The glitz and glamour of Hollywood loves the grit and drama of the sports industry. Movies and sports are part of the entertainment business and multi-billion dollar industries, but those aren’t the only similarities. The silver screen sees a lot of itself in the sports industry, including the need for hard work to get ahead. Both areas must continue to perform to meet the high expectations of customers. Still, they must also keep evolving, staying ahead of the competition while keeping pace with technological advancements. Only the best make it to the top in each.
Movies are part of our culture today, with cinemas now back to full speed following the interruption of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Visitor numbers to movie theaters were waning before COVID, and many believed the lockdowns would prove the end of a much-loved industry. Film lovers can now watch the latest release on demand via television or smartphone. Critics predicted doom and gloom for cinema but were off the mark.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and when cinemas reopened after the pandemic, fans came flocking back to enjoy their favorite movies and the latest releases. Similar to sports like boxing and the online sportsbook industry in California, the break helped fans fall back in love with their favorite pastimes and hobbies, including going to the cinema, watching sports from the stadium, and making predictions using smartphones.
Working together
Making it in movies and becoming a professional sports star takes the same hard work, dedication, and unrelenting desire to succeed. It’s little surprise scriptwriters often turn to sports to tell a story and get their message across. Hollywood is responsible for countless sports-related blockbusters and memorable movies, from Rocky to Remember the Titans. The grit and honesty of sport translate perfectly onto the big screen.
What is your favorite sports movie? It all starts early in life when many youngsters watch classics like Karate Kid or Mighty Ducks. Both films are responsible for sending generation after generation of young children to their local sports clubs and teams. Some enjoyed the benefits of playing sports, including learning discipline and meeting new friends. A few progressed to play sports and coach the next crop of young stars.
A small minority become professional sports players, all stemming from a love of movies. If a child asked you which inspiring sports-themed film to watch, which would you recommend? There are countless options, but they’re not only for kids. You may fancy reliving your youth or revisiting a story that inspired you in childhood. We could all do with some youthful optimism we once had, drawing from its energy as an adult.
We aim to help guide you down memory lane, and we may even offer some new additions. Keep reading as we list some of the best sports movies currently available to watch on Disney Plus. These titles are just a click away for Disney subscribers, new and old. You can watch at home or on your smartphone, and we guarantee an enjoyable ride.
We selected one movie from each of the most popular sports to ensure this article has something for everyone. Writing it even inspired us to dig through some old favorites.
The Sandlot: Heading Home
It’s not our article’s most obvious first choice, but it’s a fantastic film nonetheless. Opening with baseball, The Sandlot: Heading Home tells the tale of a Major League Baseball player who has reached the pinnacle of the sport but lost his manners and values. Some may opt for counseling or speaking to a trusted coach, but not in this movie.
A ball hits the player hard in the face during play, knocking him unconscious. Not everyone on the pitch or watching from the sidelines is upset by this freak injury, but it starts a chain of events that helps return the player to his former glory. As is often the case in movies and real life, the unconscious man travels back in time to see where his love of baseball began. Does he wake up a better and more enlightened human? It’s Disney, remember?
High School Musical
A story for any young man who had the sports world at his feet in school but was distracted by a pretty young female. We’re sure millions can relate to the story, and in this instance, the main character lets his fascination with a girl impact his fledgling basketball career.
Troy is the boy in question, and through High School Musical, you’ll learn to love his story. As the name suggests, it’s a musical, and Disney produces it, so expect plenty of songs that get stuck in your head for days. Will Troy choose the girl or his teammates? Could he have both? You’ll need to watch or re-watch to find out.
Bend it Like Beckham
The movie made an impact when it hit the screens, and the British-made Bend It Like Beckham holds its own against any blockbuster made in the United States. It’s an inspirational story of how a young girl overcomes challenges, including a direct order from her family to avoid the sport.
The teenage girl hails from a strict Indian family in the United Kingdom, but she takes a leap of faith and joins a semi-professional women’s ateam. This movie appeared long before the Women’s Premier League and women’s soccer became a national treasure. Did she make it to the big time and realize her dreams of playing soccer on the main stage? Find out on Disney Plus.
Remember the Titans
We’ve kept the best for last. If you’re a football fan, you’ll relate most to this story, but it also performed better than the other entrants at the box office. Remember the Titans is one for the ages and reminds us why we love Disney.
Remember the Titans tells of two schools in Virginia forced to integrate. Based on the true story of football coach Herman Boone, follow the trials and tribulations of the school’s first integrated team and black football manager.
