Premise: A documentary that follows the path of a feckless and enigmatic semi-professional skateboarder.
What the critics say: “Patterson’s one-of-a-kind hybrid captures a socio-historical moment with the kind of charged authenticity that only comes from a willingness to embrace contradictions: It’s discursive and hypnotic, laconic and urgent” — Village Voice.
Premise: A cook who works in a monsastery must save it from financial ruin by participating in the local Lucha Libre tournament.
What the critics say: “Nacho Libre strikes a delicate balance of whimsy and absurdity that may surprise auds primed to expect wall-to-wall slapstick – Variety.”
Premise: A 1920s American football side on the brink of collapse attempt to persuade a war hero who is a former footballer to play for the team in order to give them a much-needed boost.
What the critics say: “Leatherheads is a romp with some great chemistry between the leads and enough laughs and surprises to keep you entertained” — Richard Roper.
Premise: A detailed look at the famous bull run in Pamplona, and all the danger and controversy that goes with it.
What the critics say: “The inner workings of Spain’s most famous and dangerous fiesta are revealed in an efficiently-made, unashamedly partisan documentary which is distinguished by its breathtaking 3D visuals” — The Hollywood Reporter.
Premise: The true story of a highly promising black boxer who is imprisoned under suspicious circumstances after allegedly committing a murder.
What the critics say: “The Hurricane delivers a mighty emotional load, most of it borne on the broad shoulders of a great actor hitting his prime” – Salon.
Premise: A veteran pool hustler begins to mentor a young protege, but grows jealous of him once he begins to acquire considerable skill and success.
What the critics say: “Scorsese’s direction at its most downmarket and upbeat — never have pool tables, balls and cues looked so rich and strange” – Time Out.
Premise: A documentary looking at a group of teenagers who revolutionised skating in the 1970s by incorporating the influence of surfing into the sport.
What the critics say: “Few sports films catch their time, place and sport so well” — Chicago Tribune.
Premise: A successful agent from a high-profile sports firm suffers a crisis of conscience that prompts him to leave his job and establish an alternative agency.
What the critics say: “Disarming acting, colorful writing and true generosity of spirit keep it right on track” — New York Times.
Premise: A documentary that follows talented high-school basketball players as they bid for stardom in the NBA.
What the critics say: “A heady dose of the American dream and the American nightmare combined — a numbing investigation of how one point on an exam or one basket or turnover in a game can make all the difference in a family’s fortunes.”
Power ranking the 15 best sports films available to watch on Netflix Ireland
15. The Waterboy (1998)
YouTube credit: HollywoodPresents1st
Premise: A waterboy for a local college football team turns out to be a talented player in his own right.
What the critics say: “The Waterboy is arguably Sandler’s most enjoyable motion picture to date, but it’s still far from a masterpiece” – Reel Views.
14. Dragonslayer (2011)
YouTube credit: First Run Features – Trailers, Free Content, and More!
Premise: A documentary that follows the path of a feckless and enigmatic semi-professional skateboarder.
What the critics say: “Patterson’s one-of-a-kind hybrid captures a socio-historical moment with the kind of charged authenticity that only comes from a willingness to embrace contradictions: It’s discursive and hypnotic, laconic and urgent” — Village Voice.
13. Nacho Libre (2006)
YouTube credit: Luis Eduardo Ferreyra Audisio
Premise: A cook who works in a monsastery must save it from financial ruin by participating in the local Lucha Libre tournament.
What the critics say: “Nacho Libre strikes a delicate balance of whimsy and absurdity that may surprise auds primed to expect wall-to-wall slapstick – Variety.”
12. Leatherheads (2008)
YouTube credit: CinemaRV
Premise: A 1920s American football side on the brink of collapse attempt to persuade a war hero who is a former footballer to play for the team in order to give them a much-needed boost.
What the critics say: “Leatherheads is a romp with some great chemistry between the leads and enough laughs and surprises to keep you entertained” — Richard Roper.
11. Bull Runners of Pamplona (2012)
YouTube credit: JourneymanVOD
Premise: A detailed look at the famous bull run in Pamplona, and all the danger and controversy that goes with it.
What the critics say: “The inner workings of Spain’s most famous and dangerous fiesta are revealed in an efficiently-made, unashamedly partisan documentary which is distinguished by its breathtaking 3D visuals” — The Hollywood Reporter.
10. Bones Brigade (2011)
YouTube credit: MOVIES Coming Soon
Premise: A look at the improbable rise of the eponymous Bones Brigade, as they came to dominate skateboarding in the 1980s.
What the critics say: “Like a high school reunion, filled with affectionate memories of an earlier, more innocent, time” — Los Angeles Times.
9. The Short Game (2013)
YouTube credit: Film Festivals and Indie Films
Premise: A look at the lives of child stars who compete in a tournament to determine the best seven-year-old golfer in the world.
What the critics say: “Like its half-pint stars, The Short Game stands on the cusp of brilliance” — USA Today.
8. Seabiscuit (2003)
YouTube credit: paramountmovies
Premise: The legendary story of a 1930s racehorse whose series of unlikely victories helped inspire Depression-era America.
What the critics say: “A faithful, loving piece of work” – San Francisco Chronicle.
7. Everest (1998)
YouTube credit: JackSmackus
Premise: A documentary that looks at a notorious 1996 expedition up the famous mountain.
What the critics say: “Compelling and unforgettable” — Aisle Seat.
6. Shaolin Soccer (2001)
YouTube credit: D. Art Kang
Premise: A Shaolin Monk and skilled fighter is transformed into an accomplished footballer.
What the critics say: “It’s the sort of movie that leaves you smiling like an idiot” — Slate.
5. The Hurricane (1999)
YouTube credit: ryy79
Premise: The true story of a highly promising black boxer who is imprisoned under suspicious circumstances after allegedly committing a murder.
What the critics say: “The Hurricane delivers a mighty emotional load, most of it borne on the broad shoulders of a great actor hitting his prime” – Salon.
4. The Color of Money (1986)
YouTube credit: ryy79
Premise: A veteran pool hustler begins to mentor a young protege, but grows jealous of him once he begins to acquire considerable skill and success.
What the critics say: “Scorsese’s direction at its most downmarket and upbeat — never have pool tables, balls and cues looked so rich and strange” – Time Out.
3. Dogtown and Z-Boys (2002)
YouTube credit: TrailersTeasersClips
Premise: A documentary looking at a group of teenagers who revolutionised skating in the 1970s by incorporating the influence of surfing into the sport.
What the critics say: “Few sports films catch their time, place and sport so well” — Chicago Tribune.
2. Jerry Maguire (1996)
YouTube credit: zhukaiww
Premise: A successful agent from a high-profile sports firm suffers a crisis of conscience that prompts him to leave his job and establish an alternative agency.
What the critics say: “Disarming acting, colorful writing and true generosity of spirit keep it right on track” — New York Times.
1. Hoop Dreams (1994)
YouTube credit: DocuChick
Premise: A documentary that follows talented high-school basketball players as they bid for stardom in the NBA.
What the critics say: “A heady dose of the American dream and the American nightmare combined — a numbing investigation of how one point on an exam or one basket or turnover in a game can make all the difference in a family’s fortunes.”
What have we missed?
Derry City sign 5-year-old ‘Wee’ Oliver>
The Jamaica bobsleigh team have had to tell people to stop sending them cash>
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Best documentary Hoop Dreams Jerry Maguire netflix ireland Power Ranking sports films worth a watch