Baseball’s timeless charm, with its mix of nostalgia, drama and magic, makes America’s favorite pastime ripe for the big screen. The top baseball films masterfully combine joy and heartfelt emotion with the love of the game. These movies don’t just focus on the thrill of the World Series but highlight personal purpose and the courage needed to pursue your dreams.
This list of the 12 best baseball films will delight and inspire audiences of all ages — perfect for enjoying alongside the excitement of the 2025 World Series!
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Top 12 Baseball Movies to Stream
Here’s a list of the best baseball movies out there right now with information on how you can watch them at home:
‘Field of Dreams‘
“If you build it, they will come.”
When Ray (Kevin Costner), an Iowa farmer and avid baseball fan, starts hearing these words and seeing the legendary Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) of the Chicago Black Sox in his dreams, he does what anyone would do: he builds a baseball diamond in his cornfield where the ghosts of baseball greats can play.
When his wife, daughter and new author friend (James Earl Jones) start hearing the voices too, they come together to celebrate the heart and spirit of America’s pastime.
Field of Dreams is available on DIRECTV and available to Rent or Buy across a variety of platforms.
‘Bull Durham‘
Directed by former minor leaguer Ron Shelton, the Bull Durham follows the AAA Richmond Braves. The story follows a washed-up big league catcher Crash Davis (Kevin Costner) and baseball groupie Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon) as they help prepare their rookie pitcher “Nuke” LaLoosh (Tim Robbins) into a major league star.
One of the most quotable and beloved baseball films of all time, it made stars of Costner, Sarandon and Robbins. In fact, Robbins and Sarandon, who were together for 23 years, met and fell in love during filming.
Bull Durham is available on DIRECTV and available to Rent or Buy across a variety of platforms.
‘Moneyball‘
Based on the book by Michael Lewis, Moneyball looks at how general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) and his assistant Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) used advanced metrics — like on base percentage — to build and draft a talented team of undervalued players.
Written by Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian, it was nominated for six Academy Awards and captured one of the biggest shifts in baseball in the 21st Century. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright and Chris Pratt co-star.
Moneyball is available on DIRECTV and available to Rent or Buy across a variety of platforms.
‘42‘
42 follows the rise of one of baseball’s greatest stars: Jackie Robinson. Starring Chadwick Boseman as Robinson, the biopic tells the life story of the first Black player in Major League Baseball.
Facing a slew of adversaries and racist backlash, he forges forward to become the man and player still remembered as a national treasure.
Harrison Ford co-stars as Branch Rickey, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers who drafted Robinson.
42 is available on DIRECTV and available to Rent or Buy across a variety of platforms.
‘The Natural‘
The late great Robert Redford stars as Roy Hobbs, a middle-aged unknown who returns to pro baseball after a 15-year hiatus to become one of the best players in the league.
Based on Bernard Malamud’s 1952 novel of the same name, The Natural was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actress for Glenn Close. Kim Basinger was nominated for a Golden Globe for her co-starring role.
The Natural is available on DIRECTV and available to Rent or Buy across a variety of platforms.
‘The Rookie‘
The true story of a high school chemistry teacher and baseball coach-turned-pro at the age of 35, Disney’s The Rookie stars Dennis Quaid as the titular character. With long-forgotten dreams of joining the Major Leagues, he’s surprised to find out he’s still got a killer throw. When his high schoolers convince him to go for try-outs, he miraculously finds his way to the big leagues.
The AV Club points out that, unlike other baseball blockbusters, The Rookie “exhibits a refreshingly honest understanding of baseball as a job, with long road trips away from home and a workmanlike routine that rarely finds room for grand slams and perfect games.” That honesty combined with a talented cast and its nostalgic charm makes for a pretty great movie.
The Rookie is available to stream on DIRECTV and Disney+.
‘The Sandlot‘
This coming-of-age movie about growing up and trying to fit in takes place over the course of one magical summer, when a crew of young boys get together to play some baseball.
A love letter to baseball and the spirit of youth, this enduring family favorite touches on all the right tropes of vintage Americana as well as friendship and childhood.
The Sandlot is available to stream on DIRECTV and Disney+.
‘A League of Their Own‘
“There’s no crying in baseball.”
Based on the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League of the 1940s, Penny Marshall’s A League of Their Own follows two sisters (Geena Davis and Lori Petty) who are recruited to play for the Peaches, a rag-tag team of misfits managed by former big leaguer Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks).
With even more star power from Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell, the story is as fun and entertaining as it is inspirational and moving.
Angels in the Outfield available to stream on DIRECTV and Tubi.
‘The Bad News Bears‘
Troubled ex-minor league pitcher Morris Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) finds himself with the last job he should ever have: a little league baseball coach.
The Bad News Bears is rude, crude and delightfully funny. Fans scored it a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes making it a sports comedy classic.
Angels in the Outfield available to stream on DIRECTV and MGM+.
‘Angels in the Outfield‘
And you thought there would only be one movie on this list with supernatural baseball players. Angels in the Outfield follows Roger, a young foster child (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) estranged from his father. When his dad tells him they’ll be together when the California Angels win the pennant, Roger prays for their success.
The next day he finds his prayers are answered when Angels led by Al (Christopher Lloyd) start playfully intervening to help the woeful baseball team defy the odds.
Angels in the Outfield available to stream on DIRECTV and Disney+.
‘Trouble with the Curve‘
Trouble with the Curve stars Clint Eastwood as a long-time baseball scout believed to be behind the times when it comes to advanced scouting. On what could be his last assignment, he brings along his daughter Mickey (Amy Adams) who he wishes he spent more time with over the years.
Directed by Robert Lorenz, the chemistry between Eastwood and Adams helps carry the heartwarming movie.
Trouble with the Curve is available to stream on DIRECTV and available to Rent or Buy on a variety of platforms.
‘The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings’
Starring Billy Dee Williams, James Earl Jones and Richard Pryor, The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings follows a team of Negro League Baseball free agents touring Midwest cities amid racial segregation during the 1930s.
The film delivers a wildly entertaining plot and a long overdue homage to an important chapter in baseball history.
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings is available to Rent or Buy across a variety of platforms including Apple TV, Prime Video and Fandango.
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