1. The Natural
Robert Redford’s performance as Roy Hobbs in The Natural is without a doubt the greatest thing we’ve seen in a baseball movie. Perhaps it’s just that it’s so believable that Redford really could be the greatest baseball player to ever live, perhaps it’s the phenomenal story written by Bernard Malamud, or maybe it’s just the fact that Barry Levinson directs this film perfectly, but regardless of the reason, The Natural is the greatest baseball film ever made.
No film has ever captured the spirit of the game this well, and no film ever will. From start to finish, it’s completely captivating, and is layered with excellent performances from not only Redford, but Robert Duvall, Glen Close and Kim Basinger as well.
Take out every other element, and Randy Newman’s score is still enough to give me goosebumps. And that final home-run that Hobbs hits, how I can I even begin to describe it? I can’t write anything else here that will properly convey how incredible this film is, so just watch the home-run scene below, and bask in the glory of the most memorable baseball scene of all time. Warning: It’s impossible to watch this scene without getting chills. Enjoy.
Well that’s our list of the 10 greatest Baseball Movies of all time. What do you think of the order? Is there something missing that you think should be added? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.