The thrill of the game, the anticipation as the final tournament approaches, the behind-the-scenes rivalries and the bonds of a team that will last a lifetime — these are all classic tropes that draw us back to movies about sports teams and athletes time and time again. 

Classic titles, such as Remember the Titans and The Blind Side, harness these tropes to create an immensely enjoyable viewing experience, whether it’s your first or umpteenth time watching them.

But as we quickly approach the winter break, here are some lesser-known, iconic sports movies that might not have crossed your radar yet. Jam-packed with comedy, determination, growth, acceptance and women in sport, you’ll be hanging onto the edge of your seat with these recommendations

Believe in Me (2006)

Set in the 1960s, a young basketball coach and high school teacher, portrayed by Jeffrey Donovan, moves to a small farm town in Oklahoma to achieve his dream of being the head coach of a boys’ basketball team. Upon his arrival, he’s shocked to discover that he’s been assigned to coach the girls’ team instead. The team faces adversity with grace and good-nature on their way to becoming champions, and their coach realizes that he might have just as much to learn from these girls as they do from him.

Believe in Me exemplifies all those traits that you expect and love out of movies about sports. It’s a classic tale of a team coming together and working hard for their achievements. Although the feminism in this movie is definitely a little dated, it’s still a great starting point for discussing the different treatment given to girls and boys in athletics. The  legacies of generations of hard-working women who supported their communities are also upheld in this film.

The Miracle Season (2018)

Another story about a high school girls’ sports team, this movie instead focuses on a volleyball team from Iowa. Set in 2011, the pivotal challenge facing the team is the loss of their star player in a tragic moped accident. Battling unbearable grief, the team unites to play the game they all love in honour of their friend and captain.

This movie is about growing into yourself and discovering who you are. More than that, it’s about friendship and love, and sucking the marrow out of life. Overflowing with joy and yet still a real tear-jerker, these girls easily capture the hearts of any viewer.

McFarland, USA (2015)

Yet another tale of hard work, determination, team bonds and facing adversity comes through this Disney motion-picture starring Kevin Costner. Costner plays a high school teacher and coach who has just moved to the low-income community of McFarland, California. The predominantly Latino community consists mostly of farmers who work the nearby fields, but Costner’s character notices that some of the high school boys have a talent for running. He coaches them all the way to the 1987 cross country state championship.

This story sheds light on some of the most hard-working people you could find. Again, we find a coach who is learning and growing thanks to his students, and we see a community coming together to rally behind a common cause. McFarland, USA is about finding your home and being proud of your roots.

I, Tonya (2017)

This film strays further from the consistent themes of the titles listed above — teamwork, heartwarming and easy to root for characters, and togetherness.  Instead, it takes the viewer on a completely unpredictable and contradictory ride, as each of the main characters tells their own version of events. The blockbuster follows Tonya Harding, an Olympic figure skater from the 1990s with a fascinating and turbulent career.

The film also follows a nefarious plot against one of Harding’s competitors, who was attacked just weeks before the competition. Harding and her ex-husband were both suspects in the incident, but decades later, people are still wondering about Harding’s involvement in the whole affair.

Featuring incredible performances from Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan and Allison Janney, I, Tonya is messy, raw and captivating. The movie provides insights into the lives of many figures in the well-known scandal. There’s never a firm, definite answer to anything, keeping you on your toes and holding on to the suspense long after the credits have rolled off the screen.

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This list has something for everyone: heartwarming happy endings, overcoming adversity, teamwork, women in sports and the unique challenges they face, and even a ridiculous, scandalous plot. One thing that’s for certain is that these incredible sports movies will keep you entertained all winter break, no matter which one you decide to hit “play” on.

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Beth Zentner

Graphic: Jaymie Stachyruk | Graphics Editor