The 86 Best Baseball Movies of All Time
The definitive ranking of baseball films
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During baseball season, there’s a game on pretty much every night, so it gets in the way of my second-favorite pastime: watching movies.* So when the off-season arrives, it’s my opportunity to catch up on some films I’d missed throughout the summer.
*That’s not completely true, actually. I watch movies year-round, and far too many of them.
For many years, I rewatched Ken Burns’ documentary series about baseball as soon as pitchers and catchers began to report to spring training. It became a yearly ritual, falling asleep at night with the dulcet tones of Roger Angell and Robert Creamer and Billy Crystal talking about the sport. I fell out of that habit at some point a few years back, but this October I randomly started watching the first episode. After my favorite team was eliminated late in the campaign, I just wasn’t ready for the season to end.
Pretty soon, I started making my off-season baseball movie playlist, the essential titles that I wanted to watch before spring training rolled around again in a few months. The list kept growing and growing until I gave up on the idea of watching them all. Too many movies, too little time. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t rank them anyway!
I know for certain that every single person who stumbles across this piece will disagree with something. <insert shrug emoji> You’re probably correct when you yell at me about whichever ranking you disagree with. I apologize beforehand.
These are not all feature films, although most are. There are a number of documentaries here, including baseball entries in ESPN’s “30 for 30” series. Other than those, however, there are no made-for-tv movies on the list, and no mini-series (sorry, “The Bronx is Burning”).
Without further ado…
Field of Dreams (1989). I know your objections to the movie, and I simply do not care. It’s the quintessential movie for gooey baseball fans like me. An Iowa farmer played by Kevin Costner hears a voice telling him to build a baseball field. Magic ensues. This film never gets old.
"They'll Watch The Game, And It'll Be As If They Dipped Themselves In Magic Waters. The Memories Will Be So Thick, They'll Have To Brush Them Away From Their Faces. People Will Come, Ray."
A League of Their Own (1992). Penny Marshall’s tale of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the 1940s. I rewatched this recently on a plane and was amazed at how funny it still remains, even after repeated viewings. More memorable quotes than any movie other than Tombstone. (Dottie didn’t drop the ball on purpose, by the way.)
Moneyball (2011). Great cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, and Chris Pratt. Great story: Billy Beane’s Athletics change the sport in ways we’re still feeling. Great source material: Michael Lewis’ fantastic book. How can you not be romantic about baseball?
The Bad News Bears (1976). Morris Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) cracking open beers with the kids in the dugout. Kelly Leak (Jackie Earle Haley) smoking darts and hitting bombs. Amanda Whurlitzer (Tatum O’Neal) whiffing Yankees and leading this team of ragtag misfits. An absolute classic.
Bull Durham (1988). I will concede that I may have underrated this classic, Ron Shelton’s brilliant chronicle of minor league baseball. Costner is at the top of his game. You’re not a baseball fan if you haven’t watched this.
Sugar (2008). Sugar, a teenager from the Dominican Republic, finds himself on a minor league team in Iowa. From the directing team that brought you 2019’s “Captain Marvel,” but don’t let that mess of a movie dissuade you. “Sugar” is genuinely brilliant.
Everybody Wants Some!! (2016). Richard Linklater’s comedy about a college baseball team, a kinda-sorta sequel to “Dazed and Confused.” You probably haven’t seen it, but you should.
Major League (1989). Arguably the most re-watchable movie on this list, and perhaps the funniest as well. It’s set in Cleveland, but given the disastrous tenure of the Castellinis in Cincinnati, Reds fans can empathize with the plot about an owner who wants the team to lose for personal reasons.
The Natural (1984). Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs, a gifted player whose career is derailed by a tragic event but who later gets a second chance with the New York Knights. A typical sports drama in some ways, but with the added elements of redemption and the American dream. The climactic scene may be the most famous in the history of sports movies.
The Pride of the Yankees (1942). The life and times of Lou Gehrig, as played by Gary Cooper. Memorable final sequence. The first time I saw this movie, my dad had checked out the VHS from the local public library and it blew me away.
Eight Men Out (1988). I wanted to rank this one in the top ten. Period piece about the 1919 World Series, the “Black Sox” series. This is fake news. The Reds won that series fair and square. You’ll never convince me otherwise.
Game 6 (2005). Underrated drama starring Michael Keaton as a playwright whose latest play is opening on the same day as the infamous Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.
The Sandlot (1993). The origin story of Wendy Peffercorn. Plus some baseball.
Fever Pitch (2005). Let’s be honest, this movie based on Nick Hornby’s brilliant soccer memoir is not particularly good. But if you’re an obsessive baseball fan, this one will hit you right in the feels. Every time I watch it, I start browsing Reds season ticket prices.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949). Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly in a Busby Berkeley musical about baseball? Sign me up!
The Rookie (2002). Surprisingly entertaining Disney biopic of Jim Morris, the high school chemistry teacher who rides his big-time fastball to the big leagues.
