From diversity to spectacular soundtracks, here’s our official countdown of the best sporting movies.

Whether you’re a football fanatic or an admirer of athletics, for those of us who live, breathe and dream sports, there’s only one kind of film that we’re interested in – sports films. Boasting triumph over adversity, incredible comebacks and spectacular soundtracks, sports films have stormed the box office and won fans even outside the sporting world in recent years.

We’ve run down seven of the best sports movies of all time. Check out our picks below:

Bend it like Beckham

One of the biggest British sports films of all time, Bend it like Beckham helped Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley to become international film stars. The plot centres around Jesminder, a British-Indian Sikh whose parents disapprove of her playing football and her teammate Jules. The film charts their growing infatuation with football and Jesminder’s eventual triumph over her parents to become a star footballer.

Rocky

Released in 1976, Rocky was an immediate hit, following the fortunes of a working class underdog trying to make his way as a boxer. It’s long been a firm favourite with boxing fans and those who know nothing about the sport – proving that you don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate a good story. MN2S talent management agency represents boxers including Chris Eubank Jr and Sugar Ray Leonard whose personal stories are sure to appeal to a huge range of people if you book them to appear at your event.

The Bad News Bears

This feel good family-friendly film ‘The Bad News Bears‘ is about a little-league team who aren’t especially enthusiastic about their sport. Eventually, predictably, they end up caring more for their team and whether they win or lose than they ever expected to; it’s a great cautionary tale for kids about underdogs triumphing over adversity – and it’s funny too.

Senna

This intimate and thoughtful portrait of Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna is pieced together from footage filmed during his life. The life of this national hero was abruptly ended after a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, thanks to an industry less concerned with health and safety than it was with putting on a show. It’s a fascinating watch for anyone who loves Formula One, and shows just how far the racing industry has come over the last couple of decades. Senna is a movie you cannot miss.

Murderball

This 2005 documentary, Murderball, is about the gruesome sport of wheelchair rugby, which sees players crash into one another at high speed, breaking noses, bones and everything else when they do so. It could be a saccharine watch, but instead of going down the inspirational route it focuses on the rivalry between the American and Canadian teams. Which actually ends up being pretty inspirational.

Chariot’s of Fire

This Oscar-winner, Chariot’s of Fire, is perhaps best known for its soundtrack – but the film has so much more than that to offer. It charts the rivalry between two runners in the 1920s, one Christian and one Jewish, and rather than portraying one as the hero, simply focuses on the struggles that both athletes face in a turbulent time. It’s got some iconic scenes (like the steeplechase around the courtyard and the athletes running on the beach) and is an uplifting if somewhat pastoral watch.

Green Street

A less positive portrayal of the sporting world, Green Street is nonetheless an important film. It looks at the uncomfortable topic of British football hooliganism, seen through the eyes of an American exchange student. Although little football hooliganism now takes place on British terraces, it’s an interesting insight into the motivations and backgrounds of those who are so inspired by their football clubs that they commit acts of violence.

Book a sporting film star

For fans of sports movies, there’s no bigger star than Vinnie Jones. Not just one of the most famous footballers of a generation, he’s also starred in some blockbuster movies, including Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Kill two birds with one stone and delight film and football fans in one fell swoop when you book Vinnie Jones through MN2S talent agency London. Get in touch to find out more.

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