The 1990s were the Golden Age ofkids' sports movies, with some of the most recognizable titles originating from this defining decade.From elevated made-for-television movies to celebrated cult classics, this genre boasts a wide range of sports underdog stories. This collection of films highlights how society utilizes sports as a narrative for positive upbringing. This comes with a series ofcommon sports movie stereotypes, as many of these movies deal with single parents, moving to a new town, or being an outcast. Despite relying on a handful of tropes, each film still maintains its unique message and humor.
The 1990s kids' sports movie is largely defined by the success of 1984’sThe Karate Kid. The martial arts film starring Ralph Macchio and Noriyuki “Pat” Morita helped create a lot of the tropes seen in later films, such as the single parent trope, the outcast coming-of-age trope, and the sports Hero’s Journey narrative. Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi serves as the iconic guru sports trainer, someone who can pass down the history, legacy, and training from a legend’s past. UsingThe Karate Kidas a measurable barometer, here are the best kids' sports movies from the 1990s.
65%
89%
62%
50%
77%
46%
63%
35%
54%
Rookie of the Year
41%
52%
23%
Angels in the Outfield
31%
49%
48%
38%
10The Big Green (1995)
The Big Green Was Another Patrick Renna Sports Movie
Although somewhat similar toThe Karate Kid, 1995’sThe Big Greenshares more narrative similarities toTaika Waititi’sNext Goal Wins, where the main character uses soccer to uplift a disheartened local community. FeaturingThe Sandlot’s Patrick Renna,The Big Greenis a direct result of the 1990s kids' sports movie boom and parrots the same humor used in other films. And this relatively underrated film retains a cult following. As one of Walt Disney’s many entries on this list,The Big Greenrepresents the media conglomerate’s unnerving grip on the kids' sports movie genre.
9Air Bud (1997)
The Start Of An Animal-Athlete Franchise
As the only animal-athlete on this list,Air Budcaptures the element of fun that sports ultimately heralds. This basketball-playing dog helps a struggling school basketball team, paired with the guidance of a former professional basketball player as a head coach. Though the sports action whimpers in comparison to the other movies,Air Budupholds all the kids' sports movie characteristics ofThe Karate Kid. Arguably the most famous title on the list,this cinematic canine boasts his own golden retriever franchise and cinematic universe.
8Angels in the Outfield (1994)
The Baseball Team That Gets Help From The Afterlife
Similar to the humbug Mr. Miayagi, Danny Glover’s George Knox is heavily set in his ways when Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Roger Bomman enters the field. Equipped with the ability to see angels,Bomman helps restore the team’s faith in themselves, especially when external forces begin to shake the foundation of the team. Together, Knox and Bomman find their family on the baseball diamond while reassuring them about their love for the game. Christopher Lloyd, Adrien Brody, and Matthew McConaughey also find themselves up to bat.
7The Mighty Ducks (1992)
Quack! Quack! Quack!
Aside fromThe Karate Kid, 1992’squotableThe Mighty Ducksstands as the defining entry into this decade’s popular movie genre. Starring Emilio Estevez as a lawyer-turned-hockey coach, this movie helped usher Disney into the world of sports. Also, the owner of the Los Angeles Angels fromAngels in the Outfield, Disney founded the Anaheim Ducks a year after the release of this Estevez star vehicle. This film is botha mirror of the 1980s comedy flick and foreshadowing the popularized kids' sports movie. As easily the most culturally impactful movie, this list would be nothing withoutThe Mighty Ducks.
6Rookie of the Year (1993)
Rookie of the Year Was Filled With ’90s Acting Legends
LikeAngels in the Outfield, 1993’sRookie of the Yearinterjects improbable fantasy as a child’s entry into the baseball world. It takes from theSpider-Manmythology as the young protagonist juggles his social life with newfound fame and responsibilities. This film adheres to the tenets set forth byThe Karate Kid, with Gary Busey’s Rocket Steadman oftentimes literally standing in as Henry Rowengartner’s father figure. Highlighted by an uncredited John Candy appearance and director Daniel Stern’s performance as pitching coach Brikma,Rookie of the Yearholds some of the best hidden gems from the kids' sports movie genre.
5Little Big League (1994)
A Child Ends Up Owning The Minnesota Twins
With an actual child as general manager, 1994’sLittle Big Leaguesometimes feels like a parody ofMoneyball. Unironically, Luke Edwards’ Billy Heywood is the middle school version of Billy Beane, a baseball mastermind who follows “fun” instead of heady sports analytics. As a result of a miraculous inheritance from his grandfather, Heywood leads the Minnesota Twins to the brink of the playoffs, and, likeRookie of the Year, his life as a child frequently interferes with his professional responsibilities. This film also mimicsThe Karate Kidby metaphorizing sports as a father figure.
4Little Giants (1994)
Great Performances From Ed O’Neill & Rick Moranis
Expanding onThe Karate Kid’s underdog narrative, 1994’sLittle Giantsis the epitome of this sports movie story trope. In a classic battle of big brother versus little brother, Ricky Moranis’ Danny O’Shea hopes to upend his Heisman-winning sibling in a local exhibition of Pee-Wee Football. Produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment,Little Giantsspeaks to the heart of sports.It repurposes NFL iconography to invite themes of community and acceptance,while featuring some of the League’s most recognizable names, like John Madden and Emmitt Smith.
3Heavyweights (1995)
One Of Ben Stiller’s Most Hilarious Roles
Likely the most unknown on this list, 1995’sHeavyweightsaims to subvert the overweight best friend character trope found in most coming-of-age movies. StarringThe Mighty Ducks’ Aaron Schwartz, this film features Camp Hope, the definitive summer camp for overweight kids, as it’s unexpectedly overtaken by a toxic fitness entrepreneur played by Ben Stiller.
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With Tom McGowan as the Miyagi-like camp counselor Pat, Schwartz’s Gerry Garner and the rest of Camp Hope band together in an Olympic-style competition with a rival camp. After developing a recent cult following,Heavyweightsstands as one of the decade’s forgotten classics.
2Johnny Tsunami (1999)
A Classic, 1990s Made-For-TV Movie
As a made-for-television movie, 1999’sJohnny Tsunamiis maybe the best representation of the underdog story. Yet another entry from the Disney super machine, this film follows a former surfer, Johnny Kapahala, as he moves from Hawaii to Vermont and is forced to learn how to snowboard. With surfing legend Johnny Tsunami as his grandfather and Miyagi-like mentor, young Johnny must channel his skills as a boarder to help unite a tense brotherly rivalry. Despite not receiving a theatrical release,Johnny Tsunamiretains a loyal fan following as a strong example of surfer culture and Asian representation.
1The Sandlot (1993)
The Sandlot Is One Of The Greatest Baseball Movies Ever Made
When it comes to 1990s kids' sports movies, none define the genre more than 1993’sThe Sandlot. Although the film doesn’t immediately relate toThe Karate Kid, a deep examination brings the two films closer together. The guidance of Mr. Miyagi is paralleled by the spirit of legendary player Babe Ruth. The Sandlot kids are positioned as underdogs against a Little League team. And new kid Scotty Smalls is the baseball version of Daniel LaRusso, struggling to make friends after moving to Los Angeles. More than 30 years later,The Sandlotstill remains the best in the kids' sports movie genre.
The Sandlot
Cast
The Sandlot is a beloved ’90s sports coming-of-age story centering around a group of baseball-loving kids that befriend a new boy that moves to town. The Sandlot takes place in the Summer of 1962 and stars Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, and Art LaFleur as the legendary Babe Ruth.
