Have a budding athlete at home? Have a teen looking forward to playing their first tournament or game? Want to nudge your teens to try out a sport? Well, the answer to all these questions is motivating sports movies for teens of course! We would be lying if we said we didn’t get inspired to persevere after we watched Bhaag Milkha Bhaag or got off our sofa after watching Mary Kom’s fitness routine and her never-give-up attitude. All we are saying is that sports needs motivation and there are various motivational techniques that you can try with your teen, but sports movies for teens are an important strength in your arsenal as teens love movies, who would say no to Netflix before bed? Most importantly, through these movies, you are exposing your kids to real-life and reel-life stories that highlight a central aspect of sports that is relevant to every aspect of our lives- hard work and determination. To start off this year with a healthy dose of optimism in your teen’s life by watching these sports movies for teens that aim to aspire and inspire!
Blind Side- It is one of the most inspiring sports movies for teens. This is about a real-life boy who fought all odds to become a celebrated sportsperson in the NFL or the National Football League. This film beautifully tells the story of Michael Oher, an American football offensive lineman who overcame societal and personal battles to emerge at the top in one of the most competitive sports in America. This story is about his adoptive parents Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy who adopted Michael, identified his gift, and showed him a path towards success and triumph. Starring Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy, Tim McGraw as Sean Tuohy, and Quinton Aaron as Oher, this movie made all the box office records when it was released in 2009, even fetching Bullock an Oscar for her performance in this movie. As an African-American, Michael Oher had to face racial discrimination and pervasive stereotyping while dealing with homelessness and unsafe surroundings. With no roof over his head or stable family life, Michael still remained a humble and kind boy, something Leigh Anne discovered before deciding to adopt him. Upon discovering his football prowess on the field, his adoptive parents show him the encouragement and the affection needed to breed the talent that Michael had that led him to become one of the most successful football linebackers ever drafted by the NFL. A true story that aims to inspire and retell the good old tale of challenging work and compassion, this is on the must-watch list for sports movies for teens!
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag- Not going to lie, but we still find ourselves humming the title of this movie every now and then! This movie is not just a sports movie for teens, but it is more than that- it is a movie about fortitude, perseverance, national pride, grit, determination…we could go on. This is a great movie to watch if your teen is about to play their first match or is extremely nervous to get back on the field after the pandemic. To see where Milkha Singh came from and where he reached just by his sheer spirit is truly an inspiring feat and will surely inspire your teens to have faith in their own endeavors, making this one of the classics in the category of sports movies for teens. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag has all the elements to get your teen the much-needed dose of optimism to start their 2022!
Mary Kom- The wonderful thing about these autobiographical sports films in India is that they spread awareness and give the screen the much-needed representation it needs. Mary Kom finds herself one of the best sports movies for teens because of its portrayal of one of the most celebrated Olympians of all times- Mary Kom. Growing up at a tumultuous time in Manipur where everyday dangers of civil unrest grew darker, Mary Kom bred her passion for women’s boxing. Despite the roadblocks, physical, mental, and societal she emerged out of the whole ordeal a strong and decorated Olympian even after having children. Nobody can deny the goosebumps we all got in the ending as Mary plays the match of her life, while her child goes through a tough surgical procedure, we were on our edge and so will your teen!
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire- Hear us out on this! This movie might not be the obvious choice when it comes to sports films, but it is on our list because sportsmanship is at the heart of this movie. In the fourth installment of the much-celebrated series, this movie is set during the prestigious Triwizard tournament where selected competitors must compete in a variety of magical sporting events to win the hallowed Chalice. This movie is a great representation of what it means to be an athlete, magical or real. How Harry puts his humanity first on numerous instances and not bloodlust competition is an endearing message which makes it one of the best sports movies for teens!
Chak De India- This list would not be complete if we didn’t include one of the greatest sports films of all time- Chak De India. It is truly a rousing tale about the strong determination of the neglected women’s hockey team. This movie comes at a wonderful time as our real-life women’s hockey team performed brilliantly this Olympic season. Shah Rukh Khan as Kabir Khan, the strict yet determined coach who leads his team with the motivation it deserves. It is also a story about unity in diversity when it comes to multiethnic and multilingual teams showing how national pride and love for game unites us all in the quest for greatness. Plus, ladies taking charge of the field, it had to be on our lists for best sports movies for teens!
Million Dollar Baby- This is a great movie for your older kids especially if they are having a tough time dealing with motivation. It is a heart-wrenching tale of a talented young boxer Maggie Fitzgerald played by Hillary Swank whose only aim is to become a boxer. Driven by her passion for the ring, she meets Frankie, who runs a tattered gym in Los Angeles, a far cry away from his former glory. Moved by Maggie’s grit and determination, Frankie agrees to coach her and this dynamic takes Maggie’s career to reach heights only to be met with roadblocks. It is a heavy sports drama film that will surely tug on your teen’s heartstrings and make them appreciate the beauty of playing a sport.
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