The Best Movies About Or Featuring Football
“What are the best Football Movies?” We looked at 89 of the top Football films, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!
The top 35 films, all appearing on 4 or more “Best Football” movie lists, are ranked below by how many times they appear. The remaining 50+ movies, as well as the sources we used, are in alphabetical order on the bottom of the page.
Happy Scrolling!
Top 35 Best Football Movies Ever Made
35 .) Everybody’s All-American (1988) directed by Taylor Hackford
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Bleacher Report
- Fandango
- IMDB
Louisiana football star Gavin Grey had it all. He was an All-American champion who married his high-school sweetheart, homecoming queen Babs Rogers, and who was a hero to his hometown. Yet after a failed professional career, Gavin realizes that fame and success have passed him by and that he no longer is the hero everyone keeps reminding him he should still be. His dissatisfaction with his life leads to strains in his marriage, and Gavin begins to wonder who he is, if he’s not a hero anymore. ×
34 .) Lucas (1986) directed by David Seltzer
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- IMDB
- NFL
- Sportingz
A socially inept fourteen year old experiences heartbreak for the first time when his two best friends – Cappie, an older-brother figure, and Maggie, the new girl with whom he is in love – fall for each other.
33 .) The Best of Times (1986) directed by Roger Spottiswoode
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- IMDB
- NFL
- NJ 1015
A small-town loser determines to have one more shot at the big time by winning a football game.
32 .) The Last Boy Scout (1991) directed by Tony Scott
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- IMDB
- NFL
- Sportingz
- USA Today
When the girl that detective Joe Hallenback is protecting gets murdered, the boyfriend of the murdered girl attempts to investigate and solve the case. What they discover is that there is deep seated corruption going on between a crooked politician and the owner of a pro football team.
31 .) The Longest Yard (2005) directed by Peter Segal
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- NFL
- Ranker
- Screen Rant
- Sports Keeda
Pro quarter-back, Paul Crewe and former college champion and coach, Nate Scarboro are doing time in the same prison. Asked to put together a team of inmates to take on the guards, Crewe enlists the help of Scarboro to coach the inmates to victory in a football game ‘fixed’ to turn out quite another way.
30 .) The Game Plan (2007) directed by Andy Fickman
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Common Sense Media
- IMDB
- NFL
- Sportingz
- USA Today
Bachelor football star Joe Kingman seems to have it all. He is wealthy and carefree, and his team is on the way to capturing a championship. Suddenly, he is tackled by some unexpected news: He has a young daughter, the result of a last fling with his ex-wife. Joe must learn to balance his personal and professional lives with the needs of his child.
29 .) Undefeated (2011) directed by Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin
Lists It Appears On:
- Art Of Manliness
- Common Sense Media
- Fandango
- One Country
- Rolling Stone
- The Score
Set against the backdrop of a high school football season, Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin’s documentary UNDEFEATED is an intimate chronicle of three underprivileged student-athletes from inner-city Memphis and the volunteer coach trying to help them beat the odds on and off the field. For players and coaches alike, the season will be not only about winning games — it will be about how they grapple with the unforeseeable events that are part of football and part of life.
28 .) Heaven Can Wait (1978) directed by Warren Beatty
Lists It Appears On:
- Bleacher Report
- Fandango
- IMDB
- NFL
- One Country
- Ranker
- USA Today
Joe Pendleton is a quarterback preparing to lead his team to the superbowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel plucks him to heaven only to discover that he wasn’t ready to die, and that his body has been cremated. A new body must be found, and that of a recently murdered millionaire is chosen. His wife and accountant, the murderers, are confused by this development, as he buys the L.A. Rams in order to once again quarterback them into the Superbowl. ×
27 .) Horse Feathers (1932) directed by Norman Z. McLeod
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Big Game USA
- Fandango
- IMDB
- RD
- USA Today
Quincy Adams Wagstaff, the new president of Huxley U, hires bumblers Baravelli and Pinky to help his school win the big football game against rival Darwin U.
26 .) Leatherheads (2008) directed by George Clooney
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Common Sense Media
- Fandango
- IMDB
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- USA Today
A light hearted comedy about the beginnings of Professional American Football. When a decorated war hero and college all star is tempted into playing professional football. Everyone see the chance to make some big money, but when a reporter digs up some dirt on the war hero… everyone could lose out.
