10 Best Sports Movies Of The 21st Century
2. Million Dollar Baby
Released: 2004
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91%
It’s a common theme for sports films to try and tug on the heartstrings a little, and none have managed to do that more than Million Dollar Baby.
Million Dollar Baby tells the story of aspiring boxer Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), who decides in her 30’s to take up boxing professionally. Maggie seeks the guidance of trainer Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) who initially refuses to train her due to his guilt of failing to stop his former fighter ‘Scrap’ (Morgan Freeman) from fighting, which resulted in him losing one eye and ending his boxing career.
Granted this sounds like every other boxing film,
but after Maggie has an accident, Frankie is left to make the toughest decision
of his life, and the film transcends to another level entirely. It is an absolute master-piece.