Batter Up For The 2026 World Series With 10 Baseball Movies & Shows
by Explore Disney+ Contributor
Revised: October 22, 2026
Get ready for the Fall Classic with baseball movies, documentaries, and other favorites, including stories about Boston’s historic 2004 championship
The Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers compete for the World Series title beginning Friday, October 23. Between games, there are plenty of stories worth revisiting: Boston’s unforgettable 2004 run in Believers: Boston Red Sox, the comeback that helped set it up in 30 for 30: Four Days in October, and favorites like The Sandlot. ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary guide offers even more stories about America's pastime. But first, here’s what to know about this year’s Fall Classic.
2026 World Series Dates, Locations & Format
The League Championship Series will determine the two teams who will advance to the World Series.
When is the 2026 World Series?
Game 1 between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers is scheduled for Friday, October 23, 2026.
Where is the 2026 World Series?
The games will be played at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, and American Family Field, home of the Milwaukee Brewers.
What is the World Series?
Each fall, the American League and National League champions meet in Major League Baseball’s final postseason series. The winner is crowned the MLB champion.
How many games are in the World Series?
The World Series is a best-of-seven series. The first team to win four games is champion, so it can end in as few as four games or last all seven.
World Series Stories in ESPN Documentaries
Between games, revisit Boston’s 2004 championship run through two documentaries that tell different sides of the story. Believers: Boston Red Sox follows decades of fan devotion through the title win, while 30 for 30: Four Days in October focuses on the comeback that kept Boston’s championship hopes alive.
A Love Letter To Boston: Believers: Boston Red Sox, ESPN
A 3-part docuseries that digs into decades of close calls and heartbreak. Then, it locks in on the 2004 season that finally let Boston fans exhale. Red Sox legends share the screen with famous diehard fans like Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Bill Burr, and Katie Nolan, to illuminate the pent-up frustration and ultimate exaltation of this epic sports story. You’ll hear the city defined through the great game of baseball, with all the nerves and stubborn hope that come with it. Available with ESPN Unlimited and on Disney+ with a Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle.**
Add Believers: Boston Red Sox to Watchlist
Baseball’s Biggest Plot Twist: 30 for 30: Four Days in October, ESPN
Rating: TV-14
Down 3–0 in the 2004 ALCS, the Red Sox seemed to be losing hope of reaching the World Series. But game by game, the Red Sox pulled off a historic comeback. Featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with heavy hitters including Terry Francona, David Ortiz, and Curt Schilling, this documentary gives an intimate look at the 96 hours that changed the team’s fate.*
Add 30 for 30: Four Days in October to Watchlist
Classic Baseball Movies & One Short To Stream On Disney+
These picks follow a teacher’s late shot at the majors, a young player’s choice between the field and the kitchen, and Goofy’s comedic lesson in how the game works.
The Ultimate Rise-To-The-Top Sports Story: The Rookie (2002)
Rating: G
Based on the true story of one of the oldest rookies in the major leagues, this heartwarming movie proves it's never too late to pursue your dreams. With hopes of playing in the big leagues, Jim Morris’s (Dennis Quaid) plans were derailed when he experienced an injury to his shoulder. He leads a quiet life as a high school science teacher and part-time baseball coach. When his underdog team discovers the extent of his talent, they convince him to try out for the majors. He agrees, but only if they win the district championship.
Add The Rookie (2002) to Watchlist
Fastballs, Frying Pans & Secret Ambition: Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off
Rating: TV-G
This Disney Channel Original Movie puts a fresh spin on the traditional coming-of-age story. When Eddie finds himself torn between the baseball field and the kitchen, he wonders if he can balance his glove and bat with spatulas and skillets. The pressure builds when a scheduling conflict between the playoffs and a cook-off may force Eddie to choose between his passions. Can Eddie stay true to himself without letting his teammates down?
Add Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off to Watchlist
An Animated Time Capsule: Goofy: How to Play Baseball (1942)
Rating: TV-G
New to the sport? Don’t fret, Goofy has all bases covered (literally) as he teaches you everything you need to know. An impressive example of early Disney animation, this short is filled with timeless humor and Goofy’s signature charm.
