The 13 Best Football Films Ever Made

      As there are still a few nights when real football isn’t available, here are some of the best football films ever made.

      Football movies go beyond just sports—they explore emotions that are often difficult to express and span various genres, from comedies to poignant dramas.

      Now, here’s our selection.

      Brian’s Song (1971)

      Columbia Pictures

      Brian’s Song is similar to David Anspaugh’s Rudy in that both are profound tearjerkers based on true stories. They tackle themes beyond football, such as disappointment, friendship, resilience, and bravery.

      However, Brian’s Song is distinct in that it doesn’t have a happy ending. It tells the story of the friendship between Chicago Bears teammates Brian Piccolo and the iconic Gale Sayers. When Piccolo receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, Sayers supports him until the end.

      It's perfectly acceptable to shed tears during this film—or even while listening to its score, which is one of the saddest ever composed by Michel Legrand.

      Jerry Maguire (1996)

      TriStar Pictures – Credit: C/O

      An outstanding football film, and nearly flawless overall, Cameron Crowe’s 1996 release Jerry Maguire follows sports agent Jerry Maguire as he realizes the importance of prioritizing his clients over profits.

      This revelation doesn’t sit well with his superagency, leading to his dismissal and leaving him with just one client, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr., who earned an Oscar for his charismatic performance).

      The film is packed with drama, sharp comedic dialogue, and romantic elements as well: notably Jerry’s awkward relationship with the charming single mother Dorothy (Renee Zellweger), alongside Tidwell’s devoted marriage to Marcee (Regina King).

      Remember the Titans (2000)

      Disney – Credit: C/O

      Remember the Titans is a largely true tale of football coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) as he confronts racism and dissent while striving to lead the newly integrated T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia to an undefeated season in 1971.

      Boone steps in for white former coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton), which initially causes tension, but they ultimately set aside their differences for the benefit of their community and team.

      As with the best football films, it’s not solely about the sport.

      Heaven Can Wait (1978)

      Paramount Pictures

      Based on Harry Segall’s play of the same name, which has seen multiple adaptations, this New Hollywood classic, co-directed by Buck Henry and featuring Warren Beatty, stands in stark contrast to the earlier Ernst Lubitsch version from 1943. This one is indeed a football film.

      It’s a well-crafted movie with strong writing, acting, and directing. When quarterback Joe Pendleton is taken to heaven prematurely before his team heads to the Super Bowl, he must work with heavenly powers to secure a new body, convince his old coach of his true identity, buy his former football team, and reclaim his position as their star quarterback.

      We know it sounds complicated, but it’s not as convoluted as it seems.

      North Dallas Forty (1979)

      Paramount Pictures

      Another excellent football film from the golden era, North Dallas Forty presents a semi-fictional depiction of a professional football team, inspired by the Dallas Cowboys of the early 1970s.

      The film is bold, loud, and irreverent, offering an unfiltered glimpse into the less glamorous side of a professional football player’s life.

      The Best of Times (1986)

      Credit: Universal Pictures

      This often-overlooked football movie is a hidden gem. After watching it, you might wonder, “What made that so enjoyable?”

      The answer lies in Ron Shelton’s writing (known for Bull Durham and Tin Cup); he has a knack for crafting fantastic sports films, regardless of the sport.

      This specific film revolves around football and features a perfect casting choice with Kurt Russell as the rugged yet aging ex-high school quarterback grappling with an attitude problem, and Robin Williams (in a more subdued and mellow performance) as the nerdy ex-receiver seeking redemption for a dropped pass.

      Rudy (1993)

      TriStar Pictures

      This film tells the true story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, a small-statured kid who fights his way onto the Notre Dame football team. It may not be the most intellectually stimulating football film, but what it lacks in sophistication, it compensates with heart and spirit.

      Written by Angelo Pizzo and directed by David Anspaugh, both veterans in creating uplifting sports movies (like Hoosiers and The Game of Their Lives), it is sure to evoke goosebumps and misty eyes during the climactic finale, leading to a likely outpouring of tears.

      The Program (1993)

      MGM

      The Program is a movie that college students often cling to, viewing it repeatedly during their four years, only to drop it upon