Soccer movies hit differently than other sports films because soccer is genuinely global. Your kid might not care about American football, but they've probably kicked a soccer ball around at recess. And unlike basketball or baseball movies that can feel very American, soccer films often bring in international perspectives, diverse casts, and stories that resonate across cultures.

For kids, these movies are about:

For parents, they're a sneaky way to:

This 1995 Disney film is peak wholesome. A teacher moves to a small Texas town and forms a soccer team with kids who've never played. It's predictable, it's cheesy, and it's perfect for younger kids. No real content concerns, just pure "we can do it if we try" energy.

Will Ferrell coaches his son's soccer team and becomes hilariously over-competitive. Some mild language and slapstick humor, but it's PG and genuinely funny. Good conversation starter about sports parents who take things too far (we all know one).

This is the gold standard. Jess wants to play soccer but her traditional Sikh parents want her to focus on more "appropriate" pursuits. It's rated PG-13 for some language and themes around sexuality (one character comes out), but it's handled thoughtfully. Great for conversations about gender expectations, cultural identity, and following your passion.

Taika Waititi's 2023 film about the American Samoa national team's quest to not be the worst team in the world. It's PG-13, includes a transgender player (handled respectfully), and has some adult humor. If your kid loved Thor: Ragnarok, this has that same Waititi charm.

For older kids who want something real, this Amazon Prime docuseries follows the Brazilian national team. It's intense, emotional, and shows both the glory and pressure of professional sports. According to our community data, about 30% of families give kids free access to Amazon Prime, but this one's worth watching together if you've got soccer fans.

These aren't just sports movies. The best soccer films use the sport as a framework to explore bigger themes: immigration, gender roles, class differences, family expectations. Bend It Like Beckham is as much about being a young woman navigating two cultures as it is about soccer.

Representation matters here. Soccer's global reach means these films often feature diverse casts and perspectives you won't find in other sports movies. That's a feature, not a bug.

Some have dated elements. The Big Green is from 1995 and it shows. Kicking & Screaming has some jokes that haven't aged perfectly. Use these as conversation starters about how media and attitudes evolve.

The quality varies wildly. For every Bend It Like Beckham, there's a direct-to-streaming movie that's just... not good. Check reviews before committing to family movie night.

Based on our community data, about 80% of families have Netflix, with 40% letting kids browse independently. Another 80% have Disney+, with 50% watching together as a family. Soccer movies tend to rotate across platforms, so your best bet is searching "best soccer movies for kids streaming now" to see what's currently available.

The Big Green pops up on Disney+ periodically. Bend It Like Beckham moves between Netflix, Amazon Prime, and rental services. Next Goal Wins is on Disney+.

World Cup movies—or soccer movies generally—are a surprisingly solid genre for family viewing. They're accessible, often genuinely inspiring, and provide natural conversation starters about teamwork, perseverance, and handling both victory and defeat.

The best ones transcend sports entirely and become stories about identity, belonging, and finding your place in the world. The worst ones are still usually harmless, just boring.

If your kid is soccer-obsessed: Start with Bend It Like Beckham if they're old enough (10+), or The Big Green for younger kids.

If you're looking for family movie night options: Kicking & Screaming hits that sweet spot of entertaining for both kids and parents.

If your teen wants something more serious: Try All or Nothing: Brazil or Next Goal Wins.

Want more sports movie options? Check out our guide to sports movies for kids or ask our chatbot for recommendations based on your kid's age and interests.

And remember: if your kid watches Bend It Like Beckham and suddenly wants to join a soccer team, that's a win. If they watch it and just want to practice bending free kicks in the backyard for three days before moving on to something else, that's also fine. Not everything needs to be a lifelong passion—sometimes it's just a good movie.