Top 5 Baseball Movies of All Time

There was a national survey conducted that ranked the top five baseball movies of all time.  Below you will find the listings of the movies with a brief description of what the movie is about.

Based on a national survey here is the rankings of the top 5 movies

A national poll was conducted asking individuals to submit their suggestions of the best baseball movies.  There were no restrictions and movies dating back to the 1930's to present were options for the list.

The Natural

Number 5

As the credits rolled on the last film and 5th on the survey,, "The Natural,".  Roy Hobbs, with his mystical bat "Wonderboy", emerged as a symbol of the enduring spirit of baseball. The film, with its blend of myth and reality, celebrated the indomitable human spirit and the timeless pursuit of excellence on the baseball diamond.

As the friends emerged from the cinema into the night, the crack of a distant bat echoed in their ears. Inspired by the tales they had witnessed on screen, they couldn't wait to return to their own sandlots and fields, where the magic of baseball awaited, ready to weave new stories of camaraderie, resilience, and the enduring love of the game.

Number 4

Bull Durham

The laughter and camaraderie of the crowd continued with "Bull Durham," fourth on the survey which is a comedic glimpse into the world of minor league baseball. Crash Davis, a seasoned veteran, was tasked with mentoring the talented but erratic pitcher Nuke LaLoosh. The film's witty dialogue and colorful characters provided a backstage pass to the quirks and eccentricities that defined life in the minor leagues. The diamond became a stage for both the drama and the hilarity that unfolded in the pursuit of the big leagues.

Number 3

A League of Their Own

As the reels spun, the audience found themselves transported to the tumultuous 1940s, where the world of women's baseball unfolded in "A League of Their Own." Third on the list is this captivating tale which chronicles the Rockford Peaches and their journey through triumphs and tribulations. Dottie Hinson's powerful swing and Kit Keller's fiery spirit became symbols of resilience and female empowerment on the diamond. The film not only celebrated the athleticism of women in baseball but also highlighted the enduring spirit of the sport during a challenging time in history.

Number 2

Field of Dreams

Next on the cinematic roster was the iconic "Field of Dreams." In the cornfields of Iowa, a farmer named Ray Kinsella heard a mysterious voice urging him to build a baseball diamond. The ethereal whispers beckoned both the living and the spirits of baseball legends to the magical field. The audience marveled at the beauty of the game's timeless connection between generations, as fathers played catch with sons and the ghosts of baseball past graced the diamond. "If you build it, he will come," became a mantra echoing through the hearts of those who believed in the transcendence of the sport.

And Number 1...........

The Sandlot

In the heart of a small town, where the rhythmic crack of a wooden bat against a leather-covered ball echoed through the summer air, a group of friends gathered at the local cinema. The flickering light of the projector illuminated their eager faces as they prepared to embark on a cinematic journey through the hallowed fields of baseball history. 

The lights dimmed, and the screen came to life with the vibrant images of "The Sandlot." Set in the early 1960s, the film transported the audience to a time when baseball was more than just a game; it was a way of life for a group of neighborhood kids. The misadventures of Scotty Smalls and Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez unfolded, celebrating the magic of childhood friendships forged on dusty diamonds and under the watchful eyes of legendary baseball heroes. As the credits rolled, the audience couldn't help but feel a nostalgic tug at their own memories of sandlot glory.

List of all baseball movies made, dating back to 1942 with the Pride of the Yankees

