8. Hoosiers (1986)
Director: David Anspaugh
Cast: Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey & Dennis Hopper
Plot: Based on the true story of a small-town Indiana team that made the state finals in 1954, this movie chronicles the attempts of a coach with a chequered past (Gene Hackman), and the town's basketball-loving drunk (Dennis Hooper) to lead their high school team to victory against seemingly impossible odds.
Reason(s) To Watch Before You Die: Everyone loves a good underdog story and while the genre doesnt offer many surprises, the performances of two acting greats like Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper in the same film together should be enough to get anyone to give this film a go. Combined with a smart screenplay that perfectly understands high school politics and small town America, Hackman and an Oscar nominated Hooper convince entirely as likeable but complex individuals and give this film a heart and charm all its own.