Did you find 12 Mighty Orphans an inspiring movie? Luke Wilson as Rusty Russell shows us how we can put our troubled past behind us, even in circumstances as trying as the Great Depression. Just belief and will power helped him transform 2 scrawny kids into a team that can compete for the State Championship. It’s based on a true story that inspired the nation during very troubled times. Here are 6 more movies to keep you inspired and motivated. About two months ago, we came up with 11 movies like Boogie, a 2021 underdog basketball movie. In addition to the list below, you will find even more movies similar to 12 Mighty Orphans there.
6 Uplifting Sport Movies like 12 Mighty Orphans
1 Invincible (2006)
IMDB 7.1 | 67K Ratings
Just like 12 Mighty Orphans, Invincible is based on a true story. Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg) is down and out in life. He has lost his job as a substitute teacher. His wife has left him because she thinks he will amount to nothing. The only thing Vince can salvage out of his life is a bartender job. That and football with his friends.
But, back in 1976, the Philadelphia Eagles decided to conduct open tryouts. Just anybody could show up to prove themselves as worthy of playing in the NFL.
And, Vince pulls it off. A story that will have you rooting for Vince from start to finish. Also features Greg Kinnear and Elizabeth Banks in prominent roles.
You just can’t ask for a more similar movie like 12 Mighty Orphans. Invincible is about an underdog, football and triumph. Just what you need to keep inspiration coming.
2 Race (2016)
IMDB 7.1 | 36K Ratings
The year is 1930. Jesse Owens (Stephan James) is discovered as a phenomenal Track and Field talent. The 1936 Olympics are coming up, in Nazi Germany. The movie takes you through Owens’ transformation and preparation both on and off the field. On the field, he works on his athletic prowess under coach Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis). Off it, he struggles against racism and the moral dilemma of whether or not to even participate in an event conducted under the very nose of Nazi dictatorship.
The movie falls a bit short in how it tries to showcase a lot of things. It tries to do a bit too much. From political conflicts to many sub-plots, the runtime is a bit long. But, if you like the history surrounding a underdog’s emergence and triumph and have a bit of patience, you will definitely like this movie.
3 42 (2013)
IMDB 7.5 | 89K Ratings
Another sports underdog movie steeped in revolutionary history. The year is 1947. No African-American plays in Major League Baseball. But, that’s about to change with the signing of Jackie Robison (Chadwick Boseman) by the Brooklyn Dodgers.
The revolution doesn’t happen without resistance though. Jackie faces intense racism from not just the fans, but from within his own team. But, as he struggles to find the will and tenacity to survive in a system that just doesn’t want him, he finds very unlikely allies.
This is a movie about a great athlete with a unbreakable spirit, who changed the colour of MLB, forever.
4 Gridiron Gang (2006)
IMDB 6.9 | 58K Ratings
Sean Porter (Dwayne Johnson) is a supervisor at a Juvenile center. Put under his responsibility are lost juveniles who lack self-esteem, purpose and direction. Because Sean has experience playing professional football, he decides that the wards under his care can be empowered by football.
A team building process is put in place, much like what you witnessed in 12 Mighty Orphans. The focus is not just on football skills and strategy but in also transforming the mindsets of troubled young souls.
It’s a movie that shows how the lives of many youths changed, even if it was inside of a juvenile center.
5 The Fighter
IMDB 7.8 | 347K Ratings
The Fighter stars many big stars. Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams are just a few of them.
Christian Bale is Dicky Eklund. He was a sought after boxer in his heyday. But, drugs and crime have reduced him to a mere shadow of his former shelf. But, there’s one thing he can still do. Train. Who better to be his ward than his own half brother Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg).
Christian Bale won Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Melissa Leo took the same award for the Female category. Amy Adams and Mark Wahlberg are very strong with their acting performances as well.
The movie is directed by David O. Russell who has a long list of mega-hits like American Hustle, Three Kings and Silver Linings Playbook under his belt.
It’s not a football movie like 12 Mighty Orphans. But, it’s definitely about an underdog pulling off the unthinkable. And, it is based on a true story.
6 Cool Hand Luke (1967)
IMDB 8.1 | 165K Ratings
This is an offbeat suggestion but we do that sometimes. Cool Hand Luke isn’t about sports. It isn’t about the depression. But, it is about the triumph of human spirit in very trying and oppressive circumstances.
Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is a laid back prisoner from the South. Under the supervision of a rigorous prison camp staff, he simply refuses to yield to authority. He plots and attempts to escape, several times, only to be captured, again and again.
But, his will is indomitable. Everyone except the prison staff loves his spirit. But, alas, even someone like Cool Hand Luke can have his spirit broken and wilted. A majority of the movie will have you inspired. But, it does end tragically. If you can’t handle an unhappy ending, you probably want to skip on this one. But.. the direction is brilliant and Paul Newman and George Kennedy put in stellar acting performances. George Kennedy took home an Oscar for his role as ‘Dragline’. 1960’s movie making at its finest.