Oscar fever: 20 sports movies that won the Oscar or were nominated
Rocky
Along with movies of other genre, over the years sports movies have made a place for themselves in the international film fraternity. We have seen in the past that several movies made on the subject of sports have won several accolades including the highest one, the Oscars. Some have won the coveted award and some have secured nominations.
2013′s most talked about sports movie was Ron Howard’s Rush. The Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl starrer was based on the prominent on-track Formula 1 rivalry between James Hunt and Nicki Lauda. It was greeted warmly by film critics and it held a rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. Surprisingly the film did not get a single nomination for the Oscars this year.
In this article Sportskeeda provides a list of top 20 movies which have either been nominated for an Oscar or won the award.
Rocky (1976)
This Sylvester Stallone starrer was one of the pioneers of this particular genre of films. It got nominated in seven categories at the academy awards out of which it won three Oscars.
Another cult sports movie, based on two athletes of the 1924 Paris Olympics, Eric Liddell, who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, who runs to overcome prejudice. It received an Academy award in four categories.
Million Dollar Baby
This Clint Eastwood directed movie is based on the story about a little known boxing trainer who was never appreciated for his contributions. The trainer provides guidance to an amateur boxer who finally achieves success and becomes a professional boxer.
The movie got four Academy awards.
The Wrestler (2008)
‘The Wrestler’, directed by Darren Aronofsky, is based on the life of a retired wrestler. It got two Oscar nominations but did not win a single award. Mickey Rourke played the protagonist and was heavily lauded for his performance.
The Fighter (2010)
This movie released in 2010 is a sports drama film which circulates around the life of a professional boxer and his half-brother. Directed by David O. Russell, it was nominated in seven categories at the Academy awards and bagged two Oscars.