15 Best Baseball Movies of all-time

In the past 100 years, some of the best baseball movies have been made about baseball. And rightly so, because the story of baseball is the story of our time, with its heroes and villains, spectacles and scandals, achievements and failures, dramas and tragedies. It remains the most cinematic of American sports, because it holds the essence of human weaknesses and glories at its core. A baseball fan once wrote: “if there had never been baseball, the films would have had to invent it.” Putting together the best in any field is quite an onerous task to undertake and, in the movies-arena, it gets even more challenging. Many factors need to be considered when listing the best movies in any genre including their influence, cinematic experience and most important of all whether they stand the test of time or not.

I am sure there are movies not listed here that might have made into your best baseball movies list. However, I feel that these are the 15 baseball movies that best reflect what the sport is, both on screen and in the real world. To quote Will Leitch of the MLB.com:“Remember: There is no crying in baseball, but sometimes, there is crying in baseball movies.”

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1. Bull Durham (1988)

Director& Writer: Ron Shelton | Stars: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Trey Wilson

It is the movie that brings to the theatrical life the passion and insanity of the baseball game better than any movie ever has. This ageless comedy stars Kevin Costner as Crash Davis, an old-timer minor league catcher who is given the task to mentor a young pitcher with a “million-dollar arm” and a “five-cent head.”

The discussions on the mound, the tricks to get out of the slump, the motivational tactics of the management, the techniques to play the game at its best, and the wit and energy of all-time great actors turn this movie into a timeless classic. Critics say that the only thing better than watching Bull Durham is to watch an actual baseball game, and only barely.

You can stream the movie on amazon.com free with a Prime membership, or you can rent it out for $4, and buy it for $14.

2. A League of Their Own (1992)

Director: Penny Marshall | Stars: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna

This “there is no crying in baseball” movie tells a terrific story of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League which began in 1943 to substitute for the Major League men’s team who were fighting for their country in the second world war.

This compelling work of Penny Marshall has a terrific cast led by Tom Hanks, as Jimmy Dugan, who plays as a crusty manager of the Rockford Peaches. The movie focuses on the confrontational relationship of the two sisters, Geena Davis (the catcher) and Lori Petty (the pitcher) in a comic style full of passionate and hilarious scenes.

You can rent the movie out for $4, and buy it for $13 on amazon.com.

3. The Pride of the Yankees (1942)

Director: Sam Wood | Stars: Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, Babe Ruth, Walter Brennan

In the words of Damon Runyon, “[this is] the story of a gentle young man who, in the full flower of his great fame, was a lesson in simplicity and modesty to the youth of America.”

This classic movie pays rich tribute to Lou Gehrig, known as the Iron Horse, who followed his passion of becoming a baseball player and started a record number of games during the golden era of the Yankee baseball. Unfortunately, Lou fell prey to a fatal disease that now bears his name (Lou Gehring’s Disease, also known as ALS).

Gary Cooper with his compelling performance personified Lou in this timeless memorial that introduced millions to the phrase, “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

You can stream the film on amazon.com, $3 to rent, $10 to buy.

4. Field of Dreams (1989)

Director: Phil Alden Robinson | Stars: Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, Amy Madigan

This film tells the story of an Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) who hears a disembodied voice that forces him to turn his cornfield and only source of income into a baseball field by the mantra “if you build it, they will come.” It gets hard to control tears when Ray builds the diamond, and the late Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) shows up to play the game with his seven ghostly teammates. Rightly so, this epic tale received three Oscar nominations including one for the best picture.

You can watch the movie on Showtime in a 7-days free trial, or rent the film out for $4 or buy it for $13 on amazon.com.

5. Eight Men Out (1988)

Director: John Sayles | Stars: John Cusack, Clifton James, Michael Lerner, Christopher Lloyd

“No one can break your heart like your heroes can.”

This film is the dramatization of the baseball scandal in the 1919 major league involving the Chicago White Sox when the poorly-paid Sox players took bribes to lose the 1919 World Series deliberately. Eight players were accused but later exonerated of all charges. The players were then barred from the Major Leagues and the Baseball Hall of Fame. It’s a classic movie that takes a peek at the dark side of the game.

You can stream the movie on amazon.com free with a Prime membership, or you can rent it out for $4, and buy it for $14.

6. Moneyball (2011)

Director: Bennett Miller | Stars: Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Considered to be one of the most successful baseball movies of all-times, “Money Ball” is the film adaptation of a best-selling book by Michael Lewis, “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game”.

In this movie, Brad Pitt gives a face to the larger-than-life general manager of Oakland Athletics, Billy Beane, who despite having severe budget constraints tries to keep his team competitive against the big-market clubs by employing an innovative computer-generated analysis. The movie about math and data in the game has a joyful love of the sport, too.

Stream on amazon.com, $4 to rent, $13 to buy.

7. The Natural (1984)

Director: Barry Levinson | Stars: Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, GlennClose, Kim Basinger

Some critics believe “The Natural” to be  the “best baseball movie ever made.” The film keeps the viewers glued to the screen not because it is immaculate in its portrayal of what happens on the field, but because it depicts the essence of the game at a time when baseball indeed was the National Pastime. In the words of the film critic James Berardinelli “it’s very possible not to appreciate a baseball game; the same cannot be said about this production.”

Stream on amazon.com free with ads, or $4 to rent, $13 to buy.

