Films About Female Athletes
Films about female athletes explore the journeys, struggles, and triumphs of women in the sporting world. These narratives often delve into themes of perseverance, breaking through gender barriers, and the personal and professional challenges faced by women in various sports. From dramas and biopics to comedies, these films showcase the diverse talents, dedication, and resilience of female athletes across a range of disciplines.
“Bend It Like Beckham”, 2002
Director: Gurinder Chadha
This British film tells the story of Jess Bhamra, a young woman from a traditional Indian family, who dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. She struggles with the expectations of her family and cultural norms, but finds friendship and support in her journey to pursue her passion for soccer.
Starring: Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher, Archie Panjabi, Shaznay Lewis, Frank Harper, Juliet Stevenson, Shaheen Khan, Ameet Chana;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, sport;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
“A League of Their Own”, 1992
Director: Penny Marshall
Directed by Penny Marshall, this film is a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, focusing on the competitive spirit and camaraderie among the female players during World War II. It highlights the challenges and triumphs of women in sports when men were away at war.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Jon Lovitz, David Strathairn, Garry Marshall, Bill Pullman, Rosie O'Donnell, Megan Cavanagh;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: family, sport, drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “A League of Their Own” on the website imdb.com
“Million Dollar Baby”, 2004
Director: Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this drama about an underappreciated boxing trainer, Frankie Dunn, who mentors an aspiring female boxer, Maggie Fitzgerald. The film explores themes of determination, personal loss, and the fighter's journey both inside and outside the ring.
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Mike Colter, Lucia Rijker, Brian F. O'Byrne, Anthony Mackie, Margo Martindale, Riki Lindhome;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, sport;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 132 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
“Battle of the Sexes”, 2017
Director: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
This biographical sports film tells the story behind the famous 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Emma Stone and Steve Carell star in this exploration of gender equality, sexuality, and the personal and professional stakes involved in this landmark event.
Starring: Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough, Natalie Morales, Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman, Alan Cumming, Elisabeth Shue, Eric Christian Olsen, Fred Armisen;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, comedy, biography, history, sport;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Battle of the Sexes” on the website imdb.com
“I, Tonya”, 2017
Director: Craig Gillespie
A biographical film that follows the life of figure skater Tonya Harding and her connection to the attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Winter Olympics. The film blends dark comedy and drama to present a nuanced look at Harding's life and the controversy that surrounded her sporting career.
Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Julianne Nicholson, Paul Walter Hauser, Bobby Cannavale, Bojana Novakovic, Caitlin Carver, Maizie Smith, Mckenna Grace;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: biography, sport, comedy, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
“Whip It”, 2009
Director: Drew Barrymore
Directed by Drew Barrymore in her directorial debut, this film stars Ellen Page as Bliss Cavendar, a teenager who discovers her passion for roller derby, a sport that offers her an escape from her small town's beauty pageant scene and support in her quest for identity and independence.
Starring: Elliot Page, Alia Shawkat, Marcia Gay Harden, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Jimmy Fallon, Daniel Stern, Landon Pigg, Eve;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, sport;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Whip It” on the website imdb.com
“Girlfight”, 2000
Director: Karyn Kusama
This film features Michelle Rodriguez in her breakout role as Diana Guzman, a troubled teenager who channels her aggression through boxing, finding discipline, and self-respect. It's a powerful debut that explores gender roles and family dynamics within the context of the boxing world.
Starring: Michelle Rodriguez, Jamie Tirelli, Paul Calderon, Douglas Santiago, Ray Santiago, Víctor Sierra, Elisa Bocanegra, Shannon Walker Williams, Louis Guss, Herb Lovelle;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Girlfight” on the website imdb.com
“Tracktown”, 2016
Director: Alexi Pappas, Jeremy Teicher
This film follows the story of Plumb Marigold, a young long-distance runner preparing for the Olympics, who is forced to take a day off due to an injury, leading her to face her personal relationships and life beyond the track.
Starring: Alexi Pappas, Chase Offerle, Rachel Dratch, Andy Buckley, Rebecca Friday, Sasha Spencer, Remy Teicher, Nick Symmonds, Kristina Haddad, Chris Berman, Juliane Accurso, Jon Anderson, Ally Aschbacher, Renee Metivier Baillie, Matthew Barnhart, Jennifer Boyer, Robyn Brigham, Sarah Brown, Charlotte Browning, Donn Cabral, Tristan Carpenter, Matthew Centrowitz, Karlee Coffey, Jared Dawson, Lance Deal, Ian Dobson, Cruz Donawa, Lindsey Drake, James Eichberger, Brett Ely, Maddy Francois, Bridget Franek, Ken Goe, Jim Goranson, Kelson Gorman, Gabriele Grunewald, George Hanson, Morgan Haws, Jerry Jackson, Leora Kirtner, Joey Kranitz, Megan Kupres, Collier Lawrence, Darian Marsonette, Kimber Mattox, Tym Mazet, Stephanie McCarthy, Kimera McDonald, Diego Mercado, Jody Miller, Kimberlee Miller, Matt Miner, Alysia Montaño, Samantha Murphy, Brianna Nerud, Mel Newbery, Berenice Odriozola, Laura Viviane Pederson, Sarah Penney, Chanelle Price, Emily Rand, Rebecca Rhodes, Christina Mone Rodgers, Shannon Rowbury, Eric Schumacher, Jerry Schumacher, Makenna Schumacher, Ryan Schumacher, Jordan Smith, Jordyn Smith, Jill Steele, Jade Stewart, Gracie Todd, Julia Webb, Liandra Weise, Andrew Wheating, Koki Wilson, Phoebe Wright, Soh Rui Yong;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, sport;
Duration: 88 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,7;
More information about the film “Tracktown” on the website imdb.com
These films about female athletes not only entertain but also inspire conversations about women's roles in sports and society, highlighting the persistent effort towards equality, respect, and recognition in the athletic world.
The cinematic journey through films about female athletes not only serves as an empowering lens into the world of women in sports, but also as a celebration of perseverance, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence against the odds. These stories, ranging from biographical accounts to dramatized narratives, shed light on the multifaceted struggles and triumphs of women athletes across various disciplines. They highlight the societal, personal, and physical challenges these athletes face, while simultaneously showcasing their unyielding spirit and groundbreaking achievements. By presenting rich, complex characters whose journeys transcend the sports arena to touch on universal themes of ambition, identity, and liberation, these films contribute significantly to the broader discourse on gender equality in sports and beyond. In doing so, they not only entertain and inspire but also foster a deeper appreciation and respect for the indomitable spirit of female athletes around the world.
