What To Watch When Football Isn’t On
Can’t get enough NFL or CFL? Is it off-season and you’re hankering for a football fix? Here are 41 of the best football movies of all time.
80 For Brady
Even non-football fans know the name Tom Brady. 80 for Brady is a movie about four friends who want to check something off their bucket list: watching GOAT Brady in the 2017 playoffs. Featuring actors Rita Moreno, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Sally Field, there are some big names in this film.
Paramount, 80 for Brady (2023)
Draft Day
Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, and the biggest day in preseason make Draft Day a hit for anyone with any interest in the world of pigskins and touchdowns. Plus, there’s drama, a worthy backstory, and a secret love interest.
Summit Entertainment, Draft Day (2014)
Safety
Inspired by Disney, and the life of former Clemson Tiger Ray McElrathbey, Safety is a family-friendly flick about overcoming adversity. Grab some popcorn and enjoy real footage from games as well as McElrathbey’s appearance on Oprah.
Paper Lion
The movie’s title, Paper Lion, isn’t nearly as intriguing as its comedic plot of a journalist trying out for the Detroit Lions. Based on the book by George Plimpton, this 1968 film features Alan Alda whose teammates provide a mixed reaction to his lack of athletic prowess.
Stuart Miller Productions, Paper Lion (1968)
Invincible
Based on a true story, Invincible is a zero-to-hero movie about bartender Vince Papale, who ends up as one of the Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receivers in 1976. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 72% rating—and if young Mark Wahlberg intrigues you, then you should be sure to check it out.
Walt Disney, Invincible (2006)
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football is the tale of a teenager and a magical remote that can control her father. Of course, she uses it for good and soon her dad feels renewed inspiration for his NFL career. She learns, however, that “winning comes at a price”. Watch and find out what that cost was.
Paramount+, Fantasy Football (2022)
Air Bud: Golden Receiver
Is there a sport that Golden Retriever Air Bud can’t play? Along with basketball, soccer, baseball, and volleyball, we watch him also play football in Air Bud: Golden Receiver. It managed to rake in $10.2 million at the box office—proving that fans want to watch this cute pup play any sport he can. Sadly, this was the last movie in which the original Air Bud (Buddy) starred.
Keystone Pictures, Air Bud: Golden Receiver (1998)
Undefeated
Undefeated’s story of an under-achieving team and an inspirational new coach isn’t an original concept. But directors Daniel Lindsay and TJ Martin tell the true story of Manassas High School in Memphis so well that it won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 2012.
Zipper Bros Films, Undefeated (2011)
The Game Plan
In The Game Plan, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays the role of an extremely egotistical quarterback whose life changes when he discovers he has a young daughter. Spoiler alert: The Rock has hair in this movie.
Walt Disney, The Game Plan (2007)
Gridiron Gang
Gridiron Gang is another football film featuring Dwayne Johnson. In this 2006 movie, the kids in a former pro footballer’s life are ones at a detention center desperately needing guidance and coaching. Screenwriter Jeff Maguire, who also penned In the Line of Fire, proves he can create an inspirational and “feel-good” movie.
Columbia, Gridiron Gang (2006)
Everybody’s All-American
Dennis Quaid’s character, star college football player Gavin Grey, discovers that some dreams don’t come to fruition. It’s a complicated, messy, and must-see story that some claim is based on the life of North Carolina football star Charlie “Choo-Choo” Justice.
Warner Bros., Everybody's All-American (1988)
The Blind Side
Based on a true story, The Blind Side is a story about a Southern belle, played by Sandra Bullock, who “adopts” a homeless youth and builds him up through the game of football. There has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding this film and yet it remains one of the most enjoyed and inspirational football movies since its release in 2009.
Alcon Entertainment, The Blind Side (2009)
Little Giants
When actors Rick Moranis and Ed O'Neil play opposite one another on-screen, you know there will be fireworks—the good kind. Little Giants is about two seriously competitive brothers and their obsession with pee-wee football. The idea for the movie came from a 1990s McDonald’s ad. Steven Spielberg saw it and approached its writer to create an entire movie script.
