Huddle Up and Watch

There have been many great films and shows centered around football over the decades. From beloved classics like Rudy to the recently popular NFL show Quarterback, there is something for everyone in the department of football films.

For sports fans or anyone looking for an inspirational story, there are all kinds of football movies out there. Films based on true stories, docuseries following real NFL football games, and even fictional comedies are all available to fans and film lovers alike. Let’s cover some of the best football movies.

The Blind Side (2009)

The Blind Side is a profound true story based on the life of Michael Oher, a tackle for the Ravens, Titans, and Panthers. Sandra Bullock received an Oscar for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy, the adoptive mother of Michael Oher.

The movie follows the struggle of Michael Oher, who was homeless when the Tuohys took him in and adopted him. The rest of the movie follows Oher’s football career as he makes his way to the NFL as one of the best tackles in the draft. It is a great movie that is well-produced and pulls on the heartstrings. (Ed. note: the film is subject to controversy)

Rudy (1993)

An unconventional football film, Rudy follows the true story of Daniel ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger, a hopeful athlete whose dream is to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Unfortunately, Rudy is undersized and is not the best athlete.

Rudy also had little money and poor grades. After some help from his friend, Rudy overcomes his dyslexia and gains admission to Notre Dame. Rudy then starts working for the football team in various roles, such as assisting with fieldwork. He eventually works his way onto the football team, even getting the chance to play in a game. Rudy has one of the greatest endings to a football film and is one of the best football movies of all time. Rudy is a truly inspiring tale of determination.

Hard Knocks (Series)

While it’s not a movie, Hard Knocks is a great piece of football film that follows NFL teams through training camp, preseason, and the regular season. The docuseries gives the best look into the real training, struggles, and procedures NFL teams go through on a yearly basis and has been filmed yearly since 2001.

Hard Knocks is a truly unique show in the sense that it gives fans the best look into what NFL teams go through during the season and even the offseason. It is a must-watch for anyone who has ever wondered how NFL teams navigate playing and coaching in the National Football League.

Quarterback (2023) (Series)

Piggybacking off Hard Knocks, Quarterback is a similar show that focuses specifically on how quarterbacks navigate balancing football with family and also gives a unique inside look at how quarterbacks function on the field during games. The first edition featured Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, and Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Mic’d up during every game during the 2022 season, Quarterback gives fans the feeling of how the quarterbacks go through games and the professionalism and leadership needed to play at the highest level of the game.

Remember the Titans (2000)

Another true story, Remember the Titans is a moving film based on the 1971 T.C. Williams High School in Virginia. The film follows coach Herman Boone (played by Denzel Washington) as the school struggles to integrate an all-Black school with an all-white school, leading to troubles on the football team.

The movie features an incredible acting performance by the great Denzel Washington and is a powerful story of the struggles Black people went through in the 1960s and 70s to overcome segregation.

We Are Marshall (2006)

One of the saddest football movies of all time, We Are Marshall follows the true story of the 1971 Marshall Thundering Herd the year after a plane crash kills nearly everyone on the football team in 1970, including coaches, trainers, and boosters.

In the following season, new coach Jack Lengyel (played by Matthew McConaughey) must rebuild the reeling program in a true test of adversity for not only the team but the entire school and community surrounding after a great tragedy. We Are Marshall is a movie that anyone with feelings will cry watching.