1. Field of Dreams 1989，IMDB Rating: 7.5，Douban Rating: 7.6，ID: tt0097351 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Field of Dreams is a timeless sports fantasy drama featuring Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella, a farmer who builds a baseball field in his cornfield, attracting the ghosts of baseball legends like Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Chicago Black Sox. The film delves into themes of family, faith, and redemption, as Ray follows a mysterious voice that leads him to meet various people connected to his past and his love for baseball. One of the key figures he encounters is Terence Mann, a reclusive author who helps him understand the significance of his field and his dreams.
2. For Love of the Game 1999，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 7.9，ID: tt0126916 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 For Love of the Game is a sports drama starring Kevin Costner as Billy Chapel, an aging baseball pitcher about to play his final game for the Detroit Tigers. He faces the New York Yankees, who are vying for the division title, while also grappling with his on-and-off relationship with Jane Aubrey, portrayed by Kelly Preston. The film alternates between the present game and flashbacks of Billy and Jane’s romance, as well as Billy’s career highlights and struggles, providing a deep dive into his personal and professional life.
3. Tin Cup 1996，IMDB Rating: 6.4，Douban Rating: 7.3，ID: tt0117918 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Tin Cup is a romantic comedy and sports film about Roy McAvoy, a former golf prodigy who owns a run-down driving range in West Texas. He falls in love with Molly Griswold, a psychologist who is dating his rival David Simms, a top professional golfer. To impress Molly and prove himself, Roy decides to qualify for the U.S. Open, despite his reckless and unpredictable style of play. The film follows Roy’s journey from obscurity to fame, as he faces challenges, temptations, and his own demons on and off the course.
4. The Longest Yard 1974，IMDB Rating: 7.1，Douban Rating: 7.5，ID: tt0071771 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Longest Yard is a classic prison sports comedy-drama that features Burt Reynolds as Paul Crewe, a disgraced former NFL quarterback who is sentenced to 18 months in a Florida prison. There, he is coerced by the sadistic warden Hazen (Eddie Albert) to form a team of inmates to play against the guards in a football game. /p>
5. Fear Strikes Out 1957，IMDB Rating: ，Douban Rating: ，ID: tt0050383 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Fear Strikes Out is a biographical drama film that tells the story of Jimmy Piersall, a baseball player who struggled with mental illness and his father’s pressure. The film stars Anthony Perkins as Piersall and Karl Malden as his father. The film is based on Piersall’s memoir of the same name, co-written with Al Hirshberg.
6. Million Dollar Baby 2004，IMDB Rating: 8.1，Douban Rating: 8.7，ID: tt0405159 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Million Dollar Baby is a sports drama film that tells the story of Maggie Fitzgerald, a waitress who dreams of becoming a professional boxer. She convinces Frankie Dunn, a grizzled trainer, to coach her and they form a close bond. Maggie rises to the top of the women’s boxing division, but faces a tragic fate after a brutal injury in the ring.
7. The Replacements 2000，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 7.4，ID: tt0191397 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Replacements is a comedy film about a group of misfit football players who are hired as substitutes during a strike by the professional league. The film follows the journey of Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves), a former college star who gets a second chance to prove himself as a quarterback under the guidance of coach Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman).
8. Point Break 1991，IMDB Rating: 7.3，Douban Rating: 7.4，ID: tt0102685 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Point Break is a crime action film that features Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Lori Petty and Gary Busey as the main actors. The film revolves around the undercover investigation of a group of bank robbers who are also surfers, led by the charismatic Bodhi (Swayze). The film explores the themes of adrenaline, loyalty, and identity, as the FBI agent Johnny Utah (Reeves) becomes fascinated by the surfers’ lifestyle and philosophy.
9. Summer Catch 2001，IMDB Rating: 5.1，Douban Rating: 6.6，ID: tt0234829 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Summer Catch is a romantic comedy about Ryan Dunne, a local baseball player who falls for Tenley Parrish, a wealthy woman who encourages him to chase his major league dreams. Set in the Cape Cod Baseball League, where Ryan plays for the Chatham A’s, the film features several actors who have portrayed athletes in other movies, including Freddie Prinze Jr., Jessica Biel, Matthew Lillard, and Brian Dennehy. However, not all of them deliver convincing performances in their roles, adding a mix of memorable and forgettable moments.
10. A League of Their Own 1992，IMDB Rating: 7.3，Douban Rating: 7.5，ID: tt0104694 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 A League of Their Own is a sports comedy-drama that narrates the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, formed during World War II. The film centers on the Rockford Peaches, one of the league’s teams, and their manager Jimmy Dugan, a former baseball star dealing with his personal demons and the challenges of coaching a diverse and talented group of women. The movie beautifully captures the spirit and struggles of the league, making it a memorable watch.
11. Creed 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.6，Douban Rating: 7.6，ID: tt3076658 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Creed is a sports drama film that follows Adonis Johnson, the son of the late boxing legend Apollo Creed, as he pursues his dream of becoming a professional fighter. With the help of Rocky Balboa, his father’s former rival and friend, Adonis trains for a shot at the title against the reigning champion, ‘Pretty’ Ricky Conlan. Along the way, he also falls in love with Bianca, an aspiring singer who suffers from progressive hearing loss.
12. Raging Bull 1980，IMDB Rating: 8.2，Douban Rating: 8.4，ID: tt0081398 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Raging Bull is often hailed as one of the greatest sports movies ever, with Robert De Niro’s portrayal of Jake LaMotta being one of his most acclaimed performances. De Niro masterfully depicts the rise and fall of the middleweight boxing champion, who battles with his violent temper, jealousy, and self-destructive tendencies, delivering a powerful and unforgettable performance.
13. The Wrestler 2008，IMDB Rating: 7.9，Douban Rating: 8.3，ID: tt1125849 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Wrestler is a powerful and poignant drama about Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a former wrestling star who tries to revive his career and reconnect with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and a stripper he loves (Marisa Tomei). The film shows the harsh reality of the wrestling world, where the performers risk their health and dignity for the entertainment of the fans.
14. Space Jam 1996，IMDB Rating: 6.5，Douban Rating: 7.0，ID: tt0117705 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Space Jam is a sports comedy that blends live-action and animation, starring basketball legend Michael Jordan as himself. The film also features several NBA players, including Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, and Muggsy Bogues, who lose their talents to a group of aliens challenging the Looney Tunes to a basketball game. It’s a fun and nostalgic experience for fans of Jordan and the Looney Tunes, but it also sparks debate on which actors delivered the best and worst performances as athletes.
15. Trainwreck 2015，IMDB Rating: 6.2，Douban Rating: 6.3，ID: tt3152624 Photo by douban movie, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Trainwreck is a romantic comedy written by and starring Amy Schumer as Amy Townsend, a magazine writer who doesn’t believe in monogamy and engages in a series of casual hookups. She meets Aaron Conners (Bill Hader), a sports doctor who treats famous athletes, and begins to develop feelings for him. The film follows their relationship as they navigate their different lifestyles, expectations, and insecurities, offering a humorous and heartfelt look at modern romance.
Top 10 Unforgettable and Forgettable Performances by Actors as Athletes in Movies
