5 Sports Movies For Girls

Looking for a way to share your love of sports with your daughter? There are recent documentaries like Full Court Press, or movies like Nyad and Bruised that are rated PG-13 and R, but little to no recent movies geared toward younger girls. We did some digging in the memory vault to find you the best sports movies for girls.

5 Sports Movies for Girls:

1. Soul Surfer (PG)

This well-known movie is based on Bethany Hamilton and her memoir released in 2004. Bethany Hamilton was a 13-year-old sponsored surfer in Hawaii. One day, she was out surfing with a friend. Her arm was dangling in the water when a shark bites her just below the shoulder. They get her to the hospital where it becomes clear she has lost her left arm and 60% of her blood, but doctors manage to save her life.

The movie and her memoir focus on her recovery. She talks about facing fears and adversity during her journey back to the water and back on her board. Bethany Hamilton still became a professional surfer despite her setback, and her story teaches kids to never give up in the face of adversity. Hamilton is now in her 30’s married with four kids. She is a motivational speaker that talks about overcoming fear and continues to be one of the best surfers of all time.

2. Bend It Like Beckham (PG-13)

Made in 2002, this movie focuses on an 18-year-old girl in London, Jess Bharma, who loves to play soccer, or football as they say in London. Her family is not supportive of this passion as they prefer she focus on academics. Despite the lack of support, she continues to play without them knowing. Eventually, her dad comes to one of her games and realizes how much she loves the game and lets her play. Rated PG-13, this movie is fitting for teenaged girls as well as their parents who could learn a thing or two about listening to what their kids are passionate about.

3. A League of Their Own (PG)

League of their Own is an older movie made in 1992. Based on the real All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), this movie tells the story of how the league started and the impact it made in the sports world. In the World War II era, young men were sent to war, so the MLB was hemorrhaging players. To fill the void, the AAGPBL was formed. This movie tells the story of how the teams were made through the eyes of The Rockford Peaches.

This is a great movie to inspire young girls and teach them interesting sports history. Though this was remade in 2022 as an Amazon Prime Series, the series is rated 18+ so it isn’t as appropriate for a younger audience.

4. Motocrossed (G)

This is one of Disney’s most iconic movies from the early 2000’s. The plot involves a girl, Andrea Carson, whose brother Andrew is a motocross racer. Andrea loves the sport of motocross, but her dad thinks it’s too dangerous for girls. Andrew gets injured, and while their dad is out of town trying to find a racer to take Andrew’s spot, Andrea is determined to show she is just as good as any boy. She cuts her hair and pretends to be her brother Andrew, or “Andy,” in his motocross race.

We won’t spoil the ending for you, but this is a feel-good story with a side of rebellion that teaches young girls not to give up on what they love just because someone says girls can’t do it.

5. Double Teamed (G)

Another old-school Disney Channel movie, Double Teamed focuses on twins Heather and Heidi Burge. The twins played volleyball for their high school, but when their dad forces them to transfer to a new school in order to have a better chance at earning scholarships, the basketball coach convinces them to play basketball too. Heather is considered the “superstar” between the two, while Heidi has interests outside of sports such as participating in the school play.

Heidi and Heather often butt heads while playing because as the star, Heather doesn’t want Heidi to get the attention, and Heidi thinks Heather is the reason she is being forced to play basketball. Eventually, Heather gets injured and is forced to put her ego aside to learn the importance of teamwork. They win their tournament and are invited to attend basketball camps for more exposure, but their dad realizes the pressure he put on them has taken a toll. He apologizes and allows Heidi to go to drama camp like she wanted. In a flashforward scene, you see both girls end up playing for the WNBA.

This movie is as great for parents as much as it is young girls. Though it teaches players the importance of teamwork, it teaches parents a bigger lesson. It shows parents how pressuring kids, even older ones, to do something because you want them to is not always what’s best for them or your relationship with them. It teaches parents that it’s ok for athletes to have interests outside of sports. Kids can play basketball, be in school plays, and still make it to the pros. Missing a camp or a tournament to pursue something else they are passionate about is not going to negate an opportunity to get a scholarship or go pro in the future.

Bonus: Big Shot (TV-PG)

Big Shot is not a movie, but a recent television series on Disney+ starring John Stamos as a standout college basketball coach, Coach Korn, who falls from his glory due to his temper and then becomes the coach for his daughter’s high school basketball team. In order to succeed, he must learn how to communicate with young girls instead of college men. This show has Disney’s famous heartwarming story, focuses on a team of young girls, and is a great lesson for any coach or parent on how working with young girls is different than working with men or young boys.

As you can see, many of these movies are upwards of 20 years-old and admittedly difficult to find today without specific streaming services. Representation on the big screen matters. According to research conducted by Women in Sport in 2024, 63% of girls said the Olympics made them want to try a new sport while 53% of boys said seeing female Olympians made them want to support the women and girls in their life more often. The Olympics come and go every four years, or two if you watch the Summer and Winter Olympics.

We can’t wait every 2-4 years to inspire young girls and promote female athletes. We need more regular representation of girls in sport. Women’s professional and college sports are getting more broadcast opportunities, now it’s time for Hollywood to recognize their potential. We hope to see more movies and tv shows surrounding female athletes that are appropriate for young girls.