I recently decided to introduce my kids to one of my favorite childhood films, The Sandlot. Oh man, did I open up a floodgate.
My oldest has been obsessed with sports since he could walk, and this movie sent him down a rabbit hole of kid-led sports films from my childhood. In his honor, here’s a roundup of some of my childhood favorites, ranked through adult eyes.
1. The Sandlot
Endlessly quotable (“You’re killing me, Smalls!”), The Sandlot is a perfect blend of an inspiring sports story and a coming-of-age film. Baseball is the throughline, but the movie is equally invested in the scrappy kids’ off-field antics. Remember Squints’ near-drowning attempt to get with the lifeguard? It holds up as a great watch for the whole family.
As a parent, I appreciated the subtle lesson about how misunderstanding and imagination can blow fears way out of proportion. But I was also surprised by how much saltier the language was than I remembered. The biggest testament to The Sandlot’s charm is that it turned both of my sons–one who was previously obsessed with every sport but baseball and one who wasn’t sporty at all–into lovers of the game.
2. The Mighty Ducks
The Mighty Ducks has all the hallmarks of a classic kids’ sports movie. A ragtag group of kids turned into an underdog team. A much more polished adversary. Potential betrayals. And a nail-biting final.
What sets it apart is that the character who undergoes a coming-of-age journey isn’t a kid, but the reluctant coach, Gordon Bombay. This film was a classic that kicked off a franchise. It's a well-deserved family favorite, even if it serves up entertainment with a side of schmaltz.
I was surprised that my kids found the movie sad. Charlie's absent dad, Gordon's disappointments in his hockey career, and a teammate's injury weighed on them. They still loved the film, but it was an interesting take I hadn't anticipated.
3. The Big Green
The fact that I remembered enjoying The Big Green as a kid but recalled very little of it as an adult pretty much sums up this movie. It has elements of the classic kids' sports film formula, and the cast includes some of the child actors from The Sandlot.
Even with the pieces there, The Big Green fails to capture the same magic. Aside from a zany scene where the kids cover themselves with Cheetos to feed a flock of pigeons, there’s little that’s memorable about this film. Will your kids enjoy it? Sure. Will it become a new favorite? Probably not.
Bonus entry: Cool Runnings
This film isn't about kids playing sports, but it was one of my favorite sports movies for kids and families growing up. Cool Runnings is the one film on this list I kept watching even as an adult, and I was excited to share it with my kids.
I was beyond tickled to hear my son cackling from another room at one of Sanka's witty, if immature, quips to his teammates. And of course, even though my husband and I were in the next room getting dinner ready, we couldn't help but dance and sing along to "Jamaica's got a bobsled team!"
As a parent, I most appreciate how Cool Runnings teaches kids that winning isn’t everything. Many other sports films pay lip service to the idea, but the protagonist team eventually wins, undercutting the lesson. In Cool Runnings, the team shows dignity and perseverance, even in the face of a loss. They win respect even as they lose the medal.
Although I'm not particularly sporty, I've enjoyed revisiting these films with my kids. It's inspiring for them to see role models their age finding their way in life and on teams, and I can't wait to find more to watch with them.