42 is a 2013 American biographical sports drama film produced by Howard Baldwin and distributed by Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Written and directed by Brian Helgeland, 42 is based on baseball player Jackie Robinson, the first black athlete to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the modern era. The title of the film is a reference to Robinson's jersey number, which was universally retired across all MLB teams in 1997. The ensemble cast includes Chadwick Boseman as Robinson, alongside Harrison Ford, Nicole Beharie, Christopher Meloni, André Holland, Lucas Black, Hamish Linklater, and Ryan Merriman in supporting roles.

Development of 42 underwent multiple iterations before its release. Spike Lee initially planned to direct the film in 1995 with Turner Pictures, but the project fell apart due to creative differences and later financial challenges. In 2011, Legendary Pictures took over, collaborating with Robinson's widow, Rachel, to ensure authenticity. Chadwick Boseman, cast as Robinson in his breakout role, impressed director Brian Helgeland with his athleticism and emotional depth during auditions. Boseman trained extensively for months to replicate Robinson's mannerisms and connected with Rachel for character insights. Filming began in 2012 across locations like Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama, with Engel Stadium standing in for the Brooklyn Dodgers' Ebbets Field. The production used digital recreations of historic stadiums and involved local extras. Boseman insisted on performing his stunts and deeply immersed himself in the role to honor Robinson's legacy.

42 was released in April 2013. It received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise centered on Boseman's heartfelt portrayal and Ford's stylized performance. It earned $97.5 million worldwide against a $40 million budget, including a record-breaking $27.3 million opening for a baseball film. Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford received award nominations for their performances, and after Boseman's death in 2020, the film was re-released in theaters. Rachel Robinson praised its authenticity, and Boseman credited her insights for shaping his performance.