It’s the week of the Super Bowl, so what better time to delve into the world of football movies.
If, come Sunday, you’re looking for a topic to liven up a dull watch party with friends and relatives you only see when free food is on offer – ranking the best football movies is it.
A topic that is likely to start a contentious debate amongst all involved, there are plenty of classics to choose from whether your goal is to spend two hours crying, or two hours cheering at your TV.
With all this in mind, let’s take a look at our playbook of football movies/TV to watch.
The Blind Side, 2009
Based on a true story, The Blind Side follows a teenager named Michael Oher, played by Quinton Aaron, who's taken in off the streets by the Tuohy family. Led by parents Leigh Anne and Sean, played by Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw, the Tuohy family gives Michael a chance at a better life and, most importantly, a true home. While he initially struggles academically, Oher discovers he has a talent for football and the Tuohy family helps him as he looks to defy the odds and make it to college on scholarship.
A rags to riches story if there ever was one, The Blind Side is charming and well-acted across the board – although as expected Bullock steals the show somewhat.
Make sure you have a box of tissues at the ready, The Blind Side is available to rent on Prime Video.
Rudy, 1993
The prototypical underdog story, Rudy depicts its namesake, played by Sean Astin, fighting to make it to Notre Dame in order to play for its football team despite facing obstacles every step of the way. Again, based on a true story, Rudy is a timeless classic and a must-watch for any football fans, athletes, or… well anyone.
A baby Samwise Gamgee can be viewed playing for the Fighting Irish via subscription on Hulu.
Remember The Titans, 2000
Another feel-good, based on real events, underdog story to lift your spirits - Who would have thought it?
Remember The Titans follows the integration of Black and white students at a Virginia high school in 1971. The football team struggles from the get-go as racism divides many of the students, however, this changes as time goes by thanks in no small part to the coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, who attempts to lead this team to the state championship.
If you’re ever having a down day, put your feet up and give Remember The Titans a watch via subscription on Disney+.
Draft Day, 2014
Moving on from high school and college football to the pros, Draft Day is a fictional depiction of a struggling Cleveland Browns team’s front office as it navigates draft day in 2014, led by their general manager, Sonny Weaver Jr., played by Kevin Costner.
Under pressure from the team’s fans and its coach, it’s the daunting owner, and the general manager of the Seattle Seahawks who perpetually attempts to take advantage of a grieving Weaver Jr. Draft Day feels as if its constantly against the clock as the GM is torn between following his head and his heart come the draft.
All the while, looming in the background the entire time is the rocky relationship between Weaver Jr. and the Browns’ finance manager Ali, played by Jennifer Garner.
Draft Day is a great watch for anyone wanting to distract themselves from how their own team disappointed them in 2021 - by seeing how, in a dream world, their team could be rebuilt in just one draft.
The number one pick for any NFL fan, Draft Day can be watched via an AMC+ subscription on Prime Video.
Ballers, 2015-2019
A drug and alcohol-fueled ride throughout the lives of NFL financial advisors, Ballers provides a, perhaps slightly dramatized, look behind the curtain at the lives of the guys responsible for helping manage the finances of often irresponsible multimillionaire 20-something athletes.
Led by former NFL player Spencer Strasmore, played by the enigmatic Dwayne Johnson, and his slightly reckless colleague Joe Krutel, played by Rob Corddry, this duo constantly has the feeling of being on the edge of a meltdown from start to finish.
Surrounded by the fast-paced Miami scene, Ballers will suck you in and before you know it it’s 3 a.m. and you’ve not gotten up in 10 hours.
If this sounds like a good weekend to you, Ballers can be watched via subscription on Hulu.
12 Mighty Orphans
Filmed in and around Fort Worth, 12 Mighty Orphans is a (we promise this is the last time we’ll use this phrase) uplifting underdog story based on real events.
It follows high school football coach Rusty Russell, played by Luke Wilson, as he attempts to start a team at a rural school for orphans outside of Fort Worth. Russell is then followed as he teaches his students not only the basics of football but a number of life lessons, with his team doing their utmost to reach the Texas State Championship.
Set during the Great Depression, 12 Mighty Orphans has its dark moments, but plenty of light-hearted laughs, particularly from Martin Sheen's Doc Hall, to balance it out making it a great movie for the family. Make sure to keep an eye out for a number of recognizable Fort Worth landmarks, if you opt to stream this via subscription on Hulu.
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