There's not much that matches the feeling of football season. Whether you're a player who loves everything about the game (just like the Drummond boys, Bryce and Todd) or you're a diehard fan of your favorite team, you know just how magical the sport can be. Oh, and let's not forget about the wonders of tailgating! With all of this in mind, and with the football season starting to approach, we thought we'd curate a list of the best football movies to raise your excitement a little more!
Many of these feel-good movies are based on real events, which makes them even more fascinating. The true stories of America's most famous teams and players are filled with high-stakes drama and lots of inspiring life lessons. This list also includes a handful of comedies (and even some romantic comedies!) that are guaranteed to make you laugh. A few even have some pretty great soundtracks. (Remember the Titans, we're looking at you.)
Read on for the best football movies every fan should see in their lifetime. We recommend having a sports movie marathon leading up to the fall season or the Super Bowl, to really get your head in the game!
Rita Moreno, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Sally Field play four women who have been gal pals for quite some time. One day, they decide that they need to see their idol, Tom Brady, before he retires. So, they embark on a hilarious mission to reach this goal.
Cute pups plus America's most iconic sport? Oh, we've got a hit family movie on our hands! Watch as Air Bud takes on the field as one of football's most adorable players.
This flick may not have any words, but you will certainly be able to follow everything that is going on. Harold Lloyd takes the lead role as a young, hopeful student who ops to join his university's football team as a means to impress his new crush. The only problem: He doesn't know how to play!
The Manassas High School football team were once underdogs, but a coach with a big heart was able to turn it all around. Watch as the team who once had no hope for themselves shine at the end of their season, bringing a tear to everyone's eye.
When a young kid's idol ends up taking the girl of his dreams, he decides that he needs to take matters into his own hands: joining his high school football team. Because if he can play better than his ex-mentor, then he can surely win her over, right?!
If it stars one of Ree's celeb crushes, then you know we've got to include it! Denzel Washington shines in this classic story of an underdog high school football team.
"The Rock" plays a detention center counselor who shapes a group of troubled teens into a winning football team. This is a heartwarming story about growth and second chances.
When a football movie is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, you know it's got to be really good. This true story about NFL player Michael Oher stars Sandra Bullock in an Oscar-winning performance.
Here's a football comedy that's appropriate for the whole family! The sibling rivalry is real in this '90s kid favorite about two brothers who coach competing pee-wee football teams.
What do you get when you tell the true story of a Chicago Bears football player stricken with terminal cancer? This critically acclaimed film that brings all the waterworks.
This movie follows the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the man who discovered and raised awareness about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and its connection to football. Will Smith was nominated for a Golden Globe for his starring role.
You'll recognize a few famous faces here, including George Clooney, John Krasinski, and Renee Zellweger. It's about a 1920s football team and the newswoman who suspects something fishy.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the struggles of football players, their coaches, and the team owners. The cast is totally amazing, and includes Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, and more.
One year after a devastating plane crash killed 75 of the football players at Marshall University, a new coach arrives to take the job no one else wanted. Cue the tears!
Kelly OâSullivan is the senior editor for The Pioneer Woman and manages the websiteâs social channels, in addition to overseeing content strategy and news.