Warner Bros., Little Giants (1994)
Necessary Roughness
The plot of Necessary Roughness is simple: When the Texas State University football program loses its funding, the team decides to improvise. Adding a much older quarterback and a female kicker to their ranks adds goofy hilarity and you may find yourself amongst the sizeable crowd who deems it “”.
Paramount, Necessary Roughness (1991)
North Dallas Forty
Based on wide receiver Peter Gent’s autobiography, North Dallas Forty is a peek into what goes on in the background of the Dallas Cowboys. Whether you love or hate the Cowboys, you’re sure to get a kick out of Nick Nolte and country musician Mac Davis’s performances in this satire.
Paramount, North Dallas Forty (1979)
The Freshman
If you haven’t ever seen a silent film, this is a great starter. In The Freshman, actor Harold Lloyd is smitten and tries his very best to win the heart of a fellow university co-ed. Check out Lloyd’s most profitable film to see if his athletic moves are successful in winning him the girl.
Harold Lloyd / Pathé Exchange, Wikimedia Commons
Lucas
Remember 80s heartthrob Corey Haim? In Lucas, he plays the skinny 14-year-old geek who is devastated when the girl of his dreams falls in love with his mentor. Find out what happens when he joins the football team in an attempt to win her heart. This was also the film debut for Courtney Thorne-Smith and Winona Ryder.
Twentieth Century, Lucas (1986)
Varsity Blues
Fast forward a decade to the 1990s. Varsity Blues is about a small town in Texas and what they believe to be their dream team. Add a football-obsessed community and a demanding coach to Fast Times at Ridgemont High and you can imagine Varsity Blues, one of the best coming-of-age football movies.
Paramount, Varsity Blues (1999)
All The Right Moves
“Hot-headed” Tom Cruise, a small town, and a scholarship all add up to a classic in the 80s film All The Right Moves.
Twentieth Century, All the Right Moves (1983)
The Waterboy
If you’re a fan of SNL and football, then The Waterboy is the movie choice for you. Adam Sandler’s Canteen Boy gets a promotion from team Waterboy to select linebacker. If you liked Happy Gilmore, you’ll love Sandler as a football star.
Touchstone, The Waterboy (1998)
The Replacements
During a league-wide strike, Keanu Reeves’s character in The Replacements brings in a host of scabs to play football. The situation bears some resemblance to the 1987 NFL strike, though one fan claims “it is a delicious fantasy and just plain fun to watch”.
Warner Bros., The Replacements (2000)
Leatherheads
Leatherheads is a romantic comedy set during the birth of American football, which originally morphed from the sport of rugby. The story that’s loosely based “on the life and antics of Johnny 'Blood' McNally” is made even better with actors George Clooney, John Krasinski, and Renée Zellweger.
Universal, Leatherheads (2008)
The Longest Yard
The original version of The Longest Yard features Burt Reynolds as quarterback Paul "Wrecking" Crewe, who ends up in the clinker. Watch the original 1974 version in which Reynolds leads a semi-pro team of guards to victory.
Paramount, The Longest Yard (1974)
The Longest Yard (2005)
In the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard, Adam Sandler plays Crewe, the quarterback with a substance problem. When he’s transferred to a Texas lockup rather than one in California, he discovers the reason is purely because of his ability to lead the Warden’s group of guards to success. Some people prefer the original version, while others claim the remake has better side characters.
Paramount, The Longest Yard (2005)
The Program
In an attempt to save his job, James Caan pulls out all the punches in The Program. Add in famed celebrities Halle Berry, Omar Epps, Craig Sheffer, Kristy Swanson, and Joey Lauren and you get a real zinger about what goes on when a team is trying to win a national title.
Touchstone, The Program (1993)
Jerry Maguire
Who doesn’t love a cute little love story involving actors Tom Cruise and Renée Zellweger? Jerry Maguire is about a brand-spankin’ new sports agent whose life is in complete shambles as he tries to land pro footballers. You’re likely to get some chuckles and probably even whisper “awwww” a few times.
Concussion
In the world of football, concussions have recently become a massive deal. In the film Concussion, Will Smith plays the role of the Pittsburgh pathologist who initially discovered what was happening to the injured brains of athletes. This biographical sports drama brought in $48 million and earned Smith a Golden Globe nomination—and was considered extremely controversial for the NFL.
