You don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy sports films. From watching a father and son’s touching moment at a karate match; to cheering on the underdogs as they conquer that championship — there’s something about sports films that plays with our heartstrings and makes us laugh. Some of the highest-grossing sports films of all time may surprise you, while others will come as no surprise at all…
The Blind Side – $256 million
The 2009 biographical film, starring Sandra Bullock, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance, is based on the book “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game” by Michael Lewis. The inspirational storyline follows Michael Oher, who finds a love for football and whose life is forever changed by the game.
The Waterboy – $162 million
This one may come as somewhat of a surprise to you, but Adam Sandler’s sports comedy about an incredible hidden talent was extremely profitable. The flick follows Bobby Boucher, who works as a water boy for a college football team until the new coach discovers his hidden tackling skills.
The Longest Yard – $158 million
Surprisingly enough, Adam Sandler seems to have found a talent in sports films. “The Longest Yard,” tells the story of Paul, a famous football player who lands up in jail and befriends, Rudolph, a football fan, who challenges him to put together a team of inmates to compete with the prison guards.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby – $148 million
When it comes to sports films, comedy seems to bring in the big bucks. The film stars Will Ferrell, who portrays a successful NASCAR driver who is set out to compete and win French Formula One racer, played by none other than Sacha Baron Cohen.
Rocky IV – $128 million
The fourth installment of the Rocky franchise held the title of the highest-grossing sports drama for years until it was overtaken by “The Blind Side.”