Find Your Inspiration with a Sports Movie

Hollywood has a passion for sports and the professional sports industry. From the Mighty Ducks to Karate Kid, we know at least one movie encouraged you to try a new sport as a child. And when you became a teenager and young adult, sports movies became a source of inspiration. They push you to try new things, achieve more than you knew possible, and take that mindset into your everyday life.

Do you still watch sports-themed movies as an adult? You may have changed Field of Dreams for Remember the Titans and then Rocky or Invictus. Hollywood’s passion for producing hard-hitting and memorable sports movies has continued, but many have lost interest in the genre. And that’s a mistake. Use a sports movie to inspire you to tackle a new training regime or aim high by betting on an upcoming NFL game. The latest betnow review shows more people are wagering on football this season than ever.

Sports movies taught us one valuable lesson in youth: always believing in yourself. Did that last into adulthood? Are you a confident person who remembers the importance of belief and backing yourself to succeed? Do you remember from watching movies as a child that anything is possible when you believe and work hard? Believe to achieve.

That mindset is becoming more popular, but films based on sports taught us the fundamentals of confidence in the 80s and 90s.

What to expect

On this page, we recommend five sports-themed movies based on prizefighting. The films are boxing and MMA-orientated, but you don’t need to be a huge fan of combat sports to enjoy the story. It’s the underlying lessons of hard work, belief, determination, and commitment. With these qualities, you can conquer anything in less. So the story goes.

When reading this article, you must remember we’re dealing with Hollywood here, so there’s more than a generous helping of Tinseltown. But you should be aware of the message. Whether you’re after some inspiration ahead of a competition or big gym session, fancy trying combat sports for fitness, or want an edgy movie to enjoy and are happy to dig through the classics, this page delivers.

Countless inspiring movies use sports to portray a message of triumphing against all the odds. Some are better for younger viewers, while the likes of Raging Bull would never be family viewing. If you’re after a few hours of inspiration with the children, encouraging them to try sports, steer clear of Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece. But if you’re after a movie that’s 12+, we’ve got your back.

Rocky

The story of Sylvester Stallone’s journey from creating Rocky to getting it made and playing the lead is as inspiring as any title included on this page. He worked hard to make the script good enough to sell to Hollywood, but he stood firm, demanding he played the lead role. Producers eventually caved, and the rest is history.

Rocky became a franchise, and they’re still churning our movies today, including Rocky Balboa and Creed. The original is our favorite, detailing one fighter’s rise through the ranks, climbing from the dirty and sinister side of the sport to the dizzy heights of contesting the world heavyweight championship belt against Apollo Creed.

It is a story of one man, backed by his loyal trainer, who upset the odds and made a habit of doing so.

Raging Bull

The Raging Bull movie is about as far removed from Rocky as you can imagine. Scorsese tells the true story of former boxing champion Jake LaMotta, the Raging Bull. The script tackles Jake’s many problems outside the ring, showing that the tortured soul was only ever content with the safety of the ropes.

It’s a star-studded cast with Robert DeNiro playing the lead and Joe Pesci as the fighter’s long-suffering brother. Raging Bull is fast-paced, chaotic, and about as dark as you’d want to see.

It’s been labeled the most authentic boxing film ever made, and we’re not in a rush to argue.

Million Dollar Baby

Returning to fiction, Million Dollar Baby has inspired countless young girls and women to try boxing. Most use the sport for fitness and to learn self-defense, but a select few went all the way, sticking hard to the film’s message and becoming professional fighters. It was released in 2004 when the female boxing circuit was less busy than today.

As Karate Kid led to a continuous line of school-age children throwing high-kicks in pajamas and wrapping a tie around their forehead, Million Dollar Baby showed a new generation that boxing could lead to a new and improved life.

It didn’t quite work out for Hilary Swank and Clint Eastwood, but the story is no less engaging and enjoyable.

Warrior

Moving combat sports for a second, we delve into the unstable and exciting world of Mixed Martial Arts. Today, we have Conor McGregor to thank for inspiring a steady stream of new MMA fighters at their local fight gym or BJJ school.

Warrior paved the way for many adults to try MMA, and including the great Tom Hardy meant the film couldn’t fail. And we’re glad it was as big a hit as it deserved. The story is moving, and like the boxing movies on this list, fighting isn’t the central element of the tale. It approaches issues like a broken family ruined by past mistakes.

The good and bad of brotherhood, training hard, and allowing yourself to leave hurt behind you. Sports can help you achieve all that while working towards a goal.

Cinderella Man

Think you’re too old and past your best. Where’s your belief and confidence? Cinderella Man retells the true story of James J. Braddock, and it’s some adventure. James was past his prime, out of boxing and looking for work without much success during difficult economic times.

With cash in short supply and a hungry young family, Braddock returned to the only way he knew how to make cash: prizefighting. We won’t ruin it for you, but Braddock enjoyed a second shot at the fight game.

Find Your Inspiration with a Sports Movie