Baseball and Blockbusters: The Two Bs of Summer

Anyone who knows me knows that the two things that excite me most in this world are baseball and movies, both are in the business of unveiling stories one frame at a time. Major League Baseball is in the dog days of summer, which means it is the perfect time to discuss summer blockbusters. As mentioned before, baseball has had its fair share of influence on the media we consume, so this week, let’s break down some of the best baseball movies in the world.

Honorable Mentions: The Biopics

Before breaking down my top five baseball movies, I would like to draw attention to the great biopics 42 and Pride of the Yankees. These films are wonderful at presenting the individual lives and struggles of baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Lou Gehrig. There is no doubt that these films capture the baseball spirit and move us by furthering the stories of these men, but I feel that these films are biopics, not baseball movies. The baseball played in these films is not the focus; it is more about detailing the lives of these ballplayers. To me, a great baseball movie is not about the ballplayers depicted and is instead about how the game shapes the story.

No. 5: The Natural

In my number five slot, I have the 1984 movie, The Natural. Based on Bernard Malamud’s novel of the same name, The Natural follows Roy Hobbs, played by Robert Redford, as he returns to the game he loves 16 years after a terrible accident. Hobbs is a star in his late-stage rookie season, but the story picks up when a bet entangling Hobbs is placed that could impact ownership of the team next season. Both the novel and film believe in the idea that athletes should compete for the right reasons, with the author and filmmakers channeling a unique passion for baseball and life. Baseball is a masterful balance of joy and pain, and no other movie can toe that line like The Natural.

The film is an early work from director Barry Levinson, and its score is composed by Randy Newman. Newman is known for many movies and albums, but baseball fans likely know him for the Dodgers' famous win song, “I Love LA”.

The Natural perfectly captures the spirit of baseball, and that is mostly due to the Oscar-nominated writing and masterful performance from leading man Robert Redford. I will admit that I am biased towards Redford after moving to Utah. Robert Redford’s influence on Utah filmmaking is unmatched, and upon moving here, I did a deep dive into Redford’s illustrious career. Redford is the founder of the Sundance Mountain Resort and was responsible for the creation of the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival.

The Natural’s ability to tell a story about baseball, life, and my immense respect and gratitude for Robert Redford earns the number five spot on my list.

No. 4: Moneyball

I know what you are probably thinking, “You said that biopics weren’t going to count!” and you are right. Moneyball is a biopic about Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics (Let’s take a brief moment of silence for the death of the Oakland Athletics franchise). What separates Moneyball from other biopics is that it is less about telling the life story of Billy Beane and more about how his team changed baseball.

Moneyball is a 2011 film following the Oakland Athletics, the team with the smallest market and budget in baseball, and how they were able to compete with the big dawgs. Moneyball was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture. The film is entertaining for baseball and non-baseball fans alike.

Moneyball was originally a book written by legendary journalist and novelist Michael Lewis. Lewis’ other works include “The Big Short” and “The Blind Side”. Lewis’ book is one of the best baseball books I have read and is perfectly adapted to the big screen. The full name of the book sums up the mission of the Athletics: “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game”. Major League Baseball is a perfect example of the haves and the have-nots, with big markets like New York and Los Angeles building their teams to keep the boot on the neck of the little guys like Oakland.

Moneyball is a movie that fully understands the game and presents everything from on-field action, off-field management, negotiations with other teams, and wraps it in an entertaining package. The complete adoration of the game can be summed up by the film’s famous line, “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”

No. 3: A League of Their Own

This movie rocks! A League of Their Own is a perfect baseball movie that tells a different story from other films. The film is a fictional story based on the real all-women baseball league during World War II. That time was dark for baseball, with many talented players going overseas to war. That’s when baseball ownership steps in to start a league of their own for the women still at home. The story is compelling, the characters feel real, and most of all, it hits every aspect of the emotional spectrum.

The film came out during the rise of Tom Hanks’ magnificent acting career, with Geena Davis, Madonna, and Rosie O’Donnell filling out the incredible cast. The film is funny, charming, touching, and everything in between. While known for iconic lines like, “There’s no crying in baseball!”, there is so much more to this story. A League of Their Own breaks down the relationship between sisters, teammates, friends, coaches, and spouses, all while maintaining the essence of a great baseball movie.

The film’s impact is tremendous, inspiring countless women to begin careers in baseball and other sports across the country. While the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League ended long before the release of the film in 1992, the league paved the way for change in the sports world. While the women of the AAGPBL faced many challenges, like the ones depicted in the movie, they overcame them and proved they are wonderful ballplayers. A League of Their Own continues to push the boundaries of gender roles and shows us that baseball is for everyone, with no exceptions.

