movies

Inspirational sports movies: Where are the women?

Sam B

Canada’s Globe and Mail just published a list of “Motivational masterpieces: 5 sports movies that’ll get you pumped.” Alex Hutchinson writes, “A good sports flick doesn’t just psych you up; it actually boosts your testosterone and makes you a better athlete. In order, a highly personal list of some all-time greats.”

Hutchinson’s list may be highly personal, fine, but it’s also a ‘veritable sausage fest’ (to borrow s friend’s phrasing that I now can’t resist using at every opportunity–thanks Shannon!) You can read it at the link above.

But I have a question: Where are the women?

Here are some of my favourite sports movies that would pass the Bechdel test:

1. Bend it Like Beckham

2. A League of Their Own

3. Million Dollar Baby

4. Whip It

5. Personal Best

Another fun list is here, at After Ellen: The 10 Hottest Women in Sports Movies.

What are your favourite sports movies about women athletes?

Published by Sam B

Philosopher, feminist, parent, and cyclist! Co-founder of Fit Is a Feminist Issue, co-author of Fit at Mid-Life: A Feminist Fitness Journey, published by Greystone Books.

8 thoughts on “Inspirational sports movies: Where are the women?”

  1. My examples are not very cheerful. Remember the middle segment of The Day I Became a Woman? Or Ice Castles, to go way back.

  2. I don’t remember The Day I Became a Woman…remember Ice Castles. Not very inspirational/motivational Kate! Though admittedly it’s slim pickings.

  3. great post. Wasn’t there a movie called “Girlfight” or something like that?

  4. Yeah–http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210075/–but I haven’t seen it. Maybe I’ll add to my ‘to see’ list. ‘girlfight’ 2000 “Diana, without her father knowing it, trains as a boxer and achieves impressive success, blazing new trails for female boxers. “

Comments are closed.