20 Best American Football Movies on Netflix (2024)
Calling all football fanatics! The game is on, but this time we’re playing it on the couch. It does not matter if you’re ready for the next NFL season or just planning to feel more gridiron drama; Netflix has a collection of football movies waiting to be re-discovered. We’ve scoured the platform to bring you the ultimate touchdown list 20 Of the Best American Football Movies on Netflix to watch in2024.
The list is designed to satisfy everyone’ Although the struggle of the underdog will be detailed in the spirit-raising films and the seemingly forgotten stories, you’ll find the best of classic movies and the newest documentaries that will touch your heart movies based on true stories and make you watch with irregular breathing and silence. The two ends of the spectrum has options for you, choosing between the laugh-out-loud comedies that put the sport in a fresh light, and the equally realistic gritty dramas. Hence, you will need to settle in a comfy spot, turn down the lights, and make yourself ready to kick back and be carried away on a journey of amazing football entertainment.
20 Best American Football Movies on Netflix
1. Rudy (1993)
- Genre: Sports Drama
- Director: David Anspaugh
- Cast: Sean Astin, Ned Beatty, Jason Miller, Robert Prosky
- Runtime: 1 hour 56 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
In “Rudy,” a young man, with a learning disability and unshakable determination, inspires everyone around him to resilience, proving that impossibilities don’t exist in life and dreaming big is the only limit to success. Being exposed to laughers, mocks, and limited financial ability, Rudy keep chasing the dream with unstoppable will power and various supports of his families and friends.
This heartwarming and down-to-earth story is about love and the inner drive of people. Thus, the triumph of human spirit over any adversity and getting what one desires.
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2. Jerry Maguire (1996)
- Genre: Sports Comedy-Drama
- Director: Cameron Crowe
- Cast: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger, Bonnie Hunt
- Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Jerry Maguire, an effervescent and devil-may-care sports agent at the height of his abilities, loses his job as he speaks out against the ethics of his noble-self. Maguire now had only one trustworthy client and therefore, he had to start over again.
From that grueling experience, he realized the importance of friendship and integrity and also the essentials of the world, which has often been hostile to sports enthusiasts.
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3. The Longest Yard (2005)
- Genre: Sports Comedy
- Director: Peter Segal
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Burt Reynolds, Nelly
- Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Paul Crewe, a fallen Quarterback of NFL once, lands in a prison due to a DUI. To shelter himself from the harshest aspect of the inmate world, he’s tricked into coaching a football team of prisoner against the guards of the prison. Hughes plays the doomed young player, who takes a look back at his life and football career in wake of death.
While he is a cocky and overall obnoxious character, this slapstick movie also includes high-octane American football scenes, outrageous comedy, and a sense of a heartwarming underdog story as a prematurely dead player turns out to be the team’s good luck limpet.
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4. Friday Night Lights (2004)
- Genre: Sports Drama
- Director: Peter Berg
- Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black, Derek Luke, Connie Britton
- Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
The upper school football team in Dillon, Texas plays a role much larger than that of a usual game in this quiet rural town; it is the community’s lifeline. This is the heart-wrenching story about the Dillon Panthers, framing their long road of adversities as they must rise to the challenge of perils both on the field, scouring the grades, and dealing with personal issues.
Accordingly, Coach Gary Gaines teaches his players the significance of teamwork, sacrifice and resilience as well as showing the viewer the multidimensional and emotional subject of being a city where townies are crazy about their football games.
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5. Remember the Titans (2000)
- Genre: Sports Drama, Historical
- Director: Boaz Yakin
- Cast: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Ethan Suplee, Ryan Gosling
- Runtime: 2 hours 07 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
In 1971, the school got a new African-born coach Herman Boone, who du day was facing serious problems since he was supposed to integrate the school team who was completely divided racially.
The game of football imparts among Coach Boone the concepts of unity and harmony and by virtue of the Titans’s season it ultimately inspires the pleasing feeling of pride. The racial tensions of the era are blown over and leave footsteps only on the winning podium.
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6. Moneyball (2011)
- Genre: Sports Drama, Biographical
- Director: Bennett Miller
- Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Pratt
- Runtime: 1 hour 53 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Mr. Billy Beane, the general manager Oakland Athletics, the conventional wisdom of a sport doesn’t follow with the help of statistical analysis to build a victorious team though as a “small ball” club. Dealing with incredulous owners and hard-nosed coaches, Beane’s truly revolutionary approach on the baseball game undoubtedly shapes the way of players selection in the future.
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7. Draft Day (2014)
- Genre: Sports Drama
- Director: Ivan Reitman
- Cast: Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Sean Astin, Adrian Brody
- Runtime: 2 hours 00 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Sonny Weaver, Jr., who is the football team Cleveland Browns’ general manager, manages the quick rush experienced when making critical decisions in the draft day in the National Football League (NFL).
As the future of the franchise is in jeopardy, and the team is already in peril territories, Sonny is facing a decision that can turn the downward spiral, or can further push them to the ground. With its rapid scenes, this show dives into the hotbed of pro-NFL determination and complex relations of picking packs.
