AFI described sports films as "a genre of films with protagonists who play athletics or other games of competition. Whether smashing a ball into the outfield, landing a right hook in the final round or crossing a finish line to the roar of a crowd, sports movies create myths and larger-than-life heroes. The stakes in sports may be simple—someone wins and someone loses—but cheering for a character who faces adversity and aims for the top is an exhilarating reminder of the power of the human spirit."

Nominees: 12 movies were based on baseball; nine movies were based on boxing; and eight movies were based on football.

Winners: Raging Bull (1980) (# 1), Rocky (1976) (# 2), The Pride of the Yankees (1942) (# 3), Hoosiers (1986) (# 4), Bull Durham (1988) (# 5), The Hustler (1961) (# 6), Caddyshack (1980) (# 7), Breaking Away (1979) (# 8), National Velvet (1944) (# 9), Jerry Maguire (1996) (# 10).

Comments: Jerry Maguire (1996) was sports-related, but more properly should have been categorized as a romantic comedy (where it was a top 50 nominee). And Caddyshack (1980) was a golf-related comedy!