Top 10 Baseball Movies to Watch

Whether you’re a baseball player, coach, enthusiast, or sports journalist, there’s no doubt that you love watching baseball movies.  In fact, there are so many great baseball movies to choose from that it can be tough to know which ones to watch first.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking for something to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon, these 10 baseball movies are sure to keep you entertained.  From the classic “Field of Dreams” to more recent films like “Moneyball,” each one tells its own unique story about America’s favorite pastime.  So pull up a chair, grab a cold drink, and get ready for some serious baseball action!

1. “Field of Dreams” (1989)

Rated PG, this classic stars Kevin Costner as an Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious voice telling him to turn his corn crop into a baseball diamond.  When he does, two deceased baseball legends make appearances and lead Costner’s character down a path of discovery about the ghosts from the past and the living from the present.

2. “Major League” (1989)

Rated PG-13 for some vulgar language, “Major League” tells the story of a Cleveland Indians team that gets a new lease on life when it is purchased by Rachel Phelps – played by Margaret Whitton – the owner of a failing amusement park.  The movie was written and directed by David S Ward, who also wrote “The Sting.” The film’s title refers to the Major League Baseball rule that states a player drafted by one Major League team cannot be traded to another until he accumulates at least three years of service time in the Majors.

3. “A League of Their Own” (1992)

In this Tom Hanks/Geena Davis-led film, we see two sisters – played by Davis and Rosie O’Donnell – take on their male counterparts as they form the first professional women’s baseball league after World War II.  Directed by Penny Marshall, who also directed “Big,” and produced and co-written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, who also wrote “1941.” The cast of this one is full of serious star power: Hanks, Davis, O’Donnell, and Madonna.  And if that isn’t enough to make you watch this film, maybe the story will be.  During World War II, as many major league baseball players went off to serve in the military (or were simply drafted), teams all over Major League Baseball suffered from a lack of talent.  The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was created to fill that void and entertain fans who had come to expect their weekly baseball fix.  The result: a highly competitive league filled with some of the best female baseball players in the country.

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4) Angels in the Outfield (1994, PG) 

Another classic family film, this version of “Angels in the Outfield,” tells a heartwarming story about a young boy who summons angels from above to help his baseball team become league champions.  Although it was released as a remake of 1993’s movie by the same name starring Danny Glover from 1991, this 1994 production stars Christopher Lloyd and native New Yorker Tony Danza as an angel-in-training who falls for Julie (Kirsten Dunst), a little girl whose father is coaching the unlucky team. 

5. 42 (2013, PG-13) 

Starring Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson and Harrison Ford as the Brooklyn Dodgers’ manager, this film is an inspiring true story about how Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier.  The first black player in modern major league baseball, Robinson endured racism throughout his career but achieved success with grace and dignity.  Paired with footage from MLB games of the era, “42” captures a critical moment in American history while celebrating one of baseball’s greatest heroes. 

6) Moneyball (2011, PG-13) 

Full of both humor and drama, this critically acclaimed movie tells a real-life story of how Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), general manager for Oakland Athletics, changed the game of baseball when he relied on metrics rather than traditional scouting methods.  Through Beane’s eyes, “Moneyball” shows how one man can make a difference in this world.

7) The Pride of the Yankees (1942, NR) 

Starring Gary Cooper, who also directed the film himself, “The Pride of the Yankees” tells the true story of Lou Gehrig, who broke records and made an impact on baseball like no other player before him.  After becoming ill with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Gehrig gave his famous farewell speech at Yankee Stadium in 1939 that brought tears to fans’ eyes worldwide.  

8. Million Dollar Arm (2014, PG) 

Inspired by true events, this Disney film tells the story of J.B. Bernstein, an agent who travels to India in hopes of finding the next big baseball star.  When he finds two young cricket players with unique pitching styles, he begins working with them on their journey to become professional pitchers in the MLB.  With a supporting cast including Jon Hamm and Alan Arkin, “Million Dollar Arm” is sure to grab fans’ attention from its start until its heartwarming end.

9. The Rookie (2002, PG) 

If you’re looking for a feel-good movie about pursuing one’s dreams, “The Rookie” is the perfect film.  Starring Dennis Quaid as Jim Morris, this film tells the story of how he defied the odds at age 35 to become a professional pitcher in the MLB.  Although it was rather unsuccessful at the box office, baseball fans immensely enjoyed this uplifting hit and maybe inspired by Morris’ true story.

10. For the Love of The Game (1999, PG-13) 

As Kevin Costner’s final onscreen performance, “For The Love Of The Game” is a classic sports film with an all-star cast.  With baseball as the backdrop of this true story, it tells about Billy Chapel (Costner) trying to overcome major career-altering injuries while pitching his last game for the Detroit Tigers.  Although many fans question what happened after the movie ends, they can’t help but enjoy watching this 90s favorite on repeat!

Conclusion:

We cannot separate movies from real life.  Movies make it possible for us to witness the life and greatness of others even after their moments of glory have passed. 

Actual events inspire some of the movies listed above, but even fictional moments in these movies do not fail to inspire the viewers. 

We hope the movies listed above satisfy your hunger for both baseball and movies.  If you like the movies do come back for more. 

Happy Watching!