Photo: Instagram/theacademy
(Podcast length 4 mins)
King Richard will represent the sports world when the Oscars air on Sunday night. If it wins, the movie, nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture and a Best Actor nomination for Will Smith, is in good company with these Oscar-award-winning sports movies.
Transcript
Million Dollar Baby (2004) This movie about a middle-class female boxer who forges a life-changing bond with her trainer is tied for the most celebrated film on our list. The movie took home Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress (Hilary Swank), Best Director (Clint Eastwood) and Best Supporting Actor (Morgan Freeman). The other flick with four wins? Chariots of Fire. GIRL ON FIRE
Rocky (1976) We all remember the iconic line of “Yo Adrian” and Sylvester Stallone’s run up the steps. Still, while the actors and their lines are what we remember, the movie took home the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Film Editing awards. A big fat TKO for Rocky and Adrian. WE’LL STILL NEVER EAT A RAW EGG FOR BREAKFAST
Jerry Maguire (1996) Tom Cruise may have yelled “show me the money” in a story about a sports agent down on his luck, but Cuba Gooding Jr. showed them how it was done as he received the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. OSCAR, YOU COMPLETE ME
The Blind Side (2009) Sandra Bullock took home her first Oscar for her role as a pushy mom who takes in a homeless teen and helps to harness his talents to turn him into a football powerhouse. The film is based on the true story of Michael Oher, who became a college football sensation and an NFL (National Football League) player. DREAMS DO COME TRUE
Ford vs. Ferrari (2019) The movie about the 24 hours Le Mans race pitted Christian Bale as Ken Miles and Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby against each other. The movie was nominated for four Academy Awards that included Best Picture and took home two trophies for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Editing. Arguably one of the best racing movies ever, the movie lost to Parasite for Best Picture. No racing-themed film has ever won Best Picture. SO YOU’RE SAYING THERE’S A CHANCE?
Honorable mentions: Chariots of Fire won four Academy Awards, including one for its inspiring musical score. Kobe Bryant won for his animated short, Dear Basketball. Bryant said that his win “felt better than winning a championship.” THE TROPHY ISN’T AS COOL
PS: If you prefer to watch March Madness basketball over the Academy Awards, check out our Guide to March Madness for the background on the tournament and more of what you need to know.
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