25 .) Paper Lion (1968) directed by Alex March
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Fandango
- Gear Patrol
- IMDB
- One Country
- Sportingz
- USA Today
Sportswriter George Plimpton poses as a rookie quarterback for the Detroit Lions for a “Sports Illustrated” article.
24 .) Radio (2003) directed by Michael Tollin
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Common Sense Media
- Fandango
- Gear Patrol
- IMDB
- NFL
- Ranker
High school football coach, Harold Jones befriends Radio, a mentally-challenged man who becomes a student at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, South Carolina. Their friendship extends over several decades, where Radio transforms from a shy, tormented man into an inspiration to his community.
23 .) Wildcats (1986) directed by Michael Ritchie
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Den Of Geek
- IMDB
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- Ranker
- Sportingz
Molly is a high school track coach who knows just as much about football as anyone else on the planet. When a football coach’s position becomes vacant, she applies for the job, despite snickers from fellow staff members and her former husband.
22 .) Gridiron Gang (2006) directed by Phil Joanou
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Coach Up
- Fandango
- IMDB
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Ranker
- Sportingz
Teenagers at a juvenile detention center, under the leadership of their counselor, gain self-esteem by playing football together.
21 .) Necessary Roughness (1991) directed by Stan Dragoti
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Gunaxin
- IMDB
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
- USA Today
When the Texas Southern Armadillos football team is disqualified for cheating and poor grades, the University is forced to pick from a team that actually goes to school. Will they even win a single game?
20 .) Draft Day (2014) directed by Ivan Reitman
Lists It Appears On:
- Common Sense Media
- Fandango
- NFL
- One Country
- Ranker
- Screen Rant
- Seat Geek
- Sportingz
- The Score
- USA Today
At the NFL Draft, general manager Sonny Weaver has the opportunity to rebuild his team when he trades for the number one pick. He must decide what he’s willing to sacrifice on a life-changing day for a few hundred young men with NFL dreams.
19 .) The Program (1993) directed by David S. Ward
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Fandango
- Gunaxin
- IMDB
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Ranker
- Sportingz
Several players from different backgrounds try to cope with the pressures of playing football at a major university. Each deals with the pressure differently, some turn to drinking, others to drugs, and some to studying.
18 .) All the Right Moves (1983) directed by Michael Chapman
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Big Game USA
- Fandango
- Gear Patrol
- IMDB
- NFL
- One Country
- Ranker
- Sportingz
- USA Today
Sensitive study of a headstrong high school football star who dreams of getting out of his small Western Pennsylvania steel town with a football scholarship. His equally ambitious coach aims at a college position, resulting in a clash which could crush the player’s dreams
17 .) Little Giants (1994) directed by Duwayne Dunham
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Coach Up
- Common Sense Media
- EW
- Fandango
- IMDB
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Ranker
- Sportingz
- The Score
When Danny O’Shea’s daughter is cut from the Peewee football team just for being a girl, he decides to form his own team, composed of other ragtag players who were also cut. Can his team really learn enough to beat the elite team, coached by his brother, a former pro player?
16 .) Knute Rockne All American (1940) directed by Lloyd Bacon
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Big Game USA
- EW
- Fandango
- Gunaxin
- IMDB
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Oregon Live
- RD
- The Score
- USA Today
The story of legendary Notre Dame football player and coach Knute Rockne.
15 .) The Express (2008) directed by Gary Fleder
Lists It Appears On:
- Common Sense Media
- Fandango
- Gunaxin
- IMDB
- Live About
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Ranker
- Screen Rant
- Sportingz
- Sports Keeda
- The Score
- USA Today
Based on the incredible true story, The Express follows the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
14 .) The Replacements (2000) directed by Howard Deutch
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Bleacher Report
- Coach Up
- Common Sense Media
- EW
- Fandango
- IMDB
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Ranker
- Screen Rant
- Sportingz
- The Score
- USA Today
Maverick old-guard coach Jimmy McGinty is hired in the wake of a players’ strike to help the Washington Sentinels advance to the playoffs. But that impossible dream hinges on whether his replacements can hunker down and do the job. So, McGinty dusts off his secret dossier of ex-players who never got a chance (or screwed up the one they were given) and knits together a bad-dream team of guys who just may give the Sentinels their title shot.
