Over the years, ludicrous deals, high-profile sponsorships and the rise of streaming sites have led to a boom in sports. Athletes are synonymous with celebrity status and punters are obsessed with supporting their teams’ franchises by buying merchandise, playing themed games and
As a result, the sports industry has been the focus of several films exploring the challenges and triumphs of fictional and real characters. In this article, we will list the best sports-themed films released in the last decade so you can enjoy your love for sports in and out of your house.
Borg vs McEnroe (2017)
40 years ago, a rivalry shook the foundations of the chivalrous and cordial sport of tennis when titans Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe Jr met on the court.
In this biopic, the rivalry is revisited as the film follows the 1980 Wimbledon tournament, where McEnroe and Borg iconically faced each other. The final was one of the best games in the history of tennis, but the path of both players to it was no less demanding.
The story focuses essentially on Borg’s persona and his rise in the tennis world, without refraining from portraying all the idiosyncrasies of the Swedish tennis player. Featuring Sverrir Gudnason in the role of Borg, Shia LaBeouf in a masterful performance as McEnroe, and Stellan Skarsgård in the role of Borg’s mentor, the film takes us on an intense journey through the world of tennis in the 1980s.
Of course, many years later the world of tennis would once again be divided by an equal, if not bigger, rivalry: Federer and Nadal.
In recent years, however, signs of decline have come in the form of injuries and recovery time spent away from the court. That being said, both players remain highly competitive, as evidenced by the fact that they’re due to make their annual appearances at the upcoming US Open tournament. Nadal is at 25/2 while Federer is at 54/1 to take the coveted men’s singles title, according to the current tennis odds in the betting markets. While the golden years of both of these players have passed, they have also disrupted the status quo over the last ten years and established themselves as legendary players, to be remembered for many years to come.
Moneyball (2011)
Based on true events, this drama depicts the story of the Oakland Athletics baseball team and its manager Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt. Without the necessary funds to hire new athletes, Beane develops a sophisticated computer program that can select the best athletes suitable for investment by using statistics.
Although peculiar at the time, the tactic worked and the team came to be one of the best during the 1980s. While it did not win any statuettes, the film was nominated for six prestigious Academy Awards: Best Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Script, Best Sound Mixing and Best Editing.
Creed (2015)
Carrying the weight of the Rocky Balboa franchise, Creed resumes with absolute conviction the legacy left by one of the most iconic characters in pop culture. After the successful closure brought by Rocky Balboa (2006), the Rocky saga was continued under the new artistic vision of director and screenwriter Ryan Coogler. Coogler didn’t disappoint, presenting fans with a human, moving and naturally vigorous follow-up.
Responsible for convincing Stallone to return to the role that consecrated him, in a process that took almost two years, the promising director followed an original path by rescuing some of the most popular elements of the six-part franchise. Through the inner conflicts of Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed, and Rocky Balboa’s maturity, a mix of freshness and nostalgia arises making the film one of the most complete titles in the series.
Sports movies are more than just a look into the world within a tennis court, boxing ring or baseball field. Whether they’re following fictional characters or depicting real-life icons, these sports blockbusters often show viewers the drama that comes with training and life behind the scenes of the professional arenas.