Want to know the best Baseball Movies? How about the worst Baseball Movies? Curious about Baseball Movies did at the box office or which Baseball Movies picked up the most Oscar® nominations and Oscar® wins? Need to know which Baseball Movies movie got the best reviews from critics and audiences? Well you have come to the right place….because we have all of that information.
This page represents part 3 in a series of pages that are trying to identify the Top 400 Sports Movies Of All-Time. This page will look at the top 59 movies of baseball. Movies are ranked by using a combination of box office results, reviews from audiences and critics and award recognition.
To be considered for the page the movie had to be released at movie theaters so movies like Long Gone and 61 were NOT considered. If you see a movie not on the list, just put the title in the comment box and I will add the movie as long as it was released in theaters. It is hard to argue that The Pride of the Yankees is not the best baseball movie. It sits on the top of the box office chart, 2nd on the critics/audience chart, on top of the Movie Score chart, and it received 11 Oscar® nominations to boot…pretty impressive
Baseball Movies Movies Can Be Ranked 6 Ways In This Table
The really cool thing about this table is that it is “user-sortable”. Rank the movies anyway you want.
- Sort Baseball Movies by the star of the baseball movie
- Sort Baseball Movies by actual domestic box office grosses
- Sort Baseball Movies by adjusted box office grosses using current movie ticket cost
- Sort by how Baseball Movies were received by critics and audiences. 60% rating or higher should indicate a good movie.
- Sort by how many Oscar® nominations and how many Oscar® wins each Baseball Movie received.
- Sort Baseball Movies by Ultimate Movie Rankings (UMR) Score. UMR Score puts box office, reviews and awards into a mathematical equation and gives each movie a score.
| R | Movie (Year) | UMR Co-Star Links | Adj. B.O. Worldwide (mil) | UMR Score | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | Movie (Year) | UMR Co-Star Links | Actual B.O. Domestic (mil) | Adj. B.O. Domestic (mil) | Adj. B.O. Worldwide (mil) | B.O. Rank by Year | Review | Oscar Nom / Win | UMR Score | S |
| 1 | The Pride of the Yankees (1942) AA Best Picture Nom |
Gary Cooper & Walter Brennan |
10.5 | 425.0 | 425.00 | 9 | 84 | 11 / 01 | 99.4 | |
| 3 | Field of Dreams (1989) AA Best Picture Nom |
Kevin Costner & Burt Lancaster |
64.4 | 190.7 | 249.90 | 19 | 76 | 03 / 00 | 97.6 | |
| 2 | The Stratton Story (1949) | James Stewart | 10.3 | 280.8 | 280.80 | 8 | 78 | 01 / 01 | 97.2 | |
| 4 | The Bad News Bears (1976) | Walter Matthau | 32.2 | 177.7 | 177.70 | 18 | 87 | 00 / 00 | 97.1 | |
| 5 | A League of Their Own (1992) | Tom Hanks & Madonna |
107.5 | 304.5 | 375.00 | 10 | 76 | 00 / 00 | 96.2 | |
| 6 | Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949) | Gene Kelly & Frank Sinatra |
8.3 | 226.7 | 301.00 | 16 | 75 | 00 / 00 | 96.0 | |
| 7 | Moneyball (2011) AA Best Picture Nom |
Brad Pitt & Chris Pratt |
75.6 | 112.0 | 163.30 | 47 | 89 | 06 / 00 | 95.5 | |
| 8 | The Natural (1984) | Robert Redford & Robert Duvall |
48.0 | 167.7 | 167.70 | 15 | 74 | 04 / 00 | 94.1 | |
| 9 | Bull Durham (1988) | Kevin Costner & Susan Sarandon |
50.9 | 145.5 | 145.50 | 18 | 83 | 01 / 00 | 93.9 | |
| 10 | The Rookie (2002) | Dennis Quaid | 75.6 | 153.2 | 163.50 | 36 | 78 | 00 / 00 | 92.3 | |
| 11 | Damn Yankees (1958) | Tab Hunter | 7.4 | 145.5 | 145.50 | 30 | 75 | 01 / 00 | 91.1 | |
| 12 | Major League (1989) | Charlie Sheen & Wesley Snipes |
49.8 | 147.4 | 147.40 | 26 | 74 | 00 / 00 | 90.9 | |
| 13 | 42 (2013) | Harrison Ford & Chadwick Boseman |
