No matter how hard we look, when it comes to talking sports, it's the Americans who do it best. So it's off to the States for this selection of sports movies in all its forms, including parody. From open-water swimming to baseball, street basketball, and good-old playground dodgeball, here are five reasons for the entire family to curl up in front of the TV and watch others sweat it out on screen.

Even without an inkling about baseball, the enigmatic American variant of cricket, this delightful and witty film promises an enjoyable experience for the entire family. Directed by Bennett Miller and co-written by Aaron Sorkin (renowned for works like The West Wing and The Social Network), and featuring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, don't let the perceived intricacies of the plot deter you. Based on actual events, the film unveils how a coach's intuition, coupled with statistical insights from an economist, revitalized a struggling team. Bursting with humor and performed with gusto, this quintessential American success story makes for a perfect Saturday night movie, suitable for audiences aged 10 and above.

A film by Bennett Miller, with Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman (USA, 2011; 133 minutes).

In the vast realm of sports biopics, Nyad shines with its stellar cast, featuring the rare presence of Jodie Foster alongside Annette Bening, delivering a compelling narrative centered around the extraordinary feat of Diana Nyad. At 64 years old, Nyad's epic swim from Cuba to Florida, spanning over 50 grueling hours, serves as the backdrop for a gripping tale of human endurance and technological prowess. Through this awe-inspiring journey, Nyad navigates the realms of terror and humor, buoyed by the authentic portrayal of its lead actresses whose unfiltered performances resonate deeply. A cinematic gem that resonates with aspiring swimmers and those captivated by monumental challenges alike, recommended for ages 12 and above (content advisory: references to sexual abuse are included).

A film by Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, with Jodie Foster, Annette Bening, Rhys Ifans, and Luke Cosgrove (USA, 2023; 120 minutes).

For those, and there's a legion of them, more captivated by sports shoes than the actual sport itself, Air unravels the narrative of how a struggling equipment manufacturer wooed one of the most promising basketball talents of the early 1980s, Michael Jordan, to become the face of a line of sleek, upscale sneakers – yes, the ones your kids persistently request every Christmas, starting from their sixth-grade years. Directed by Ben Affleck and featuring his longtime friend Matt Damon, "Air" serves as a resounding ode to Nike's ingenuity, with its Air Jordan shoes maintaining their status as perennial top sellers. Perfect for a rainy afternoon, this film resonates with audiences aged 12 and above, or even 10 for NBA enthusiasts.

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