Unexpected And Underestimated
Everyone loves to see professionals doing what they do best, but there’s something special when someone unassuming surprises everyone. Whether it's about sports or life, audiences have adored these stories that make them cheer for the unexpected hero, especially when no one else does.
Invictus (2009)
Invictus tells the story of Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar—South Africa's rugby team Captain—leading up to the 1995 Rugby World Cup. It’s a heavy-hitting and inspiring look at one of South Africa's most impactful historical moments. Similar to rugby, there are many underdog movies surrounding its American cousin.
Remember The Titans (2000)
With another inspiring true story of overcoming differences through sport, Remember the Titans follows a Virginia high school football team after it’s forced to integrate. It immediately became one of the most iconic football movies and has held up to this day. Of course, many of the best underdog movies are based on true stories.
Walt Disney, Remember the Titans (2000)
Invincible (2006)
Adapting the true story of Vince Papale, Invincible illustrates the physical and emotional toll of someone trying to make it in football from a grounded and realistic perspective. Mark Wahlberg plays the real-life bartender who, after losing everything, enters the open tryouts for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Walt Disney, Invincible (2006)
Rudy (1993)
A contender for the most iconic football movie, Rudy is based on real-life footballer Rudy Ruettiger. It details the beginnings of his career, as strives to join Notre Dame’s football team despite his lack of good grades and size. However, not every underdog sports movie has to be a drama.
The Longest Yard (2005)
As a remake of the 1974 film, The Longest Yard follows a former football superstar sent to prison, who puts together a team of inmates to play a game against the guards. Although it’s a remake, it remains a unique story that’s an all-around good time.
Paramount, The Longest Yard (2005)
The Benchwarmers (2006)
Underdog movies don’t always have to be profound or inspiring, sometimes they can just be stupid fun. The Benchwarmers is full of 2000s-era comedy, following three guys tasked with creating a three-person team to play against a mean youth baseball team. Naturally, baseball has countless underdog stories.
Revolution Studios, The Benchwarmers (2006)
Hardball (2001)
Hardball is about a gambling addict who, looking for a loan, agrees to stand in for his friend as a Little League coach. While it’s nothing new in terms of underdog movies, it’s a beloved film praised for its performances and even for its realism by some.
The Bad News Bears (1976)
An all-time classic, The Bad News Bears tells the story of a former Minor League baseball player who agrees to coach a team of thoroughly untalented kids, if only for the money. Hilariously edgy, this film has been called the best baseball movie in history. On the other hand, this next film takes a different look at the unconventional underdog team.
Paramount, The Bad News Bears (1976)
A League Of Their Own (1992)
A League of Their Own tells the story of the first professional women’s baseball league, established to keep baseball alive during WWII. It’s an endlessly charming and heartfelt movie that wasn’t just a masterpiece on its own but led to a successful TV series. Just like how it focuses on the effects of WWII, this next film is about more than just baseball.
Columbia, A League Of Their Own (1992)
Moneyball (2011)
Adapting the story of the real-life General Manager of the Oakland A’s, Billy Beane, Moneyball is based on the book of the same name that shook the foundations of sports. The film follows Beane’s formation of the baseball team with the limitation of an extremely low budget, forcing him to turn to the then-uncommon solution of statistical analysis.
The Rookie (2002)
Following the life of Jim Morris, The Rookie tells the story of his long-shot debut. The film follows him as a teacher and high school baseball coach after he strikes a deal with his team that if they make the playoffs, he’ll try out for the Major League. It’s an emotional journey praised for its commitment to the unbelievable true story.
Walt Disney, The Rookie (2002)
Major League (1989)
Joining the many brilliant sports comedies is Major League, a film that remains hilarious, even if it isn’t completely timeless. The story is about the owner of Cleveland’s baseball team trying to lose on purpose so that she can move them, while the team tries to stop her. Of course, there’s another big sport that has its fair share of underdog movies.
Paramount, Major League (1989)
Slap Shot (1977)
Not only is Slap Shot one of the funniest cult classics but it’s also regarded as one of the best sports movies of its decade. It follows a down-on-their-luck hockey team that begins playing more violently in the hopes of getting more fans in the stands.
