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| Loved The Dink? Here Are 21 Hilarious Sports Movies That Deliver the Same Energy. (Photo: Apple TV) |
The Dink has only just arrived on Apple TV+, but viewers are already asking the same question: what should they watch next? The sports comedy has landed with plenty of laughs thanks to its unusual focus on pickleball, an unlikely underdog hero and a cast packed with familiar faces. While pickleball itself may still raise eyebrows among those who insist tennis is the only sport involving a racket, The Dink proves that even the most unexpected game can become the centre of a genuinely entertaining comedy.
Directed by Josh Greenbaum, the film follows former tennis prodigy Dusty Boyd, whose dreams have long faded before an injury forces him into the colourful world of pickleball. What begins as reluctant rehabilitation soon turns into an all-or-nothing battle to save both his family club and his own confidence.
The mix of underdog storytelling, eccentric rivals and self-aware humour has reminded many viewers of several classic sports comedies that refuse to take themselves too seriously. Fans have praised The Dink for embracing the ridiculous side of competitive sport without forgetting to give its characters genuine heart.
Others enjoyed watching real-life tennis legends appear alongside comedy veterans, while plenty admitted they never expected a pickleball film to be this entertaining. As with any comedy, reactions vary, but many agree that the film captures the same uplifting spirit found in some of the best sports comedies released over the past three decades.
Movies Like THE DINK
1. Blades of Glory (2007)
A disgraced figure skating champion finds himself forced to compete in an entirely different partnership format with his greatest rival.
Like The Dink, it follows an arrogant athlete whose career takes an unexpected turn, delivering outrageous comedy while proving redemption sometimes arrives in the strangest package.
2. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
A group of lovable losers enter a dodgeball tournament to save their local gym from corporate takeover. The underdog spirit, ridiculous competitions and escalating rivalry make it one of the closest matches to The Dink, especially with Ben Stiller bringing his signature over-the-top comedy.
3. Kingpin (1996)
A washed-up bowling legend sees one final chance at success after discovering an unlikely new talent. Much like Dusty, the main character has to swallow his pride, trust someone unexpected and rediscover why he loved competing in the first place.
4. Balls of Fury (2007)
Table tennis becomes a surprisingly dramatic battleground in this action-comedy parody. If you enjoyed watching pickleball treated like the most important sport on Earth, this film delivers the same wonderfully exaggerated energy.
5. Happy Gilmore (1996)
A failed hockey player accidentally becomes a golfing sensation while upsetting almost everyone around him. The fish-out-of-water humour and explosive personality echo the same formula that makes The Dink so entertaining.
6. Semi-Pro (2008)
A struggling basketball team fights to survive in the final years of the ABA. Like The Dink, it mixes absurd comedy with genuine stakes as eccentric characters desperately try to keep their sporting dream alive.
7. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
A racing superstar loses everything before attempting an unlikely comeback. It thrives on ridiculous rivalries, oversized egos and plenty of slapstick moments, making it perfect for fans who loved Dusty's chaotic journey.
8. The Mighty Ducks (1992)
A reluctant lawyer becomes coach to the worst youth hockey team imaginable. While aimed at families, the classic underdog formula and heartfelt character growth mirror much of what makes The Dink enjoyable.
9. Cool Runnings (1993)
Inspired by a true story, Jamaica's first bobsleigh team battles disbelief and impossible odds. The uplifting humour and determination against expectations fit perfectly alongside The Dink's feel-good spirit.
10. Goon (2011)
A gentle man unexpectedly becomes an ice hockey enforcer despite lacking traditional sporting skills. It delivers surprisingly heartfelt comedy while celebrating outsiders finding their place in competitive sport.
11. Major League (1989)
A baseball team made up of overlooked players shocks everyone by becoming genuine contenders. Fans of scrappy teams and unlikely victories will recognise the same winning formula found in The Dink.
12. White Men Can't Jump (1992)
Street basketball becomes the backdrop for clever hustles, unlikely friendships and constant competition. Like The Dink, the film balances sporting action with witty banter and memorable character chemistry.
13. Eddie the Eagle (2016)
Britain's famously determined ski jumper refuses to let lack of talent stop his Olympic dream. It shares the same uplifting underdog message and celebrates perseverance with plenty of humour.
14. Tin Cup (1996)
A talented but self-destructive golfer gets one last shot at proving himself. The mix of romance, sporting redemption and stubborn confidence makes it another natural companion to The Dink.
15. The Benchwarmers (2006)
Three adults finally get the chance to live out their childhood baseball dreams. It embraces silly humour while celebrating people who refuse to give up on having fun, no matter their age.
16. Next Goal Wins (2023)
A struggling football team attempts to overcome years of humiliation under an unconventional coach. Directed with warmth and humour, it captures the same blend of sporting failure turning into unexpected hope.
17. The Replacements (2000)
Replacement American football players are suddenly thrown into professional competition during a players' strike. The unlikely heroes and locker-room comedy create a similar feel to The Dink's collection of quirky personalities.
18. Mystery, Alaska (1999)
Residents of a small town challenge professional hockey stars in the match of their lives. Community pride, underdog determination and sharp humour make it another rewarding follow-up.
19. Battle of the Sees (2017)
The famous tennis showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs combines sport, personality clashes and witty dialogue. Tennis fans who enjoyed The Dink's background will appreciate this clever true-story drama with plenty of lighter moments.
20. Jerry & Marge Go Large (2022)
Although not centred on sport, this charming comedy follows an ordinary couple turning an unusual hobby into an extraordinary adventure. Like The Dink, it finds humour in unlikely passions that most people initially dismiss.
21. Cars (2006)
It may be animated, but the story of an arrogant racing star rediscovering humility through a small-town community mirrors Dusty's emotional journey surprisingly well. Sometimes redemption comes with squeaky trainers, sometimes with tyres.
Next: Where Was The Dink Filmed?
Whether you loved The Dink for its pickleball madness, its underdog comeback story or simply because it proved even the most unexpected sport can fuel a great comedy, these films offer plenty of the same winning ingredients.
Some lean further into outrageous laughs, others deliver a little more heart, but all understand that watching unlikely champions succeed is endlessly entertaining. And let's be honest, after spending two hours cheering for pickleball, almost any sport suddenly feels worthy of its own blockbuster. Which of these films is your favourite, and are there any hidden sports comedy gems you think deserve a place on this list?