LStar Capital, Concussion (2015)
We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall is a gritty, emotional, and inspirational movie. When a small town loses almost all of its college football team, tough decisions need to be made. It doesn’t hurt that Matthew McConaughey plays head coach Jack Lengyel.
Warner Bros., We Are Marshall (2006)
Any Given Sunday
There are a lot of big names in Any Given Sunday. Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, and Jamie Foxx grace the screen in Oliver Stone’s behind-the-scenes look at the world of the NFL. This is a must-see whether you’re a die-hard footballer or not.
Warner Bros., Any Given Sunday (1999)
Friday Night Lights
First came the movie Friday Night Lights. Then came the TV show. If you want to know all about the excitement and the hype that goes on at and behind football in Texas, then this is the show to watch.
NBC, Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)
Remember The Titans
In Remember the Titans, Denzel Washington plays Coach Boone who has the huge and challenging job of integrating Black and White football players at a newly desegregated Virginia high school. Beware: this Disney movie may bring on a few tears.
Walt Disney, Remember the Titans (2000)
Brian’s Song
Another movie about the friendship forged between a White and Black football player is Brian’s Song. This is the biographical tale of Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo who befriended teammate Gayle Sayers during a time in history that wasn’t conducive to interracial connections. Be prepared to be emotional.
Screen Gems Television, Brian's Song (1971)
Heaven Can Wait
Warren Beatty plays the main character, quarterback Joe Pendleton, in the “heartwarming comedy” Heaven Can Wait. In a strange twist at the Pearly Gates, Pendleton is flung back to Earth as a millionaire who helps his team win big.
Paramount, Heaven Can Wait (1978)
Rudy
In the film Rudy, you get a look into real-life Rudy Ruettiger’s tale of being too short to fulfill his dream of playing football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. No spoilers here but after the film’s release, Ruettiger did succeed as a motivational speaker, philanthropist, and pastor.
The Express
The Express is based on Ernie Davis’s journey from poverty to becoming the first African American winner of the Heisman Trophy. The Express “is so inspirational and insightful that even those who don't like football will enjoy this film”.
Monday Night Mayhem
No more wondering about how the live broadcast of NFL’s Monday Night Football came to be. Monday Night Mayhem gives all the details previously revealed in Marc Gunther and Bill Carter’s 1988 nonfiction book of the same name. Reviews weren’t outstanding except for Allen Barra of the New York Times who couldn’t praise John Turturro’s performance enough. He claims the film is what it is “because of Mr Turturro's unabashed joy in playing a part as juicy as Howard Cosell”.
Blondie Productions, Monday Night Mayhem (2002)
School Ties
Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Chris O'Donnell, and Randall Batinkoff star in the football movie School Ties. In this 1992 movie, the Jewish main character David Greene arrives at a well-to-do high school only to discover a significant amount of anti-Semitism. Will his desire to win friends and succeed in his football career override his faith?
The Longshots
Based on Jasmine Plummer, the first female to participate in the Pop Warner football tournament with the Harvey Colts, The Longshots came out in 2008 and features Ice Cube and Keke Palmer. A film about a girl benched despite incredible skill, a deadbeat dad, and a coach who believes in talent, The Longshots is a football film you don’t want to miss.
Dimension Films, The Longshots (2008)
The Last Boy Scout
With the amount of nasty criminal activities in The Last Boy Scout, you wouldn’t think it a comedy. But it is. Bruce Willis plays has-been private investigator Joe Hallenbeck, who is called upon to solve the funny business going on with the Los Angeles Stallions football team. Teaming up with disgraced former pro footballer Jimmy Dix, the two get themselves into all sorts of intriguing and compromising positions in their attempt to solve the case.
Geffen Pictures, The Last Boy Scout (1991)
Horse Feathers
Horse Feathers is an oldie but a goodie. Released in 1932, the film centers around what happens when one university accidentally signs on two Marx Brothers “bumblers” to help them devastate their rival.
Paramount, Horse Feathers (1932)
Radio
Cuba Gooding Jr, Ed Harris, and Debra winger star in Columbia Pictures’ 2003 movie Radio. This feel-good movie about a high school football coach who takes a disabled man under his wing digs deep into community love, the concepts of right and wrong, and genuine acceptance.
