Underdog Sports backdrop

Underdog Sports movies

Against-the-odds sports movies about growth, perseverance, teamwork, and defying expectations in competition.

Karate Kid: Legends

1. Karate Kid: Legends

Action Adventure Drama Martial Arts Action Coming-of-Age Adventure
6.3
20251h 34min

Overview

After a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren't enough. Li's kung fu teacher Mr. Han enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.

Themes

Protective parenting, Migration and adaptation, Mentor collaboration, Hybrid training tension, Legacy vs progress, Cultural expectation pressure

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Next Goal Wins

2. Next Goal Wins

Comedy Drama Buddy Comedy Underdog Sports
6.5
20231h 44min

Overview

Dutch coach Thomas Rongen attempts the nearly impossible task of turning the American Samoa soccer team from perennial losers into winners.

Themes

World cup pressure, Underdog perseverance, Transgender inclusion, Coach authority, Indigenous community dynamics, Based on true story credibility

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

White Men Can't Jump

3. White Men Can't Jump

Comedy Drama Buddy Comedy Underdog Sports
5.2
20231h 41min

Overview

Seemingly opposite street hoopers, Jeremy, an injury prone former star, and Kamal, a has-been prodigy, team up to take one final shot at living out their dreams.

Themes

"movie: white men can't jump. genres: comedy, Drama, Comedy, Drama main themes: male friendship, Basketball, Streetball, Male friendship, Basketball, Streetball full keywords list: male friendship, Basketball, Streetball, Los angeles, California, Buddy, Confidence artist, Hustling. concept analysis: the film explores the themes of resilience and redemption, Illustrating how personal struggles can lead to growth and self-discovery. it emphasizes the importance of friendship and teamwork in overcoming life's challenges and pursuing one's dreams."

Available on

Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Home Team

4. Home Team

Family Comedy Drama Parent-Child Family Underdog Sports
6.0
20221h 35min

Overview

Two years after a Super Bowl win when NFL head coach Sean Payton is suspended, he goes back to his hometown and finds himself reconnecting with his 12-year-old son by coaching his Pop Warner football team.

Themes

Duty to family vs career, Local sports legacy, Mentorship through unconventional teaching, Pressure of competition, Community renewal through coaching, Rebuilding trust after scandal

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Champions

5. Champions

Comedy Family Drama Underdog Sports
7.2
20182h 4min

Overview

A disgraced basketball coach is given the chance to coach Los Amigos, a team of players who are intellectually disabled, and soon realizes they just might have what it takes to make it to the national championships.

Themes

Disability inclusion, Team resilience, Community impact, Unlikely mentorship, Personal growth, Sports as equalizer

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Eddie the Eagle

6. Eddie the Eagle

Comedy Drama History Adventure Underdog Sports
7.3
20161h 46min

Overview

The feel-good story of Michael 'Eddie' Edwards, an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself—even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach, Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Themes

Underdog perseverance, Self-trained breakthrough, Institutional resistance to outsiders, Unorthodox coaching methods, National pride and recognition, Time pressure to qualify

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Million Dollar Arm

7. Million Dollar Arm

Drama Underdog Sports
7.0
20142h 4min

Overview

In a last-ditch effort to save his career, sports agent JB Bernstein dreams up a wild game plan to find Major League Baseball’s next great pitcher from a pool of cricket players in India. He soon discovers two young men who can throw a fastball but know nothing about the game of baseball. Or America. It’s an incredible and touching journey that will change them all — especially JB, who learns valuable lessons about teamwork, commitment and family.

Themes

Mentor-mentee growth, Cross-border talent scouting, Adaptation to unfamiliar systems, Opportunity vs exploitation, Performance pressure from investors, Teamwork and loyalty

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Here Comes the Boom

8. Here Comes the Boom

Comedy Action Drama Martial Arts Action Underdog Sports
6.4
20121h 45min

Overview

A high school biology teacher moonlights as a mixed-martial arts fighter in an effort to raise money to save the school's music program.

Themes

Education funding pressure, Teacher as fundraiser, Professional purpose versus obligation, Student empowerment through arts, Music program value, Community mobilization around education

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Goon

9. Goon

Comedy Drama Buddy Comedy Underdog Sports
6.8
20121h 32min

Overview

Doug Glatt, a slacker who discovers he has a talent for brawling, is approached by a minor league hockey coach and invited to join the team as the "muscle." Despite the fact that Glatt can't skate, his best friend, Pat, convinces him to give it a shot, and Glatt becomes a hero to the team and their fans, until the league's reigning goon becomes threatened by Glatt's success and decides to even the score.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Duty to protect, Mentor protege dynamics, Public scrutiny and validation, Rising reputation and consequences, Violence in sport

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Never Back Down

10. Never Back Down

Drama Action Martial Arts Action Underdog Sports
6.5
20081h 53min

Overview

Jake, full of anger after his father's death, is just starting to find a place for himself at his new Orlando high school - until Ryan, head of an underground MMA fight club, picks Jake out as a prime opponent. After being trounced by Ryan in front of the entire school, Jake begins training under the firm, moral guidance of a MMA master, where he learns how to fight... and how to avoid a fight. But it becomes obvious that a rematch will be inevitable if Jake wants to stop Ryan and his bullying, once and for all.

Themes

Peer pressure and acceptance, Discipline vs aggression, Underground fighting culture, Trauma shaping motivation, Mentorship under strain, Control through training

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.