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8. Any Given Sunday (1999)
- Genre: Sports Drama
- Director: Oliver Stone
- Cast: Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid
- Runtime: 2 hours 42 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Through his inimitable work as Tony D’Amato, the chief coach of a losing Miami Sharks football team, Al Pacino provides a powerful interpretation. While dealing with the impacts of inner rumblings, player injuries and increasing demand from the ownership, D’Amato must consolidate his team and drawback on their sprit of determination.
Taking place in the dressing room of the professional football game, this is an extremely realistic and gritty drama that portrays the challenging atmosphere around the football business through highlighting the unexpectedness of victory, loss and the human toll the game.
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9. We Are Marshall (2006)
- Genre: Sports Drama, Biographical
- Director: McG
- Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Kate Mara, David Strathairn, Anthony Mackie
- Runtime: 2 hours 02 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 7/10
It all began with the Marshall University football team receiving a devastating blow in 1970 when plane crash culminated in the fatal demise of 75 players, coaches, and staff. A community that is ruined yet strong-willed comes together again to realize their football program under the control of Coach Jack Lengyel established.
This story of a community who pick up their life after being struck by calamities and by doing so walk hand in hand all the way is nothing less than inspiring. Their common grief brings them together and their hope never gets disappointed.
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10. The Blind Side (2009)
- Genre: Sports Drama, Biographical
- Director: John Lee Hancock
- Cast: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates
- Runtime: 2 hours 06 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Leigh Anne Tuohy, a successful Memphis homemaker, in addition to her husband, tolerates an unprivileged and disturbed adolescent boy called Michael Oher.
When Leigh Anne recognizes that Michael has inborn athletic talent, she and the family welcome him into their home environment, providing him with the necessary support to soar high on the field. This tale about two brothers shows us the deep levels of home connections, the wonders of kindness and the adventurous way of a teenager becoming a professional NFL football player.
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11. The Gridiron Gang (2006)
- Genre: Sports Drama
- Director: Phil Joanou
- Cast: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Xzibit, L. Scott Caldwell, Kevin Dunn
- Runtime: 2 hours 05 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Sean Porter, a Program Officer in a juvenile detention center, takes the chance when he forms a football team for a group of delinquents. The game provides an outlet for their anger. Without other options, the young men begin to accept discipline and the value of camaraderie.
Consequently, they start to bond with each other. This is when they realise their strengths. This heart-warming story depicts the mighty influence of mentorship and the value of second opportunity. It also displays how teamwork and perseverance can positively change at-risk youth.
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12. Invincible (2006)
- Genre: Sports Drama, Biographical
- Director: Ericson Core
- Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks, Mike Pniewski
- Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Vince Papale, a 37-year-old Philadelphia bartender, who had never played football before, starting with the Eagles on the Practice Squad, via a strike, being the only option available. Vince, with his moved-by-dream and perseverance, just as an underdog goes against all odds with professional athletes competing on the team.
This stirringly real story highlights the indestructibility of human spirit and the huge motivation to fight till the end, demonstrating that age and inexperience do not necessarily disqualify from chasing dreams.
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13. Varsity Blues (1999)
- Genre: Sports Comedy-Drama
- Director: James Mangold
- Cast: James Van Der Beek, Amy Smart, Paul Walker, Richard Greene
- Runtime: 1 hour 43 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
The high school life in the city of West Canaan, Texas is going at gripping cattleman speed, where it is everything, football being it. And Trojan Dyer, the high school’s best no.1 quarterback, is under extreme social, academic, and athletic stress.
He is at the crossroad where he is losing his starting position and brotherhood with Kevin and the efforts to maintain a status by the way of popularity becoming the pitfalls of teenage peer pressure while struggling with his own personal issues. A niche of comedy, drama and nostalgia is being offered through these athletics themed story that provides a rare insight in high school student life, and single player’s pursuit of success.
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14. The Waterboy (1998)
- Genre: Sports Comedy
- Director: Adam Sandler
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Henry Winkler, Kathy Bates, Jonathan Bennett
- Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Even though Bobby Boucher was doing just a simple assignment like a water boy for his team, the South-Central Louisiana State Mud Dogs and he happened to discover that he could do some amazing kicks thanks to his unique water throwing method.
As a result, his performances – by means of the unusual game style and underdog charisma – work wonders, build Bobby into the great name of American football. This slapstick comedy is set in the context of a university football team’s adventures, underscoring the idea of football as a form of entertainment while parodying the absurdity and the silliness of sporting success and personal transformation.
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15. Facing the Giants (2006)
- Genre: Christian Sports Drama
- Director: Alex Kendrick
- Cast: Alex Kendrick, Sherwood Baptist Church Drama Team
- Runtime:1 hour 48 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Combating both on and off field issues, Grant Taylor, a highs school football coach with not very good success rates proves to be a challenge. Consumed by low seasons with personal doubts, Grant needs to prioritize that football is only a game but life lessons such as faith, character and resilience are teachings to live on.
This football movie is the faith and uplifting story about a sports team, a church and a community who come together to show that behind the hardships there is always a hope to emerge and this is the way to keep our purpose.
