Batter up! It’s time to swing for the fences and get the Great Hambino behind the plate because soon pitchers and catchers are reporting to spring training. If you’re looking to catch spring fever early, you don’t have to build it so they come to Florida or Arizona. Just get the family together to watch the best baseball movies for kids that never strike out.
For sports-loving kids, baseball movies are a must. They’re a perfect pick for parents and non-sports enthusiasts of all ages, too. So grab the popcorn, peanuts, and hot dogs, but skip the bleacher seats and find a spot on the couch to enjoy these don’t-miss baseball movies that are a homerun any time of the year.
Family-friendly baseball movies
The bases were definitely loaded in the ’90s when it comes to baseball movies. Sure, there is a plethora of baseball movies across the ages, but the 1990s just seem to have had an array of must-sees earmarked for the kiddos. Lean into that fastball and put these classics and their contemporaries on your must-watch list of baseball movies the whole family will cheer for.
The Sandlot
This baseball comedy was a huge hit when it first came out in 1993. We’re still watching it 30 years later because this coming-of-age saga about a group of friends spending their days playing pickup baseball on a vacant sandlot in the summer of ’62 is timeless. From the new kid in town trying to fit in to the friend who dreams of making it to the big leagues to taking something special you know you’re not supposed to, The Sandlot will make you laugh out loud and maybe even tear up a bit. Watch on Prime Video and then check out one of the movie stars, Patrick Renna (The Great Hambino) on Instagram and TikTok. He’s still behind the plate and making people laugh after three decades.
Rookie of the Year
What happens when 12-year-old Henry gets a bonus baby arm after an accident? Well, he gets a contract to play for the Chicago Cubs, of course. Kids and parents will get a kick out of watching to see if Henry stays in the big leagues or returns to play for his hometown Little League team in this family-friendly movie for kids of all ages on Max.
Little Big League
Another ’90s baseball charmer is this sports comedy that’s a wish come true for every sports fan. Enjoy the run around the bases when 12-year-old Billy takes over the reins of his beloved Minnesota Twins.
Moneyball
Based on the bestseller by Michael Lewis, Moneyball, is the ideal movie night flick to watch with tweens and teens. It’s based on the true story of how Oakland A’s manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) put aside high-priced players in favor for bargain-basement ones because budget issues with the help of Ivy League graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill). The movie was nominated for six Academy Awards and was a box-office smash.
A League of Their Own
This classic is another great film to enjoy with tweens and teens. A stellar cast anchored by Tom Hanks and Geena Davis alongside a young Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell, A League of Their Own takes a humorous and poignant look at a Midwestern all-female baseball league during World War II. There’s also a series based on the movie that’s streaming on Prime Video.
The Bad News Bears
You can’t talk baseball movies without mentioning The Bad News Bears. It’s one of the original misfit sports stories (from 1976) where kids go from bad to worse when battling for first. A ’70s sports flick that finds a group of underachieving and unathletic Little Leaguers learning the finer points of the game from a down-and-out-coach Walter Matthau. There’s also a 2005 remake starring Billy Bob Thorton.
The Rookie
For a bit of life inspiration, gather the family to watch this Dennis Quaid baseball drama based on a true story of a Texas baseball coach and chemistry teacher who get the opportunity to play in the majors after making a bet with his players. If the team made the state playoffs, then the coach would go to a professional tryout as a walk-on. Keep the tissues handy.
The Perfect Game
Another baseball movie inspired by a true story, The Perfect Game is another quality film based on a book. Follow every pitch as the first team outside of the U.S. wins the 1957 Little League World Series, complete with a perfect game pitched by Angel Macias in the final. It’s a great movie to watch with tweens and teens as the team battles racism, language barriers, and visa issues to play in the tournament.
Other baseball movies for kids
If these movies don’t make the cut, step up to the plate with these baseball films.
- Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch
- A Mile in His Shoes
- The Benchwarmers (for tweens and teens)
Don’t sit on the bench — get out on the field with these binge-worthy baseball movies for kids. These family-friendly movies are perfect flicks to enjoy with kids of all ages. The must-see baseball movie watch list also has films ideal to share with tweens and teens. We promise there won’t be eye rolls. This list of baseball movies is full of homers.
