Top 10 Baseball Movies
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and like many other sports, there are several historical and fictional movies based on the sport. Read on to learn about the most popular baseball movies of all time.
What Are the Most Popular Baseball Movies?
- Bull Durham
- Moneyball
- The Bad News Bears
- The Sandlot
- Field of Dreams
- The Natural
- 42
- The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
- The Pride of the Yankees
- Major League
1. Bull Durham
Bull Durham is the greatest baseball movie of all time. It was released in 1988 and written and directed by Ron Shelton. The film's top billed stars include Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. Bull Durham was nominated for one Oscar and received another seven wins and five nominations from critics. The film has it all, blending comedy, drama and romance, to bring three unique people together through the game of baseball.
Crash Davis, (played by Kevin Costner) is assigned to the Durham Bulls where he meets dim-witted pitching prodigy, Nuke LaLoosh (played by Tim Robbins). The Durham Bulls have a longstanding tradition of mediocrity and LaLoosh and Davis work to turn that around. This film received a critics score of 97% on rotten tomatoes and a 7.1 from IMDb. The film also received a fan score of 82% on rotten tomatoes.
2. Moneyball
Moneyball is an iconic baseball film released in 2011 and directed by Bennett Miller. The film stars some of the most famous and well known actors in Hollywood, including Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill. Both of these stars give stand out performances. Moneyball was nominated for 6 Oscars and received another 30 wins and 75 nominations from critics. The film is based on the true story of the Oakland Athletics.
The story follows Athletics general manager and former player Billy Bean (played by Brad Pitt), on his journey of assembling a competitive team with a lean budget. Bean is joined by his assistant Peter Brand, who is played by Jonah Hill. Bean and Brand take on the system using data driven analytics to assemble their team. Moneyball received a 94% on rotten tomatoes from critics and a 7.6 rating on IMDb.
3. The Bad News Bears
The Bad News Bears is a classic comedic baseball film released in 1976, written by Bill Lancaster and directed by Michael Ritchie. The film's top billed stars include Walter Matthau, Tatum O’Neal and Vic Morrow. The Bad News Bears was nominated for one BAFTA award and received one other nomination from critics. This film inspired a lot of the sports movies that came in the 80s and 90s with its blend of honest and rude humor.
In this film, Walter Matthau (Morris Buttermaker) plays an aging, ex-minor leaguer at rock bottom who coaches a group of misfits in an ultra competitive California little league. This film received a 97% on rotten tomatoes from critics and a 7.3 rating on IMDb. The film also received an 80% fan score on rotten tomatoes.
4. The Sandlot
The Sandlot is a classic childhood baseball film that was released in 1993 and written and directed by David Mickey Evans. The film’s top billed stars include Art LaFleur, Tom Guiry and Mike Vitar. The Sandlot won the young artist award in 1994 and was not nominated for any other awards from critics.
The movie takes place over the summer of 1962 and follows a young kid who is new in town, Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry). Smalls is taken under the wing of a young baseball star (Mike Vitar) and his rowdy group of friends who love to play baseball. The story follows the group's adventures and baseball endeavors and is a nostalgic and funny coming of age adventure.
5. Field of Dreams
Field of Dreams is a film that was released in 1989, directed by Phil Alden Robinson and based on the novel written by W.P Kinsella. The film’s top billed stars include Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan and Gaby Hoffman. Field of Dreams was nominated for 3 Oscars and received another 7 wins and 10 nominations from critics.
The story follows an Iowa farmer, Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner), who hears a voice in his head tell him “if you build it, he will come”. Kinsella decides to follow this voice and interprets it as instructions to build a baseball field on his farm. Field of Dreams has some of the most iconic lines from any baseball movie ever made.
6. The Natural
The Natural is a film that was released in 1984, directed by Barry Levinson and based off of the novel written by Bernard Malamud. The film’s top billed stars include Robert Redford, Robert Duvall and Glenn Close. The Natural was nominated for 4 Oscars and received another 3 wins and 4 nominations from critics.
The story follows an unknown baseball player named Roy Hobbs (played by Robert Redford), who appears out of nowhere to take a losing 1930s baseball team to the top. Hobbs is faced with several personal challenges, making The Natural a sentimental story that showcases America's pastime and the power and emotion that it contains. The film received a score of 81% from critics on rotten tomatoes and a 7.5 on IMDb.