Kings Road Entertainment, Slap Shot (1977)
Miracle (2004)
Portraying the true, near-impossible events of the US’s win against the Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics, Miracle perfectly executes the legendary story. It instantly cemented itself as one of the most iconic hockey films, but this is hardly the last Disney sports movie.
Pop Pop Productions, Miracle (2004)
The Mighty Ducks (1992)
The Mighty Ducks is both a sports and Disney classic, following the story of a lawyer who is forced to coach a peewee hockey team due to court-ordered community service. It’s one of the most memorable family hockey movies that’s as inspiring as it is hilarious and spawned two sequels.
Walt Disney, The Mighty Ducks (1992)
Hoosiers (1986)
Hoosier tells the real-life story of a small-town basketball team on the road to the state finals, despite people underestimating both the team and its coaches. In another underdog twist, the movie had difficulty being picked up as many believed basketball movies weren’t successful. Still, there’s more than one impactful basketball movie.
Glory Road (2006)
The history of racial equality in sports is long and full of underdog moments, with another of them being Glory Road. It tells the story of the first all-Black college basketball starting lineup as they prove themselves in the 1966 national championships. Speaking of roads, this next film centers around a very different sport.
Walt Disney, Glory Road (2006)
Breaking Away (1979)
Another cult classic, this film goes beyond a sports movie, being a brilliant coming-of-age film. Breaking Away is about a boy obsessed with the Italian cycling team, striving to race against them, impress the girl he likes, and overall find his purpose in life.
Twentieth Century, Breaking Away (1979)
McFarland, USA (2015)
McFarland, USA stands apart not only because there aren’t many other sports films about cross-country running, but it rose above the cliché pitfalls of similar movies. It tells the story of a teacher who moves to a new town and struggles to form a championship running team. With this next film, we’ll move on to a different kind of running.
Walt Disney, McFarland, USA (2015)
Eddie The Eagle (2015)
Being one of the few underdog films that isn’t a traditional success story, Eddie the Eagle is more about the experience of competing and enjoying the moment. It’s the true story of Michael Edwards, who competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics as a ski jumper, despite having no skill or prior professional experience.
Hurwitz Creative, Eddie The Eagle (2015)
Kingpin (1996)
There are a lot of underdog movies about the more popular sports in the world, but to keep it fresh, some films have stepped a bit more out of the box. Earning a cult following over the years, Kingpin tells the story of a world-class bowler who—after losing his hand—trains an Amish rookie to compete. Likewise, this next film also features a more obscure sport.
Rysher Entertainment, Kingpin (1996)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
It would be impossible not to include this in a list of underdog films—the term is actually in the title. Dodgeball follows the members of a gym, who cobble together a dodgeball team to win the tournament’s prize money and stop their gym from being taken over by a corporate villain. Today it’s still a beloved sports comedy, even for non-sports fans.
Twentieth Century, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Rocky (1976)
A movie that changed its subgenre forever, Rocky also served as Sylvester Stallone’s first great success in cinema. It tells a remarkable story about a boxer trying to make it big, and his chance to take on the world heavyweight champion. It’s often the source of motivational quotes or music, but it also spawned a successful spin-off.
Chartoff-Winkler Productions, Rocky (1976)
Creed (2015)
Nearly 40 years after the legendary Rocky franchise began, Creed became its seventh installment and first spin-off film. It follows Apollo Creed’s son, who seeks out his father’s friend and rival—Rocky Balboa—to train under. It has been praised for keeping its familiar spirit while exploring a new theme of boxing’s connection to African American culture.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
This Best Picture winner features Hilary Swank as a boxer dreaming of being the best and training under a crotchety, reluctant coach. In keeping with the title, Million Dollar Baby is one of Clint Eastwood’s most successful films, for its heartwrenching story and extraordinary performances. A year later, yet another boxing underdog would take the spotlight.
Warner Bros., Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Cinderella Man (2005)
Telling the inspiring true story of Great Depression boxer James Braddock, Cinderella Man depicts his return to the ring and fight for the world heavyweight champion title. The portrayal is spectacularly executed, bringing a legendary champion to life with an emotional and realistic performance.
