Breaking Away (1979)
Starring: Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid
Director: Peter Yates
Quirkier, more original sports-themed drama has similar Midwest flavor.

Rudy (1993)
Starring: Sean Astin, Ned Beatty
Director: David Anspaugh
Same writer/director team made this less-acclaimed, similarly moving sports drama.

Creative Movie Matches

Blue Chips (1994)
Starring: Nick Nolte, Shaquille O'Neal
Director: William Friedkin
Shaq and "Penny" Hardaway appear in more cynical hoops drama.

Hoop Dreams (1994)
Starring: Arthur Agee, William Gates
Director: Steve James
Incredibly engaging documentary profiles aspirations of inner-city hoopsters.

The Natural (1984)
Starring: Robert Redford, Robert Duvall
Director: Barry Levinson
Somewhat more mythic approach to baseball has comparable all-American feel.

The Program (1993)
Starring: James Caan, Omar Epps
Director: David S. Ward
Harder-hitting, less uplifting film profiles dirty world of college football.

Rocky (1976)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire
Director: John G. Avildsen
The archetypal underdog sports film provides equally uplifting drama.