Top 10 Best Football Movies of All Time

Sports and movies are inextricably linked. Football, like any sport, has all the unexpected moments, drama, and emotions that fit the film perfectly.

As the most popular sport in the United States. Football has piqued the interest of Hollywood. As a result, many films about football have been made.

Let’s see what the best football movies of all time are.

Every football fan and person has a favorite football movie. We compiled our list of the best football movies of all time by researching various websites such as USA Today, Complex, NFL, and IMDb.

10. Leatherheads

IMDb rating: 6 IMDb release date: 2008
Leatherheads is a comedy sports film set in the American professional football league in 1925.

Dodge Connelly (George Clooney), the owner of the Duluth Bulldogs, is looking to rebuild his team after losing sponsors, and the pro league is on the verge of collapsing.

As a result, he persuades college football star Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski) to join the team to gain national attention.

Rutherford is an American hero who fought in World War I and single-handedly captured several German soldiers.

Aside from being a decorated army figure, he is also a quick and skilled player. Rutherford’s arrival later aided both pro football and the Bulldogs’ rise.

Similarly, the Chicago Tribune suggests that Lexie Littleton (Renne Zellweger) look into Carter’s war heroism.

While she investigates the case, Carter and Doge become on-field teammates and off-field rivals for her love.

Dodge fights to keep his teammates together and to get the girls he likes as football becomes more popular.

Clooney revealed the story is based on University of Illinois football athlete Harold Grange and pro-team captain George Halas during an interview on Late Show with David Letterman.

9. The Strategy

Date of release: 2007
IMDb score: 6.1
The plot revolves around Joe Kingman, a professional football quarterback (Dwayne Johnson). Everything was going swimmingly for him.

However, one day, an eight-year-old girl (Peyton) unexpectedly knocks on his door, introducing herself as his daughter from a previous relationship.

He seeks proof and discovers she is his real daughter; Joe continues to fail as a parent. Joe, for example, occasionally drives her in a fast car without a backseat and leaves her alone in a bar at 3 a.m.

However, he gradually gains control and presents himself as a loving and caring father.

After learning that Peyton’s mother died a year ago, he invites her to relocate and live with him as a family. However, Peyton’s legal guardian, Karen Kelly, takes her home.

Later, with an injury, he has to play in the championship game, as things were looking bleak for Joe. But his daughter unexpectedly appears, inspiring him to play the best game of his life.

8. Sundays at any time

Date of publication: 1999
IMDb score: 6.9
The film tells the story of aging coach Tony D’Amato (Al Pacino). His team, the Miami Sharks, was once great a few years ago, but they are now struggling to make the AFFA playoffs.

Furthermore, his marriage is about to fail, and he has a falling out with new team owner Christina Pagliacci.

When starting quarterback Jack Rooney and backup quarterback Tyler Cherubini are both injured, the team’s playoff chances become more difficult.

Willie Beamen, the third-string quarterback, will take their place for the rest of the season.

Although Beamen struggles at first, his improved performance later calls into question the future of the other two top quarterbacks.

D Amato is dealing with personal and professional issues. Along with him, he is attempting to strengthen the team and save it from another disappointing season.

7. Jerry Maguire

Date of publication: 1996
IMDb score: 7.3
Jerry Maguire is inspired by American sports agent Leigh Steinberg. He also served as a technical advisor to the film crew.

Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is a powerful sports agent in the film. Jerry has famous clients, respect, beautiful finance, and money, and he has everything he wants.

Jerry Maguire is one of the ‘Best Football Movies of All Time,’ according to our list.
However, one day he writes a mission statement for his company in which he expresses his desire to work with fewer clients and run their business.

However, his superior does not approve of his proposal and fires him. Later, he establishes his own sports agency with the help of single mother Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger).

He began his business with only one client, Rod Tidwell, who believed in his abilities and skills.

Later, Jerry and Dorothy face the impossible task of re-creating all of Jerry’s elite status, earning clients one at a time.

Jerry encounters harsh realities he had previously ignored, as well as difficulties he had never faced before on his way to a new journey.

6. The Blind Side

IMDb rating: 7.6 (released in 2009)
One of the best football movies is The Blind Side, based on the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. The true story of American footballer Michael Oher is told in the book.

The film depicts Michael Oher’s (Quinton Aaron) real-life journey from homeless to NFL draft first-round pick and All-American with the help of caring women and family.

Aaron experienced a traumatic childhood in his early years. Because of his mother’s drug addiction, he is constantly transferred to new foster homes.

However, his friend’s father assists him in enrolling in a private Christian high school, but he becomes a social outcast.

Later, Aaron is approached by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), who invites him to her home. She fulfills his most important need in life: family.

The Blind Side is more than just a sports film; it demonstrates the importance of family. It’s a heartfelt film that’s great to watch with family.

The Blind Side won Best Sports Film at the ESPY Awards in 2010.

