Do You Believe in Miracles?

Do you believe in miracles? Can God help a baseball team win a game? In my life, I have seen many miracles, and I have been on the receiving end of the awesome power of God’s ministering angels. Many people wonder if God cares about their individual situation. Does our God care enough to put Angels in the Outfield? And can you find Angels in the Outfield on Disney Plus?

When my oldest son was young, Disney Angels in the Outfields was constantly being watched. This was back before I started to write movie reviews. Years later, I wondered if I would have let my kids watch this movie and I rewatched it. This Disney Angels in the Outfields Movie Review is based on my most recent viewing of this film. Additionally, I review movies from the Christian perspective.

Angels in the outfield parent movie review

Disney Angels in the Outfield Movie Review

First, Angels in the Outfield is not currently streaming on Disney Plus. I will update the post at the end with current information regarding where to find Angels in the Outfield.

Disney’s Angels in the Outfield (1994) is based on a movie of the same name from 1951. In this Disney remake, Roger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a young boy in the foster system. He and JP (Milton Davis, Jr), live with Maggie (Brenda Fricker), who is an older woman who handles temporary foster placements. She is kind to the boys and they enjoy being with her. 

Roger’s mom is dead, and his dad will not get his life together. When his deadbeat dad visits to tell him that he is going away, Roger asks his dad when they can be a family again. Roger’s dad responds “when the Angels win the pennant.”

This prompts Roger to pray for a miracle. The Manager of the California Angels, (Anaheim Angels) George Knox (played by Danny Glover), has a bad temper and fights with his own players, the umpires, and anyone else he comes in contact with. He carries years of frustration and anger.

Christopher Lloyd at a baseball game

Roger and JP are watching a game when spiritual angels appear to help the Angels ball team. Al (Christopher Lloyd) is the head angel who tells Roger that the angels have come because he prayed.

Mel Clark (Tony Danza) was a famous baseball player, but he is now a washed-up pitcher that needs more than a little miracle. Through a series of events, JP and Roger meet Manager George Knox and become vital to the team’s success on the field. Will Roger get his miracle and be reunited with his father? 

Tony Danza in Angels in the Outfield

POSITIVE CONTENT In Disney Angels in the Outfield

This feel-good movie is full of touching moments. While the young boys have a positive effect on Manager George Knox, and the rest of the team, there are also moments of sadness. 

This Angels in the Outfield story is one of family and what really makes a family, but it is also a story of healing, hope, and faith. 

“I look for signs. Sometimes they come from unexpected places,” is a fantastic line to remember! 

Matthew McConnaughy in the Disney Plus Angels in the Outfield

CONTENT THAT PARENTS MAY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IN ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD

Language: The coach yells often. “You all have your heads so far up your butts…” 

Jacka-s is said twice, as well as a-s. Additionally, one of the kids in the foster home teases the other kids, “ you can drop dead after dinner,” and teases them about the food being “cat brains.” There are also crude words such as shut up and butthead.

Furthermore, crude humor such as a man getting hit in the crotch with a baseball is shown. When the Angels are on the ball field, they only can be seen by Roger, but they provide plenty of laughs.

Smoking and drinking are depicted in this film. A person looking through binoculars at some young women says, “They are looking a little bouncier,” in reference to the women’s breasts.

Violence: The coach fights with the players and throws things and punches a sportscaster.

Spiritual Content: This movie is based on a boy’s prayers. He prays and asks for a family. He wants the Angels to win the pennant so his dad will come back. Additionally, angels appear at random to help the ballplayers.

Case of Walt Disney pictures Angels in the Outfield

RECOMMENDATION FOR VIEWING Angels in the Outfield

Angels in the Outfield is one of those films that causes me to cry every time I watch it (and I have seen it numerous times). My oldest son had it on a continuous rotation for several years. While you would think I would have tired of this movie, it is ultimately one with a great lesson.

In fact, it is a great reminder of the goodness of God. Sometimes what we pray for happens, but not in the manner that we have prayed. This is a great movie to teach children about prayer and God works all things for our good!

WARNING: If your husband is a Cleveland Indians fan, he may be filled with false hope by watching this movie. He might begin to believe that his prayers will work for his favorite team, and God will send angels to the Indians. This is unlikely to happen!

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I do earn from qualifying purchases.

About the Original Version of Angels in the Outfield

The 1951 version of Angels in the Outfield was set in Pittsburgh, PA, at Forbes Field. It was based on a story by Richard Conlin aka Father Richard F Grady. 