7. 42
42 is a film about the legendary Jackie Robinson that was released in 2013 and was written and directed by Brian Helegand. The film stars some big names in Hollywood including Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford and Nicole Beharie. 42 had no Oscar nominations but won 3 other awards and received 20 nominations from other critics.
The film depicts the story of Jackie Robinson, the first Black baseball player to play in the major leagues. The film follows Jackie on his journey to becoming the first African American player in the major leagues. 42 depicts the struggles he faced and how he persevered to become one of the most important players of all time. This film's importance goes beyond sheer enjoyment. 42 received a score of 80% from critics on rotten tomatoes and a 7.5 on IMDb.
8. The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg is a great historical baseball film that was released in 1998 and was written and directed by Aviva Kempner. The film’s top billed stars include Reeve Brenner, Hank Greenerg, and Walter Matthau. The film was not nominated for any Oscars but it did win 12 awards and received eight other nominations from critics. The film is a documentary about Hank Greenberg, who was the first Jewish star in the Major Leagues.
The documentary follows Greenberg throughout his career and showcases how he was a pioneer for the Jewish community. The film also showcases the important impact that Greenberg’s fame and success had on the Jewish community who were emerging from their darkest moment in history post-WWII. The film was applauded by critics, receiving a score of 97% from critics on rotten tomatoes and a 7.6 on IMDb.
9. The Pride of the Yankees
The Pride of the Yankees is a classic baseball film released in 1942 and directed by Sam Wood. The film’s top billed stars include Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright and Babe Ruth himself. The Pride of the Yankees won an Oscar for best film editing and received another 10 nominations. The film is based on the life and story of one of the most iconic baseball players of all time, Lou Gehrig.
The film follows the tragic story of Lou Gehrig, who appeared in 2,130 straight games for the Yankees before passing away from ALS, a rare and deadly nerve disease. The film is tragic and heroic, proving that sometimes life is bigger than baseball. The Pride of the Yankees is held in high regard by critics and audiences alike. The Pride of the Yankees received a score of 93% from critics on rotten tomatoes and a 7.7 on IMDb. In addition, the film received an 89% fan rating on rotten tomatoes.
10. Major League
Major League is a film released in 1989, written and directed by David S. Ward. The film’s top billed stars include Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen and Corbin Bernsen. Major League received one nomination for best foreign language film from the Japanese Academy. The film follows the Cleveland Indians after they are bought by Rachel Phelps. Phelps has plans to lose on purpose so that she can move the team to the warm climate of Miami. Phelps assembles the worst team ever in an attempt to carry out her goal of losing to move the team. However, things do not always go as planned. This film is slightly formulaic but very funny. Major League received a score of 83% on rotten tomatoes and a 7.2 on IMDb. The film was enjoyed in the same light by audiences as Major League received an 84% fan rating on rotten tomatoes.
Honorable Mentions
The Benchwarmers
The Benchwarmers is a hilariously heartwarming story about three adult “nerds” who always wanted to play baseball. The story follows Clark (Jon Heder), Gus (Rob Schneider), and Richie (David Spade) as they attempt to overcome the adversity that comes with being bullied. Clark, Gus, and Richie get approached to lead a little league baseball team by a billionaire owner, Mel, whose son plays baseball, and like the older characters, has been a subject of bullying. Mel hosts a tournament with all the little league teams in the state, with the winner taking home a brand-new stadium. While the story is heartwarming, there are some unexpected twists and turns, making for a hilarious movie about overcoming adversity.
A Mile in His Shoes
A Mile in His Shoes is an inspiring 2011 film about an autistic baseball player, his thoughtful coach, and overcoming adversity. Originally a 2008 novel by Frank Nappi, the story focuses on Mickey Tussler (Luke Schroder), an Indiana 18-year-old baseball player with autism who gets picked for a minor league baseball team. The coach who recruited him (played by Dean Cain) sees great potential in Mickey and the two work together to make the new outsider feel like a part of the team and succeed in his own semi-professional baseball career.
A League of Their Own
A League of Their Own is a landmark baseball film about female baseball players in the late 1940s. Directed by Penny Marshall, this 1992 comedy-drama tells the story of the very real All-American Girls Professional Baseball league and the struggle of a fictional team, the Peaches, to find success in the new league. The film is renowned for its all-star cast, including Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Lori Petty, Rosie O’Donnell, and Bill Pullman. A League of Their Own was both a critical and commercial success and has landed as a favorite of many baseball movie fans.