No. 2: Field of Dreams

Field of Dreams is the iconic baseball movie where the love of the game is front and center from beginning to end. It is a beautiful representation of baseball as a game for parents and their children, regardless of age.

Kevin Costner is THE baseball actor; he stars in this film as well as Bull Durham and For the Love of the Game, with the former being seriously considered for this list. His performance as an Iowa farmer compelled to build a baseball field among the vast seas of corn is moving. Costner isn’t alone in this film, with incredible performances from James Earl Jones and Ray Liotta that bring Field of Dreams together.

The film is a love letter to baseball and every emotion that it can stir up. I firmly believe that anyone who can watch Field of Dreams and not cry by the end simply is not human. As wonderful as the film is, with three Oscar nominations to show for, arguably the biggest impact of the film is a debate it created…is the saying “play catch” or “have a catch”?

No. 1: The Sandlot

Baseball means summer, community, and above all, fun. There is no other baseball movie that perfectly captures the boyhood fun of the game like The Sandlot. There is very little that can be said to truly sum up this perfect baseball movie, so I will try to break down the iconic moments that make it a must-watch for all baseball fans. The boys are all written and acted brilliantly, as anyone who grew up with baseball teammates knows. They build off of one another, tease each other, and create believable friendships throughout the film. The baseball scenes are well shot, but many of the iconic scenes of The Sandlot are away from the diamond.

I was always a shy kid growing up, so baseball was the perfect opportunity to make friends. Seeing Scotty Smalls make friends on the field resonated with me like no other movie at that time. If you had asked me at 12 years old what I needed to improve my game, I likely would have told you an all-black pair of PF Flyers so I could run like Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez.

Upon moving to Utah, I learned that The Sandlot love here is on a completely different level. The movie was filmed throughout the Salt Lake area with iconic locations in Ogden (The Community Pool), Midvale (The Drugstore), and Salt Lake City (The Sandlot field). While the field is on private property, the other filming locations are open to the public.

The film is centered around the characters’ mutual love for baseball and how it can bring people together. It shows that you don’t need to be good at baseball to understand and appreciate its beauty. Baseball is a game for anyone, which means it is a game for everyone.

Baseball on the Big Screen

Baseball movies are everywhere, making it nearly impossible to compile this list. There is a film for everyone, whether you like comedies (Major League and The Bad News Bears), dramas (Trouble with the Curve), Biopics (Eight Men Out, The Rookie, 61*), or even Musicals (Damn Yankees). I encourage you all to think about your favorite baseball movie and give it a watch; maybe it will help distract you from the intense August heat.

What is your favorite baseball movie?

• The Sandlot
• Field of Dreams
• A League of Their Own
• Moneyball

See All Options

Sources

Abbot, G. Donen, S. (Directors). (1958). Damn Yankees [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.

Crystal, B. (Director). (2001). 61* [Film]. HBO Films Inc.

Evans, D. (Director). (1993). The Sandlot [Film]. 20th Century Studios.

Hancock, J. (Director). (2002). The Rookie [Film]. Walt Disney Pictures

Helgeland, B. (Director). (2013). 42 [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.

Levinson, B. (Director). (1984). The Natural [Film]. TriStar Pictures.

Lorenz, R. (Director). (2012). Trouble With the Curve [Film]. Warner Bros. Pictures.

Marshall, P. (Director). (1992). A League of Their Own [Film]. Columbia Pictures.

Miller, B. (Director). (2011). Moneyball [Film]. Columbia Pictures.

Raimi, S. (Director). (1999). For the Love of the Game [Film]. Universal Pictures.

Robinson, P. (Director). (1989). Field of Dreams [Film]. Universal Pictures.

Ritchie, M. (Director). (1976). The Bad News Bears [Film]. Paramount Pictures.

Sayles, J. (Director). (1988). Eight Men Out [Film]. Orion Pictures.

Shelton, R. (Director). (1988). Bull Durham [Film]. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

The Sundance Mountain Resort History. (2025, July 27). Sundance Mountain Resort. https://www.sundanceresort.com/the-sundance-history/

Ward, D. (Director). (1989) Major League [Film]. Paramount Pictures.

Women’s baseball history continued long after AAGPBL ended | Baseball Hall of Fame. (n.d.). Retrieved August 18, 2025, from https://baseballhall.org/discover-more/stories/short-stops/womens-baseball-history

Wood, S. (Director). (1942) Pride of the Yankees [Film]. RKO Pictures.