The best sports films combine action, drama and emotion in a way that few other genres of films can.
With streaming services like Amazon, Disney+ and Netflix, we can enjoy watching great rivalries and underdogs chasing the odds from the comfort of our homes.
But with an increasing number of sports films available for free on these streaming services, how do you choose which ones to watch first?
A safe choice is to pick a film that centres around the sport you love, whether that’s something mainstream like baseball or boxing or a little more niche like ice hockey or bobsledding.
But the best sports films transcend the activity and take us right into the action – on the pitch, in the ring, or at the finish line – and make us feel every triumph and heartbreak along the way.
Here are 10 films that we’ve watched that have done just that, and all are available to stream right now on Amazon Prime, Disney+ and Netflix.
If you don’t yet have an Amazon Prime Video subscription, you can watch it for free for 30 days with a Prime free trial.
And for Disney+, you can get 2 months free if you sign up for a year’s subscription instead of paying monthly.
1. Rocky
Rocky on Prime Video
The ultimate underdog story, Rocky isn’t just a boxing film—it’s a cultural phenomenon that packs a punch both in and out of the ring.
This timeless classic follows small-time boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) as he gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the world heavyweight title against the charismatic and undefeated Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers).
But the magic of Rocky isn’t just in the sweat and punches. It’s in the heart.
From Rocky’s blossoming romance with the shy and endearing Adrian (Talia Shire) to his relentless determination to rise above his humble beginnings in the streets of Philadelphia, the film is as much about finding self-worth as it is about boxing.
Where to watch: Prime Video
2. Moneyball
Moneyball on Netflix
Based on a true story, Moneyball stars Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics, who revolutionised baseball by using data-driven analytics to build a competitive team on a shoestring budget.
Jonah Hill co-stars as Peter Brand, a young Yale economics graduate who introduces Beane to the concept of sabermetrics, a statistical approach to scouting players.
Together, they challenge the traditional methods of talent evaluation, facing resistance from sceptical scouts and coaches.
The drama lies in the high stakes of their unorthodox strategy and the personal sacrifices Beane makes along the way.
Where to watch: Netflix
3. Secretariat
Secretariat on Disney+
You don’t have to be into horse racing to be moved by Secretariat.
The film tells the true story of the legendary racehorse who defied all odds to become a Triple Crown winner in 1973.
Diane Lane stars as Penny Chenery, a housewife-turned-horse owner who takes over her family’s struggling stables and bets everything on Secretariat, a horse with unmatched speed and heart.
The film’s thrilling racing scenes and uplifting story make it a celebration of courage, resilience, and the incredible bond between humans and animals.
Where to watch: Disney+
How to get Disney+ for less
Disney+ doesn’t offer a free trial, but there are still ways to save on a subscription.
Your options are:
- Pay the annual subscription fee: You can get two months of free simply by opting for an annual subscription to Disney+ instead of a monthly one.
- Use your Tesco Clubcard vouchers: If you have a Tesco Clubcard, you can use your vouchers to get a three-month Disney+ subscription. Use £7.50 of Clubcard vouchers to get three months of Disney+ Standard with ads (worth £14.97)
- Use a cashback site: Paying for your Disney+ subscription through the cashback site Quidco means you’ll get £10 back, which can reduce the cost of your subscription.
4. Ali (2021)
Ali on Netflix
Will Smith delivers a knockout performance as Muhammad Ali in this biographical drama directed by Michael Mann.
It captures the life of the boxing legend, from his rise to fame as Cassius Clay to his transformation into a cultural icon who stood for civil rights and defied the Vietnam War draft.
Smith’s portrayal of Ali’s charisma, humour, and unyielding spirit earned him an Oscar nomination, while Mann’s direction brings the iconic boxer’s world to life with thrilling fight sequences and emotional depth.
Where to watch: Netflix
5. Bend it Like Beckham
Bend it Like Beckham on Prime Video
Feel-good, funny, and full of heart, Bend It Like Beckham is a film about breaking barriers and following your passion.
Directed by Gurinder Chadha, the movie centres on Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a young British-Indian woman with a love for football, who dreams of playing professionally despite her traditional family’s disapproval.
Alongside her best friend Jules (Keira Knightley), Jess navigates cultural expectations, family tensions, and a budding romance with her coach Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).
Whether you’re a women’s football fan or not, Bend It Like Beckham is an uplifting story that scores every time.
Where to watch: Prime Video
6. Challengers
Challengers on Amazon Prime
Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, who finds herself caught in a love triangle with her husband Art (Mike Faist) and her ex-boyfriend Patrick (Josh O’Connor).
The drama unfolds as Tashi arranges for Art to compete in a low-level tournament to regain his confidence, only for him to face Patrick in a match that dredges up old wounds and buried emotions.
Caught in the middle, Zendaya delivers a magnetic performance in a story that’s equal parts sports drama and emotional thriller.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
7. Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings on Disney+
This feel-good comedy tells the unlikely but true story of Jamaica’s first-ever bobsled team, who competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Led by a disgraced coach (John Candy), the team faces scepticism and ridicule as they attempt to prove they belong on the world stage.
Full of laughs, heart, and a message about perseverance, Cool Runnings is a family-friendly classic that shows you don’t need snow to have Olympic dreams.
Where to watch: Disney+
8. The Damned United
The Damned United on Prime Video
One of football’s most fascinating figures, Brian Clough, takes centre stage in The Damned United.
Directed by Tom Hooper, this film dives into Clough’s ill-fated 44 days as manager of Leeds United in 1974.
Michael Sheen delivers a captivating performance as Clough, portraying him as both brilliant and brash, with a sharp tongue and a relentless drive for success.
The drama is heightened by Clough’s intense rivalry with Don Revie (Colm Meaney), the former Leeds manager, and his complicated friendship with his assistant Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall).
Whether you’re a football fan or not, The Damned United is a gripping character study and a must-watch.
Where to watch: Prime Video
9. Any Given Sunday
Any Given Sunday on Prime Video
Oliver Stone’s gritty and electrifying take on professional American football pulls no punches.
Any Given Sunday dives deep into the world of the fictional Miami Sharks, led by their old-school coach Tony D’Amato (Al Pacino) and their rising star quarterback Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx).
The film explores the cutthroat nature of the sport, both on and off the field, touching on themes of loyalty, ambition, and the clash between tradition and modernity.
Al Pacino’s iconic “Inch by Inch” locker room speech alone makes this film a must-watch for sports fans.
Where to watch: Prime Video
10. Miracle (2004)
Miracle on Disney+
Kurt Russell stars in this inspirational film about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team’s improbable victory over the heavily favoured Soviet Union.
The drama centres on coach Herb Brooks’s (Russell) unorthodox methods and the players’ journey to achieve what seemed impossible.
It’s a thrilling and emotional tribute to one of the greatest moments in sports history.
Where to watch: Disney+
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