill the Queen”) and get a kick out of Drebin’s over-the-top umpire routine, particularly his elaborate dance following a third-strike call.
WATCH NOW: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Sports documentaries
On the field, the court, and inside the ring, sports documentaries reveal the battles behind the triumphs of legendary athletes. Watching them makes you feel more connected to the game, the players, and the stories that define a sport.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In (2021)
What it’s about: A portrait of Manchester United’s legendary manager, shot with rare access during his recovery from a brain hemorrhage, Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In tracks its subject’s career – and the strategies that kept Ferguson on top for decades.
Why you should watch: When you talk football with friends, you talk football – what most Americans call soccer. You follow every match, from every stage of UEFA Champions League play. In short, no matter what you call your sport – football or soccer – you love, love, love it. And you owe it to yourself to watch this portrait of a man who’s right there with you.
WATCH NOW: Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In
Macho: The Hector Camacho Story (2020)
What it’s about: Take a look back at the life of Puerto Rican boxing star Hector “Macho” Camacho. Known for his speed, flair, and out-of-the-ring troubles, Camacho’s story is told through friends, family, and fights.
Why you should watch: Though Camacho passed away in 2012, at the age of 50, fight fans of a certain age will never forget his showmanship. if you’re one of them, you’ll want to revisit some of his greatest nights – and confront the chaos that shortened his career and life.
WATCH NOW: Macho: The Hector Camacho Story (Premium plan only)
Sports movies based on true stories
There’s something uniquely impactful about a true story that powerfully depicts the sacrifice and dedication of athletic excellence. It’s as if living vicariously through the achievements of others transforms spectators into participants. The prevailing takeaway is that determination can change the game—and sometimes a life.
Seabiscuit (2003)
What it’s about: This drama tells us the Depression-era story of undersized racehorse Seabiscuit, his jockey Red Pollard (Tobey Maguire), owner Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges), and trainer Tom Smith (Chris Cooper). What begins as an overlooked horse turns into a national symbol of resilience, culminating in the legendary race against triple-crown winner War Admiral.
Why you should watch: Nominated for seven Oscars®, including Best Picture, Seabiscuit stands tall with an underdog heart, racing thrills, and historical weight.
WATCH NOW: Seabiscuit
September 5 (2024)
What it’s about: Set against the backdrop of the 1972 Munich Olympics, this political thriller dramatizes the hostage crisis that turned the Summer Games into a global tragedy through the eyes of a sports news crew.
Why you should watch: The Oscar®-nominated September 5 captures the collision of athletic idealism and geopolitical violence. Experience the Olympics like never before, where triumph and tragedy play out in equal measure.
WATCH NOW: September 5
Looking for more flicks to watch? Check out which new movies can be streamed on Paramount+.
