50 Best Sports Movies Ever

3. The Pride of the Yankees

Year: 1942
Sport: Baseball
Starring: Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, Babe Ruth, Walter Brennan, Dan Duryea
Director: Sam Wood

Over the years, there have been an abundance of sports films ranging from fun to memorable to downright incomparable. Few cinematic achievements compare to the heartbreaking and uplifting work done on The Pride of the Yankees.

The story of Lou Gehrig is one that you must see to believe.

Gary Cooper stars as Gehrig in a colorful performance that transcends the black-and-white presentation. Alongside Cooper is Teresa Wright as Gehrig’s wife, Eleanor Twitchell Gehrig, and Babe Ruth—yes, that Babe Ruth—as himself.

The film even revisits this incomparable moment:

The film version can be seen at the top of this slide.

The Pride of the Yankees is an older release, but it’s stood the test of time as a cinematic diamond that everyone needs to see at some point in their life. Cooper’s performance as Gehrig is stupendous, and Ruth’s acting ability brings a fun element to every scene he appears in.

From his work on the field to the haunting illustration of his battle with ALS—commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease—Gehrig’s life and legacy are done justice in this work of art

Next: 2. Rocky