The 1990s were the Golden Age of kids sports movies, with some of the most recognizable titles originating from this defining decade. From elevated made-for-TV movies to celebrated cult classics, this genre boasts a wide range of sports underdog stories. This collection of films highlights how society uses sports as a narrative for positive education. This comes with a series of common sports movie stereotypes, as many of these movies deal with single parents, moving to a new city or becoming 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 1984s The Karate Kid. The martial arts film starring Ralph Macchio and Noriyuki “Pat” Morita helped create many of the tropes seen in later films, such as the single parent trope, the useless 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 on the history, legacy and training of a legend’s past. Use The Karate Kid As a measurable barometer, here are the best kids sports movies of the 1990s.
|
Film |
RT – Tomatometer |
RT – popcorn meter |
|---|---|---|
|
The sandlot |
65% |
89% |
|
Johnny Tsunami |
N/A |
62% |
|
Heavy wheat |
50% |
77% |
|
Little giants |
46% |
63% |
|
Little Big League |
35% |
54% |
|
Rookie of the Year |
41% |
52% |
|
The Mighty Ducks |
23% |
65% |
|
Angels in the outfield |
31% |
49% |
|
air bath |
48% |
38% |
|
The Big Green |
N/A |
46% |
10
The Big Green (1995)
The Big Green was another Patrick Renna sports movie
Although something similar to The Karate Kid1995s The Big Green Shares more narrative similarities to Taika Waititi Next goal winsWhere the main character uses soccer to uplift a disheartened local community. featuring The sandlotS. Patrick Renna, The Big Green is 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 the list, The Big Green represents the media conglomerate’s unnerving grip on the kids’ sports movie genre.
9
Air Bud (1997)
The beginning of an animal-athlete franchise
As the only animal athlete on the list, air bath Captures 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. Although the sports action whimpers in comparison to the other movies, air bath Upholds all the characteristics of the kids sports movie The Karate Kid. Arguably the most famous title on the list, This cinematic canine boasts its own Golden Retriever franchise and cinematic universe.
8
Angels in the Outfield (1994)
The baseball team that gets help from the afterlife
Similar to the humbug Mr. Miyagi, Danny Glover’s George Knox is stiff in his ways when Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Roger Baumann enters the field. Equipped with the ability to see angels, Bowman helps restore the team’s faith in itself, especially when external forces begin to shake the team’s foundation. Together, Knox and Bomman find their family on the baseball diamond while reassuring them of their love for the game. Christopher Lloyd, Adrien Brody and Matthew McConaughey also find themselves at bat.
7
The Mighty Ducks (1992)
Quack! Quack! Quack!
Except The Karate Kid1992’s Quotable The Mighty Ducks Stands as the defining entry in the decade’s popular movie genre. Starring Emilio Estevez as a lawyer-turned-hockey coach, this movie helped involve Disney in the world of sports. Also, the owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Angels in the outfieldDisney founded the Anaheim Ducks a year after the release of the Estevez star vehicle. The film is both A mirror of the 1980s comedy flick and foreshadowing the popularized kids’ sports movie. As the most culturally influential movie, this list would be nothing without The Mighty Ducks.
6
Rookie of the Year (1993)
Rookie of the Year was filled with 90s acting legends
like Angels in the outfield1993s Rookie of the Year Interjects improbable imagination as a child’s entry into the baseball world. It takes from these Spider-Man Mythology as the young protagonist juggles his social life with newfound fame and responsibilities. The film adheres to the tenets set by The Karate KidWith Gary Busey’s Rocket Steadman often 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 Year Has some of the best hidden gems of the kids sports movie genre.
5
Little Big League (1994)
A kid ends up owning the Minnesota Twins
With an actual child as general manager, 1994s Little Big League Sometimes feels like a parody of Moneyball. Unironically, Luke Edwards’ Billy Haywood is the middle school version of Billy Beane, a baseball mastermind who pursues “fun” instead of focused sports analytics. As a result of a miraculous legacy from his grandfather, Haywood leads the Minnesota Twins to the brink of the playoffs, and, as Rookie of the YearHis life as a child often interferes with his professional responsibilities. The film also mimics The Karate Kid By metaphorizing sports as a father figure.
4
Little Giants (1994)
Great performances from Ed O’Neill & Rick Moranis
Expanding on The Karate Kids underdog story, 1994s Little giants is the epitome of the sports movie story trope. In a classic battle of big brother vs. little brother, Ricky Moranis’ Danny O’Shea hopes to best his Heisman-winning sibling in a local exhibition of Pee-Wee football. Produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, Little giants Speaks to the heart of sports. It repurposes NFL iconography to invoke themes of community and acceptance, Featuring some of the league’s most recognizable names, like John Madden and Emmitt Smith.
3
Heavyweights (1995)
One of Ben Stiller’s most hilarious roles
Probably the most unknown on the list, 1995s Heavy wheat Aims to subvert the overweight best friend character trope found in most coming-of-age movies. staring The Mighty DucksAaron Schwartz, the film features Camp Hope, the definitive summer camp for overweight kids, as it is unexpectedly overtaken by a toxic fitness entrepreneur played by Ben Stiller.
Related
Starring Tom McGowan as the Miyagi-like camp counselor Pat, Schwartz’s Gerry Garner and the rest of the Camp Hope gang team up in an Olympic-style competition with a rival camp. After developing a fresh cult following, Heavy wheat Stands as one of the decade’s forgotten classics.
2
Johnny Tsunami (1999)
A classic, 1990s made-for-TV movie
As a made-for-TV movie, 1999s Johnny Tsunami is perhaps the best representation of the underdog story. Another entry from the Disney super car, the 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 sibling rivalry. Despite not receiving a theatrical release, Johnny Tsunami Retains a loyal fan following as a strong example of surfer culture and Asian representation.
1
The 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’s The sandlot. Although the film is not immediately connected to The Karate KidA deep examination brings the two films closer together. Mr. Miyagi’s guidance is paralleled by the spirit of legendary player Babe Ruth. The Sandlot Kids are positioned as underdogs against a Little League team. And the new kid Scotty Smalls is the baseball version of Daniel LaRusso, who is struggling to make friends after moving to Los Angeles. More than 30 years later, The sandlot Still remains the best in the kids sports movie genre.