Inspiring your kids to be active can be hard. The balance between free time, creative learning, and pursuing a sport is a fine line. But one of the best ways to inspire movement and find a passion in sports is by watching the best sports movies for kids. The genre is motivating, inspiring, and thrilling.
These movies star children who overcome so many obstacles to achieve their goals and show that anything is possible through hard work and determination. On your next family night, put on one of these best sports movies for kids to make them feel invincible.
6. The Karate Kid, Starz (1984)
One of the best sports movies for kids and adults alike is The Karate Kid. The original movie in 1984 in particular is the best, as it’s the first installment of the franchise. It stars Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elizabeth Shue, and William Zabka. The story follows Daniel LaRusso, a teenager from New Jersey who moves with his widowed mother to the Reseda neighborhood of Los Angeles.
There, he encountered harassment from his new bullies, one of whom was Johnny Lawrence, the ex-boyfriend of LaRusso’s love interest. LaRusso feels defeated, but once he starts to learn karate from a handyman and war veteran, Mr. Miyagi, he’s able to defend himself.
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5. Little Giants, Prime Video (1994)
Little Giants is next on the list of best sports movies for kids. The 1994 family sports comedy stars Rick Moranis, Ed O’Neill, and John Madden. The story follows two brothers living in a small Ohio town who coach rival Pee-Wee Football teams.
While it focuses on the drama between the brothers, it also shows the efforts and growth of the football players as well, the perfect movie for the athlete in your life. It also focuses on a girl, Becky, who has an interest in football as well, and proves that girls can be just as tough as boys.
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4. Rudy, Paramount (1993)
One of the best sports movies for kids is the 1993 movie, Rudy. It’s a biographical movie, following the life of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger who harbored dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame despite several challenges.
He’s determined to overcome those odds at all costs. The movie is inspirational and is considered one of the best sports movies of all time, a must-see if your kids have an interest in sports.
3. The Mighty Ducks, Prime Video (1992)
One of the best sports movies for kids of all time is the franchise, The Mighty Ducks. The movie was released in 1992 and is the first installment out of three movies. The film stars Emilio Estevez, Joss Ackland, and Lane Smith, and follows a hotshot lawyer who is haunted by his childhood memories, specifically when he was on a champion hockey team.
However, he lost the winning goal in a shootout, losing the game and the approval of his coach. But when he ends up charged with drinking and driving, he must coach a Pee Wee hockey team, and in turn, hopes to make up for his horrible loss.
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2. The Sandlot, Hulu (1993)
The Sandlot is one of the best sports movies for kids by far. The 1993 movie stars Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Karen Allen, Denis Leary, Marty York, and James Earl Jones. The story follows Scotty Smalls who moves into a new neighborhood with his mom and stepfather and wants to learn baseball.
When a neighborhood baseball guru takes him under his wing, he soon becomes part of the group, and viewers will fall into the joy of watching them grow in baseball, as friends and overcoming the challenges of the rival baseball team.
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1. Hoosiers, Pluto (1986)
The number one spot for the best sports movies for kids goes to the 1986 movie, Hoosiers. The movie stars Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, and Dennis Hopper as it tells the true story of a small-town Indiana team that made the state finals in 1954.
The movie follows the coach with a spotty past, and the town’s basketball-loving drunk to lead their high school to victory. It’s considered one of the best sports movies of all time, as it not only is a biography, but a drama as well.