Baseball is one of the most iconic American sports. Nothing brings families together quite like a great baseball movie! Whether you’re raising a little slugger or simply want to enjoy some wholesome, sports themed entertainment with your kids, there’s no shortage of fun, kid friendly baseball films in this post.
From heartfelt underdog stories to laugh out loud greatest baseball movies, here are the best baseball movies that kids will love to watch. If you’ve got little baseball fans at home, this list is for you!
1. The Sandlot
The Sandlot is such a classic featuring James Earl Jones and Patrick Renna. It’s all about a group of neighborhood kids during one amazing summer full of baseball, friendship, and fun adventures. It’s got those characters you’ll never forget and lines you’ll be quoting forever. And of course, who could forget the famous chase scene with “The Beast”?
2. The Rookie
The Rookie is such a feel good movie and one of my favorite baseball movies. It’s based on the true story of pitcher Jim Morris, and it’s all about perseverance and second chances. When a high school baseball coach unexpectedly gets the chance to play in the big leagues, his journey chasing that dream is really inspiring for both kids and adults with various challenges.
3. Rookie of the Year
In Rookie of the Year, a kid named Henry breaks his arm, and somehow it gives him an incredibly powerful pitching arm. Next thing you know, he’s in the major leagues playing for the Chicago Cubs. It’s a fun and silly movie that totally plays into every kid’s dream of making it to the big leagues.
4. Angels in the Outfield
Angels in the Outfield is a super family friendly movie with a bit of magic thrown in. It’s about a young boy who prays for his favorite baseball team to win, and then actual angels show up to help them turn things around. It’s such a sweet story with a great message about hope and believing in something bigger.
5. Little Big League
Imagine inheriting a major league baseball team as a kid! That’s exactly what happens in Little Big League. Twelve year old Billy suddenly becomes the owner and manager of the Minnesota Twins. The movie is packed with laughs and plenty of baseball action as Billy figures out how to handle managing a team of grown ups.
6. Bad News Bears
The 2005 version of Bad News Bears is a remake of the 1976 classic, and it’s still the ultimate underdog story. It’s about this totally disorganized youth baseball team with Billy Bob Thornton playing the not so great coach. If your family loves sports comedies, this modern version is a fun one to watch!
7. A League of Their Own
A League of Their Own might not be just for kids, but it’s a perfect family movie. It tells the amazing story of women in baseball during World War II. The movie is both hilarious and touching, with a cast you won’t forget and, of course, that famous line – “There’s no crying in baseball!”
8. Everyone’s Hero
Everyone’s Hero is a fun animated film about a young boy’s journey who sets off on an adventure to return Babe Ruth’s stolen bat. It’s a really sweet story with a great message about believing in yourself, making it perfect for younger kids to enjoy during baseball season.
9. The Perfect Game
The Perfect Game is based on a true story about a group of young boys from Mexico who beat the odds to win the 1957 Little League World Series. It’s a really heartwarming film that’s perfect for teaching kids about perseverance, teamwork, and chasing your dreams.
10. Ed
In Ed, a struggling baseball player gets an unexpected teammate. It’s a chimpanzee named Ed who can pitch! This is one of those good baseball movies full of baseball and funny animal moments, making it a fun watch for kids.
11. Hardball
Hardball is a touching movie about a gambler who ends up coaching a youth baseball team in the inner city. Even though it covers some serious topics, it’s a really moving story about redemption, teamwork, and the way baseball can make a difference in people’s lives.
12. The Benchwarmers
If you’re looking for a baseball movie packed with laughs, The Benchwarmers is a great pick. It follows three adults who decide to take on a bunch of kids in a local baseball league. It’s goofy, lighthearted, and full of fun moments that kids will love.
13. Million Dollar Arm
Million Dollar Arm is based on a true story about a sports agent who goes to India to find cricket players that he can turn into major league baseball pitchers. It’s a great movie that shows how talent can come from the most unexpected places.
14. Trouble with the Curve
If your family loves a mix of drama and baseball, Trouble with the Curve is a great choice. It’s about an aging baseball scout who reconnects with his daughter while on a recruiting trip. It’s a touching story about family, second chances, and the love of the game.
15. The Final Season
The Final Season tells the true story of a small town high school baseball team in Norway, Iowa, as they face their last season before the school merges with a larger district. The film follows coach Kent Stock as he steps into the shoes of a legendary coach, leading the underdog team through a challenging season while they fight to keep their baseball tradition alive.
16. Air Bud – Seventh Inning Fetch
Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch takes Buddy from the basketball court to the baseball field! In this fun installment, Buddy shows off his skills as a baseball player. He helps a little league team in need of some serious talent. Meanwhile, Buddy’s owner Andrea, faces her own challenges as she navigates middle school. This lighthearted, family friendly movie is packed with action, teamwork, and, of course, Buddy’s incredible abilities on the baseball field.
17. 42
42 tells the true story of Jackie Robinson, the first African American player in Major League Baseball. It follows his journey as he joins the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and faces a lot of challenges, from racism on the field to hostility off it. With the support of team executive Branch Rickey, Jackie’s talent and courage help him make history and change baseball forever.
18. Twelve
Twelve is about a former baseball star named Ted who becomes the coach of a Little League team of 12 year olds. As he helps the kids get better at the game, he also deals with his own personal issues. The movie focuses on their journey to the championship, but it’s really about second chances and learning important life lessons for both Ted and the team.
