Every so often a movie character comes along that changes how moviegoers perceive the world around them. For instance, Luke Skywalker proved that light always prevails over darkness, and Ferris Bueller wittingly acknowledged the fact that life moves pretty fast, and that you could miss it if you do not slow down and look around once in a while. Movies  have not only impacted people’s lives, but they have also impacted the world of sports.

Competition is undeniably crucial in any type of sport. Every athlete in any kind of game, race, or other event is always eager and hopeful to win it all. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. Sports movies demonstrate to filmgoers that sports are not truly about the competition or becoming the greatest of all time. Sports are instead all about the life lessons and happiness they can bring to any kind of person, showing how even the best athlete can become better, both at their sport and as a character.

Take “Rudy,” for example. Starring a young Sean Astin, this biographical film follows a high schooler named Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger who has ambitious aspirations to play college football at the University of Notre Dame. However, Rudy faces several obstacles. Standing at 5’6”, he lacks the strong physique of the typical football player, his grades are not up to par with Notre Dame’s standards, and he is diagnosed with dyslexia. After improving his grades at a junior college and overcoming his disability, Rudy is finally accepted to Notre Dame, and he eventually makes the team. When the coach lets Rudy play on the final kickoff, he manages to tackle the opposing team’s quarterback, and the stadium erupts into cheers. Through Rudy’s coming of age, the film shows that sports are about conquering the unconquerable and turning dreams into realities, no matter how tall or strong one may be; or in the next movie’s case, how fast.

“Cars” may be one of the more kid-oriented Pixar movies, but it still contains wise messages about sports and living life that people of all ages can relate to, even though the main character is an anthropomorphic car. Hotshot racecar Lightning McQueen is on his way to California to win the Piston Cup, the most prestigious racing award. While travelling on the freeway, McQueen accidentally ends up in the small desert town of Radiator Springs. There, he meets Doc Hudson, formerly known as the racing legend the Hudson Hornet, and he learns more of what racing is truly all about. When he gets back to California just in time for the big race, McQueen realizes that life is a highway, and that a shiny trophy is just an empty cup.

Sports bring all kinds of people enjoyment and life lessons, whether they are playing one themselves or watching a movie about them. Any sports movie shows that sports do not revolve around winning or losing; instead, they are about beating the odds, finding happiness, and accomplishing the impossible.