Million Dollar Arm
Million Dollar Arm hits the big screen this week and marks the return of Jon Hamm - hard to believe, but this is one of the biggest film roles of his career.
Million Dollar Arm is based on a true story and is a new baseball drama from Disney. To celebrate the release of the film, we have taken a look at some of the most successful sports movies of all time.
- The Blind Side - $309 million
The Blind Side hit the big screen back in 2010, and saw Sandra Bullock pick up an Oscar for her central performance.
The movie tells the true story of Michael Omar, a homeless boy who is taken in by the Tuohy family, With their help and support, Michael would go on to become an All American football player.
The Blind Side is as much a family drama as it is a sports film - some of the scenes where Bullock is on the training field with Michael are some of the film's best moments.
John Lee Hancock was in the director's chair for the film, which was both a critical and commercial hit.
The Blind Side grossed over $309 million at the global box office, and is one of the most successful films in this genre.
- Rocky IV - $300 million
You can't talk about sports movies without giving Rocky a little mention. The fourth instalment is the most financially successful, and hit the big screen back in 1986.
Stallone was in the director's chair and penned the screenplay as well as reprising the title role. The movie follows Rocky as he prepares to fight Drago in the heart of Russia.
The critical response to Rocky IV was mixed, but that didn't stop fans all heading into cinemas to see the ultimate underdog.
Rocky is one of the most successful sporting franchises of all time: Rocky made $225 million, Rocky II made $200 million, Rocky III took $270 million, & Rocky V made $119 million.
- Real Steel - $299 million
Real Steel is a boxing movie come robot film, and saw Shawn Levy back in the director's chair back in 2011.
Hugh Jackman was in the central role of Charlie Kenton, a former boxer who is forced to train a robot by his estranged son.
Real Steel is a terrific futuristic sports movie, which sees robots having taken the place of people in the boxing ring - the fights really are some of the film's best moments.
Real Steel was the first time that Jackman had teamed up with Levy, while Dakoto Goy, Evangeline Lilly, and Anthony Mackie were some of the other names on board.
The movie grossed over $299 million at the box office, and was one of my favourite family movies of 2011.
- Million Dollar Baby - $216 million
If you are looking for a truly great boxing film to sink your teeth into, Million Dollar Baby could well be the film for you.
Clint Eastwood was in the director's chair as well as on the cast list, as he teamed up with Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman.
The movie follows Maggie Fitzgerald, a wannabe boxer who has to battle to convince Frankie Dunn to train her.
Million Dollar Baby is another terrific underdog story, as well as having a very warm relationship between Maggie & Frankie (Swank & Eastwood) at its core.
Million Dollar Baby went on to win the Best Picture Oscar, while Eastwood won Best Director. Swank would pick up her second Best Actress gong, while Freeman won Best Supporting Actor.
- The Longest Yard - $190 million
In 2005, Adam Sandler teamed up with director Peter Segal for sports comedy The Longest Yard: a remake of the 1974 film of the same name.
The Longest Yard would see the director and actor reunite, having worked on 50 First Dates together.
Sandler took on the central role of Paul Crewe, a disgraced former NFL player who is sent to prison for three years. Here he is forced to form a team to take on the prison guards.
An all-star cast was brought together for the film, as Chris Rock, Burt Reynolds, Nelly, and Terry Crews were just some of the names on board.
The Longest Yard enjoyed the most successful opening of Sandler's career. The movie would gross $158 million in the U.S.
- Remember the Titans - $136 million
Remember the Titans hit the big screen back in 2001, and saw Denzel Washington take on the lead role in the true story.
Washington took on the role of Coach Herman Boone and the movie follows Boone on his first season at T. C. Williams High School. It is the first year of a racially integrated football team.
Remember The Titans is a movie that is much about racial tolerance as it is about football, as the two sides come together on the field.
Remember The Titians performed well in the U.S. taking over $115 million, and staying in the top five for six weeks.
Million Dollar Arm is released 29th August.