The 2021 football season has just started on August 27th, so what better way to get yourself in the NFL spirit than to re-watch some of the bestfootball movies of all-time?
North Dallas Forty (1979) – Audience Score 70% (5,000+ Ratings)
With a score of 80 based on an average of just 10 critic reviews, this mashup of sport, drama and comedy surely must deserve more attention? Even the NFL agrees, as it just makes inclusion in the last spot of their top 35 list. Said to be a “crazy look a pro football in the 1970’s”, doesn’t that sound like it could be worth a look to you?
Concussion (2015) – Audience Score 74% (25,000+ Ratings)
One of the newer entries on our list, Concussion has an alternate rating of 55 based on an average of 39 reviews from film critics. This Sports Drama is also part Biography, being based on a David vs. Goliath tale of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic neuropathologist studying brain injuries in football players. Perhaps more for the thinkers than the true sports fanatics.
Invincible (2006) – Audience Score 73% (50,000+ Ratings)
Another Sports Drama with a Biography tie-in, Invincible is inspired by the true story of Vince Papale, a man with nothing to lose who ignores the odds and makes his dreams come true. Stars Elizabeth Banks, Greg Kinnear, and Mark Wahlberg, this PG-rated movie is certified fun for all the family and widely available on most of the top streaming platforms.
The Longest Yard (1974) – Audience Score 75% (50,000+ Ratings)
Receiving an average of just 48 on average from 35 critics, have the audience got this one wrong? Well, the alternative Metacritic score places The Longest Yard at 7.4 too, based on 151 user reviews. It’s an Adam Sandler film with a PG-13 rating that tells the story of pro quarterback Paul Crewe (Sandler), and former college champion and coach Nate Scarboro (Reynolds).
The two find themselves locked up in the same prison and are asked to put together a team of inmates to take on the guards. I don’t believe Sandler and Reynolds ever appeared onscreen together before, making this one perhaps worth a watch for that fact alone!
Varsity Blues (1999) – Audience Score 76% (100,000+ Ratings)
Adding a touch of romance, this 1999 film starring James Van Der Beek and Jon Voight is set in West Texas, where high school football is as important as the studying itself. There’s plenty of stereotypes in here – from the beautiful blonde cheerleader to the macho, ultra-masculine quarterback, but despite a generally lukewarm reception from the critics – an average of 50 based on 20 reviews – the audiences seem to love it.
Jerry Maguire (1996) – Audience Score 79% (250,000+ Ratings)
One of the best NFL movies ever among the critics, with an impressive average of 77 from 28 critics and an alternative rating of 8.4 based on 222 user reviews, Jerry Maguire is undoubtedly a legend of NFL movies, and gamblers are near-guaranteed to be entertained by some great NFL bettingscenes too.
No doubt helped by the all-star cast; the film is no-doubt helped along by the appearance of Tom Cruise. Featuring as high-powered sports agentnamed Jerry Maguire and supported by a beautiful Renee Zellweger, who stars as a young single mother that aids him in creating the ultimate comeback for a struggling player named Ron Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.). Note the R rating, suggesting the comedy and romance elements of this sports drama may be a little full-on.
Gridiron Gang (2006) – Audience Score 81% (250,000+ Ratings)
Fancy seeing Fast & Furious legends Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, and Xzibit onscreen together in an attempt to turn a group of hardcore high-school felons into a winning NFL team in a matter of just four weeks? This PG-13 rated sports drama adds crime elements into the mix to create an interesting mixture of styles – not a favorite with the critics though, scoring an average of 52 from 25 reviews.
Friday Night Lights (2004) – Audience Score 85% (100,000+ Ratings)
Hailed as a “True American Story of a group of young athletes, their town, and making their dreams come true”. This action-based NFL movie keeps things to a sensible tempo, as reflected by its PG-13 rating – this doesn’t appear to have hurt its response, however, as 35 critics scored the film an average of 70.
Rudy (1993) – Audience Score 90% (100,000+ Ratings)
It’s not often you see a film score 90% on Rotten Tomatoes – and with a critic average of 71 from just 22 reviews, Rudy surely has something special going for it. It’s a true story based on the life of Rudy Ruettiger, who overcame the odds to play football at Notre Dame.
Remember the Titans (2000) – Audience Score 93% (250,000+ Ratings)
Thirty-two critics say just 48 – 134 user ratings average out at 8.4. 250,000 cinemagoers give the film an average of 93%. What can we say? This must be one for you to decide on for yourself! Denzel Washington stars in this “inspirational crowd-pleaser” that is said to feature a healthy dose of social commentary.
The low score from some critics may be due to it’s supposed predictability in places, but Michael Wilmington over at the Chicago Tribune stands with the fans, alongside William Arnold and Steven Rea at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Philadelphia Inquirer respectively. So perhaps it just depends on where you like to get your news?
Whatever the case, this family-friendly film once again centers around high school football, making it perfect for watching with the kids. You can find it on Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV to rent or buy today, or available to watch right now for Disney+ subscribers. We definitely suggest you give it a watch.