As a bookend to Sports Drama Films, Sports Comedies have grown in popularity since the 1970’s. Unlike Sports Dramas which tend to be one-off films, Sports Comedies have quite a few franchises including The Love Bug (1968), The Bad News Bears (1976), Major League (1989) and The Mighty Ducks (1992). There are also many classic Sports Comedy Films including 1970’s films The Longest Yard (1974), Slap Shot (1977) and North Dallas Forty (1979).
The 1980’s kicked off with Caddyshack (1980) and The Cannonball Run (1981) and that decade continued to produce some of the all-time funniest Sports Comedies with Teen Wolf (1985), Better Off Dead (1985), Back to School (1986), and Bull Durham (1988).
The 1990’s saw an increase in Sports Comedies throughout the decade with classics including White Men Can’t Jump (1992), A League of Their Own (1992), The Sandlot (1993), Happy Gilmore (1996), Kingpin (1996), Tin Cup (1996), Space Jam (1996), The Big Lebowski (1998) and The Waterboy (1998).
2000 – Present saw more of a focus on family and kid orientated Sports Comedies with Snow Dogs (2002), Kicking & Screaming (2005), Herbie Fully Loaded (2005), Bad News Bears (2005), The Game Plan (2007), and Tooth Fairy (2010). However, there were also a few classic Sports Comedies during these two decades including DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story (2004), Nacho Libre (2006), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), Goon (2012), and I, Tonya (2017).
Our list of Sports Comedies includes over 155+ films including sports films for both kids and adults. Like other lists, we start with films starting in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s as that is when most Sports Comedies became popular. Below is an overall list of Top Sports Comedies You Haven’t Seen with the following honorable mentions: The Comeback Kid (1980), Wildcats (1986), Necessary Roughness (1991), Angels in the Outfield (1994), Out Cold (2001), Big Fan (2009), Spaceman (2016) and Battle of the Sexes (2017).
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here’s the list of Top Sports Comedies You Haven’t Seen:
#10
Touch and Go
Plot: An ice hockey star befriends a gang’s youngest member.
KBZ’s Take: This would fall more into the realm of a romantic comedy with hockey as the sport in the background. However, it’s led by great performances from both Michael Keaton and Maria Conchita Alonso. A forgotten 80’s film that is worth a watch for fans of the decade and Michael Keaton.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Ds0ecS
Plot: A major league baseball player marries a woman but both suffer career setbacks.
KBZ’s Take: Another 80’s forgotten film that was skewered by the critics. Despite what the critics say, this is an entertaining film exploring a relationship between professionals and how difficult it can be to juggle both a profession and marriage. It also explores the intricacies of a baseball player’s biggest fear – the slump.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HGFz7f
#8
Ladybugs
Plot: A guy agrees to coach his company’s all girl soccer team with his fiancée’s son posing as a girl on the team.
KBZ’s Take: This film would not be made today as it’s politically incorrect throughout most of the film. But with a Rodney Dangerfield film, you shouldn’t go in expecting PC type humor. Despite some cringeworthy sequences in the film, it still is funny and has an overall family-friendly message.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3ReDMJW
Plot: Chimpanzee joins a junior league hockey team.
KBZ’s Take: This is a fun and entertaining family film that kids will enjoy. It also has funny sequences and homages to past hockey sports comedies including Slap Shot (1977). In fact, the Slap Shot homage is so funny that this should be marked as a film for adults to watch with their children if you want a laugh out loud moment.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3YaBBJu
#6
Pumpkin
Plot: A sorority coaches a physically challenged athletic team.
KBZ’s Take: A Black Comedy that treads carefully on a sensitive subject. The film itself has an original premise with many funny and heartwarming moments. Though it tends to be more of a College Comedy than a Sports Comedy, it uses the backdrop of sports throughout its narrative and especially in the 3rd Act. Be on the lookout for early film roles from Melissa McCarthy and Amy Adams.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://tubitv.com/movies/306942/pumpkin
#5
Fired Up!
Plot: Two popular high school guys leave football for cheerleader camp.
KBZ’s Take: The American Pie of Teen Sports Comedies, this film is funnier (and raunchier) than you would think especially with a PG-13 rating. Though its premise isn’t all that original and follows standard Fish Out of Water comedy tropes, there are some very laugh out loud sequences that will have you tearing up.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40d5CKA
#4
Goon
Plot: A loser who has a talent for fighting is invited to join a minor league hockey team.
KBZ’s Take: This film is basically the cousin of Slap Shot (1977) and if the Hanson Brothers were given their own film. For a sports film, the humor is quite dark, and the fights are brutal and bloody. Sean William Scott seems born to play his role though Live Schreiber steals the show as the league’s top hockey enforcer.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Jz4BXc
#3
Up the Creek
Plot: Four college losers are forced to participate in an intercollegiate raft race.
KBZ’s Take: This film often gets confused with Hot Dog… The Movie (1984) as both films came out in 1984 and were ‘R-rated college sports themed’. However, Up The Creek actually holds up well 35+ years later. It’s much funnier, has better acting, has Tim Matheson basically reprising his role as Otter from Animal House (1978) and of course has Chuck The Wonder Dog.
Additional Lists: The Best 1980’s Sex Comedies #11
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3wa8SIR
Plot: Football star lands in jail and has to coach his fellow inmates in a game against the guards.
KBZ’s Take: Not to be confused with the inferior Adam Sandler remake The Longest Yard (2005), the original is the version to see even if you’ve already seen the remake or deciding between the two. This film is one of the top classic Sports Comedies that unfortunately younger generations have not seen. But it’s worth watching ‘for a 70’s film’ as it far exceeds the remake in both laughs and football action.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3WPfgQD
#1
The Hammer
Plot: A construction worker and part-time boxing instructor decides to train for the Olympics.
KBZ’s Take: This gem of a film is mostly unknown but is a must-see film for any fans of Sports Comedies. One of the funniest boxing films you’ll ever see and should be included in the conversation for all-time funniest sports comedies. Though Adam Carolla’s humor might not be for everyone, the film somehow meshes an underdog story with an unconventional romantic comedy with side splitting humor throughout.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3kHXxgD
