5 Greatest Movies About Football of All Time

Football is America’s favorite sport. It is no wonder then that there is no shortage of movies about football. While some are forgettable and others best avoided entirely, there are some true cinematic classics out there that can be almost as thrilling as watching your favorite team play live!

Any football fan knows that the sport is full of drama and excitement, so it is no surprise that it translates well to the silver screen. This article lists five of the greatest football movies of all time.

5. The Waterboy (1998)

Although Adam Sandler has more recently won plaudits among the film industry for his starring role in the Safdie Brothers’ tense drama Uncut Gems, he is more well known as an actor who plays comedic roles. Films including Click, Happy Gilmore (another sports flick), Billy Madison, and The Wedding Singer made him a household name, but his 1998 comedy The Waterboy is one of the funniest films about football of all time. 

4. Rudy (1993)

Based on the true story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, 1993’s Rudy stars Sean Astin of The Goonies (and later The Lord of the Rings and Stranger Things). Astin plays the titular Rudy, a kid who struggles with small stature and dyslexia and who dreams of playing football for Notre Dame. Also starring Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn, this one is a real feel-good classic, and Sean Astin’s performance is absolutely stellar. After this movie, you’ll feel so inspired you’ll be looking up NFL odds online as soon as the credits roll!

3. Friday Night Lights (2004)

Although you may be more familiar with Friday Night Lights as an Emmy-winning drama series on NBC, it originated as a 2004 movie based on a book by journalist H.G. Bissinger. Set in small-town Texas in the late 1980s, Friday Night Lights stars Billy Bob Thornton in a career-defining turn as Coach Gary Gaines. The human drama of this movie makes it an engrossing experience for football fans and non-fans alike. 

2. Remember the Titans (2000)

Another true story (although only loosely based on real events), Remember the Titans tells the story of a football team of various young misfits who have come together. Under the guidance of an inspirational coach played fantastically by Denzel Washington, the group learns important lessons about race, struggle, and overcoming adversity through teamwork and perseverance. A true classic.

1. The Longest Yard (1974)

Although there is a 2005 version of The Longest Yard, starring none other than Adam Sandler (playing the lead role in The Waterboy obviously didn’t fulfill his football film cravings!), this version doesn’t make the top five! There is nothing terribly wrong with the 2005 remake, but it lacks the charm and classic status of the original. The original, released in 1974, stars Burt Reynolds (who also plays a different character in the remake) as Paul Crewe, a former professional football star who ends up behind bars after a police chase. The story sees him recruiting a team of prisoners to challenge the guards to a game of football. As well as being funny, this classic is also surprisingly thought-provoking.