10 Football Movies to Consider
A list by John Perritt
John Perritt's football movie picks from his Family Movie Night newsletter (johnperritt.substack.com), from Rudy and Remember the Titans to American Underdog. Several are based on true stories, and a few are for older kids, so check the content first.
- 1
Rudy
Movie · 1993
“The ultimate underdog sports movie—inspiring as hell, but bring tissues and brace for some PG-era language.”
IMDb 7.5RT 80% - 2
Remember the Titans
Movie · 2000
“Disney's feel-good football movie about 1971 school integration—heavy on inspiration, heavier on life lessons about racism.”
IMDb 7.8RT 72% - 3
Friday Night Lights
Movie · 2004
“Texas high school football drama that's more about crushing pressure than Friday night fun—heavy themes, solid lessons, dated vibes.”
IMDb 7.2RT 82% - 4
Jerry Maguire
Movie · 1996
“A high-flying sports agent loses his job over an ethics manifesto and tries to rebuild his career with one client and a single loyal coworker.”
- 5
The Blind Side
Movie · 2009
“Sandra Bullock plays white savior in a syrupy sports drama that real-life Michael Oher wishes didn't exist.”
IMDb 7.6RT 66% - 6
Invincible
Movie · 2006
“Mark Wahlberg plays a 30-year-old bartender who makes the Philadelphia Eagles—because apparently that was possible in 1976.”
- 7
We Are Marshall
Movie · 2006
“Matthew McConaughey coaches a grief-stricken college town back to life through football—tissues required, but it's a bit formulaic.”
IMDb 7.1RT 48% - 8
The Express
Movie · 2008
“Inspirational but paint-by-numbers biopic of Ernie Davis, the first Black Heisman winner—good for a history lesson, less for must-watch drama.”
- 9
American Underdog
Movie · 2021
“Kurt Warner goes from grocery store stockboy to NFL Hall of Famer in this faith-filled, feel-good sports biopic that plays all the hits.”
- 10
Greater
Movie · 2016
“Faith-driven underdog football story that's genuinely inspiring if you can handle the earnestness and the emotional gut-punch.”
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