Top 10 Best Cricket Movies Every Fan Must Watch - 2025 | Ranked

Cricket is more than simply a sport; it is a passion that brings people together from crowded stadiums to dusty country fields. The drama, victories, and heartbreaks have been documented by filmmakers over the years. There are tales that appeal to both fans and non-fans. Movies about cricket bring the game's enchantment to life, whether it's the ascent of the underdog, the pain of losing, or the spirit of friendship. We explore the best cricket related movies in this listicle.

Ranking Factors:

The ranking of the top 10 best cricket movies was determined by balancing cinematic quality, cultural impact, and relevance to cricket fans. Here’s how the best cricket related movies are evaluated:

• Storytelling and Emotional Depth: Movies like The Test: A New Era for Australia’s Team and Jersey topped the list for their compelling narratives and universal themes of resilience and triumph.
• Cricket Authenticity: Films such as 83 and The Test scored high for realistic match portrayals and historical accuracy.
• Cultural and Social Impact: Fire in Babylon and MS Dhoni were valued for reflecting cricket’s broader societal role.

However, in this article, we will rank them based on IMDb ratings.

10. Patiala House (2011)

Starring Akshay Kumar, Patiala House displays cricket with family drama. Gattu, a British-Indian cricketer, dreams of playing for England but faces opposition from his traditional father (Rishi Kapoor), who distrusts the system due to past racial tensions. The film explores identity, duty, and breaking free from expectations. While the cricket sequences are solid, the real strength is the father-son conflict, portrayed with nuance.

9. The Final Test (1953)

This British classic offers a lighter take on cricket. Starring Jack Warner as Sam Palmer, a veteran cricketer playing his last Test match, the film explores his bittersweet farewell to the game. His son, Reggie, a poet, skips the match for a literary event, adding a touching father-son dynamic. Written by Terence Rattigan, it’s more about life than sport, with cricket as the emotional backdrop. Cameos by real cricketers like Len Hutton add authenticity. Its gentle humor and understated charm make it a unique entry.

8. Victory (1981)

This Hollywood classic isn’t a pure cricket movie, but it deserves a spot for its unique spin. Set in a WWII POW camp, Victory (also known as Escape to Victory) stars Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine, with a climax featuring an Allied prisoners’ soccer match against German soldiers. Why include it? The film’s spirit mirrors cricket’s themes of teamwork and defiance, and it features real athletes like Pelé.

7. 83 (2021)

Reliving India’s historic 1983 Cricket World Cup win, 83 is a nostalgic ride. Directed by Kabir Khan, it stars Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev, the captain who led an underdog team to glory against the mighty West Indies. The film captures the era’s spirit, from retro vibes to the team’s camaraderie and struggles. The movie's strength lies in recreating iconic matches with thrilling authenticity, making you feel every boundary and wicket. While some subplots feel stretched, the emotional payoff is immense. 83 is a patriotic, crowd-pleasing tribute to a defining moment in cricket history.

6. Fire in Babylon (2010)

This documentary displays the West Indies cricket team’s dominance in the 1970s and 80s. Directed by Stevan Riley, it explores how players like Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd turned their team into an unstoppable force, using cricket to challenge racial and colonial oppression. The film possesses archival footage, pulsating reggae beats, and candid interviews, showing the sport’s socio-political impact. It’s less about matches and more about the cultural revolution behind them.

5. MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)

This Bollywood biopic displays the rise of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s beloved cricket captain. Sushant Singh Rajput delivers a wonderful performance. He displayed the journey of India's former captain, MS Dhoni. From his small-town roots in Ranchi to leading India to World Cup glory, the film is a mixture of cricket action with personal struggles, love, loss, and sacrifice. The cricket scenes, especially the 2011 World Cup final, are sensational. The movie is one of the best cricket movies and a great tribute to the Indian legend.

4. Iqbal (2005)

In the Indian drama Iqbal, Shreyas Talpade plays a deaf-mute youngster from a rural hamlet who has a huge dream: to play cricket for India. Iqbal possessed the skill and perseverance while facing poverty, scepticism, and a contemptuous father. Its gentle intensity, no exaggerated drama, just unadulterated emotion and realistic cricket scenes, is its strongest point. The movie sensitively addresses ambition, family issues, and disabilities, which makes it incredibly relevant and one of the best cricket movies in Hindi.

3. Lagaan (2001)

Lagaan is one of the best cricket movies of all time. The movie's plot is set in British India, where Aamir Khan plays the role of Bhuvan. He is a brave peasant who is ready to play a cricket match against British officials. If they win the match, they will be exempt from paying taxes, but if they lose, then they will have to pay thrice the amount of the current tax. The film displays how they, together with the other 10 villagers, fight all odds and beat the Brishers in the match.

2. Jersey (2019)

It is originally a Telugu film that was remade in Hindi in 2022. The story is about dreams and redemption. The main actor in this movie is Nani, who stars as Arjun in this film. Arjun is a talented cricketer who left the game at his prime at 36 years of age. However, he makes a comeback to fulfil his son's wish and get back the glory. The film displays Arjun's emotional bonding with his family and his determination to fight against any odds. This is one of the best cricket movies in Hindi.

1. The Test: A New Era for Australia’s Team (2020)

This is a series but regarded as one of the best cricket movies regarding Australian cricket, where we get to see the behind-the-scenes stories of the Australian cricket team's comeback after the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal. The series displays how former Australian captain Tim Paine and head coach Justin Langer rebuilt the team to look for success. The series offers insights into the raw scenes, the tensions, and the thrilling matches that occurred in that period, like the 2019 Ashes.

Top 10 Best Cricket Movies Of All Time