Alfred “Boogie” Chin is a basketball phenom. He dreams about playing in the NBA. He’s also Asian and with that comes stereotypes on a basketball court. Boogie is a coming of age movie that shows how Boogie navigates life on and off the court, fighting off cultural stigma while also trying to meet lofty expectations. It’s a feed good underdog-wins-movie that will leave you motivated and inspired. If you liked this sports drama, you will love these movies like Boogie.
Check out our most recent posts with similar movie suggestions. Movies like Moxie. Movies like Cherry.
11 Inspiring Underdog Sports Movies like Boogie (2021)
1 We Are Marshall (2006)
Watch on Amazon Prime VideoThe Marshall University football team undergoes a tragedy of epic proportions. The entire team and its coach perish in a plane crash. The team’s new coach Jack (Matthew McConaughey) has a huge challenge on his hands. He first has to find players to support a lone player who missed the flight and survived Then, he has to convince them that football means something, even in such trying circumstances. It’s a beautiful movie that showcases how the human mind can persist, endure and thrive, even in the most challenging circumstances.
2 Remember the Titans (2000)
This phenomenal movie is set in Virginia, at a time when racial segregation was just about coming to an end. Coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) is appointed as head coach. He must try to bring white and black players together, to play as a team. The movie brilliantly portrays how players struggle with change, because of limiting old beliefs. But, as time goes on, they learn from each other and the team learns to thrive on diversity. Coach Herman Boone fights his own battles coming from landing a position that overlooked several white coaches.
Simply a brilliant sports drama that will give you the goosebumps from time to time. Remember the Titans!
3 Coach Carter (2005)
Samuel L. Jackson sizzles as Coach Ken Carter. Coaching a school in a very poor neighborhood, Coach Carter faces poor attitude, poor discipline and poor performance from his players. Slowly but surely, he brings in many changes. From introducing dress codes to entering into academic contracts that require players to maintain minimum grades, Coach Carter is all about change. Change is met with resistance. But, resistance is futile, for Coach Carter persists at all costs. The transformation is profound and the results are inspiring.
4 The Karate Kid (2010)
Jaden Smith plays Dre Parker, a 12 year old who has just had to relocate to China, to live with his single mother. In a foreign country, he is bullied and attacked by kids in his school. During one such attack, Cheng (Jackie Chan), the building maintenance man, fends off the bullies. Dre then convinces Cheng to teach him the art of Kung Fu. A beautiful coach student relationship begins. The climax takes you to a Kung Fu tournament where Dre must fight the bully in the final fight. Dre uses fighting techniques and newly learned philosophies to emerge victorious.
5 Whip It (2009)
Ellen Page (Now Elliot Page) plays Bliss Cavendar, a indie-rock loving misfit who has to relocate to a small town. To escape the misery, she joins a roller derby. But, the only problem is that she can’t skate, yet! Watch the movie to see how she goes from being called Barbie to “Babe Ruthless” in this comedic sports drama that will leaving you feeling happy and joyous.
6 The Replacements (2000)
A Pro Football strike is in place. But, the show must go on. So, Coach Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman) must bring in replacement players. Leading the bunch of misfits who step in is Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves). What follows is a hilarious but inspiring coming of age for a team that should ideally have had no chance to even compete. The casting is brilliant and its full of laughs. Keanu has a love interest as well, giving you a little in the romance department too. An inspiring comedy you will thoroughly enjoy.
7 Moneyball (2011)
Oakland Raiders. They are a small budget baseball team trying to compete against the big boys. Coach Billy Beane stumbles upon a Economics major who has a unique way of picking underrated players for cheap, players who can bring in results without the glamour that comes with big ticket signings.
Moneyball is brilliant in showing how baseball or any sport for that matter is not won by individual players but by runs, outs and steals. It’s about the small things adding up right. Brad Pitt is brilliant as GM Billy Beane. Jonah Hill is brilliant as the economics kid who has a knack of finding no-name players who deliver. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the coach who resists the new system. A movie about an underdog team making it big!
8 Hoosiers (1986)
Based on a true story, Hoosiers is about a very small town Indiana team making it all the way to the state finals, in 1954. Who brought them there? A coach with a dubious past and the town drunk who loves basketball. Gene Hackman plays the coach and Dennis Hopper plays the basketball loving drunk team mentor.
A fantastic movie that will leave you as elated as you felt after watching Boogie.
9 Cool Runnings (1993)
A Jamaican sprinter is unfairly disqualified from the Olympics. But, he can still compete in some Olympic event. But, the only available event is Bobsled racing. The problem? There’s no snow or Bobsledding in Jamaica. But, with the help of a dishonored coach, a team is put together. Will they win gold, despite all odds? A sports comedy drama that will have you in splits from time to time.
10 Million Dollar Baby (2004)
This movie is all about underdogs coming to the limelight. Clint Eastwood plays Frankie Dunn, a miserable washed up boxing gym owner. Morgan Freeman plays Eddie, a once prized fighter who now helps Frankie run the gym. Hillary Swank plays Maggie, a woman who wants Frankie to coach her.
The three underdogs come together to form a team that goes for glory. But, tragedy strikes. How will this movie end? You have to watch this masterpiece directed by Clint Eastwood to find out for yourself. This movie won 4 Oscars. Best Motion Picture of the Year. Hillary Swank took home Best Actress in a leading role. Morgan Freeman took home Best Supporting Actor. Clint Eastwood picked up a Best Achievement in Directing for his work with this brilliant sports drama.
11 Dodgeball (2004)
Dodgeball is a comedy first, sports movie second. We just wanted to throw this movie in there as it is a personal favorite of ours. How is it similar to Boogie? It’s still about underdogs. Well, for starters, the movie’s actual title is Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story! A local gym is on the verge of bankruptcy. But, if they win a dodgeball tournament, there might be enough in prize money to save it from an evil corporate fitness chain that wants to buy their land.
Vince Vaughn plays the struggling gym owner. Ben Stiller plays the ridiculously eccentric corporate fitness owner. It’s misfits against trained dodgeball professionals. Who will come out on top. A laugh riot from start to end!