50 Best Sports Movies Ever

21. Warrior

Year: 2011
Sport: Mixed Martial Arts
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Morrison, Frank Grillo
Director: Gavin O’Connor

Mixed martial arts has become the new fad in the world of sports, with companies such as UFC and Bellator achieving all-time high success rates. Before the revolution had been completed, Hollywood brought us a take on the sport that overwhelmed the masses.

From director Gavin O’Connor, who makes multiple appearances on this list, Warrior is one of the best sports films since the turn of the century.

Tom Hardy is one of the most versatile actors in the world today, and a brief viewing of the film Bronson should be all the evidence you need. Joel Edgerton is an underrated force unto himself, and his performance as Brendan Conlon in Warrior is proof of it.

It honestly doesn’t make sense just how far under the radar Warrior flew, as it’s one of the truly great sports films that’s ever been made.

All Hardy seems to do is deliver powerhouse performances in lesser-watched films while being criminally overlooked by those who only know him for his mainstream success.

Next: 20. He Got Game