Name of Movie Year Released Type
The Pride of the Yankees 1942 Biographical
It Happened in Flatbush 1942 Comedy
Ladies’ Day 1943 Comedy
The Babe Ruth Story 1948 Biographical
It Happens Every Spring 1949 Comedy
The Stratton Story 1949 Biographical
The Kid from Cleveland 1949 Comedy
Kill the Umpire 1950 Comedy
The Jackie Robinson Story 1950 Biographical
Angels in the Outfield 1951 Comedy
Rhubarb 1951 Comedy
The Pride of St. Louis 1952 Biographical: Dizzy Dean
The Winning Team 1953 Biographical
The Kid from Left Field 1953 Comedy
Big Leaguer 1953 Drama
Roogie’s Bump 1954 Comedy
The Great American Pastime 1956 Comedy
Fear Strikes Out 1957 Biographical: Jimmy Piersall
Damn Yankees 1958 Musical
Safe at Home! 1962 Comedy
Bang the Drum Slowly 1973 Drama
The Bad News Bears 1976 Comedy
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings 1976 Comedy
Murder at the World Series 1977 Drama
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training 1977 Comedy
One in a Million 1978 Biographical: Ron LeFlore
A Love Affair 1978 Biographical: Lou Gehrig
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan 1978 Comedy
The Kid from Left Field 1979 Comedy
The Comeback Kid 1980 Comedy
Don’t Look Back 1981 Biographical: Satchel Paige
Blue Skies Again 1983 Comedy
Tiger Town 1983 Comedy
The Natural 1984 Drama
Brewster’s Million 1985 Comedy
The Slugger’s Wife 1985 Romance
A Winner Never Quits 1986 Biographical: Pete Gray
Long Gone 1987 Comedy
Amazing Grace and Chuck 1987 Drama
Bull Durham 1988 Rom-Com
Eight Men Out 1988 Biographical: 1919 White Sox
Stealing Home 1988 Drama
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad 1988 Comedy
Field of Dreams 1989 Drama
Major League 1989 Comedy
Mr. Destiny 1990 Comedy
Taking Care of Business 1990 Comedy
Pastime 1990 Drama
Talent for the Game 1991 Drama
The Babe 1992 Biographical: Babe Ruth
A League of Their Own 1992 Comedy
Mr. Baseball 1992 Rom-Com
Rookie of the Year 1993 Comedy
The Man from Left Field 1993 Comedy
The Sandlot 1993 Comedy
Angels in the Outfield (Disney) 1994 Comedy
Cobb 1994 Biographical: Ty Cobb
Little Big League 1994 Comedy
Major League II 1994 Comedy
The Scout 1994 Comedy
Dorf on the Diamond 1996 Comedy
Ed 1996 Comedy
The Fan 1996 Thriller
Soul of the Game 1996 Biographical: Negro Leagues
Joe Torre: Curveballs Along the Way 1997 Biographical
Major League: Back to the Minors 1998 Comedy
For Love of the Game 1999 Drama
Perfect Game 2000 Comedy
Angels in the Infield 2000 Comedy
61* 2001 Drama
Hardball 2001 Drama
Summer Catch 2001 Romance
The Rookie 2002 Biographical: Jim Morris
Bleacher Bums 2002 Comedy
Hustle 2004 Biographical: Pete Rose
Mickey 2004 Drama
Mr. 3000 2004 Comedy
Fever Pitch 2005 Rom-Com
Bad News Bears 2005 Remake- Comedy
The Sandlot 2 2005 Comedy
The Benchwarmers 2006 Comedy
Off the Black 2006 Drama
The Final Season 2007 Drama
The Sandlot- Heading Home 2007 Comedy
The Bronx is Burning 2007 Biographical: Billy Martin
Sugar 2008 Drama
Touching Home 2008 Drama
The Perfect Game 2009 Drama
The Open Road 2008 Drama
Clavin Marshall 2009 Comedy
Chasing 3000 2010 Drama
How Do You Know 2010 Rom-Com
A Mile in His Shoes 2011 Drama
Moneyball 2011 Drama
Trouble with the Curve 2012 Drama
Home Run 2013 Drama
42 2013 Biographical: Jackie Robinson
Million Dollar Arm 2014 Drama
The Phenom 2015 Drama
Everybody Wants Some 2016 Comedy
Undrafted 2016 Comedy
Bottom of the 9th 2019 Drama
Baseball Girl 2020 Drama