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Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Margaret Whitton, James Gammon ... see more see more... , Rene Russo , Wesley Snipes , Charles Cyphers , Chelcie Ross , Dennis Haysbert , Andy Romano , Bob Uecker , Mike Bacarella , Kevin Crowley , James Deuter , Gary Houston , Marge Kotlisky , Joe Liss , Tony Mockus Jr. , Ted Noose , Ward Ohrman , Mary Seibel , Peter Vuckovich , Deborah Wakeham , Gregory Alan Williams , Wallis Nicita , Steve Yeager , Jack McLaughlin-Gray , Skip Griparis , Harry Doyle

Inheriting the Cleveland Indians baseball team from her late husband, covetous ex-showgirl Rachel Phelps (Margaret Whitton) wants to move the franchise to Miami, primarily to take advantage of the man... read more read more...y personal perks she's been promised by that city. But Cleveland won't yield its lease on the Indians unless the year's attendance falls below 800,000. Figuring that chances for this are already good given Cleveland's inability to win a pennant, Phelps tries to make doubly certain that the fans won't turn out by ordering the club manager to put together the worst team possible. The new players include has-been Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger), blind-as-a-bat pitcher Ricky Vaughn (Charlie Sheen), self-protective free agent Roger Dorn (Corbin Bernsen), and Willie Mays Hayes (Wesley Snipes), who is constitutionally incapable of hitting straight. Surprisingly, this band of misfits begins winning games, so Whitton decides to break their spirit by forcing them to fly from game to game in a World War II prop plane, assigning them a rickety old bus for road games, and divesting them of their precious whirlpool.Still, the team's talent and esprit de corps grows, especially after "Wild Thing" Ricky Vaughn dons a pair of glasses and is able to see where he's lobbing his 100-mile-an-hour pitches. Once the players are told that Phelps plans to dump them all whether they win the pennant or not, the team defiantly adopts an "us against the you-know-what" attitude. In a nailbiting 20-minute climax, the Indians face down their hated Yankee rivals in the pennant playoff game. The film's conclusion ties up several loose plot ends, notably the off-and-on romance between the irresponsible Berenger and his "ex" Lynn Wells (Rene Russo). Though set in Cleveland, Major League was filmed virtually in its entirety in Milwaukee, with the Brewers' play-by-play announcer Bob Uecker giving a terrific performance as the Indians' drink-besotted color commentator. The film represented not only the fictional comeback of the Cleveland Indians, but the actual comeback of producer/director David S. Ward, who'd been in a professional slump for several years. Though containing few surprises, Major League was a box-office smash, inspiring a 1994 sequel, inventively titled Major League II. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

78% liked it

86,255 ratings

Critics

85% liked it

34 critics

R, 2 hr.

Directed by: David S. Ward

Release Date: April 7, 1989

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DVD Release Date: September 24, 2002

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Stats: 3,104 reviews

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Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn Tom Berenger Tom Berenger Tom Berenger Major League (1989) tom berenger and Charlie Sheen in Major League tom berenger Major League
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Flixster Reviews (3,104)

  • fb733768972
    September 10, 2011
    fb733768972
    This movie has a lot going for it, and by the time the credits begin to role, you are going to appreciate the storytelling of how the worst team in the major leagues became the best with one season. This film is filled with great laughs, intense ball-games, a knockout cast, and s... read moreome of the strongest will-power I have ever laid eyes upon. It may be a story that seems to be overdone, but when you really think about it, when the dialogue is actually good, the actors are fantastic, and the plot is pure, what is not to love about this movie? Major League is a major home-run, even if it is more of an inspirational film than a comedy!
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    July 6, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    In the History of sports there's always been at least two baseball films that has stood out above all the rest. For me it's Major League and The Sandlot. Major League is truly a sports comedy classic. What makes Major League such a winner is the many memorable scenes in the film ... read moreand characters. Charlie Sheen as "Wild Thing" Vaughn, I mean you gotta love his bad attitude. Sheen was in his prime here, before all his troubles. I personally think this is his funniest film, as I think that Hot Shots! was average really. But what he did in Major League was terrific. The other cast members that star with Sheen are also memorable and great. The comedy in Major League is sharp, and witty and every character is funny in their own special way. I personally think that along with The Sandlot, Major League has stood its ground as one of two definitive baseball comedies. Films like Rookie Of The Year look dated and are more irritating today. Major League is a popular film amongst baseball fans and it's easy to see why. This film is one funny laugh fest and it's definitely one great comedy to watch with friends. Major League has a great cast of actors and they all deliver something unique to the screen which makes this film so good. So if you've never seen Major League, and are a baseball fan, then I suggest that you watch this classic. Or if you're looking for a good comedy with plenty of laughs, Major League is a wise choice.
  • kpn666
    September 26, 2010
    kpn666
    A genuine classic sports gem from the 1980's, this underdog movie is a classic belly of laughs, and that famous sing along which had everyone on their feet!

