5 Olympics movies to get you even more excited about London 2012

"Chariots of Fire" (1981)

Obviously. "Chariots of Fire" is the film that launched a million slow-motion runs across the world. This story of two devoutly religious runners in the 1924 Olympics won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, but it's perhaps best remembered for an iconic opening scene in which men run in slow motion along the beach to Vangelis' song "Titles."

"The Cutting Edge" (1992)

D.B. Sweeney and Moira Kelly star in this formulaic but lovable movie about an injured ice hockey player who can only make it to the 1988 Winter Olympics by pairing up with a spoiled brat ice skater in need of a partner. Kelly's Kate Moseley and Sweeney's Doug Dorsey fall in love on the uphill climb to Olympic glory, but not before a lot of "my sport is better than yours" smack talking.

"Cool Runnings" (1993)

The best Olympics movies are about proving yourself when all odds are against you. The leading men of "Cool Runnings" also hope to make it to 1988's Winter Olympics, except they're bobsledders. From Jamaica. Loosely based on a true story, "Cool Runnings" slaps a delightful reggae soundtrack onto this traditionally sentimental tale about the search for acceptance.

"International Velvet" (1978)

This sequel to 1944's "National Velvet" has nothing on the original, but it does feature a rather handsome Anthony Hopkins as a young horse trainer. Tatum O'Neal stars as the niece of Elizabeth Taylor's character in the 1944 film, adopted by British relatives after her parents die in a car crash. She goes on to compete for Britain's show jumping team with a horse named "Arizona Pie."

"Miracle" (2004)

No Olympics film will inspire more Cold War-era style patriotism in you this summer than "Miracle's" account of one of the nation's most memorable sports moments. Kurt Russell plays head coach Herb Brooks, who leads a team of hopeful American underdogs to a 1980 victory against the dominating Soviets at a time when then-President Jimmy Carter was considering a boycott of the next Summer Olympics in Moscow. "Do you believe in miracles?" a commentator screams at the end. Yes we do, Hollywood, yes we do.