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16. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011 TV series)
- Genre: Sports Drama
- Directors: Peter Berg, Brian Grazer, David Nevins
- Cast: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Gaius Charles, Zach Gilford
- Seasons: 5
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
The TV sequel of the critically acclaimed movie from 2004 on A dillon Panthers another level to the viewer but on the other hand the Texas town that love their team game.
The dynamics of the seasons come across with the complexities of on-field struggles, personal challenges, and a community life, revealing universal themes such as family, perseverance, and dream chasing in this unique world characterized by the glitter of Friday nights in a stadium.
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17. Coach Carter (2005)
- Genre: Sports Drama
- Director: Thomas Carter
- Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Richard, Ashanti, Denzel Whitaker
- Runtime: 2 hours 06 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
In this football movie Ken Carter, a former athlete who had been fired, comes to a school in Richmond where the basketball team represents the school. If this team does not win the championship, not only the reputation of the school but also Carter’s career are in danger because of the contract he has previously entered.
Contending with parents’ and players’ stiff criticism, Coach Carter strongly emphasized on getting good grades before winning games, and he challenged his team to put being to become men first and athletes second. The movie captures these values in its inspiring narrative not simply a sports drama but about the human journey, choices, and consequences we all encounter in life.
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18. The Express (2008)
- Genre: Sports Drama, Biographical
- Director: Gary Fleder
- Cast: Rob Brown, Dennis Quaid, Charles S. Dutton, Wendell Pierce
- Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
In this football movie Charlie is injured in a car accident during his senior year at Syracuse University. Davis, an extremely talented African American running back, became the first Black player winning Heisman Trophy in 1961.
The football movie not only highlights his incredible sporting exploits, his fight against racial discrimination, and horrible fight with leukemia but also tells a story with a sad ending, where you will learn what courage is, why persistence is necessary, and how one can win the game of life despite all the difficulties encountered.
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19. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
- Genre: Sports Drama
- Director: Clint Eastwood
- Cast: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Jay Mohr
- Runtime: 2 hours 12 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Frankie Dunn a boxing trainer and former prize fight miler while in his later seasons is forced unwillingly to accept Maggie Fitzgerald a new generation female fight boxing and struggling with her own past.
As time goes on their relationship only brings them closer together, however, all the while, each of them still has his own and her own problems to fight and win in this great struggle towards the boxing title. This emotionally charged and thought-provoking drama explores themes of second chances, redemption, and the sacrifices we make for our dreams.
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20. End of the Line (2008)
- Genre: Sports Drama
- Director: James Ponsoldt
- Cast: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Shaun White
- Runtime:1 hour 43 minutes
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
In End of the Line football movie Andrew Davis is a former athlete who rebels against the track and field team and then goes through several painful experiences. But despite all this, he starts a new life with the help of his friend who is Slyvester Janowski and then they start preparing for the Winter Olympics.
This unique sports comedy balances physical humor with heartfelt scenes, by chronicling the protagonists’ vantage from burnouts and personal disappointments to the rhe mart of their love for the game, which leads to redemption of their all in the snow.
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Wrapping Up
Here with you, the great and the no-so-great, that is our team of 20 best American football movies on Netflix. It caters to everyone’s interested in football, with inspirational stories of team work and revealing behind-the-scenes documentaries desperately girdling the quintessence of the game. Therefore, find a nice spot, press play, and guarantee there will be plenty of hooting and hollering. We can safely say that would it not matter what kind of a mood you’re in, a great movie will lift you up and put you into a superb mood and have you yelling to the high heavens “football!”
The list we have made should be helpful to you in finding a new fascinating football flick. Don’t miss this one point, as Netflix catalogue changes regularly and new things are added. Now go ahead with your TV binges (from your favorite sofa, of course)!
FAQ
Is “Will” a 2024 movie on Netflix?
Yes, “Will” is a debuting in 2024 on Netflix’s site. Set the scene by stating the date of the show which was January 30, 2024.
Is there an American football show on Netflix?
Whilst Netflix hasn’t launched American Football with any protagonist as of March 2024, there are a number of documentaries and scripted content available on its platform which touch upon the American sport. Type “American football” on Netflix watcher to see the present shows they have to offer.
Is there a Netflix movie based on a real football player?
At this point of time there are no Netflix movies that are television movies or otherwise based on the real-life game of football (regardless of whether American or not). On the other hand, a possibility is that there might be documentaries or films which form part of the fictional category but have football as the main thread.
Can I watch NFL games on Netflix?
No, Netflix doesn’t provide live broadcasts of NFL sporting events as its content is series-based and is not primarily concerned with live sports coverage. Their field is media productions encompassing motion pictures and TV shows.
Can Netflix stream live sports?
While right now Netflix is only for streaming movies and not sports. Their content-engine processes for example move pre-recorded movies and TV series.
How can I watch live football games?
There is a number of methods live football games can be streamed depending on the league and the area. People often choose between cable or satellite TV contracts that involve sports channels and streaming services with sports as an option whilst others opt for applications owned by the NFL or specific teams that may need subscription.
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- Best High School Football Movies
- Best Football Movies for Kids
- Best Football Movies Based on True Stories
- Best Football Movies of All Time
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