“Unstoppable,” the stirring new film about wrestling champion Anthony Robles, joins the A-team of inspirational sports films, a beloved genre in which underdogs realize their dreams so that viewers can weep like babies.

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With its release on Prime, we asked Robles, the Arizona champion and inspirational speaker born with one leg — which uplifting sports films resonate most with him.

“I’d say my all-time favorite is the ‘Rocky’ series,” he said. “I had that ‘Rocky” poster in my room. That was something special for me. That was an inspiration growing up just because of what it was sharing — fighting back from losses and fighting through your fears. That was something I could relate to in my life.”

Also on his fave list is Ron Howard’s truth-based Depression-era boxing film “Cinderella Man,” with Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger from 2005.

“You know, (Crowe’s character James J. Braddock) was fighting for his family and that was something along my journey,” he said.

Want more? Here are some of our favorites and where you can watch them.

“A League of Their Own”: Penny Marshall pitched a perfect directorial game with this 1992 feminist classic about baseball players (Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell) on the Rockford Peaches — part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, formed during World War II. Includes the often-referenced line spoken by Concord native Tom Hanks: “There’s no crying in baseball!” Where to watch: Available on Amazon Prime.

“Breaking Away”: The sport of cycling hasn’t produced a Peloton of great features. But this coming-of-age gem comedy-drama about a teenager (Dennis Christopher) who’s besotted with an Italian cycling team and a special someone, is touching enough to distance itself from the pack. Dennis Quaid, Daniel Stern and Jackie Earle Haley co-star as Dave’s rowdy buddies. Where to watch: Available on Amazon Prime

“The Fire Inside”: Cinematographer Rachel Morrison’s electrifying feature directorial debut is indeed a knockout, chronicling the sweat, talent and dedication of Flint, Michigan, female boxer Claressa Shields (Ryan Destiny) — the only female in her sport to win two back-to-back Olympic gold medals. Oscar winner Barry Jenkins wrote the screenplay, which takes deserved jabs at how Shields didn’t win sponsors afterwards. Brian Tyree Henry steals hearts as her tough but caring coach. Where to watch: Playing in theaters, available on Apple TV.

“Young Woman and the Sea”: Disney’s best live-action film in years took a deep dive into the groundbreaking career and life of Olympic swimmer Gertrude Ederle (Daisy Ridley), the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Director Joachim Rønning’s strikingly shot dramatization stresses how Ederle stared down sexism and jellyfish to make this remarkable achievement. Where to watch: Available on Disney+.

“Hoosiers”: Need a good, old-fashioned cry? Director David Anspaugh’s 1986 feel-good basketball tearjerker stars Gene Hackman as a high school basketball coach in Hickory, Indiana, where he weathers naysayers and his own past. Dennis Hopper co-stars in what many view as one of the best sports films ever made. Where to watch: Available on several streaming platforms.

“Miracle”: Kurt Russell’s coach Herb Brooks takes a group of unruly collegiate ice hockey players to a 1980 Olympic gold medal in Gavin O’Connor’s rousing, if by the book, crowd-pleaser. The rink action sequences are well-staged and Russell’s performance shoots and scores. Where to watch: Available to rent or stream on several platforms.

“The Bad News Bears” (1976) and “The Sandlot” (1993): A big subgenre of the sports movie focuses on the athletic and off-field pursuits of a unruly kids who usually find their way to an improbable victory. Here are two standouts with Disney’s “The Mighty Ducks” just behind them. Michael Ritchie’s hilarious classic features a cranky boozer (Walter Matthau at his best) coaching a batch of bad-news Little Leaguers, one played by Tatum O’Neal. “The Sandlot” pitches a nostalgic curve ball spinning around the funny and relatable exploits of a group of pre-adolescent San Fernando Valley boy baseball players. It deserves its cult status. Where to watch: Both available to rent or stream on several platforms.

“Seabiscuit”: An underdog California racehorse becomes a symbol of national hope in Laura Hildebrand’s book and Gary Ross’s moving 2003 adaptation starring Tobey Maguire as a jockey Chris Cooper as a trainer. Where to watch: Both available to rent or stream on several platforms.

“Rocky”: The now-classic American film was once an underdog itself, knocking down heavy-hitters “Network,” “All the President’s Men,” “Taxi Driver” and “Bound for Glory” to capture the 1977 Oscar for best picture. From its soundtrack (“Gonna Fly Now”) to Sylvester Stallone’s undeniably heart-tugging performance, “Rocky” inspires us all to this day — and it has produced some great sequels/reboots (2006’s “Rocky Balboa” and Ryan Coogler’s “Creed”). Even the series’ stinkers (“Rocky V” and “Rocky IV,” although we love Dolph Lungren) are fun to watch, if derisively. Where to watch: Available to rent or stream on streaming platforms.

“Chariots of Fire”: With its inspired score (you’ll get a runner’s high just listening to the late Vangelis’ hypnotic theme), director Hugh Hudson’s 1981 poignant drama of two British Olympic track contenders — Eric Lidell (Ian Charleson), and Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) — delves into faith, history and other themes bigger than the contest itself. Where to watch: Available to rent or stream on several platforms.

“Hoop Dreams”: There’s a plethora of incredible sports documentaries out three (1996’s “When Were Kings” and 2018’s nail-biter “Free Solo” among them), but director Steve James’ candid 1994 chronicle of Black Chicago teens William Gates and Arthur Agee and their hard-fought pursuit to turn their basketball talents into something bigger is extra special, a benchmark for other sports features that want to offer a more realistic portrait of what athletes of color have to overcome. Where to watch: Available to rent or stream on streaming platforms.

Contact Randy Myers at [email protected].