Add Goofy: How to Play Baseball to Watchlist
Family-Friendly Baseball Movies To Watch Together
Each story below puts a young fan or player at the center of the action, so families can choose between a summer adventure, a big-league fantasy, or a touch of magic.
A Neighborhood Ballgame Caper Set In The 60s: The Sandlot
Rating: PG
A shy kid new to the area is coaxed out of his shell when the neighborhood kids invite him to play baseball. What ensues is a summer of friendship, rivalries, and escapades, including a mission to recover a piece of priceless baseball memorabilia. Filled with humor and heart, this nostalgic classic is a perfect comfort watch.
The Funniest Call-Up In Baseball History: Rookie of the Year
Rating: PG
12-year-old Henry Rowengartner is no ace. Try as he might, his dreams of making the big leagues one day seem doomed. But after an injury and some time in a cast, Henry finds that a tightening of the tendons in his pitching arm has made him a force to be reckoned with. His 100-mph fastballs catch the eye of the Chicago Cubs, and soon he’s on track to become the youngest player in the majors.
Add Rookie of the Year to Watchlist
A Nostalgic Story Of An Unexpected Intervention: Angels in the Outfield (1994)
Rating: PG
Roger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) takes an offhanded comment by his absentee father to heart, and believes the only way they’ll be reunited is if the struggling California Angels win the pennant. When the team hits an inexplicable winning streak, only Roger knows the truth. His prayer was heard by actual angels! With Al the Angel (Christopher Lloyd) on the case, it seems the dreams of both Roger and the Angels’ coach, George Knox (Danny Glover), could finally come true.
Add Angels in the Outfield (1994) to Watchlist
Baseball Documentaries About Remarkable Players & Seasons
Jim Abbott’s career and the 1998 home run race left very different marks on baseball. These documentaries revisit the people and pressure behind those moments, along with their lasting legacies.
A No-Hitter That Was Built Different: Southpaw — The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott, ESPN
Rating: TV-PG
Born without a right hand, Jim Abbott carved a remarkable path to become a pitcher for the New York Yankees. Here, he looks back on his life and career, including his incredible 1993 no-hitter against Cleveland. The documentary features interviews with Abbott filmed at Yankee Stadium, as well as conversations with his family, Hall of Famers, and prominent athletes with limb differences.*
Add Southpaw - The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott to Watchlist
For Anyone Who Misses The Late 90s: 30 for 30: Long Gone Summer, ESPN
Rating: TV-G
Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa sit down to discuss the intensity of the summer of 1998. Both players raced to break the 1961 record for most home runs in a single season, triggering a media frenzy and reinvigorating public interest in the sport. McGwire, Sosa, and other prominent figures from the time look back on the season and how its legacy has become increasingly complex in the intervening years.*
Add 30 for 30: Long Gone Summer to Watchlist
More Sports Recommendations On Explore Disney+
For more best-in-class sports documentaries, check out our list of 12 Essential ESPN 30 for 30 Documentaries To Stream With ESPN On Disney+.
If you’re looking for a mix of fictional stories, biopics, and documentaries centered around a variety of sports, our Watch Guide of 10 Must-Watch Sports Shows and Movies to Watch on Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN has you covered.
Finally, if you’re also a fan of the other b-ball, Get Your Basketball Fix On Disney+ With 12 Movies, Shows & Documentaries To Watch Between Games.
*ESPN on Disney+ requires a plan that includes ESPN. Available for U.S. residents, 18+ only. Location data required to watch certain content. Select Hulu content available via Disney+; additional content only available via Hulu app. Offer valid for eligible subscribers only. Subject to Disney+, ESPN, and Hulu Subscriber Agreement. Additional terms, app feature and device restrictions apply. For more information visit the Disney+ Help Center. © 2026 Disney and its related entities.
**Requires a plan that includes ESPN Unlimited.
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle: U.S. residents, 18+ only. Location data may be required to watch certain content. Use of the services is subject to the Disney+, ESPN, and Hulu Subscriber Agreement. For more information, including detailed information on billing and cancellation, please visit the Disney+ Help Center
Hulu: Access content from each service separately. Select Hulu content available via Disney+ with valid Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions; additional content only available via Hulu app. Hulu content can be streamed via Disney+ on up to 2 devices simultaneously. Additional app features and device restrictions apply.
