Ten sports films to watch on Netflix and Amazon
From Eddie the Eagle to Happy Gilmore there’s many sporting movies to enjoy
If you take a deep dive into the Netflix and Amazon Prime Video archives you’ll find hours and hours of sports films to watch.
One specific genre - boxing and fighting - is often a big hit on the silver screen with movies such as Raging Bull, Ali and the Rocky series packing a punch.
There’s also many brilliant characters that fans will enjoy getting to know. From Taron Egerton’s portrayal of Michael “Eddie The Eagle” Edwards to Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore the real-life and fictional stars really shine on screen.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
We’ve already put together our list of the best sports documentaries and below you will find ten great sports films to watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Eddie the Eagle
Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman star in this feel-good real-life tale about Michael Edwards’s rise to “fame” at the 1988 Winter Olympics. The ski jumper, nicknamed “Eddie the Eagle”, may not have won a medal in Calgary (he finished last in the 70m and 90m jumps) but he went down in history as a British sporting hero. Where to watch: Netflix
Million Dollar Baby
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Clint Eastwood acts in and directs this boxing film that features Morgan Freeman and landed Hilary Swank the best actress Academy Award in 2005. Frankie Dunn (Eastwood) is a boxing trainer who gets won over by the determination shown by Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank). Boxing may be the theme for this film, but there’s much more action and drama than what’s on show in the ring. Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Happy Gilmore
Adam Sandler plays title star Happy Gilmore, a failed ice hockey player who turns to golf in a bid to save his grandmother’s house. This film may be uber-Sandler, but it’s also a classic. Christopher McDonald’s turn as Shooter McGavin, Happy’s rival, is worth the watch alone. Where to watch: Amazon Prime
I, Tonya
Tonya Harding was a decorated ice skating star who competed at the Winter Olympics and world championships. However, the American will be remembered for one of the most sensational scandals in sporting history. Margot Robbie plays the lead role. Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Rush
Ron Howard’s racer biopic looks back at the rivalry between Formula 1 legends James Hunt and Niki Lauda. The performances of Daniel Brühl (Lauda) and Chris Hemsworth (Hunt) are great, the soundtrack is superb and the racing scenes are epic. Where to watch: Netflix
Coach Carter
Samuel L. Jackson’s character Ken Carter takes over the coaching of his old high school’s basketball team. But before the players improve their performances on the court they must improve their grades in the classroom. All together now… “Rich-what, Richmond!”. Where to watch: Netflix
Moneyball
In this biographical film Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane, the general manager of the struggling Oakland A’s Major League Baseball team. Beane partners with Ivy League graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) to recruit a team of players using a revolutionary statistics and analytics-based system. Where to watch: Netflix
The Football Factory
There’s been some decent football hooligan flicks over the years - The Firm with Gary Oldman and I.D. with Reece Dinsdale are two classics. Starring Danny Dyer, Frank Harper and Tamer Hassan, The Football Factory is also a good watch and there’s some cracking one-liners. Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Warrior
Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton go head-to-head in this emotional tale of two brothers who compete in a mixed martial arts tournament. Nick Nolte plays the father of the fighters and he was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role at the 2012 Academy Awards. Where to watch: Netflix
Mean Machine
Described by the Los Angeles Times as “soccer’s version of the Longest Yard”, Mean Machine has hardman and former footballer Vinnie Jones in the lead role. Jones plays ex-England international Danny Meehan, who is sent to prison for match-fixing and is recruited to coach a team of guards. It’s cheesy but with Danny Dyer and Jason Statham also in the cast what’s not to like? Where to watch: Netflix
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup: fixtures, groups and UK TV coverage
feature Tournament in Australia and New Zealand will be broadcast live on the BBC and ITV
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Luton Town’s extraordinary ‘resurrection’
feature The Hatters complete a fairy tale rise from non-league to the Premier League
By The Week Staff Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Michael Smith’s nine-darter: how darts fans reacted to the ‘greatest leg of all time’
feature It was a magical night for Smith as he beat Michael van Gerwen to win first world title
By Mike Starling Published
-
Where will Cristiano Ronaldo go next?
feature Portugal captain has been linked with a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream: it really is ‘now or never’ for Argentina’s captain
feature After lifting the Copa América in 2021, can he finally add a World Cup winners’ medal to his trophy cabinet?
By Mike Starling Published