95.0 | 137.3 | 140.90 | 37 | 74 | 00 / 00 | 89.6 | |
| 14 | The Babe Ruth Story (1948) | William Bendix | 6.3 | 185.5 | 185.50 | 41 | 57 | 00 / 00 | 88.9 | |
| 15 | It Happens Every Spring (1949) | Ray Millland | 5.1 | 140.4 | 140.40 | 56 | 66 | 01 / 00 | 87.1 | |
| 16 | The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training (1977) | Jackie Earle Haley | 35.3 | 186.2 | 186.20 | 25 | 50 | 00 / 00 | 86.4 | |
| 16 | Bingo Long's Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976) | Richard Pryor & Billy Dee Williams |
16.2 | 89.2 | 89.20 | 41 | 76 | 00 / 00 | 84.3 | |
| 18 | Angels in the Outfield (1951) | Janet Leigh | 4.2 | 98.4 | 111.90 | 85 | 69 | 00 / 00 | 82.6 | |
| 19 | The Sandlot (1993) | James Earl Jones | 32.4 | 92.1 | 92.10 | 49 | 68 | 00 / 00 | 80.7 | |
| 21 | Rookie of the Year (1993) | John Candy | 53.6 | 152.2 | 152.20 | 22 | 46 | 00 / 00 | 79.3 | |
| 20 | The Pride of St. Louis (1952) | Dan Dailey | 4.5 | 96.7 | 96.70 | 70 | 63 | 01 / 00 | 79.2 | |
| 22 | Brewster's Millions (1985) | Richard Pryor & John Candy |
40.8 | 135.2 | 135.20 | 20 | 51 | 00 / 00 | 78.8 | |
| 22 | The Jackie Robinson Story (1950) | Jackie Robinson | 2.7 | 66.4 | 66.40 | 115 | 70 | 00 / 00 | 76.8 | |
| 22 | Fear Strikes Out (1957) | Anthony Perkins & Karl Malden |
2.4 | 49.5 | 49.50 | 103 | 75 | 00 / 00 | 76.6 | |
| 26 | The Winning Team (1952) | Ronald Reagan & Doris Day |
4.0 | 85.3 | 95.20 | 86 | 63 | 00 / 00 | 76.2 | |
| 27 | Angels in the Outfield (1994) | Matthew McConaughey & Joseph Gordon-Levitt |
50.2 | 144.7 | 144.70 | 26 | 45 | 00 / 00 | 75.8 | |
| 25 | Bang the Drum Slowly (1973) | Robert DeNiro | 4.9 | 32.6 | 32.60 | 63 | 78 | 01 / 00 | 75.8 | |
| 28 | The Benchwarmers (2006) | David Spade & Rob Schneider |
59.8 | 106.9 | 116.00 | 52 | 55 | 00 / 00 | 75.1 | |
| 29 | Kill the Umpire (1950) | William Bendix | 2.3 | 56.0 | 56.00 | 138 | 70 | 00 / 00 | 74.0 | |
| 29 | Fever Pitch (2005) | Drew Barrymore & Jimmy Fallon |
42.1 | 77.2 | 92.60 | 71 | 63 | 00 / 00 | 73.9 | |
| 31 | The Battered Bastards of Baseball (2014) Netflix |
Kurt Russell | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 406 | 87 | 00 / 00 | 73.3 | |
| 32 | Eight Men Out (1988) | Charile Sheen & John Cusack |
5.7 | 16.2 | 16.20 | 120 | 79 | 00 / 00 | 71.0 | |
| 33 | Million Dollar Arm (2014) | Bill Paxton & Jon Hamm |
36.5 | 52.4 | 56.40 | 87 | 65 | 00 / 00 | 68.2 | |
| 34 | Sugar (2008) | Algenis Perez Solo | 1.1 | 1.8 | 1.80 | 203 | 81 | 00 / 00 | 67.6 | |
| 36 | For Love of the Game (1999) | Kevin Costner | 35.2 | 81.7 | 107.10 | 57 | 55 | 00 / 00 | 66.8 | |
| 35 | 61* (2001) HBO Movie |
Directed by Billy Crystal | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 317 | 80 | 00 / 00 | 65.5 | |
| 38 | Trouble with the Curve (2012) | Clint Eastwood & Justin Timberlake |
35.8 | 52.8 | 72.30 | 86 | 62 | 00 / 00 | 64.7 | |
| 38 | Hardball (2001) | Keanu Reeves | 40.2 | 83.6 | 91.70 | 62 | 51 | 00 / 00 | 63.7 | |
| 39 | Long Gone (1987) HBO Movie |
William L. Petersen | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 274 | 78 | 00 / 00 | 63.7 | |
| 38 | Bad News Bears (2005) | Billy Bob Thornton | 32.9 | 60.3 | 60.30 | 84 | 59 | 00 / 00 | 63.5 | |
| 39 | Running The Bases (2022) | Brett Varvel | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.70 | 112 | 73 | 00 / 00 | 56.5 | |
| 42 | The Kid From Left Field (1953) | Dan Dailey & Anne Bancroft |
2.3 | 45.7 | 45.70 | 151 | 59 | 00 / 00 | 55.6 | |
| 43 | Alibi Ike (1935) | Olivia de Havilland & Joe E. Brown |
1.3 | 61.4 | 83.60 | 107 | 53 | 00 / 00 | 54.7 | |
| 44 | The Hill (2023) | Dennis Quaid | 7.7 | 8.4 | 8.40 | 103 | 68 | 00 / 00 | 51.8 | |