This version follows the Pittsburgh Pirates and their foul-mouthed Manager, Guffy McGovern (Paul Douglas).  McGovern hears the voice of an angel telling him to clean up his act. During the movie, there is a young girl that lives in an orphanage that is run by nuns. She prays for the Angels to win the pennant. 

This black and white version of this film is a little corny, but definitely worth watching to see the “professional ballfield” of the 1950s, and the lack of protective equipment.

TEACHING WITH DISNEY’S ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD

HISTORY: 

There are so many ways to use this movie to teach. Compare the original movie with the Disney version. How are they similar? How are they different? Additionally, explore the history of baseball. Find out when protective equipment began to be used. What were the early baseball bats, gloves, and baseball fields like compared to today’s version?

Watch Rookie of the Year (PG 1993), 61 (Not Rated) about Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, or Field of Dreams (PG 1989), the fictional story of a man who builds a baseball field in a cornfield.

MATH: 

Figure out batting averages. Compare the size of stadiums. Figure out how much tickets cost and how many seats are in your favorite stadium. If the stadium is full, how much money did the stadium bring in for ticket sales?

FOOD: 

While watching Angels in the Outfield, make and eat all your favorite baseball foods. How has ball field food changed over the decades?

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Find out more about foster care in your state. After researching foster care, ask your children how they would feel about taking care of a foster child.

BIBLE:

What does the Bible say about real angels? Have angels appeared to humans?

SPORTS:

Discuss the difference between the minor and major leagues. Take your children to a real baseball game. Go to a major league game and a minor league game and compare them. Teach them the rules of baseball and have them join a fun baseball league. Watch the World Series.

Watch other baseball movies (check the ratings and reviews first) such as A League of Their Own (1992) PG-film about a professional all-female baseball league during World War II. Stars Tom Hanks, Jon Lovitz, Geena Davis, and Lori Petty.

The Natural (1984) PG – Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford) is shot on the way to a tryout with the Chicago Cubs. 16 years later, he returns to pro baseball as a rookie for the last place New York Knights.

The Rookie (2002) G – Dennis Quaid plays Jim Morris in this true story. While playing in the minor leagues, Morris’ has a shoulder injury. He then goes on to teach, but can he make his dreams to play in the major leagues come true?

Field of Dreams (1989) PG An Iowa farmer (Kevin Costner) hears a voice tell him “If you build it they will come.” Ray builds a baseball diamond on his land next to his cornfield.

Where was Angels in the Outfield filmed?

This movie was filmed at the Oakland Coliseum

Is Angels in the Outfield streaming on Disney+?

Currently, Angels in the Outfield is not streaming on Disney+.

When will Angels in the Outfield come to Disney+?

At this time, there is no date available for Angels in the Outfield to come to Disney+.

Is Angels in the Outfield streaming on Netflix?

No, Disney Angels in the Outfield can not be found on Netflix.

Where can I watch Disney Angels in the Outfield?

It does appear that Angels in the Outfield can be watched on TNT. You can also purchase a DVD from Amazon or through the Disney Movie Club. (I will be rewarded if you join the Disney Movie Club. I love the Disney Movie Club and think you might too! Right now you get 5 Disney movies for only $1 plus FREE shipping when you join the Disney Movie Club. Choose from 1,000+ titles!)

Cast of Angels in the Outfield:

Director: William Dear

Writers: Screenplay: Dorothy Kingsley, George Wells

Writer: 1951 Story: Richard Conlin

Danny Glover as George Knox

Brenda Fricker as Maggie Nelson

Tony Danza as Mel Clark

Christopher Lloyd as Al The Boss Angel

Ben Johnson as Hank Murphy

Jay O. Sanders as Ranch Wilder

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Roger Bomman

Milton Davis Jr. as J.P.

Taylor Negron as David Montagne

Tony Longo as Triscuitt Messmer

Neal McDonough as Whitt Bass

Stoney Jackson as Ray Mitchell

Adrien Brody as Danny Hemmerling

Tim Conlon as Wally

Matthew McConaughey as Ben Williams

Israel Juarbe as Jose Martinez

Albert Alexander Garcia as Pablo Garcia

Dermot Mulroney as Mr. Bomman (Roger’s Dad)

Cast of the Original Film Angels in the Outfield (1951)

Director: Clarence Brown

Paul Douglas as Guffy McGovern

Janet Leigh as Jennifer Paige

Keenan Wynn as Fred Bayles

Lewis Stone as Arnold P. Hapgood

Spring Byington as Sister Edwitha

Bruce Bennett as Saul Hellman

Marvin Kaplan as Timothy Durney

Ellen Corby as Sister Veronica

Donna Corcoran as Bridget White

Angels in the Outifeld on Disney Plus

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