Top 12 Football Movies That Captivate Like a Live Match
Explore a diverse collection of football films ranging from timeless classics and true athlete stories to thrilling comedies, each offering a unique passion for the beautiful game.
Discover a variety of football films that blend classic storytelling, real-life inspirations, and spirited comedy.
12. Strike! Another Strike!
- USSR, 1968
- Comedy, Sports
- Duration: 100 minutes
- IMDb: 6.4
Coach Andrey Tamantsev, a former footballer who once played during the Siege of Leningrad, faces a tough dilemma. His son Sergey is a talented striker but has broken team discipline. To avoid accusations of bias, Tamantsev must bench his son for the final match against Europe's "Rifs," risking the team's chances without its star player.
Victor Sadovsky co-wrote the screenplay with renowned author Lev Kassil, known for "Conduit and Shvambrania." Sadovsky continued to direct compelling sports dramas, including stories about skiing, swimming, and football.
11. Mean Machine
- UK, USA, 2001
- Drama, Comedy, Sports
- Duration: 99 minutes
- IMDb: 6.5
After being accused of match-fixing, English football coach Danny Meehan leaves the sport and ends up in prison for assaulting a police officer. The prison warden, eager to form a football team, enlists Meehan to coach inmates for a match against the guards. However, prison life brings its own challenges.
Vinny Jones stars in this film, drawing from his own football career where his aggressive playing style earned him the nickname "Mean Machine." His transition to acting was facilitated by directors Guy Ritchie and Matthew Vaughn, who also produced the film.
10. Bend It Like Beckham
- UK, Germany, USA, 2002
- Comedy, Sports
- Duration: 112 minutes
- IMDb: 6.6
Jess, from a traditional Indian family in London, dreams of playing football despite her parents planning a legal career and arranging a marriage. When she meets Jules, who invites her to join a women's football team, Jess embarks on a journey balancing cultural expectations and her passion for the game.
This heartfelt film combines a love for football with cultural drama and introduced many viewers to the talented actress Keira Knightley.
9. The Substitute Player
- USSR, 1954
- Comedy, Sports
- Duration: 83 minutes
- IMDb: 6.8
The factory team "Blue Arrows" reaches the football tournament final and travels by steamer to face the favorites "Vympel." Along the way, numerous adventures unfold. When the main striker Alexander Vesnushkin underperforms, his younger brother Vasily, eager and determined, replaces him despite limited experience.
Directed by Semyon Timoshenko, known for "Heavenly Slowpoke," this film introduced the country to young actor Georgy Vitsin. Timoshenko also directed the next film on this list.
8. The Goalkeeper
- USSR, 1936
- Comedy, Musical, Sports
- Duration: 75 minutes
- IMDb: 7.0
Anton Kandidov, a simple man working on a collective farm, impresses passing football players by skillfully catching watermelons. They invite him to become a goalkeeper, marking the start of his sports career.
This lighthearted pre-WWII film features real football players, including the entire Kiev "Dynamo" team, who even canceled an important match to appear. The goalkeeper who played the lead role was trained by Dynamo's actual goalkeeper, Grigory Pluzhnik.
7. The Cup
- Bhutan, Australia, 1999
- Comedy, Sports
- Duration: 93 minutes
- IMDb: 7.0
During the global football championship, three young monks in a remote Buddhist monastery sneak into a local bar to watch the final match on TV. Caught in the act, they remain determined to secure permission to watch the game.
Directed by Lama Khyentse Norbu, who cast monks in leading roles, this charming comedy became a remarkable success for Bhutan's modest film industry.
6. Gregory's Girl
- UK, 1980
- Drama, Romance, Comedy
- Duration: 91 minutes
- IMDb: 7.1
Awkward teenager Gregory plays on his school football team. After a disappointing season, new players join, including Dorothy, who takes his place on the field. Initially upset, Gregory soon finds himself falling for her.
Directed by newcomer Bill Forsyth and featuring non-professional actors, this film gained international popularity. Football serves as a backdrop to a heartfelt story about adolescence, first love, and friendships.
5. The First Swallow
- USSR, 1975
- Comedy, Adventure
- Duration: 77 minutes
- IMDb: 7.2
Young Khvicha watches men playing football and eagerly volunteers as goalkeeper, instantly falling in love with the sport. Initially, players wear casual clothes and divide into married and single teams with help from spectators. Soon, they adopt official rules, create uniforms, and organize their first international match.
Directed by the talented Nana Mchedlidze, this charming comedy showcases how enthusiasm and determination can transform novices into a true team.
4. Shaolin Soccer
- Hong Kong, China, 2001
- Comedy, Sports
- Duration: 113 minutes
- IMDb: 7.3
Shaolin kung fu master Sing aims to promote his martial arts. He befriends former football player Fung, who left the sport after betrayal by a teammate. Together, they assemble a team combining kung fu masters and footballers.
This film offers a fantastical take on football, featuring incredible stunts and exaggerated moves, blending martial arts comedy with football drama.
Available on Google Play →
3. Offside
- Iran, 2006
- Drama, Comedy, Sports
- Duration: 93 minutes
- IMDb: 7.3
During the World Cup qualifiers in Iran, the national team prepares to compete in Germany. Female fans are eager to witness these matches firsthand, but Iranian law prohibits women from attending stadiums. Undeterred, these resourceful young women find ways to watch the games.
Directed by Jafar Panahi, this witty and energetic comedy highlights passionate female football fans while addressing serious cultural issues. Women were only allowed into Iranian football stadiums starting in 2019.
2. United
- UK, 2011
- Drama, Sports, Historical
- Duration: 94 minutes
- IMDb: 7.4
Reserve player Bobby Charlton breaks into Manchester United's main squad. Under coach Matt Busby and assistant Jimmy Murphy, the young team wins many matches before tragedy strikes.
Based on true events, the 1958 Munich air disaster claimed the lives of much of the team and several coaches. Manchester United only reclaimed the English championship 10 years later, featuring survivors Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes.
Available on Google Play →
1. The Damned United
- UK, 2009
- Drama, Sports, Biography
- Duration: 98 minutes
- IMDb: 7.5
Former footballer Brian Clough unexpectedly leads underdog Derby County to the English championship. Subsequently, he is invited to manage top contenders Leeds United, but the team resists his leadership.
This film, based on real events, chronicles Clough's turbulent 44-day tenure at Leeds, marked by conflict and drama significant enough to inspire a full-length feature.
Which football movies do you enjoy? Authentic dramas or outrageous comedies? Share your favorites in the comments!
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