The schedule of 2023 new movie releases includes a few sports films among its entries, and the latest is Next Goal Wins. Directed by Taika Waititi, it tells the true story of the American Samoa national football team’s efforts to change its losing ways. It’s an underdog tale if there ever was one, and it makes for a very fun (if not somewhat traditional) sports flick. I myself had a very good time with the What We Do in the Shadows helmer’s account of the events. Since seeing it, I’ve been thinking about other true underdog stories that could make for great motion pictures, and there are five that come to mind.
Over the years, plenty of sports movies have featured underdog victories, with the stories centered around protagonists seeking to overcome insurmountable odds to reach glory. Remember the Titans, Rudy and Glory Road are such productions that fall into that category. Though such tales have been told so many times, folks like myself can’t help but be drawn to them. As time goes on, real events within the world of competitive games continue to happen, and they could serve as great fodder for films. Let’s discuss some potential accounts that are ripe for dramatized cinematic adaptations.
