Sports bring out the microcosmic representation of life unlike anything else, and so it makes all the more sense that most of these Disney Sports Movies are also based on real-life stories. In today’s feature we’re taking a walks down ‘glory road’ (pun intended) as we look at some of the best titles of sports movies that became so much more about the game and left us with endless lessons about relationships, friendships, family, growing up and life in general.
We’ve also included some special mentions at the end of this article, that mostly offer a feel good ride while hinting at some essential bits of life, and also keeping the tone mellow and lighthearted. Let’s take a look at them all!
Some Disney Sports Movies You Should Check Out
1. Remember the Titans
SPORT: American Football
The sports biopic leads with Herman Boone, an African-American, who is appointed as the new coach of a high school football team, in turn leading to the team playing a racially integrated one for the first time ever. Remember the Titans establishes an in-depth panel of characters with layers, and Denzel Washington, young Ryan Gosling and others play their part to make this story come to life yet again.
2. Dangal
SPORT: Wrestling
3. Glory Road
SPORT: Basketball
4. Safety
SPORT: American Football
Also read: 13 Best Disney Plus Hotstar Original Movies That Promise a Fun-Filled Ride: Chang Can Dunk, J-Hope in the Box, Gulmohar and More
5. Invincible
SPORT: American Football
Starring Mark Wahlberg in the lead, Invincible is also based on a real-life story, that of Vince Papale. The nonfictional sports drama film takes us through the struggling years of a 30-year-old Vince, who is further heartbroken by the news of his wife wanting to divorce him. Life has completely different plans for him once he joins the football team Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite having played only the sport for only one year during his high school years, the 30-year-old bartender went on to become NFL’s most unlikely rookie upon trying out for the big leagues.
6. Rise
SPORT: Basketball
Directed by Akin Omotoso, Rise is a 2022 film that portrays the true story of the first family in history that made way for their three sons to become NBA champions – Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and former Los Angeles Laker Kostas Antetokounmpo. The film begins with the image of their parents emigrating from Nigeria to Greece, and then moves on to illustrate the struggle face by them in their new homeland as they tried to make ends meet for their five children. Ultimately, the eldest set of brothers start playing with a local basketball team, and find their innate calling for the sport.
7. Queen of Katwe
SPORT: Chess
Queen of Katwe starring David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o and Madina Nalwanga, portrays the life Phiona Mutesi, a young girl living in Katwe, a slum of Kampala (Uganda). The 1-year-old’s life is best described as one struggle tagging along with another. But once she meets Robert Katende, who teacher her to play chess, her life flips upside down (for better). Following his teachings, she aims to become an ace of the sport, and escape the dire conditions her family’s been living in.
8. Cool Runnings
SPORT: Bobsleigh
9. Secretariat
SPORT: Horse Racing
10. The Greatest Game Ever Played
SPORT: Golf
Also read: 14 Best Original Disney+ Hotstar Shows That Will Amaze You: The Mandalorian, Aarya, Special Ops and More
11. Million Dollar Arm
SPORT: Baseball
12. The Mighty Ducks
SPORT : Hockey
The Mighty Ducks film trilogy not only inspired an animated series after its release, but also a Disney Plus original series. However, it could all be possible due to the big victory earned by the 1992 film. With Emilio Estevez in the lead as Gordon Bombay, the sports comedy writes out the story of a youth league hockey team that is deemed a union of underdogs to say the least.
This poses an opportunity to Bombay and a second chance for him to redeem himself and his glory as a hockey player, but by coaching the team.
13. McFarland, USA
SPORT: Track
Kevin Costner plays the role of football-coach-turned-Track-coach after his erratic stunt of losing temper and injuring a team player in the locker room. Thereafter, he and his family have no choice but to relocate to the Latino city of McFarland in California. The switch not only poses his family with adjustment issues in the new neighbourhood, but also financial problems.
While all seems bleak at first, he later develops a unique bond with the students he’s coaching at the new high school, which also opens his eyes to their running abilities and eventually leading them to the state championship. The plot takes inspiration from the true story of a 1987 cross country team from a school in McFarland.
Special Mentions
Chang Can Dunk
SPORT: Basketball
Jump In
SPORT: Double Dutch (Rope Jumping)
Game Plan
SPORT: American Football
Ice Princess
SPORT: Ice Skating
Which of these Disney sports movies is your ultimate go-to source of inspiration? Is there any other Disney movie from this category that you would like to suggest? Let us know your picks in the comments section below.
Also read: 11 Award-Winning Disney+ Hotstar Shows and Films That Keep You Hooked: Only Murders in the Building, West Side Story and More
