The coronavirus pandemic has forced over 90% of Americans to stay at home, in accordance with orders from local and state governments. To make matters worse, all major professional sports have been postponed, limiting television viewing options to various streaming services.
Have no fear, though. We have identified the top 15 sports movies streaming on the four major services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Disney+) during the month of April.
Once you finish watching Tiger King, nuke your popcorn, grab a drink, and get started on these alternatives to live sports.
Hoosiers (Hulu)
One of the greatest sports movies ever produced, Hoosiers features Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper, and a cast of young first-time actors in a story inspired by the 1954 state champion Milan High School basketball squad.
The Natural (Netflix)
The Natural provides fantasy baseball before fantasy baseball. Roy Hobbs is Babe Ruth, Walter Johnson, and Sidd Finch all rolled into one baseball legend. A wonderful film depicting the greatness of our national pastime, this movie has fantastic moments that belong on the big screen.
Miracle (Netflix and Disney+)
This thriller is based on the true story of coach Herb Brooks and his U.S. national hockey team’s gold medal victory over the U.S.S.R. at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics. Brooks inspires young and old athletes alike to strap on the skates and give it another go.
Warrior (Hulu)
Released after the critically-acclaimed The Fighter and The Wrestler, Warrior is the finest of its genre. It features a strong cast led by Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy, and Joel Edgerton and tells a story of struggle and redemption within the realm of mixed martial arts. This MMA version of Rocky is worth a watch.
Raging Bull (Netflix)
In his Oscar-winning role as prizefighter Jake LaMotta, Robert DeNiro crafts one of the greatest sports films of all time. Martin Scorsese directs DeNiro, Joe Pesci, and Cathy Moriarty in a film that depicts the struggles of boxing in 1940s New York City.
He Got Game (Hulu)
Knicks fanatic Spike Lee presents the story of Jesus Shuttlesworth, a high school basketball recruit played by a young Ray Allen. He Got Game centers around the relationship of Jesus with his ex-con father, played by Denzel Washington, and presents a dark look at the ramifications of stardom.
Screwball (Netflix)
You will never look at Alex Rodriguez or Rob Manfred the same again after watching this quirky film that delves into the Biogenesis steroid scandal with child actors portraying Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, and other users. Funny, provocative, and embarrassing to all those involved, it’s the Tiger King of sports documentaries.
Free Solo (Disney+ / Hulu)
This hair-raising documentary introduces professional rock climber Alex Honnald and his attempt to climb Yosemite’s famed El Capitan without ropes. It will tie your stomach in knots with the moral dilemma Honnald faces, one reason why it won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2019.
Remember the Titans (Disney+)
Denzel Washington stars as head football coach of T.C. Williams High School in 1971 as they attempt to integrate the school’s football team. It’s an inspiring film that takes on racism through the real-life challenges facing the black athletes of that era.
Borg and McEnroe (Hulu)
Professional tennis reached its international peak with the rise of Björn Borg and John McEnroe in the late 70s and early 80s. This HBO Sports documentary gives great behind-the-scenes perspective of two of the most interesting athletes of their era and reveals the fuel that inspired their synonymous rivalry on the court.
The Jackie Robinson Story (Amazon Prime)
While the recent film 42 was well produced and a great modern depiction of the integration of the first African-American athlete into Major League Baseball, The Jackie Robinson Story features the real Robinson. Robinson left us far too early, passing away at age 52, and The Jackie Robinson Story gives viewers a great look at the real man and his description of the events leading to his MLB debut.
Invincible (Disney+)
What’s better than watching Mark Wahlberg in a Philadelphia Eagles uniform chasing down a kick returner to Ted Nugent’s “Stranglehold?” It doesn’t get much better than that. Invincible is a great true story about a substitute teacher-turned walk-on NFL player named Vince Papale.
Fighting with My Family (Hulu)
One of the more underrated films of 2019, Fighting with My Family looks at the real-life rise of professional wrestler Paige from Norwich, England to the WWE. It presents a wonderful, quirky English family obsessed with wrestling that follows one of their own to the highest ranks of the sport.
The Battered Bastards of Baseball (Netflix)
Bing Russell’s Portland Mavericks were an independent minor league baseball team without a major league affiliate during the 1970s. Bing’s son and future actor Kurt Russell played for the Mavericks, along with a cast of other misfits. The Battered Bastards of Baseball will inspire an appreciation for minor league baseball owners, many of whom have a true passion for the game.
Kingpin (Amazon Prime / Netflix)
The Farrelly brothers’ 1996 comedy may not be considered a sports movie by many, but the bowling scenes between Bill Murray’s Ernie McCracken and Woody Harrelson’s Roy Munson are classic. This film is worthy of another five or six viewings and hundreds of laughs as we wait out the coronavirus.
Honorable Mentions:
Creed II (Amazon Prime / Hulu)
The Rookie (Disney+)
Glory Road (Disney+)
I, Tonya (Hulu)
Blue Chips (Amazon)
Tough Guy (Amazon)
Major League II (Amazon Prime / Netflix)