| 44 | Big Leaguer (1953) | Edward G. Robinson | 1.4 | 27.1 | 27.10 | 189 | 61 | 00 / 00 | 48.5 | |
| 46 | Casey At The Bat (1927) | Wallace Beery | 1.2 | 42.9 | 42.90 | 55 | 55 | 00 / 00 | 47.7 | |
| 46 | Mr 3000 (2004) | Bernie Mac & Angela Bassett |
21.8 | 41.3 | 41.30 | 101 | 56 | 00 / 00 | 47.2 | |
| 48 | The Babe (1992) | John Goodman | 17.5 | 49.6 | 56.40 | 70 | 52 | 00 / 00 | 44.8 | |
| 47 | Chasing 3000 (2010) | Ray Liotta | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 314 | 67 | 00 / 00 | 44.6 | |
| 50 | Cobb (1994) | Tommy Lee Jones & Robert Wuhl |
1.0 | 2.9 | 2.90 | 192 | 64 | 00 / 00 | 40.2 | |
| 50 | High & Outside: A Baseball Noir (2017) Film Festival Circuit Only |
Ernie Hudson | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 263 | 64 | 00 / 00 | 37.2 | |
| 52 | Game 6 (2005) | Michael Keaton & Robert Downey Jr. |
0.1 | 0.2 | 0.20 | 289 | 61 | 00 / 00 | 30.6 | |
| 52 | The Comrades of Summer (1992) HBO Movie |
Joe Mantegna | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 226 | 61 | 00 / 00 | 30.1 | |
| 54 | Calvin Marshall (2009) Film Festival Circuit Only |
Steve Zahn | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 396 | 60 | 00 / 00 | 28.5 | |
| 54 | Everyone's Hero (2006) | Robin Williams & Rob Reiner |
14.5 | 25.9 | 29.70 | 136 | 51 | 00 / 00 | 28.0 | |
| 57 | The Fan (1996) | Robert DeNiro | 18.6 | 49.5 | 112.30 | 87 | 44 | 00 / 00 | 27.9 | |
| 57 | Pastime (1990) | William Russ | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.70 | 208 | 59 | 00 / 00 | 27.2 | |
| 57 | Safe at Home! (1962) | Roger Maris | 2.0 | 31.3 | 31.30 | 97 | 48 | 00 / 00 | 25.7 | |
| 59 | Major League II (1994) | Charlie Sheen & Tom Berenger |
30.6 | 88.2 | 88.20 | 45 | 27 | 00 / 00 | 22.1 | |
| 58 | Little Big League (1994) | Timothy Busfield | 12.3 | 35.3 | 35.30 | 101 | 45 | 00 / 00 | 21.4 | |
| 59 | The Perfect Game (2009) | Cheech Marin | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.60 | 196 | 55 | 00 / 00 | 20.7 | |
| 61 | Mickey (2004) | Harry Connick Jr. | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.60 | 243 | 54 | 00 / 00 | 18.7 | |
| 63 | Blue Skies Again (1983) | Andy Garcia | 1.5 | 5.5 | 5.50 | 125 | 52 | 00 / 00 | 17.4 | |
| 65 | Mr. Baseball (1992) | Tom Selleck | 20.9 | 59.1 | 59.10 | 64 | 34 | 00 / 00 | 15.8 | |
| 64 | Talent for the Game (1991) | Edward James Olmos | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.90 | 198 | 52 | 00 / 00 | 15.7 | |
| 65 | Bottom of the 9th (2019) | Sofía Vergara | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 306 | 51 | 00 / 00 | 13.6 | |
| 67 | The Phenom (2016) | Ethan Hawke & Paul Giamatti |
0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 356 | 50 | 00 / 00 | 12.7 | |
| 66 | Spaceman (2016) Film Festival Circuit Only |
Josh Duhamel | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 281 | 50 | 00 / 00 | 12.2 | |
| 68 | Chance (2020) Limited Release |
Matthew Modine | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 88 | 49 | 00 / 00 | 11.3 | |
| 68 | The Final Season (2007) | Sean Astin | 1.2 | 2.0 | 2.00 | 210 | 46 | 00 / 00 | 9.6 | |
| 71 | Trading Hearts (1988) | Raul Julia | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 297 | 47 | 00 / 00 | 9.0 | |
| 70 | Hustle (2004) ESPN Movies |
Tom Sizemore | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 332 | 44 | 00 / 00 | 6.5 | |
| 73 | The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978) | Tony Curtis | 7.1 | 35.6 | 35.60 | 73 | 31 | 00 / 00 | 5.1 | |
| 75 | Summer Catch (2001) | Freddie Prince | 19.8 | 41.1 | 41.10 | 100 | 25 | 00 / 00 | 3.3 | |
| 74 | Undrafted (2016) | James Belushi | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | 259 | 38 | 00 / 00 | 2.8 | |