13 .) Varsity Blues (1999) directed by Brian Robbins
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Den Of Geek
- EW
- Fandango
- IMDB
- Newsweek
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Oregon Live
- Ranker
- Screen Rant
- Sportingz
- The Score
- USA Today
In small-town Texas, high school football is a religion, 17-year-old schoolboys carry the hopes of an entire community onto the gridiron every Friday night. When star quarterback Lance Harbor suffers an injury, the Coyotes are forced to regroup under the questionable leadership of John Moxon, a second-string quarterback with a slightly irreverent approach to the game.
12 .) Invincible (2006) directed by Ericson Core
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Common Sense Media
- Fandango
- Gear Patrol
- IMDB
- Movie Babble Reviews
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- Oregon Live
- Ranker
- Screen Rant
- Sportingz
- Sports Keeda
- The Score
- USA Today
Inspired by the true story of Vince Papale, a man with nothing to lose who ignored the staggering odds and made his dream come true. When the coach of Papale’s beloved hometown football team hosted an unprecedented open tryout, the public consensus was that it was a waste of time – no one good enough to play professional football was going to be found this way.
11 .) North Dallas Forty (1979) directed by Ted Kotcheff
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Bleacher Report
- Den Of Geek
- Dish
- EW
- Fandango
- IMDB
- Movie Babble Reviews
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Ranker
- RD
- Sportingz
- The Score
- USA Today
A semi-fictional account of life as a professional Football (American-style) player. Loosely based on the Dallas Cowboys team of the early 1970s.
10 .) The Blind Side (2009) directed by John Lee Hancock
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Common Sense Media
- EW
- Fandango
- IMDB
- Movie Babble Reviews
- Newsweek
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Oregon Live
- Ranker
- Screen Rant
- Sportingz
- Sports Keeda
- The Score
- USA Today
The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family
9 .) Jerry Maguire (1996) directed by Cameron Crowe
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Bleacher Report
- Common Sense Media
- EW
- Fandango
- Gear Patrol
- IMDB
- Live About
- Movie Babble Reviews
- NFL
- One Country
- Ranker
- RD
- Screen Rant
- Seat Geek
- Sportingz
- The Score
- USA Today
Jerry Maguire used to be a typical sports agent: willing to do just about anything he could to get the biggest possible contracts for his clients, plus a nice commission for himself. Then, one day, he suddenly has second thoughts about what he’s really doing. When he voices these doubts, he ends up losing his job and all of his clients, save Rod Tidwell, an egomaniacal football player.
8 .) The Waterboy (1998) directed by Frank Coraci
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Den Of Geek
- EW
- Fandango
- Gunaxin
- IMDB
- Movie Babble Reviews
- Newsweek
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Oregon Live
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
- Screen Rant
- Sportingz
- Sports Keeda
- The Score
- USA Today
Bobby Boucher is a water boy for a struggling college football team. The coach discovers Boucher’s hidden rage makes him a tackling machine whose bone-crushing power might vault his team into the playoffs.
7 .) We Are Marshall (2006) directed by McG
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Coach Up
- EW
- Fandango
- Gear Patrol
- IMDB
- Live About
- Movie Babble Reviews
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
- Screen Rant
- Sportingz
- Sports Keeda
- The Score
- USA Today
When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team’s new coach and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive.
6 .) Any Given Sunday (1999) directed by Oliver Stone
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Coach Up
- Den Of Geek
- Dish
- EW
- Fandango
- Gear Patrol
- IMDB
- Movie Babble Reviews
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Oregon Live
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
- Screen Rant
- Seat Geek
- Sportingz
- Sports Keeda
- The Score
- USA Today
A star quarterback gets knocked out of the game and an unknown third stringer is called in to replace him. The unknown gives a stunning performance and forces the aging coach to reevaluate his game plans and life. A new co-owner/president adds to the pressure of winning. The new owner must prove her self in a male dominated world.
5 .) Brian’s Song (1971) directed by Buzz Kulik
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Bleacher Report
- Common Sense Media
- Den Of Geek
- Dish
- EW
- Fandango
- IMDB
- Live About
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Oregon Live
- Ranker
- RD
- Rolling Stone
- Screen Rant
- Seat Geek
- Sportingz
- Sports Keeda
- The Score
Based on the real-life relationship between teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying.
