Our team compiled the best baseball movies and here is what they came up with
Baseball is America’s favorite pastime and has been a popular subject in cinema for decades. From inspiring true stories to comedic takes on the sport, baseball movies have something for everyone. Here are 18 of the best baseball movies of all time, along with a summary of the plot, the MPAA rating, box office gross, year of release, and why the movie was appreciated by audiences.
Here are the 18 best baseball movies to check out on the streaming service.
1. The Natural (1984)
Rated PG, grossed $47 million. This classic sports drama tells the fictional story of Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford), a natural talent baseball player who rises from obscurity to become a star in the big leagues. The movie is appreciated for its stunning cinematography and its themes of redemption and second chances.
2. Field of Dreams (1989)
Rated PG, grossed $84.4 million. This fantasy-drama tells the story of an Iowa farmer (Kevin Costner) who hears a voice telling him to build a baseball field on his land, where the ghosts of baseball players come to play. The movie is appreciated for its magical story, its performances and its themes of family and forgiveness.
3. Bull Durham (1988)
Rated R, grossed $50.8 million. This comedy-drama follows the relationship between a veteran catcher (Kevin Costner) and a hotshot pitching prospect (Tim Robbins), as well as their interactions with a free-spirited baseball groupie (Susan Sarandon). The movie is appreciated for its witty script and performances, as well as its realistic portrayal of minor league baseball.
4. A League of Their Own (1992)
Rated PG, grossed $107.5 million. This comedy-drama tells the true story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, a women’s league created during World War II. The movie is appreciated for its strong performances and its depiction of the struggles and triumphs of women in the sport.
5. The Sandlot (1993)
Rated PG, grossed $33.4 million. This coming-of-age comedy tells the story of a group of friends who play baseball in the summer of 1962 and their adventures with a mysterious neighbor (James Earl Jones). The movie is appreciated for its nostalgic feel and its themes of friendship and childhood.
6. Moneyball (2011)
Rated PG-13, grossed $110.2 million. This drama is based on the true story of the Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) who used sabermetrics, a form of statistics, to build a winning team on a small budget. The movie is appreciated for its performances, particularly Pitt, and its exploration of the business side of baseball.
7. The Rookie (2002)
Rated G, grossed $64.8 million. This drama tells the true story of Jim Morris (Dennis Quaid), a high school baseball coach who at the age of 35 tried out for and made it to the major league. The movie is appreciated for its inspirational story and Quaid’s performance
8. The Bad News Bears (1976)
Rated PG, grossed $32.2 million. A comedy about a group of misfit kids who form a baseball team and with the help of an unconventional coach (Walter Matthau) turn their fortunes around. The movie is appreciated for its comedy and its representation of kids facing challenges.
9. Eight Men Out (1988)
Rated PG, grossed $5.4 million. This drama is based on the true story of the 1919 Chicago Black Sox scandal, when several members of the Chicago White Sox team were accused of throwing the World Series. The movie is appreciated for its historical significance and its portrayal of the corruption in baseball during that era.
10. The Pride of the Yankees (1942)
Rated Unrated, grossed $4.5 million. This biographical film tells the story of Lou Gehrig, the New York Yankees first baseman who was forced to retire from baseball due to a disease that would later bear his name. The movie is appreciated for its representation of one of the greatest baseball players of all time and its performances of Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright.
11. For Love of the Game (1999)
Rated PG-13, grossed $56.2 million. This drama stars Kevin Costner as a veteran pitcher who, during his last game of the season, reflects on his career and his personal life. The movie is appreciated for its performances, particularly Costner and Kelly Preston, and its representation of baseball.
12. The Benchwarmers (2006)
Rated PG-13, grossed $71.9 million. This comedy stars Rob Schneider, David Spade and Jon Heder as three friends who form a baseball team to challenge a team of bullies. The movie is appreciated for its comedy and its themes of friendship and teamwork.
13. Angels in the Outfield (1951)
Rated G, grossed $3.7 million. A fantasy-comedy about a young boy who prays for the hapless Pittsburgh Pirates to win and his prayers being answered by a group of angels. The movie is appreciated for its fantasy elements and its themes of hope and faith.
14. The Winning Team (1952)
Rated G, grossed $2.5 million. This biographical film stars Ronald Reagan as Grover Cleveland Alexander, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history and his battles with alcoholism. The movie is appreciated for its representation of Alexander’s life story and Reagan’s performance.
15. Major League (1989)
Rated R, grossed $49.8 million. This sports comedy follows a hapless baseball team, the Cleveland Indians and their misfit players and their efforts to win the championship. The movie is appreciated for its comedy and its representation of baseball.
16. Fever Pitch (1997)
Rated R, grossed $48.1 million. This comedy-drama stars Jimmy Fallon as a die-hard Red Sox fan and his relationship with a woman (Drew Barrymore) who does not share his passion for baseball. The movie is appreciated for its comedy and its representation of baseball and the Red Sox.
17. The Babe (1992)
Rated G, grossed $3.3 million. A biographical film that tells the story of Babe Ruth and his rise to fame as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, with John Goodman in the titular role. The movie is appreciated for its representation of Ruth’s life story and Goodman’s performance.
18. Bad News Bears (2005)
Rated PG-13, grossed $34.5 million. A remake of the 1976 film, this comedy follows a grizzled ex-minor league ballplayer (Billy Bob Thornton) coaching a youth team made up of misfits. The movie is appreciated for its comedy and its themes of friendship and teamwork.
These movies represent just a small sample of the many great baseball movies that have been made over the years. From drama to comedy, these movies offer something for every fan of the sport.