Movies are a little pocket of many things played out: exhilarating tales, bone-chilling myths, and inspiring stories. Often times stretching across a couple of hours, movies can teach you life’s greatest lessons and take you on a ride like no other. When asked which is my favorite, I can never pick. The same thing can easily be said when I am asked about sports. In my humble opinion, here are the best sports movies out there:

The Last Dance (2020)

The Last Dance can be considered a documentary due to its factual grounds and story. This mini-series, curated in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, follows Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls during 1997 as they fought for their sixth NBA title in eight seasons. It is an intense, awe-inspiring bundle of episodes that takes you through the team’s journey during this time. With a 9/10 star rating on IMDb, it is a must see for all basketball lovers.

Miracle (2004) 

Many readers may already know of this spectacular film–it is famed for following the story of how the United States hockey team defeated Russia in the semifinal round of the 1980 Olympics. It was a highly anticipated match, and USA’s odds of winning were next to nothing. With a trip to the Olympic gold medal match on the line and the doubt of the world resting on their shoulders, USA managed to do the unthinkable, making for a historic never-before-seen win. It paints a stunning picture of how head coach Herb Brooks led his team to victory. With an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, I’d say it is certainly another must watch.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

This more recent film follows the entanglement of American automotive designer Carroll Shelby and British race car driver Ken Miles as they craft a car for the Ford Motor Co., set in 1966. Based on a true story, it is sparked when Enzo Ferrari insults Henry Ford II, and Ford hires Shelby and Miles to compete against Ferrari in the grueling 24 hours of the famous Le Mans race in France. Matt Damon and my favorite, Christian Bale, hold leading roles in this sports drama. Ford v Ferrari is rated extremely well on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 92% rating.

King Richard (2021) 

Evidently, I had to include a film about the greatest of all time: Serena Williams. King Richard is an inspiring, intriguing look into how the famed Williams sister came to become two of the most well-known athletes in the world. The film centers more around Richard, the sisters’ father, and how he trained them day in and day out. Using immeasurable resolve and determination, he raised and taught the siblings not only tennis but also how to overcome the naturally occurring odds laid in front of them due to their race and gender. It is rated 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and is a must for tennis athletes everywhere.