Comedies, remakes, and underdog biographies are the successful formulas for modern sports film. Of the top 10 highest box office movies since 2000, all reached nine-digit earnings domestically. Here is the list of top earners in the modern sports category:
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1. "The Blind Side" (2009)
$256 million
A heartwarming modern sports biography film featuring Sandra Bullock as a stubbornly caring woman and Quinton Aaron as the homeless African-American teenager she fosters. This true story rings all the right bells in the box office, taking first place as the top-grossing sports drama of all time.
2. "Cars" (2006)
$244 million
Animation and race cars was a winning combination in the summer blockbuster "Cars." The film's producers were another powerhouse team: Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios.
3. "The Karate Kid" (2010)
$177 million
Kung Fu and Jackie Chan are the top stars of this sports action drama. The film, a modern remake of the 1984 hit, grossed $56 million during its summer opening weekend.
4. "The Longest Yard" (2005)
$158 million
This popular modern sports comedy is a remake of an equally successful 1974 film starring Burt Reynolds. With another $190 million in foreign box office sales, the Adam Sandler film is the highest earning comedy remake ever.
5. "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" (2006)
$148 million
The NASCAR comedy boasts one of the largest opening weekend box office results at $47 million domestically, according to Box Office Guru's latest tracking results. The film stars Will Ferrell, a comedian who is a huge box office draw.
6. "Seabiscuit" (2003)
$120 million
Modern moviegoers fell under the spell of undersized racehorse Seabiscuit much like his Depression-era American fans. The sports film with the staple plot of underdog surges to victory starred Tobey Maguire as the horse's equally misfit jockey.
7. "Blades of Glory" (2007)
$118 million
Ferrell and Jon Heder team up in "Blades of Glory," a sports comedy about rival Olympic ice skaters who become skating partners. The film barely made money as it cost roughly $98 million to make.
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8. "Remember the Titans" (2000)
$116 million
Denzel Washington plays an African-American high school football coach leading a racially integrated team in 1971. The film explores forced desegregation and changing attitudes.
9. "Unbroken" (2014)
$116 million
Angelina Jolie directed this sports biopic drama. The film details the World War II experiences of Olympian Louis Zamperini taken prisoner by the Japanese. While critics gave mixed reviews, the film's domestic earnings reached $116 during its 11-week run in theaters.
10. "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" (2004)
$114 million
In this sports comedy, a band of friends compete in a dodgeball tournament against a large fitness health chain. At stake is a small gym across the street from the corporate workout center. The movie features Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller.
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