4 .) The Longest Yard (1974) directed by Robert Aldrich
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Big Game USA
- Bleacher Report
- Den Of Geek
- Dish
- EW
- Fandango
- IMDB
- Live About
- Movie Babble Reviews
- Newsweek
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Oregon Live
- Ranker
- RD
- Rolling Stone
- Sportingz
- The Score
- USA Today
In this rough-and-tumble yarn, actually filmed on-location at the Georgia State Prision, the cons are the heroes and the guards are the heavies. Eddie Albert is the sadistic warden who’ll gladly make any sacrifice to push his guards’ semi-pro football team to a national championship.
3 .) Friday Night Lights (2004) directed by Peter Berg
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Common Sense Media
- Den Of Geek
- Dish
- EW
- Fandango
- Gear Patrol
- IMDB
- Live About
- Movie Babble Reviews
- Newsweek
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Ranker
- RD
- Rolling Stone
- Screen Rant
- Seat Geek
- Sportingz
- Sports Keeda
- The Score
- USA Today
A small, turbulent town in Texas obsesses over their high school football team to an unhealthy degree. When the star tailback, Boobie Miles, is seriously injured during the first game of the season, all hope is lost, and the town’s dormant social problems begin to flare up. It is left to the inspiring abilities of new coach Gary Gaines to instill in the other team members – and, by proxy, the town itself – a sense of self-respect and honor.
2 .) Remember the Titans (2000) directed by Boaz Yakin
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Coach Up
- Common Sense Media
- Den Of Geek
- EW
- Fandango
- Gear Patrol
- IMDB
- Live About
- Movie Babble Reviews
- Newsweek
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Ranker
- RD
- Rolling Stone
- Screen Rant
- Seat Geek
- Sportingz
- Sports Keeda
- The Score
- USA Today
After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone – tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions.
1 .) Rudy (1993) directed by David Anspaugh
Lists It Appears On:
- American Football Films
- Art Of Manliness
- Big Game USA
- Coach Up
- Common Sense Media
- Den Of Geek
- EW
- Fandango
- Gear Patrol
- Gunaxin
- IMDB
- Live About
- Newsweek
- NFL
- NJ 1015
- One Country
- Oregon Live
- Ranker
- RD
- Rolling Stone
- Screen Rant
- Seat Geek
- Sportingz
- The Score
- USA Today
Rudy grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. There were only a couple of problems. His grades were a little low, his athletic skills were poor, and he was only half the size of the other players. But he had the drive and the spirit of 5 people and has set his sights upon joining the team.
The 50+ Additional Best Football Films
| # | Movies | Directors | Lists |
| 36 | Concussion (2015) | Newsweek | |
| – | – | – | RD |
| – | – | – | Sportingz |
| 37 | Facing the Giants (2006) | Alex Kendrick | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Sportingz |
| 38 | Quarterback Princess (1983) | Noel Black | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Newsweek |
| 39 | School Ties (1992) | American Football Films | |
| – | – | – | NFL |
| – | – | – | One Country |
| 40 | The Freshman (1925) | Art Of Manliness | |
| – | – | – | Fandango |
| – | – | – | USA Today |
| 41 | Two for the Money (2005) | D.J. Caruso | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Sportingz |
| 42 | A Game of Honor (2011) | Art Of Manliness | |
| – | – | – | Gunaxin |
| 43 | Big Fan (2009) | American Football Films | |
| – | – | – | The Score |
| 44 | Code Breakers (2005) | Rod Holcomb | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 45 | Field of Vision (2011) | Gregg Champion | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 46 | Fighting Back: The Story of Rocky Bleier (1980) | Robert Lieberman | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 47 | Go Tigers! (2001) | Art Of Manliness | |
| – | – | – | Gear Patrol |
| 48 | Hometown Legend (2002) | James Anderson | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 49 | Jim Thorpe — All-American (1951) | Michael Curtiz | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 50 | Johnny Be Good | Gunaxin | |
| – | – | – | NFL |