8. The Sandlot (1993)

Director: David Mickey Evans | Stars: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Art LaFleur, Patrick Renna

A whole generation of baseball fans grew up with Mickey Evan’s “The Sandlot”. Baseball followers of all ages can enjoy and appreciate what is all too often put to the side as a “children’s movie.” It tells the tale of Scotty Smalls, “the new boy on the block”, and how he becomes “one of the guys” through baseball, overcoming  the hurdles in his life. Also, the films introduced the iconic line “You’re killin’ me, Smalls!” that you see printed on the t-shirts every time you go to the game.

Stream on amazon.com, $3 to rent, $15 to buy.2018

9. Major League (1989)

Director: David S. Ward | Stars: Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Margaret Whitton

When it comes to classic sports comedies, David S. Ward’s “Major League” stands in line with some of the all-time greats. The film revolves around the story of the Cleveland Indians who are beset with a new owner aiming to move the team to Florida, but for this to happen, she needs the team to be one of the biggest losers in baseball games. However, despite her best efforts to dent the team, the players miraculously rally together and start to win. It is the movie that is undoubtedly ranked no. 1 by many basketball fans.

Stream on amazon.com, $4 to rent, $14 to buy.

10. The Bad News Bears (1976)

Director: Michael Ritchie | Stars: Walter Matthau, Tatum O’Neal, Vic Morrow, Joyce Van Patten

This movie is ranked among one of the 1976’s top-grossing films. According to the Amazon prime’s introduction to the movie “[It]is a movie about children that is refreshing, utterly believable, and quite cleverly funny.” Morris Buttermaker, a grumbling former minor-league pitcher, coaches a team of “misfits” to transform them into a winning squad.

Stream on amazon.com for free on STARZ on a 7-days free trial, or you can rent it out for $4 and pay $14 to buy.

11. The Rookie (2002)

Director: John Lee Hancock | Stars: Dennis Quaid, J.D. Evermore, Rachel Griffiths, Jay Hernandez

The history of baseball is full of success stories that once seemed impossible. The Rookie is a theatrical adaptation of the true story of Jim Morris, a high school science teacher who made it into the big leagues at the age of 35. It is a timeless classic with the passion and spirit of a real-life story.

Get this movie on amazon.com for $4 on rent, or you can pay $18 to buy.

12. Sugar (2008)

Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck| Stars: Algenis Perez Soto, Jose Rijo, Walki Cuevas

Sugar is a dramatized story about a gifted Dominican baseball player who travels from his home country to play for the minor league in the US. The film is about his struggles to both survive and adapt himself to the new culture and persistence in the face of the pressure of knowing that his success is the only way to save his family. It is perhaps one of the most underrated movies of the last decade.

The movie can be purchased from amazon.com for $13.

13. Rookie of the Year (1993)

Director: Daniel Stern | Stars: Thomas Ian Nicholas, Gary Busey, Albert Hall, Amy Morton

The film is a sensational story. Henry is the worst little league player until he steps on the ball and breaks his shoulder. When the cast comes off, he is transformed into the best pitcher in the world with an arm that can throw the ball with a speed of 100 mph. The boy becomes an overnight celebrity and gets signed by the Chicago Cubs as a major league pitcher. I won’t tell more. Stream the movie now to quench your curiosity. Happy enjoyable time.

Stream on amazon.com for free on STARZ on a 7-days free trial, or you can rent it out for $4 and pay $10 to buy.

14. Fever Pitch (2005)

Directors: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly | Stars: Jack Kehler, Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore, Jason Spevack

This is a contemporary romantic comedy movie that revolves around a successful young woman falling in love with a guy whom she thinks is a perfect match for her. However, as the summer season begins, she finds the guy divided between her and his first true love, the Boston Red Sox. The movie portrays what obsessions can do to a relationship when both partners don’t have the same interests.

Stream on amazon.com for free on STARZ on a 7-days free trial, or you can rent it out for $4 and pay $10 to buy.

15. For Love of The Game (2000)

Director: Sam Raimi| Stars: Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston, John C. Reilly

This film is much more than a wonderful movie about the baseball game. It’s is the story of that time in life when things are about to take a turn. Billy Chapel stands there on the mound, quiet and introspective, thinking what he is and what he will be; how his life is about to change and how had the experience been till now. It is a movie that has the power to make you cry.

Stream on amazon.com for free on Cinemax on a 7-days free trial, or you can rent it out for $4 or pay $14 to buy.

BONUS:

16. 42 (2013)

Director: Brian Helgeland | Stars: Chadwick Boseman, T.R. Knight, Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie

Persevering in the face of racism and breaking the chains of color, Jackie Robinson became a legend the moment he stepped on the diamond as a Major Leagues player. 42 is the movie about Robison’s life who revolutionized America’s game through his endurance and with the help of Branch Rickey who signed him into the Major League.

You can rent out this movie from Microsoft.com or itunes.com for $4 or buy it for $13. You can also watch it on amazon.com
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17. 61* (2001 TV Movie)

Director: Billy Crystal | Stars: Thomas Jane, Anthony Michael Hall, Richard Masur, Barry Pepper

Although never streamed in theatre and shown only on HBO, this is a full-of nail-biting chase of the most famous records in baseball history. The movie undoubtedly has the magic to keep you glued to the screen for 2 hours.

You can stream this movie on HBO with a 7-days free trial.

Which is your favorite movie from the above list? Let us know in the comments section.

Get home safe,

Jan