Top 10 Sports Movies of All Time

Inspired by this WorldCup hysteria,  here are my Top Ten sports movies of all time. Before I start, I should acknowledge that not big fan of any kind of sport, except Tennis, therefore I'm not into films that are related to any of these sports. However, some of them managed to grab my attention and I actually remember many of them. So, here is my list:

Story of Harvard student Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood), who was falsely convicted in drag abuse and is forced to move to London, where he falls in with West Ham football firm [aka the Green Street Elite].

It tells the story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, a discriminated Jew who runs to overcome prejudice he faces in University of Cambridge.

This is not another sports movie, it's a brilliant picture about what drives people to succeed, to be outstanding and to achieve something they've always dreamed. Though Chariots of Fire is best picture of 1981 it is often criticized for being chosen over  Raiders of the Lost Ark, which I actually agree.

Friday Night Lights is a film directed by Peter Berg, which documents the coach and players of a high school football team and the Texas city of Odessa that supports and is obsessed with them. This title is more known as a TV Series that premiered in 2006.

Friday Night Lights is one of the best high school movie, in my opinion.

Leonardo DiCaprio's movie that everybody seems to love. It is a story of young Jim Carroll and him falling into horrible drug addiction, giving up basketball and everything he used to love. For remarkable performance by Leo and well adapted story, it is one of the best sport related movies I've ever seen.

42 tells a story of Jackie Robinson, first ever black man playing baseball. This is story of sports, racial segregation, guts, talent and many other important things. Last year, it was one of my favorite movies.

Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is a successful sports agent. The biggest clients, the respect, a beautiful fiancée, he has it all. Until one night he questions his purpose. His place in the world, and finally comes to terms with what's wrong with his career and life. Recording all his thoughts in a mission statement Jerry feels he has a new lease on life. Unfortunately his opinions aren't met with enthusiasm from his superiors and after dishonorably being stripped of his high earning clients and elite status within the agency Jerry steps out into the sports business armed with only one volatile client (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and the only person with belief in his abilities (Renée Zellweger) with the impossible task of rebuilding what he once had. Along the way he faces the harsh truths which he'd ignored in the past and a host of hardships that he'd never faced before. [IMDB synopsis]

Life of boxer Jake LaMotta, his relations with friends and family. Martin Scorsese's one of the best films and De Niro's most remarkable performance.

Moneyball is a great film for many reasons but mostly because it does not only tell a story of Oakland A and their manager, it looks sport in perspective of business and questions whether sports can be calculated or one only has to feel it. It is breathtaking, enjoyable and one of the best directed sports films of all time.

Clint Eastwood's best movie, in my opinion. Million Dollar Baby is a movie about Maggie Fitzgerald [Hilary Swank] who works with a hardened boxing trainer to become a professional.

And finally, my most favorite sports movie ever and last years absolute surprise - Ron Howard's Rush. Movie tells a story of two F1 drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt, their rivalry, friendship and competition through one season of F1 race. I never expected that film about racing - my least favorite type after football, could be so amazing and masterful. I had absolute pleasure during 5 time watch of this film and for that reason, I consider it to be the best of the bests.

What are some of your favorite sports movies?