Even though only a handful of films based on sports have won Oscars, they have been and will continue to be a source of inspiration for the film industry. Boxing is the most prestigious plot theme of all those that have been awarded.
That doesn’t mean that boxing is the only sport. There have been some incredibly creative cinematic creations over the decades that bring all types of sports to life for fans everywhere. Just like choosing the winners for the World Cup odds, there are always certain characteristics that stand out.
The Champ
A former heavyweight champion fights against alcoholism and gambling. His main objective is to win back the love of his son. The Champ, a 1931 film by King Vidor, was awarded an Oscar for best actor for Wallace Beery’s performance.
It also received an Oscar for best screenplay, given to Frances Marion. Faye Dunaway, Jon Voight, and Rick Schroeder co-starred in this all-time classic.
Somebody Up There Likes Me
This 1957 drama won Oscars for Best Art Direction and Best Black and White Photography. It followed the life of the legendary boxer Rocky Graziano, played by Paul Newman in his first great role as a leading man. Newman put up an amazing performance, one that is still talked about even in the times of the World Cup soccer 2022 tournament.
Rocky
Rocky is still one of the most iconic Hollywood films to come out of the 70s. Starring Sylvester Stallone, it was the first film in a long saga. It won three Oscars in 1976, including Best Picture, Best Director (John Avildsen), and Best Editing.
Raging Bull
Raging Bull is a Martin Scorsese masterpiece that stars Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta, a middleweight boxer with a very dark side. Rage, jealousy, and appetite for brutality exceed the limits of the ring, making him spiral out of control and distancing him from his wife and family. It was nominated for eight Oscars and won two, one for best actor for Robert De Niro’s performance, as well as one for best editing.
Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby swept the 2004 awards. It won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman), and Best Actress (Hilary Swank). The film tells the relationship between a waitress who becomes a professional boxer and a veteran trainer who focuses all his efforts on helping her reach the top. Training a woman is not among his norms of behavior, but he pulls off a major victory, just like some unexpected teams do in the 2022 World Cup.
The Fighter
The Fighter won two Oscars in 2010 – for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
Christian Bale won an Oscar for his portrayal of a boxer who has gotten into trouble and tries to turn his life around by helping his brother, played by Mark Wahlberg. The film had seven nominations and won two awards.
Other Sports Movies Make The Cut
Pugilistic prominence might lead the sports-related Oscars, but boxing isn’t the only sport worthy of recognition. Over the years, there have been plenty of others that still hold a special place in history today.
The Pride of the Yankees
Although it only won one of the eleven Oscars that it was up for at the 1943 ceremony, The Pride of the Yankees, a cross between a biopic and a sports drama, is an iconic classic that will always be at the top of the list.
Gary Cooper plays baseball legend Lou Gehrig, giving a performance choreographed by the creative mind of Sam Wood. That combination makes this film worthy of a place in the private film library of every lover of good cinema and sports. In the end, it took an Oscar for best editing.
King Richard
In modern sports cinematograph, King Richard might stand in a class by itself. The 2021 biographical representation of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, along with their father, Richard, was a resounding success with critics.
It didn’t do too well at the box office but was good enough to earn six Oscar nods. It won one, with Will Smith taking home a trophy for his performance of the elder Williams.
