50 Best Sports Movies Ever

30. Tin Cup

Year: 1996
Sport: Golf
Starring: Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, Don Johnson, Cheech Marin, Linda Hart
Director: Ron Shelton

When a sports film is made, it’s an entirely fair course of action to believe Kevin Costner will be a part of it. With no complaints from my end, Costner is the most featured actor on this list aside from those playing a recurring character.

Director Ron Shelton appears a number of times, as well, with his 1996 film Tin Cup receiving an early nod.

Costner plays a golf course instructor who falls in love with a woman whom he believes won’t consider him given his current job. A love triangle ensues, and Costner’s Roy McAvoy takes to pursuing his dreams to prove his worth to Rene Russo’s Dr. Molly Griswold.

With a meltdown for the ages and a supporting cast that never lets you stop laughing, Tin Cup is an under-appreciated sports film.

Costner is one of the true masters of the sports film, and his work in Tin Cup deserves to be compared to that of his other prestigious movies.

Golf isn’t the most popular of sports amongst casual fans, but Costner does an excellent job of showing how much flavor can be found on the course. Between his explosive outbursts and rapid recovery to playing sensational golf, McAvoy steals our hearts.

This is a great story of a man who had all of the talent in the world, but needed that one last push to help him realize his potential. Costner plays it perfectly.

Next: 29. Friday Night Lights