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976). Comedy about a group of Negro Leagues players who form their own team to enjoy the game on their own terms. Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones, Richard Pryor…shut up and take my money!
42 (2013). Jackie Robinson biopic, featuring Chadwick “Don’t call me Chad” Boseman and Harrison Ford. Has its flaws, but eminently watchable. Boseman is typically superb.
Fastball (2016). A documentary about, well, fastballs. Still not sure why I enjoyed this one so much, but here we are.
Rookie of the Year (1993). If you aren’t rooting for Henry Rowengartner (Resinbagger/Gardenhoser), what are you even doing? I mean, I know he played for the stupid Cubs, but he was a 12-year-old who threw 103 mph. What a story!
The Battered Bastards of Baseball (2014). The story of the Portland Mavericks, a Class-A non-affiliated minor league club that rocked the baseball establishment. Featuring Kurt Russell and Jim Bouton!
The League (2023). The story of the dynamic journey of Negro League baseball, using archival footage and interviews with players.
The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg (1999). Documentary about Hank Greenberg, the first major Jewish baseball star in the Major Leagues. At the time, I was so upset that this was robbed of an Oscar for best documentary.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988). Okay, this isn’t really a baseball movie. But it’s hilarious! And the baseball sequence is among the most memorable of any on this list.
Mr. 3000 (2004). Is this movie good? Your mileage may vary. But Bernie Mac — starring as an aged player trying to grab that 3000th hit — is an all-time American comedy legend, so I’m bumping it up a few spots.
Brewster’s Millions (1985). Like “The Naked Gun,” not strictly a baseball movie. Like “Mr. 3000,” it features an American comedy legend, Richard Pryor — Pryor’s second film on this list! But I’ll never forget the first time I saw this (again, on a library VHS), the story of an aging minor-league baseball player who will inherit 300 million dollars if he can successfully spend 30 million dollars in 30 days without anything to show for it. Pryor is a genius.
Reggie (2023). Reggie Jackson was one of a kind, and not just because he tried to kill the Queen in “The Naked Gun.” Umm, spoiler alert, I guess.
Angels in the Outfield (1951). Better than the one you remember.
You Don’t Know Bo (2012). ESPN documentary about Bo Jackson. If you didn’t experience the Bo era, you need to watch this.
Catching Hell (2011). The Steve Bartman story. Brilliantly told, this documentary actually made me feel sorry for a Cubs fan. That’s a monumental achievement!
Fear Strikes Out (1957). Anthony Perkins and Karl Malden in the story of Jimmy Piersall, who battled mental illness to achieve baseball stardom. The second-best movie featuring Perkins battling mental illness.
For Love of the Game (1999). I wish I liked this movie more than I do. Costner is a sports movie legend, and director Sam Raimi is one of my favorites. Plus John C. Reilly? And JK Simmons! Why don’t I like this movie more than I do?
Everyone’s Hero (2006). Animated film about a kid on an epic journey to return Babe Ruth’s bat before the deciding game of the World Series. Great cast (William H. Macy, Whoopi Goldberg, Rob Reiner, Brian Dennehy, Ed Helms, Mandy Patinkin, Forest Whitaker, Joe Torre), but if I’m being honest, it’s only this high on the list because it came out when my son was 2 and we watched it a thousand times over the next few years. Sue me. This is MY list.
Facing Nolan (2022). As an 11-year-old in Little League, I was terrified about facing local legend Trevor Ruth. After watching this documentary, I’m starting to believe that standing in the batter’s box against Nolan Ryan was even scarier.
Little Big League (1994). When I was a pre-teen, I wanted to play shortstop in the major leagues. But if I had wanted to be a manager, this would have been the blueprint.
BASEketball (1998). Is it a baseball movie or a basketball move? I dunno, but it’s mostly insanity. I lol’d when I watched it a quarter-century ago, before “lol” was even a thing.
Bang the Drum Slowly (1973). Robert DeNiro and Michael Moriarty (TVs “Law and Order”) in a poignant story of baseball and terminal illness. Not a comedy, if you can believe it.
No No: A Dockumentary (2014). Did you know Pirates hurler Dock Ellis pitched a no-hitter on LSD?
The Stratton Story (1949). Jimmy Stewart as Monty Stratton, the big leaguer who lost a leg in a hunting accident but persevered. I may have underrated this picture. Jimmy Stewart!
Four Days in October (2010). A documentary about Yankees and Red Sox nonsense, but still entertaining.
Bad News Bears (2005). Probably an unnecessary remake of the 1976 original, but I’m a sucker for anything featuring Billy Bob Thornton, so deal with it.
Damn Yankees (1958). I’ve seen a lot of Broadway musicals, but I’ve only seen this one, about a Washington Senators fan who makes a pact with the Devil to win the pennant, on film. All in all, I’d rather rewatch “Hamilton.”
Knuckleball (2012). Not as good as a fastball, but still pretty good.
