From the roar of the crowd to the underdog who overcomes the odds and wins it all, sports in movies have been a popular theme for years past, present and future. Take a look back at twenty of my favorite sports classics, in random order. I even made sure to list them alphabetically, so you know I'm not playing any favorites...enjoy!

* Ali (2001)
Will Smith earned an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in a touching biography that follows "The Greatest" from his early days through to his days in the boxing ring.



* Brian’s Song (1971)
Guys across America were reaching for the tissues in this sensitive film about love, friendship and...football? This beloved biopic about the Chicago Bears' Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers is a sports film that crosses all barriers as it explores the issues of race, friendship and cancer.

* Bull Durham (1988)
It has been tenty years since Kevin Costner and Tim Robbins brought minor league catcher Crash Davis and wil-armed pitcher "Nuke" LaLoosh to the big screen, but writer/director and former minor league baseball player Ron Shelton's film still hits a home run with great storytelling and plenty of heart.

* Caddyshack (1980)
While some might have trouble considering golf at an upper-crust country club an actual sport, there is no denying that it is side-splittingly funny in this "slobs versus snobs" classic for the ages starring Ted Knight, Rodney Dangerfield and Chevy Chase.  



* Diggstown (1992)

If you could take Rocky, add in The Sting, and mix the two together, the movie you would end up with is Diggstown. Along with Louis Gossett, Jr., James Woods is at his smarmy best as a con man who sets up a bet with a ruthless Bruce Dern that puts a whole town, and a lot of lives, on the line.

* Field of Dreams (1989)
"If you build it, he will come." Baseball is a metaphor for so much more about life, love and passions in this touching film that stars Kevin Costner as Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella, who searches for answers in his own life and builds a baseball field on his farm.

* Hoosiers (1986)
Gene Hackman is the coach with the checkered past who leads his eight-man Hickory High basketball team to greatness in this uplifting against-all-odds story. While Rocky shows what one individual is capable of when the odds are against him, Hoosiers is the ultimate story for the underdog team.



* Longest Yard (1974)
The first football movie I ever saw stars Burt Reynolds about a former NFL quarterback turned prisoner who leads a makeshift team of inmates in a brutal football game against the guards. Adam Sandler took Burt's role in the 2005 remake (which also included Burt Reynolds). Not bad, but for my money it's the original that really scores! 



* Major League (1989)
Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger and Wesley Snipes star in this baseball classic about a former Las Vegas showgirl who inherits the Cleveland Indians baseball team. The new owner wants to move the team to Miami, but first she has to try and void her lease with the city by doing whatever she can to lower attendance.



* Miracle (2004)
The "Cold War" with Russia provides the backdrop as this feel good flick depicts one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Kurt Russell shines as coach Herb Brooks, who leads a young U.S team on their quest for a gold medal in hockey at the 1980 Oylmpic games.



* The Natural (1984)

Robert Redford stars as an unknown middle-aged baseball player named Roy Hobbs in this magical sports fantasy.  With the help of a bat cut from a tree struck by lightning, Hobbs tries to take a losing 1930s baseball team to the top of the league.



* North Dallas Forty (1978)
If you love the game of football and haven't seen this film, then finish this list and get yourself a copy...FAST! Based loosely on the championship Dallas Cowboys of the 1970's, Nick Nolte and Mac Davis take audiences on a journey through the seamer side of professional football as players for a Texas football team.

* Raging Bull (1980)
Director Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro score a knockout in this amazing portrait of boxer Jake La Motta. Filmed in black and white, this hard-hitting film charges at your from the opening bell and keeps on swinging from beginning to end.

* Rocky (1976)
In America's bicentennial year Sylvester Stallone introduced audiences to his lovable Philadelphia fighter, who unexpectedly finds himself with a chance to fight for the heavyweight title. Everyone loves to root for the underdog and Rocky's best picture win at the Academy Awards proved it.

* The Replacements (2000)
Hampered by a players strike, the professional football owners are forced to hire replacement players to keep their season alive. Keanu Reeves is the Quarterback and Gene Hackman is the coach of the Washington Sentinels in a film that is sure to score a touchdown with viewers of all ages.

* Rudy
Based on the true life story of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, an undersized football player who always dreamed of playing for Notre Dame. This inspirational film was the first movie that the ND administrtion allowed to actually be shot on their campus since Knute Rockne, All American, way back in 1940.



* Sea Biscuit (2003)
Undersized, knobby-kneed, and not much to look at, Seabiscuit tells the remarkable true story of the depression-era racehorse whose victories lifted not only the spirits of the team behind it, but those of an entire nation.

* Slap Shot (1977)

The late, great Paul Newman is aging hockey player/coach Reg Dunlop, who uses cheap shots, dirty play and the hard-checking, high-sticking Hanson brothers to try and breathe new life into deadbeat minor league team The Charlestown Chiefs. A Must see for Newman fans, hockey fans, or any fans!

* Space Jam (1996)

Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Michael Jordan in the same movie together? Works for me! Bugs and the rest of your favorite Looney Tunes characters enlist the help of MJ as they gear up for a basketball game against alien slavers to determine their freedom.

* White Men Can’t Jump (1992)

The creative force behind Bull Durham is back as Ron Shelton writes and directs this this trash-talkin' classic about playground hoops hustlers starring Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes. It might not be the pros, but basketball was never so exciting!



*** Also worth a look: Any Given Sunday, The Bad News Bears (The original with Walter Matthau), Happy Gilmore, Invincible, and Vision Quest.