The 9 Best Sports Comedies Of All Time, Ranked

We don’t know why or how, but there’s something universally appealing about a worthwhile sports comedy.

Perhaps it’s watching an otherwise beloved sport portrayed in a humorous light, or allowing viewers to experience a memorable underdog story in a hilariously exaggerated way. No matter what, sports comedies remain a dependable pillar of the larger comedic landscape, delighting anyone and everyone fortunate enough to hit play.

With audiences looking ahead to the highly anticipated release of Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix, we decided to put together a list of our absolute favorite sports comedy films, ranking them in order from worst to best.

9. Major League (1989)

Featuring what might very well be the biggest cast of misfits to ever pack up a baseball bat, Major League answers the age-old question: “What if the cast of National Lampoon’s Animal House decided to pursue a career in professional sports?” Featuring a talented cast that includes the likes of Tom Berenger, Wesley Snipes, and Charlie Sheen, it’s a rough-and-rumble baseball flick marked by low-brow humor, dishonest pitching tactics, and voodoo-practioning outfielders. … What more could you ever want out of a baseball film?

8. Caddyshack (1980)

You don’t have to be a fan of golf in order to enjoy Caddyshack. Among the most iconic comedy films of the 1980s, Caddyshack benefits most clearly from its massive ensemble cast, cobbling together some of the most prominent comedians of the decade. Whether looking at Rodney Dangerfield and Chevy Chase to Bill Murray and Ted Knight, every scene of Caddyshack is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, from scenes portraying rambunctious gophers to sequences focusing on Murray’s borderline demented groundskeeper. 

7. Happy Gilmore (1996)

As with the aforementioned comedic might of Caddyshack, Happy Gilmore finds a way to humorously explore the divide between upper-class elitism and working-class average joes in the course of its approachable storyline. Led by a memorably energetic Adam Sandler swinging away with the might of an Olympian hockey player, Happy Gilmore is perhaps the single best entry in the SNL alumnus’ filmography to date, more than measuring up to Sandler’s equally popular ‘90s films like Billy Madison or The Wedding Singer.

6. Dodgeball (2004)

Looking back, Dodgeball can very much compete with some of the other, similarly fantastic ensemble comedies of its era, whether comparing it to Wedding Crashers, Anchorman, or Talladega Nights. Drawing on the same comedic energy as the aforementioned films, Dodgeball soars across the screen like its titular projectile rubber balls, knocking viewers senseless with its rip-roaring hilarity, absurdist gags, and utterly astounding cast (Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Rip Torn, Alan Tudyk, Justin Long, and so many, many more).

5. The Sandlot (1993)

In many ways, The Sandlot can almost be described as the baseball-oriented version of Stand by Me. Focusing less on baseball and more on the bonds of childhood friendship, this 1993 cult film emphasizes the unique relationships formed by teenagers in their early adolescence. Featuring a healthy mix of infectious humor and bittersweet drama, it’s a nostalgic trip back to the formative years we all spent with our closest friends, many of whom stuck by our side through thick and thin alike. 

4. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

Like all the best sports comedies, Bend It Like Beckham isn’t strictly confined to exploring a particular sport. Instead, it uses the topic of soccer to touch upon some highly relatable themes for every member of the audience, including a candid discussion about friendship and defying one’s social norms and distinct cultural background. Light, funny, yet also unafraid to discuss serious subjects in a poignant way, it’s a masterful comedy from the early 2000s, remaining as wildly loved today as it was in 2002.

3. The Bad New Bears (1976)

Imagine if Homer Simpson were placed in charge of a children’s baseball team, and you essentially the plot of The Bad News Bears. An uproarious sports comedy propelled by Walter Matthau’s scene-stealing performance as a washed-up minor league pitcher-turned-reluctant Little League coach, The Bad News Bears is a universally appealing comedy that remains endlessly rewatchable, extraordinarily funny, and undeniably entertaining throughout. 

2. Bull Durham (1988)

As Bull Durham so eloquently explains, sports can provide the average person an outlet to explore the deepest recesses of their mind, facilitating significant growth for ordinary players and audience members watching the game from home. A romantic comedy pitting Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins, and Susan Sarandon’s baseball-obsessed trio together into one fateful love triangle, Bull Durham is the ultimate ode to how baseball can change a person from the inside out, resulting in lasting patience, inner wisdom, and thoughtful resilience.

1. A League of Their Own (1992)

It’s impossible to single out one reason or another for A League of Their Own’s unparalleled success as a sports comedy. Among the greatest cinematic achievements of the 1990s, A League of Their Own simply combines its plethora of strengths into one ceaselessly enjoyable comedy, whether discussing the grounded performance of Geena Davis, the hilarious presence of Tom Hanks, or standout supporting appearances from Rosie O’Donnell, Lori Petty, and even Madonna of all people!