Fernando Nation (2010). If you don’t have Fernando Mania, well…you should.
Million Dollar Arm (2014). Don Draper goes to India to find the next great pitcher. I went to India a couple of months ago and found intestinal distress.
It Happens Every Spring (1949). Comedy about a chemistry professor who makes meth. No, wait, that’s “Breaking Bad.” This professor discovers a chemical mixture that causes baseballs to avoid wood. Just go with it.
The Phenom (2016). I will watch any baseball-related film with Ethan Hawke and Paul Giamatti. I will watch no baseball-related films starring A. Bartlett Giamatti, however.
Jordan Rides the Bus (2010). Did you know Michael Jordan played minor league baseball? It’s true!
Cobb (1994). Director Ron Shelton (“Bull Durham”) returns to the baseball well with Tommy Lee Jones playing the legendary Ty Cobb. Watchable mostly because of Jones’ performance.
Little Big Men (2010). Little League baseball is fun, unless you’re one of those dads who likes to yell at umpires. Or if you’re batting against Trevor Ruth.
Trouble with the Curve (2012). Probably should be 40 spots higher, solely due to the presence of Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams. Alas, the film doesn’t completely work, but it’s still watchable.
The Winning Team (1952). Ronald Reagan and Doris Day in a biopic of Grover Cleveland Alexander.
Off the Black (2006). Mostly here because I needed to fill my Nick Nolte quota.
Silly Little Game (2010). Remember rotisserie baseball? I do.
Doc & Darryl (2016). Gooden & Strawberry.
The Jackie Robinson Story (1950). Jackie was in this one, but it’s no “42.”
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977). I know Bill Simmons loves this one, but he also loves the Boston Celtics, so maybe we shouldn’t take his opinions so seriously?
Stealing Home (1988). I don’t care what you say, Mark Harmon is dreamy.
The Perfect Game (2009). Tale of the first non-U.S. team to win the Little League World Series
Kill the Umpire (1950). This is not actually good advice.
The Scout (1994). Albert Brooks is a comedy genius. Brendan Fraser is now having a renaissance. And they were in the 60th greatest baseball film of all time!
The House of Steinbrenner (2010). Screw George Steinbrenner.
Brothers in Exile (2014). Livan and El Duque. If you know, you know.
Angels in the Outfield (1994). Worse than the one you don’t remember. (See above.)
61* (2001). Billy Crystal really likes the New York Yankees.
The Fan (1996). Robert DeNiro really likes Wesley Snipes.
Hardball (2001). Keanu should coach every little league team, but the team would be better if they had Trevor Ruth on the mound.
The Day the Series Stopped (2014). There was an earthquake and it stopped the World Series. A decent documentary, but it doesn’t even mention the thrilling World Series a year later.
The Final Season (2007). Who among us hasn’t ditched his wedding plans to take over a high school baseball team like Sean Astin here? Also featuring Tom Arnold and Curly Bill Brocius.
The Slugger’s Wife (1985). Written by Neil Simon. Directed by Hal Ashby. How did this miss? Danny Noonan plays a big leaguer who pursues Rebecca De Mornay, but things get complicated.
Deion’s Double Play (2019). 30 for 30 film about Deion Sanders’ attempt to play in a pro football and baseball game in the same day.
Long Gone Summer (2020). Disappointing documentary about the McGwire-Sosa home run chase of 1998.
The Benchwarmers (2006). Adam Sandler’s wife, Chris Farley’s brother, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son are in this movie. And that’s the most interesting thing about it.
Safe at Home (1962). A kid lies to his buddies about being friends with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. Just like I lied to my friends about knowing Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker.
Mr. Baseball (1992). Tom Selleck has the best mustache on this list.
The Kid from Left Field (1953). Pretty good cast (Dan Dailey, Anne Bancroft, Lloyd Bridges) in a film memorable only because it was later remade as a TV movie featuring Gary Coleman.
The Bad News Bears Go To Japan (1978). But why?
Major League II (1994). They used Roman numerals to class things up.
The Babe (1992). I want to like this one, since John Goodman/Walter Sobchak is generally pretty fun. But it’s not great.
The Babe Ruth Story (1948). William Bendix is hilariously bad as the Babe in this misfire.
Summer Catch (2001). The lead character is named Ryan Dunne, but I prefer a different Ryan Dunn. Also, RIP to another Ryan Dunn. (This movie is bad.)
Major League: Back to the Minors (1998). Just stop already.
Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch (2002). Perhaps the weakest link in the Air Bud Cinematic Universe.
The Sandlot 2 (2005). I guess James Earl Jones returned, but what about Wendy Peffercorn?
Mickey (2004). Written and produced by John Grisham and starring Harry Connick, Jr. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
Ed (1996). I know you want to watch the least-favorite character from “Friends” playing baseball with a chimp.
The Fan!! Loved that movie. Intense man!
Where's "The Winning Team"?