Listing the best sports films for betting fans is no easy task – there are countless great options, including some that have whole franchises.
But we’ve done it.
From the Sean Bean labour of love When Saturday Comes to Sly Stallone’s legendary Rocky, these are the sports films that offer lessons and cautionary tales for gamblers to remember when they’re placing a wager at their favourite online casinos.
When Saturday Comes
When Saturday Comes is a story of drive, desperation, drink, and Sean Bean. Sheffield’s finest achieves the ambition of 50% of the city’s sports fans, by representing his beloved Sheffield United.
Why sports betting fans will love it: Teaches never to rule out an underdog victory.
Release date: 1996.
Length: 98 minutes.
OnlineCasinos.co.uk rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Basketball Diaries
A gritty film that focuses on the life of author and musician, Jim Carroll. The Basketball Diaries is a story of how sporting prowess can be lost to addiction.
Why sports betting fans will love it: it provides harsh lessons on life’s priorities.
Release date: 1995.
Length: 103 minutes.
OnlineCasinos.co.uk rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
Dodgeball is a film that sees Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn at their peak, with the comedy pair excelling as the duelling gym owners who square off on the dodgeball court.
Why sports betting fans will love it: sometimes it’s right to bet against your own team.
Release date: 2004.
Length: 93 minutes.
OnlineCasinos.co.uk rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Hustler
One of Paul Newman’s career high-points, The Hustler has Newman’s "Fast Eddie" Felson as its centrepiece. "Fast Eddie" is a small-time pool hustler whose goal is bring his skills to the big leagues.
Why sports betting fans will love it: it teaches you to find the easy bets and squeeze them for all they’re worth.
Release date: 1961.
Length: 134 minutes.
OnlineCasinos.co.uk rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Moneyball
Moneyball is the acclaimed adaptation of Michael Lewis' book of the same name. It’s a tale of achieving team success by betting on the ability of under-valued sports stars – using data and analysis.
Why sports betting fans will love it: data. Analysis. Value. Success. What’s not to like?
Release date: 2011.
Length: 133 minutes.
OnlineCasinos.co.uk rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Two For The Money
With the twin heavyweights Matthew McConaughey and Al Pacino, Two For The Money sets itself up to succeed – and boy does it. It features plenty of sports betting and lessons to learn about it.
Why sports betting fans will love it: shows both the value and pitfalls of 50-50 bets.
Release date: 2005.
Length: 122 minutes.
OnlineCasinos.co.uk rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hardball
Keanu Reeves could have done almost anything after The Matrix was released in 1999. Yet, instead of focusing purely on Hollywood action pics, Reeves opted for a diverse selection of films – including Hardball, a touching film that covers both sports and betting,
Why sports betting fans will love it: there’s more to betting the just placing a wager on your team.
Release date: 2001.
Length: 106 minutes.
OnlineCasinos.co.uk rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Caddyshack
It’s Bill Murray, Bill Murray! If that’s not enough to get your film taste buds tingling, there’s also a glorious scene where a golf club member refuses to bet on his swing. Why? Because betting isn’t allowed at the club and he never slices. Spoiler: he slices...
Why sports betting fans will love it: don’t be told you can’t place a bet
Release date: 1980.
Length: 98 minutes.
OnlineCasinos.co.uk rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Damned United
Michael Sheen stars as the ineffable Brian Clough – Ol’ Big Mouth. The Damned United charts Clough’s doomed 44-day reign as manager of dirty Leeds United, following the departure of the legendary Don Revie.
Why sports betting fans will love it: there’s no such thing as a surefire bet – even Brian Clough taking over Leeds United.
Release date: 2009.
Length: 97 minutes.
OnlineCasinos.co.uk rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rocky
“Aaadriiaannn!!!” But this Sly Stallone film-franchise isn’t simply about one line, or boxing. Rocky shows that there’s more to gambling than betting – debts have to be collected if you get over your head.
Why sports betting fans will love it: keep tight bankroll management – don’t bet money you don’t have.
Release date: 1976.
Length: 119 minutes.
OnlineCasinos.co.uk rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why When Saturday Comes is our pick of the best sports films
When Saturday Comes is a film that offers more than moments – it’s a cinematic demonstration of how dreams can come true, even for film stars whose success is such that they can live lives that most people can only dream of.
But it’s not hope alone that makes When Saturday Comes the pick of the sports films.
No.
It’s a film that puts sport front stage and allows it to seduce the audience, unlike some of the finest sports films that make their chosen topic incidental to the narrative. And if you’re a football fan you’ll adore the action, particularly Sean Bean’s famous penalty.
Credit: YouTube
There are many wonderful sports films – too many to cover in one article. But these nine treats are simply unmissable and each provides an important lesson that’s relevant to every sports betting fan. If you fancy trying to beat the odds yourself, check out our Betway review.
