Do you know that cricket game has inspired many movies over time? There are many reasons why cricket has been featured so prominently in films. It’s a team sport that offers scope for individual performances. It’s fast-paced with plenty of high-intensity moments which lend themselves well to cinematic treatment. And perhaps most importantly, there’s a great deal of romance associated with cricket due to its colonial origins and its popularity among the elite classes worldwide.
With its intense action, drama, and comedy, cricket provides great material for creative media producers who have turned this humble game into a staple for many viewers. If you are passionate about cricket and want to know more about the most fantastic cricket movies, keep reading! And don’t forget to sign up for Parimatch, the best cricket betting website on the web!
Table of Contents
Top 10 Cricket Movies and Series of All Time
Everyone, regardless of age or gender, can enjoy watching cricket as one of the most popular sports. To make it more exciting, filmmakers have come up with interesting cricket web series that cater to non-cricket fans as well as those who love this game but do not have time to watch a full match. Let’s explore further and learn more about these amazing cricket films:
Ranking |
Movie | Year | Country | Duration |
1 | Inside Edge | 2017 | India |
30 episodes |
2 | Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India | 2001 | India |
224 minutes |
3 |
Hansie | 2008 | South Africa | 123 minutes |
4 | Iqbal | 2005 | India |
132 minutes |
5 |
Playing Away | 1986 | United Kingdom | 100 minutes |
6 | Wondrous Oblivion | 2003 | United Kingdom
Germany |
106 minutes |
7 |
Victory | 2009 | India | 159 minutes |
8 | Fire in Babylon | 2010 | United Kingdom |
80 minutes |
9 |
83 | 2021 | India | 160 minutes |
10 | Jersey | 2022 | India |
170 minutes |
The Best Cricket Movies List: Comprehensive Overview
This sport has inspired many cricket-based movies over time. Let’s take a closer look at each movie and try to define the best of them.
1. Inside Edge (2017)
Inside Edge is a cricket-based TV series that explores the inner thoughts of the fictional cricket team, the Mumbai Mavericks playing the Powerplay League. The series does an excellent job of showing why this team was so great and how they got to be so good. This is an interesting cricket web series for any cricket lover or anyone who loves a good biography. It’s worth checking out.
2. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
It is a 2001 Indian historical drama film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Lagaan movie describes the period when India was colonized by Great Britain. One of the British captains challenges the villager to a cricket match in return for canceling taxes for the next three years.
Lagaan cast includes Aamir Khan, Raghuvir Yadav, Gracy Singh, and other legendary actors. It is considered one of the best cricket-related movies ever made. This Aamir Khan cricket movie was a commercial success and received critical acclaim for its acting and technical values. Also, this movie was nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards.
3. Hansie (2008)
It’s a legendary feature movie shot in South Africa. The main distinctive feature of this film is that it is based on the real story of Hansie Cronie, a talented cricketer. First, he was the nation’s hero and suddenly became an international disgrace.
This movie shows his life after cricket and how he struggled to live a normal life. He was accused of match-fixing, and the viewers get to see his journey from the start to the end. The movie received a lot of criticism for being heavily exaggerated. However, the South African cricketers, who were part of Hansie’s team, said that the movie was as realistic as it could be.
4. Iqbal (2005)
It’s one of the most exciting sports movies in Bollywood based on the story of a deaf child. The main dream of his life was playing cricket for his country. Unfortunately, his father doesn’t support him and considers his dream to be nonsense. Despite all the challenges, this man becomes a great cricketer and even plays for the Indian National cricket team.
5. Playing Away (1986)
It’s a legendary TV comedy movie that shows the story of the English cricket team “Sneddington” and the West Indian club. The main goal of this comedy is to demonstrate how two different cultures can play cricket with each other. At this very moment, it’s one of the most entertaining movies on cricket.
6. Wonderous Oblivion (2003)
We couldn’t pass by this one when reviewing the best cricket movies. This is a heartbreaking story about young man David Wiseman, a son of immigrants, and his neighbors, Dennis and Judy. All these guys couldn’t imagine their lives without cricket. In this movie, you can find everything: relationships, love for cricket, and friendship.
7. Victory (2009)
That’s another Indian cricket-based movie that won’t leave even the most demanding audience indifferent. Directed by Harman Baweja, it also features cricketers such as well-known Indian actors: Amrita Rao and Anupam Kher. It’s a cricket epic story about a struggling cricketer and his dad.
The main character of this movie, Vijay Shekhawat, dreams of playing for the Indian cricket team. And this movie shows his way of achieving his goals, difficulties, and sacrifices. It’s very interesting to watch how Vijay overcomes his weaknesses and becomes a real hero. This Indian cricket movie has a beautiful message: nothing is impossible if you are determined enough. And, of course, it’s worth watching because it’s a cricket movie with songs.
8. Fire in Babylon (2010)
It’s a British documentary film about the legendary West Indies cricket team and the rise of Caribbean cricket. If you do want to learn more about this game, some facts, fantastic stories, and interviews of professional cricketers, then you have to watch this cricket documentary. It was directed by Steven Riley and even nominated for the British Independent Film Award.
9. 83 (2021)
It’s an Indian sports drama film directed by Kabir Khan, which is surely worth your attention. When talking about this film, cricket is at the center of attention. This new cricket movie is about the India National team, the way it performs on the field, and its ups and downs.
This 1983 World Cup movie shows the players who are passionate about their game, how they succeed, and how they fail. It also stresses how important it is to have a dream and chase it relentlessly. The 83 film also talks about how cricket unites a country and helps it heal when it is divided by problems.
We can also say that it’s the Kapil Dev movie that captains this team. Overall, if you want to see the story of a team and its attempts to win the World Cup, you must watch it.
10. Jersey (2022)
This Indian sports drama is directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri. The cricketer movie is the remake of the 2019 Telugu film. It is also considered the best Shahid Kapoor cricket movie, telling the story of a former cricketer who comes back to this game because his son dreams of buying a Jersey, which was very expensive for the family to buy. This is the story of a father-son relationship and their struggle with poverty. This so-called Nani cricket movie also has a great message for society. It shows how important it is for us, as a society, to help each other.
Summary
We hope that this cricket movies list will help you learn more about this fantastic game. All these sports movies aren’t only about the game rules and strategies; they are about feelings, relationships, success, etc. After watching a movie, you can go to Parimatch and bet on your favorite team or player. Here, you can follow cricket matches, the latest news about your favorite players, and place your bets.
On top of that, we have an array of betting markets and superb promotions that allow you to win big. At Parimatch, you can check out your predictions and earn some money on cricket betting. And with our mobile app, you can bet on the move wherever you are!
FAQ
What is the most popular movie about cricket?
The best and the most popular movies about cricket that won the love and recognition of the fans are 83, Jersey, Fire in Babylon, and Victory.
Are there any series about cricket?
Yes, there is a lot of popular and interesting series about cricket. We recommend watching the Inside Edge epic series.
Which Bollywood movie is based on cricket?
Iqbal and Victory are considered the best Bollywood cricket movies that are based on cricket matches.