5. The Farthest Yard

Date of publication: 2005
IMDb score: 6.4
The film The Longest Yard is a remake of the 1974 film The Longest Yard. It’s not only one of the best football movies, but it’s also one of the best prison movies.

The plot revolves around Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler), a washed-up former Pittsburgh Steelers professional quarterback.

The Longest Yard is ranked number five on our list of the best football movies.
Paul is arrested as a result of a drunk driving police chase. Rudolph Hazen, Texas Warden, and avid football fan, later transfers him to his prison.

Paul is forced to form a football team to compete against prison guards in exchange for a reduced prison sentence.

Later, his fellow caretaker assists Paul in organizing tryouts. Finally, former college football player Nate Scarborough decides to join the head coach after taking a look at the team.

Then Nate assists in gathering a large number of intimidating prison inmates, with the majority of them joining forces to exact revenge on those brutal guards.

As the Looking team grows stronger, the guard’s team attempts to obstruct the Crewe team in as many ways as possible. Crewe, on the other hand, is prepared for a big football match against guards.

The warden and other guards have no idea who they are up against or what motivates Paul’s newly formed team.

4. Gridiron Gang

Date of publication: 2006
IMDb score: 6.9
Gridiron Gang is based on the true events that occurred at the Kilpatrick Mustangs juvenile detention camp in 1990.

The film tells the moving story of Sean Porter (Dwayne Johnson), a detention officer at the Los Angeles Kilpatric Detention Center.

He is frustrated by his inability to assist children in dealing with life issues such as street gangs and drugs, even after they have been released from the center.

As a result, Sean asks his fellow officers Malcolm Moore, Paul Higa, and Ted Dexter to form a football team so that they can develop the sense that they are always a part of something.

Sean, a former college football player, believes that football will teach these kids what it takes to be responsible, team players, and winners.

They persuade the Christian school league to allow their team to compete.

Porter and his colleague have only four weeks before their first match to form a team. But first, he must unite the youth and eliminate gang rivalries.

3. Think of the Titans

IMDb rating: 7.8 (released in 2000)
Remember the Titans is based on the true story of football coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, and his efforts to bring the T.C. Williams High School football team together in 1971.

It is one of the best football movies about a white football team that begins to accept black players.

T.C. Williams, a black coach, hires Herman Boone to end racial discrimination in the early 1970s.

Later, when black and white players are forced to play on the same team, tensions arise.

However, the team’s previous disagreements fade after a two-week training camp at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.

After returning, the players become united and achieve racial harmony. As a result, the Titans go undefeated for the season.

They overcame racism, and their success led to communities accepting social change.

Finally, Remember the Titans is about leadership, teamwork, and combating racism in society.

2. The New York Times

IMDb rating: 7.3, released in 2008.
The Express is a true story based on the life of Ernie Davis, an American footballer at Syracuse University who became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy.

Furthermore, the plot of the film is based on Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express, which was published in 1983.

In the film, Rob Brown played the role of Ernie Davis. During his high school showcase, Brown demonstrated that he is an exceptional football player, outrunning every other field player.

Syracuse head coach Ben Schwanrtzwalder was impressed with his video footage and convinced him to join his recruiting program after viewing it.

The film takes place in 1959 when Syracuse was undefeated. Davis immediately proves his talent to everyone and sets numerous records. However, despite being named MVP, he did not present the trophy at the banquet.

Similarly, they are given difficult games against West Virginia and Texas. Fans yell racial slurs and throw bottles at black football players.

Similarly, he had to enter hotels through back doors and sleep in servant quarters.

Furthermore, the film tells the story of African-American players’ difficulties.

1. Rudy

Date of publication: 1993
IMDb score: 7.5
Rudy is based on the true story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, who aspired to play for the Notre Dame football team.

The film teaches us that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter how many people discourage us.

Rudy Rudy is without a doubt one of the greatest football movies of all time.
Rudy grew up in a working-class family and aspired to play football for Notre Dame.

Despite his talent and physicality, he lacks the funds and grades to enroll. As a result, he, like his brother and father, begins working in a steel factory.

However, shortly after Rudy turns 22, his supportive and best friend is killed in a mill explosion. Then he realizes that it’s time to follow his dreams.

He was aware that he was ineligible, so he enrolled in Holy Cross Junior College with the assistance of a priest named John Cavanaugh. Later, a tutor assists him in achieving good grades.

Finally, after becoming eligible, he transfers to Notre Dame. He has been a “tackling dummy” for two years.

His coach gives him a chance to play in one match because of his dedication, hard work, and inspirational character. Finally, after the game, he is carried by his teammates.

Summary

The new NFL season will not begin until September. So now is the time to watch the best football movies that provide the same thrill and unpredictable moments.

Surprisingly, more than half of the films on our list are inspired by true events. Let’s take a look at a quick summary of our top ten list.

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