19. Undrafted
Undrafted is about a guy named Maz who dreams of being drafted into the MLB, but when he gets passed over, he and his teammates play one last game in their local summer league. The movie focuses on that game, where the players deal with their disappointment, frustrations, and friendships. As they play, they joke around, argue, and support each other. It’s a great movie about overcoming disappointment.
20. The Kid Who Only Hit Homers
The Kid Who Only Hit Homers is about a boy named Sylvester who loves baseball but just isn’t very good at it. He’s about to give up when a mysterious guy named Mr. Baruth shows up and starts helping him. Suddenly, Sylvester is hitting home runs every time he’s up to bat. While he’s loving his new skills, he also learns that there’s more to the game than just being a star. It’s about working with your team and staying humble.
21. Mickey
Mickey is about a father and son who are on the run after the father gets involved in a Little League scandal. The boy, Mickey, is an amazing baseball player, and they move to a new town where he starts playing as a new kid on a different team under a fake name. As Mickey shines on the field, they try to keep their secret hidden.
22. The Scout
The Scout is about a baseball scout named Al who finds an amazingly talented player, Steve Nebraska, while scouting in Mexico. Steve has an incredible arm and can pitch like nobody else, so Al brings him to the U.S. to play in the big leagues. But as Steve gets ready for his debut, both he and Al have to deal with the pressure and personal challenges that come with being in the spotlight. The movie is about baseball, but also about handling the ups and downs of chasing a dream.
23. Major League: Back to the Minors
Major League: Back to the Minors is about a former baseball player named Gus who’s now managing a struggling minor leagues team, the South Carolina Buzz. The team is full of quirky players who aren’t exactly stars, but Gus is determined to help them improve and prove themselves. Along the way, they get a chance to take on a major league team, leading to plenty of laughs and underdog moments.
24. The Phenom
Fair warning – this is a deeper movie better suited for teens or older. The Phenom is about a young baseball pitcher named Hopper Gibson who gets called up to the major leagues but struggles with the pressure. After a meltdown on the field, he’s sent to work with a sports psychologist to get his head back in the game. It’s more focused on the emotional and mental side of sports rather than just the action on the field.
25. Fastball
Fastball is a documentary all about the fastest pitches in baseball history. It looks at how pitchers throw fastballs, the history of some of the fastest pitchers, and what makes a great fastball. They talk to famous players and break down how the pitch works. It’s a cool movie for older kids who are really into baseball and want to learn more about the science behind the game.
26. For the Love of the Game
For the Love of the Game is about Billy Chapel, a veteran baseball pitcher nearing the end of his career. As he’s pitching what might be his last game, he reflects on his life. He thinks about his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Jane and his long baseball career. The story jumps between moments in the game and flashbacks from his personal life, showing how much the game has meant to him but also making him realize what he’s lost along the way.
27. Spaceman
Spaceman is about a former major league pitcher named Bill “Spaceman” Lee, who’s known for being a little out there. After getting kicked out of the big leagues, he keeps playing baseball in smaller leagues, refusing to give up the game he loves. It’s a quirky movie about his journey and how he stays true to himself, even when others don’t understand him. It’s more for older kids or teens who like baseball and unique characters.
28. Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel
Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel is a documentary about Israel’s national baseball team as they compete in the World Baseball Classic. The film follows the underdog team, made up mostly of Jewish American players, as they head to South Korea to face some of the world’s best teams. It’s a feel good story about teamwork, pride, and overcoming the odds. It is perfect for older kids and families who enjoy inspiring sports stories that teach life lessons.
29. You Gotta Believe
You Gotta Believe is about the true story of the Westside All Stars, a Little League team from Fort Worth, Texas. The movie follows 12-year-old boy Robert Ratliff and his team’s journey to the 2002 Little League World Series, all while his father, Bobby, is battling terminal cancer. The film highlights their struggles on and off the field. This movie shows how faith, family, and determination can help them through tough times as they aim for the championship.
30. Field of Dreams
Field of Dreams is about Ray, a farmer in Iowa, played by Kevin Costner, who hears a voice telling him, “If you build it, he will come.” He decides to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield, and soon the ghosts of famous baseball stars, like Shoeless Joe Jackson, start appearing to play. As Ray digs deeper into why he built the field, the story becomes about his relationship with his late father and finding closure.
31. Bull Durham
Featuring Tim Robbins and Kevin Costner, Bull Durham is a baseball movie about life in the minor leagues. It follows Crash Davis, an experienced catcher, who’s brought in to mentor a young, wild pitcher named Nuke LaLoosh. Along the way, both players become involved with Annie, a local woman who takes an interest in the team each season. The movie focuses on the ups and downs of baseball, the humor in the game, and the relationships between the characters.
32. The Hill
The Hill is about Rickey Hill, a kid with a big dream to play baseball despite having a serious spinal condition. His father doesn’t believe baseball is the right path for him because of his health, but Rickey won’t give up. The movie follows his journey as he faces physical challenges and family doubts while chasing his dream of playing in the big leagues.
Conclusion
Looking for a good film about baseball for your group of boys (or girls!)? Whether your kids are young fans who love baseball or just want to watch a fun sports movie, this list has a bunch of great options with heartwarming stories, memorable characters, and exciting games. They are sure to be a home run!
From old favorites to newer movies that are a game changer for young viewers, these best movies really show what baseball is all about and are perfect for the entire family movie nights!
