20 Football Movies Available from Netflix
Football movies are among the most indelible films in our society. They can serve to inspire, tug at our heart strings, thrill us, and even make us laugh. If you are looking for a good football movie to entertain you or your family, check out this list of 20 memorable football movies available with a Netflix subscription. Most are only available on DVD, but a few are also available via Netflix Instant.
Brian’s Song (1971)
Starring: James Caan, Billy Dee Williams
Rated: G. Based on the true story, Brian’s Song tells the story of the friendship between Brian Piccolo, who was diagnosed with cancer, and fellow running back Gale Sayers. A made for TV movie that was so successful that it was later released to theatres. Available on DVD through Netflix.
Friday Night Lights (2004)
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Derek Luke, Garrett Hedlund
Rated: PG – 13. The story of the a coach and his players in the high pressured world of Texas High School football. Based on the book “Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream” by H.G. “Buzz” Bissinger. Available on DVD via Netflix
Rudy (1993)
Starring: Charles S. Dutton, Jon Favreau, Lili Taylor, Ned Beatty, Sean Astin
Rated: PG. An inspirational movie based on the real life story of Rudy Ruettiger, an undersized kid from a working class family with a dream of playing football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Available on DVD from Netflix.
Remember the Titans (2000)
Starring: Denzel Washington, Donald Faison, Ethan Suplee, Hayden Panettiere, Kate Bosworth.
Rated: PG. Denzel Washington stars as Herman Boone, the new high school football coach who and the struggle with racial tension that exists in the Virginia town. Available on DVD from Netflix.
The Longest Yard (1974)
Starring: Burt Reynolds.
Rated: R. A former NFL Quarterback lands in prison and pulls together a team to play a game against the prison guards. Not to be confused with the awful remake w/ Adam Sandler. Available on DVD from Netflix.
Jerry Maguire (1996)
Starring: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jerry O’Connell, Regina King, Renée Zellweger.
Rated: R. Story of a successful sports agent, Jerry Maguire, who questions the direction of his life and career. The movies popularity launched phrases like “Show me the money,” and “You had me at hello” into the lexicon. Nominated for Best Picture Oscar. Available on DVD from Netflix.
All the Right Moves (1983)
Starring: Tom Cruise, Craig T. Nelson, Lea Thompson
Rated: R. A high school football star’s opportunity for a college scholarship an a way own of his hometown is jeopardized by a falling out with his head coach. This film was one of the early starring roles for Tom Cruise. Available on DVD from Netflix.
The Blind Side (2009)
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, and Quinton Aaron
Rated PG-13. A young homeless student (Current Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman Michael Oher) is taken in by the wealthy Tuohy family and rises to football stardom. Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy. Available on DVD from Netflix
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Starring: Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, James Woods, Jamie Foxx
Rated: R. The story a fictional professional football team, the Miami Sharks, who are a franchise in disarray while fighting to make the playoffs. Former San Francisco 49ers Tight End Jaime Williams contributed to the original screenplay and is credited as a technical advisor on the film. Many former NFL players (some where current at the time) appear in the film such as Dick Butkis, Emmitt Smith, Terrell Owens, and Warren Moon. Available on DVD from Netflix
Invincible (2006)
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear
Rated PG-13. Based on the true story of Vince Papale. When Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Dick Vermeil holds open tryouts, a down on his luck Philadelphia bar tender takes a shot at his dream of playing in the NFL. Available on DVD from Netflix
We Are Marshall (2006)
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox
Rated: PG. Based on the real life story of Marshall University and the Huntington, WV community in the aftermath of a plane crash in 1970 that killed 75 football players, coaches, and other staff members. Available on DVD from Netflix.
Waterboy (1998)
Starring: Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Henry Winkler
Rated: PG-13. Adam Sandler comedy in which a socially inept team waterboy named Bobby Boucher discovers that his rage issues translate into undeniably great skills on the football field. Available on DVD fro Netflix.
Knute Rockne All American (1940)
Starring: Ronald Reagan
Rated: Not Rated. This classic movie tells the story of legendary Notre Dame coach Knute Rocke. Ronald Reagan plays the role of George Gipp and utters the inspirational line “Win one for the Gipper.” Available on DVD from Netflix.
Paper Lion (1968)
Starring: Alan Alda, Alex Karras
Rated: NR. Writer George Plimpton goes under for Sports Illustrated as a quarterback trying to make it in the NFL for the Detroit Lions. Available on DVD and Instant Streaming from Netflix.
Wildcats (1986)
Starring: Goldie Hawn, Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson
Rated: R. The daughter of a football coach gets an opportunity to coach an inner city high school football team. Available on DVD from Netflix.
The Express (2008)
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown, Charles S. Dutton
Rated: PG. Based on the true story of Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy Award. Davis fought for racially equality in the late 1950s and early 1960’s. Available on DVD from Netflix.
Varsity Blues (1999)
Starring: Amy Smart, James Van Der Beek, Jon Voight, Paul Walker
Rated: R. A backup high school quarterback who is more interested in academics than football, is thrust into the spotlight when the star quarterback is lost to an injury. Available on DVD from Netflix.
The Game Plan (2007)
Starring: Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson
Rated: PG. An NFL superstar’s world is turned upside down when he meets the 7 year old daughter he never knew he had. Available on DVD from Netflix.
Radio (2003)
Starring: Ed Harris, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Rated: PG. A high school football coach, played by Ed Harris, opens the eyes of an entire town by befriending a mentally challenged man called Radio. Available on DVD and Instant Streaming from Netflix.
Johnny Be Good (1988)
Starring: Anthony Michael Hall, Robert Downey, Jr., Uma Thurman
Rated: R. A high school football star who is wanted by every college in the country tries to remain “good” while being tempted at every turn. Available on DVD and Instant Streaming from Netflix.
Looking for other sports-related movies? Check out this list of sports movies available on Netflix Instant Streaming.
by 