Universal, Cinderella Man (2005)
The Karate Kid (1984)
One of the most memorable 1980s coming-of-age movies, The Karate Kid found immediate success. Audiences loved the story of a kid training to defend himself against others, and it was so successful that it spawned several sequels, a remake, a TV series, and even a musical. Not long after, however, a very similar underdog movie would come out.
Columbia, The Karate Kid (1984)
No Retreat, No Surrender (1985)
No Retreat, No Surrender follows the son of a martial arts master, who sees his father beaten up by gangsters, leading him to summon the ghost of Bruce Lee to train under. It’s full of 1980s action vibes, and perpetually enjoyable camp. Despite the majority of this list, though, there are numerous non-sports underdog movies.
Seasonal Film Corporation, No Retreat, No Surrender (1985)
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Illustrating a story of acceptance and defying expectations, Kung Fu Panda follows Po as he dreams of being a kung fu master, but is surprised when he ends up being chosen as one. It launched a franchise that, while beloved, remains underrated. Of course, there are a couple more animated movies on this list.
DreamWorks, Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Ratatouille (2007)
With the story of a rat who longs to be a professional chef, Ratatouille is one of Pixar’s staples. Aside from containing the studio’s regular brand of heartfelt morals, this film offers a unique example of the underdog. Not to mention that it’s considered a top-tier food movie.
Walt Disney, Ratatouille (2007)
Mulan (1998)
Mulan is about a young woman who disguises herself as a male soldier to take the place of her aging father. Possibly based on a true story, it’s a fan-favorite of Disney and features a truly awesome heroine. While there aren’t as many underdog movies with female protagonists, these next films are iconic examples.
Legally Blonde (2001)
This underdog story ahead of its time turns the “dumb blonde” stereotype on its head. Legally Blonde follows a young woman who applies to law school just to chase after her ex-boyfriend but finds that she may have an unexpected aptitude for it. This isn’t the only underdog law movie, however.
Erin Brockovich (2000)
This Best Picture nominee follows the true story of a single mother and legal aid, who helps her firm take on a shady company. This film’s rousing story and fantastic performances have made it one of the best biopics in cinema.
Universal, Erin Brockovich (2000)
Hidden Figures (2016)
Hidden Figures tells the story of those behind the launch of John Glenn into orbit, especially those most overlooked by history. It focuses on the three African American women who, as mathematicians, were integral to NASA’s project. Similarly, this next film is also centered around a unique mathematical skill.
Fox 2000 Pictures, Hidden Figures (2016)
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Featuring one of Robin Williams’ most beloved performances, Good Will Hunting was an instant masterpiece. It follows a young man with an exceptional mathematical talent, but little drive in life until starts seeing a psychologist. It’s an amazing story of someone rising above the situation they’re in, but it’s not the only one.
Miramax, Good Will Hunting (1997)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Loosely inspired by the novel Q & A, this film follows a young man growing up in impoverished India to be on the country’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Gutting and emotional, it has been described as a necessary spotlight on the issues facing those in similar situations.
Searchlight Pictures, Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)
This biopic tells the miraculous story of a father trying to care for his son and make a life for them both while living on the streets. Like the next movie, this film emphasizes doing everything for one’s family, even if one has nothing.
Columbia, The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)
The Greatest Showman (2017)
While this film may not be accurate to the real PT Barnum, The Greatest Showman still acts as a great fictional underdog story that others may not think of right away. It follows a husband and father who, after losing his job, embarks on a venture to create a new, magical kind of show.
Twentieth Century, The Greatest Showman (2017)
8 Mile (2002)
Very loosely based on Eminem’s life, 8 Mile is about a young rapper trying to make a career and get away from his everyday struggles. Without shying away from the darker and more heartwrenching details, it tells a complex story of rising above the humblest of beginnings.
Imagine Entertainment, 8 Mile (2002)
Cool Runnings (1993)
Depicting the story of the first Jamaican bobsled team, Cool Runnings is one of the most well-known Disney sports films—but few know about the shocking production issues behind the scenes. Disney butted heads with director Jon Turteltaub because he refused to use fake (and offensive) Jamaican accents. After the threatening to fire him, Turteltaub compromised with an accent that was understandable to viewers but perhaps not as exaggerated as the studio had wanted. The movie went on to become an all-time favorite for audiences.