    When the new owner of the Cleveland Indians decides to purposely sabotage the team's efforts in order to have the team mov... read moreed to Miami and receive her bonus, the coach and the rest of the team decide to prove to her and their home town they are not a complete wash out and win the finals... with an unknown runner who can't hit the ball, a super strong pitcher who has vision issues, an aged veteran with dodgy knees, a voodoo practitioner and wannabe poster boy who refuses to get dirty on the field.

    It's funny, I'll give it that, and it has star value and really does explore each major character enough to deem it a quality film.... though it's not exactly a stunning movie, its entertainment value is every high, so thus it has ended up as a classic.

    Enjoy!
  • Chiefilms
    July 14, 2010
    Chiefilms
    Solid.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 1, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    inthebasket
  • stormyweather980
    August 15, 2009
    stormyweather980
    I finally saw "Major League" and now I see why it's so popular. A woman (Rachel Phelps) who just wants to move the Cleveland Indians to Miami so she can get richer recruits what she thinks are the worst possible players and coaches that she can in order for the Indians to come in... read more dead last. Included on the team is a clever coach (Tom Berenger), a blazing pitcher (Charlie Sheen), and a great athlete (Wesley Snipes), among others. Once the baseball team finds out about Mrs. Whitton's (Rachel Phelps) evil plan, they set a goal to win the whole thing. But it won't be easy because Cleveland hasn't even won the pennant in over 30 years.
    "Major League" is a great all-around movie. It's funny, it has an intriguing plot, and it features a great performance from all the baseball stars. If you like comedy movies that will make you laugh and do more than just keep you interested, I recommend getting "Major League." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. I don't remember many sequences from this film now, so it didn't stick with me like I thought it would, but I'd love to see it again and see the sequels, which I never have.
  • phubbs1
    May 22, 2009
    phubbs1
    If you dont like baseball dont worry, this is still great fun. Quite cheeky and wisecracking, it has aged ok, I dont think many people have seen it here in the UK actually, cos of its sport content. There's a trilogy out there but dont bother this is the best, give it a try.
    'wan... read moret me to take him outside..beat the shit outta him?'
  • middleeasternfilms
    July 8, 2008
    middleeasternfilms
    Not one of the best baseball movies per se, but certainly the funniest. A lot of future stars came out of this one and another standout that was never a big star in Chelcie Ross. Though this one came first, I think I still prefer the second one actually.
  • jagfire
    June 2, 2008
    jagfire
    Decent. Wesley Snipes' batting stance is the funniest part, when I first saw it.
  • superclerk25
    February 9, 2008
    superclerk25
    Your standard sports comedy that has some really good characters and funny situations.

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Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss
March 16, 2011
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

Major League doesn't try too hard or aim too high, but it is pretty funny. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
March 14, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Slick predictability is about all it has in mind, down to the last trite freeze-frame. Full Review

March 14, 2007
Variety

For sheer crowd-pleasing fun it belts one high into the left-field bleachers. Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

The film is so loopy that it glides over its cliches and indulges in some congenial movie-baseball silliness. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

Shamelessly formulaic. Full Review

Angie Errigo
March 16, 2011
Angie Errigo, Empire Magazine

If you're looking for sophisticated wit keep going, but Major League is pleasant, undemanding fun. Full Review

Kevin Carr
November 23, 2009
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures

The absurdity of the Indians winning the pennant in 1989 helped make the film a lot of fun, and it was a great little fantasy for Tribe fans back in the day. Full Review

Peter Canavese
May 24, 2009
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

A meat and potatoes '80s movie, that maybe doesn't 'taste great,' but at least is 'less filling.' [Blu-ray] Full Review

August 1, 2008
Film4

Even though too many jokes fall flat under the weight of predictability, its sheer comic energy manages to entertain. Full Review

Steve Crum
March 8, 2008
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Sometimes funny comedy set in major league baseball with plenty of bawdy slapstick.

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  • In "Major League," what league did Rick Vaughn play for before the Indians?  Answer »
  • What city did the major league team the Devil Rays in "The Rookie" represent?  Answer »
  • Which actor played Rick 'Wild Thing' Vaughn in the movie Major League?  Answer »
  • In Little Big League, what major league baseball team is inherited by a 12 year old boy?  Answer »
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