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The Greatest Sports Movies Ever Made

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 13, 2009 1:34 PM CDT
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(Newser) – After a "bloody battle royale," the sports staff of the New York Daily News has anointed the best sports films of all time. Among the contenders:

  • Raging Bull: Robert De Niro's knockout performance as boxer Jake LaMotta makes this one of the greatest movies of any kind ever produced.
  • Hoosiers: The heartwarming underdog tale loosely based on a real Indiana basketball team beats out other hoops flicks.

  • Rocky: The story of unknown fighter Rocky Balboa's rise to the heavyweight title grabbed three Academy Awards in 1976. The studio wanted Robert Redford to star, but Sylvester Stallone refused to give up his script if he didn't get the title role.
  • Slap Shot:: This perennial puckhead favorite stars Paul Newman as a coach trying to save a minor-league hockey team from extinction.
Click the link below for the full list.

This 1980 file photo shows Robert DeNiro in the film Raging Bull. The film is among the American Film Institute's best genre movies.
This 1980 file photo shows Robert DeNiro in the film "Raging Bull." The film is among the American Film Institute's best genre movies.   (AP Photo/United Artists)
Sylvester Stallone starred in Rocky and its five sequels.
Sylvester Stallone starred in "Rocky" and its five sequels.   (Getty Images)
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Original trailer for "Raging Bull."   (TheMovieExtras)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
The_Pinkston
Aug 14, 2009 5:54 AM CDT
I think the Sandlot, Mr. Baseball, million dollar baby should have made it. Definitely those could replace Talledega nights. That movie was horrible. ... Rudy at #23 Come on!
Spudsy
Aug 14, 2009 3:35 AM CDT
Slapshot. Best sports movie ever. Paul Newman was a great actor and even greater human.
offyatindy
Aug 14, 2009 2:03 AM CDT
How can they include Talladega Nights and leave off Grand Prix (starring James Garner) and Winning (starring Paul Newman). Not to mention Downhill Racer (starring Robert Redford) if you group movies about speed sports.

 
sports • Robert De Niro • Sylvester Stallone • list • Rocky • Robert Redford • Paul Newman • films • Gene Hackman • sports movie • Slap Shot • Hoosiers • Raging Bull

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