| 76 | The Scout (1994) | Albert Brooks & Brendan Fraser |
2.7 | 7.8 | 7.80 | 164 | 34 | 00 / 00 | 2.3 | |
| 77 | Major League: Back to the Minors (1998) | Corbin Benson | 3.6 | 9.0 | 9.00 | 157 | 31 | 00 / 00 | 1.4 | |
| 78 | Ed (1996) | Matt LeBlanc | 4.4 | 11.8 | 11.80 | 156 | 26 | 00 / 00 | 0.7 | |
| 79 | The Slugger's Wife (1985) | Michael O'Keefe | 1.9 | 6.2 | 6.20 | 145 | 26 | 00 / 00 | 0.5 |
Stats and Possibly Interesting Things From The Above Baseball Movies Table
- Twelve Baseball Movies crossed the magical $100 million mark. That is a percentage of 20.68% of his movies listed. Domestic top box office hit is The Pride of the Yankees (1942)…barely beating out A League of Their Own (1992).
- An average Baseball Movie grosses $54.80 million in adjusted box office gross.
- Using RottenTomatoes.com’s 60% fresh meter. 30 Baseball Movies are rated as good movies…or 50.84% of his movies. Highest rated Baseball movie is Moneyball (2011). Lowest rated Baseball movie is Ed (1996).
- Ten Baseball Movies received at least one Oscar® nomination in any category…..or 16.94% of the listed movies.
- Two Baseball Movies won at least one Oscar® in any category…..or 3.38% of his movies.
- An average Ultimate Movie Rankings (UMR) Score is 39.86. 14 of Baseball Movies’s movies scored higher that average….or 23.72% of his movies. The Pride of the Yankees (1942) got the highest UMR Movie Score….Ed (1996) got the lowest UMR Score.
My other Sports Movie Links
- Top 100 Biggest Box Office Grossing Sports Movies
- Top 100 Best Reviewed Sports Movies
- Top 400 Sports Movies
- Ranking Baseball Movies
- Ranking Basketball Movies
- Ranking Boxing Movies
- Ranking Football Movies
- Ranking Golf Movies
- Ranking Hockey Movies
- Ranking Olympics Movies
- Ranking Racing Movies
- Ranking Soccer Movies
- Ranking Other Sports Movies poker, surfing, rodeo, curling and others
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great blog, You describe a great movie list about baseball. All movies you mention in this blog are great.(Money ball) and (The Bad News Bears )both are the best movie.
In 1949 The Stratton Story starring James Stewart and It Happens Every Spring starring Ray Milland, both baseball films were number 1 at the box office in back to back weeks,
Nice page. I decided to check this one out after reading your interview. This has some interesting stuff. Two Angels in the Outfield movies I did not know the one I watched as a kid was a remake. 11 Oscar nominations for a baseball movie? WOW! Glad to see Costner’s Field of Dreams in the Top 5, but Bull Durham not in the Top Ten makes no sense. An eye opening page.
Field of Dreams” for wistfulness, “Bull Durham” for romance and “Bad News Bears” for fun. I’m a big baseball fan so I will try to see the others in your compilation. Really enjoyed this page. Cheers!
Hey Jools99….glad you liked my baseball page….this was a huge project as I did a sports movie page on all the major sports. The three movies you mentioned did very well on the final Top 100 Sports movies of all-time sports page…they finished…Bad News Bears #35, Bull Durham #44, and Field of Dreams #13…that was out of about 1600 movies. Thanks for leaving a comment.
“Pride of the Yankees” “The Natural” and “Field of Dreams” are my three favorites. I had not heard of the Jimmy Stewart movie�the only one you listed with which I am unfamiliar. I will check that out. Thank you for an excellent page. I enjoyed it!
Thanks James for checking out my baseball movie page…The Stratton Story is excellent and based on a true story…I highly recommend watching it….it ended up in the Top 25 of all sports movies…in my Top 100 Sports Movies of All time….glad you enjoyed the page.