| 51 | Monday Night Mayhem ( 2002 ) | Ernest R. Dickerson | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 52 | Possums (1998) | Max Burnett | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 53 | Semi-Tough (1977) | Fandango | |
| – | – | – | NFL |
| 54 | The 5th Quarter (2010) | Rick Bieber | Common Sense Media |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 55 | The Junction Boys (2002) | Mike Robe | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 56 | They Call Me Sirr (2001) | Robert Munic | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 57 | Trouble Along the Way (1953) | Michael Curtiz | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 58 | Windrunner (1994) | William Clark | American Football Films |
| – | – | – | IMDB |
| 59 | 23 Blast | Common Sense Media | |
| 60 | 5th Quarter, The (2010) | American Football Films | |
| 61 | A Few Seconds of Panic | Gear Patrol | |
| 62 | Ace Ventura: Pet Detective | Sportingz | |
| 63 | Against All Odds | NFL | |
| 64 | Air Bud: Golden Receiver (1998) | Newsweek | |
| 65 | Brian and the Boz | Common Sense Media | |
| 66 | Brian’s Song (2001 TV Movie) | John Gray | IMDB |
| 67 | Bringing the Heat | Gear Patrol | |
| 68 |
Fantasy Life: The Outrageous, Uplifting, and Heartbreaking World of Fantasy Sports from the Guy Who’s Lived It
|
Gear Patrol | |
| 69 | Finding the Winning Edge | Gear Patrol | |
| 70 | Flash Gordon | NFL | |
| 71 | Fordson: Faith, Fasting, Football | Common Sense Media | |
| 72 | Forever Strong | Common Sense Media | |
| 73 | Fumbleheads (1999) | American Football Films | |
| 74 | Gus | Common Sense Media | |
| 75 | Pony Excess | Gunaxin | |
| 76 | Second String (2002 TV Movie) | Robert Lieberman | IMDB |
| 77 | Silver Linings Playbook | Sportingz | |
| 78 | The Best That Never Was | Gear Patrol | |
| 79 | The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game | Gear Patrol | |
| 80 |
The Games That Changed the Game: The Evolution of the NFL in Seven Sundays
|
Gear Patrol | |
| 81 |
The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon (1998)
|
American Football Films | |
| 82 | The Longshots | Common Sense Media | |
| 83 | The Roughnecks | Common Sense Media | |
| 84 | The second String ( 2002 ) | American Football Films | |
| 85 |
The System: The Glory and Scandal of Big-Time College Football
|
Gear Patrol | |
| 86 | The U | Gunaxin | |
| 87 | The Water Boy | NFL | |
| 88 | Touchback | Common Sense Media | |
| 89 | When Pride Still Mattered | Gear Patrol |
29 Best Football Film Sources/Lists
| Source | Article |
| American Football Films | American football films list |
| Art Of Manliness | The 17 Best Football Movies of All-Time |
| Big Game USA | 5 Classic Football Movies to Enjoy During the Off-Season |
| Bleacher Report | Best Pro Football Movies? There’s a List for That |
| Coach Up | The Best Football Movies Of All-Time |
| Common Sense Media | Best Football Movies |
| Den Of Geek | 10 Best Football Movies Ever |
| Dish | The Greatest Football Movies of All Time |
| EW | 15 of the best football films ever made |
| Fandango | 30 Greatest Football Movies Ever Made |
| Gear Patrol | The 20 Best Football Movies and Books of All Time |
| Gunaxin | The Ten Best College Football Movies |
| IMDB | Top 50 Football Movies |
| Live About | The 10 Greatest Football Movies of All Time |
| Movie Babble Reviews | Top 10 Best Football Movies |
| Newsweek | 10 Football Movies That Are More Fun To Watch Than the Super Bowl |
| NFL | Best football movies of all time |
| NJ 1015 | Super Bowl 50: Top Football Movies of All Time |
| One Country | 25 Greatest Football Movies of All Time |
| Oregon Live | 10 classic football movies worth watching |
| Ranker | The Best Football Movies Ever |
| RD | Best Football Movies of All Time |
| Rolling Stone | 10 Most Kick-Ass Football Movies of All Time |
| Screen Rant | 15 Best Football Movies of All Time |
| Seat Geek | Best Football Movies of All Time |
| Sportingz | 30 Greatest Football Movies of All Time |
| Sports Keeda | Top 10 American football movies of all time |
| The Score | Ranking the 20 best football movies of all time |
| USA Today | Super Bowl 2019: The 25 best football movies of all time … |
