May 7

May 7 The 6 Best Football (Soccer) Movies of All Time

Alexandra Petrova

Opinion

The Greatest Movies About Football (Soccer) Ever!

Many films about football (soccer) have become cult classics over the years - but what are the best football movies of all time?

Read on to find your next movie night pick!

Pelé Birth of a Legend movie poster — A poster for the great football film ‘Pelé: Birth of a Legend’

Football (or soccer) is one of the world’s most popular sports, with a following that surpasses countries and cultural boundaries.

Watching football is a sheer thrill - the excitement of seeing a perfectly executed pass or an epic goal scored in the dying minutes of a game is a special type of excitement.

This passion inspires people to get invested in the game, its players and anything related to it - including great football movies.

Football movies offer a unique opportunity to relive some of the most iconic matches in the sport's history and get a closer look at the lives of some of the world's most famous football players.

Additionally, they often showcase the hard work, dedication and teamwork that goes into the sport, inspiring viewers to learn more about the game and maybe even take up playing themselves.

Fun to watch, these movies sure have a way of bringing the excitement and passion of the sport to life in a way that is both engaging and inspiring.

So, if you’re ready to get stuck in and enjoy a good football movie this weekend, we’ve got you covered.

Here is a list of the 6 best football movies of all time. Grab your popcorn and let’s begin!

1. ‘The Goal! Trilogy’

‘The Goal! Trilogy’ is to football fans what ‘Lord of the Rings’ is to fantasy fans.

This film follows the story of Santiago Munez, who is an immigrant living in Los Angeles. He rises from his humble beginnings to eventually become a professional football player.

From a gardener who has big dreams to a scout at tryouts, the first movie, ‘Goal! The Dream Begins’ (2005) tells his origin story and humble start, and the initial challenges he faces on his road to glory.

The second movie, ‘Goal II: Living the Dream’ (2007) follows him as a new player for Real Madrid and the brand new challenges he faces as he works on establishing himself as a star player.

The inspirational story of Munez, accompanied by dramatic football scenes and appearances from real-life football players like David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, ends with the 3rd movie, ‘Goal III: Taking on the World’ (2009).

In this film, we get to see Santiago playing for the Mexican national team in the World Cup. Here we again get to witness the professional and personal struggles he faces as a player.

The entire trilogy tells a remarkable, motivational story that will make you laugh, cry and cheer - sometimes at the same time!

2. ‘Bend It Like Beckham’

This British coming-of-age sports comedy-drama film directed by Gurinder Chadha was released in 2002 and it didn’t take long before the film became a cultural phenomenon.

The film is remarkable and ahead of its time in many aspects; it tackles themes of gender, race and culture, as well as the challenges of balancing tradition with modern life.

It highlights the power of following your dreams and the importance of family support.

We follow the story of Jesminder "Jess" Bhamra, a British-Indian teenager who loves playing football but faces resistance from her traditional Punjabi Sikh family who disapprove of her pursuing a career in sports.

Jess grew up admiring David Beckham and the title of the movie ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ is actually a reference to the famous free-kick technique of this retired English football star.

A wholesome and emotional movie, 'Bend It Like Beckham’ is considered a classic of British cinema and a significant cultural milestone for South Asian representation in media.

3. ‘Zidane - A 21st-Century Portrait’

‘Zidane – A 21st Century Portrait’ is a cinematic masterpiece that arises from a completely unique perspective and experimental approach to sports documentaries.

The entire movie actually focuses on capturing a single football match from the perspective of the French football legend - Zinedine Zidane.

What is unique about this documentary is that it was actually shot with 17 synchronised cameras during a 2005 match between Real Madrid and Villarreal.

It puts focus on Zidane’s movements, emotions and thoughts throughout the entire match.

This gives a unique glimpse into the world of football players, providing viewers with in-depth knowledge of what actually goes through a player’s mind and heart in a single match.

With the combination of close-up shots, slow-motion sequences and ambient sounds, this film creates a dreamlike and immersive experience for the viewer.

This film lets viewers explore as they learn more about the human experience of a football player.

This movie is considered a cinematic masterpiece and has received critical acclaim; more so, ‘Zidane – A 21st Century Portrait’ is considered a seminal work in the genre of sports documentaries.

It is definitely a must-watch football movie.

4. ‘Escape to Victory’

Oldie but goldie!

‘Escape to Victory’ is a classic 1981 sports drama film that boasts a star-studded cast, including Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, Pelé, Bobby Moore and Osvaldo Ardiles.

There are also appearances by other notable athletes, such as boxer Muhammad Ali and American football player Mike Summerbee.

The memorable cast, together with the remarkable score by composer Bill Conti, known for his work on the "Rocky" film series, made the movie a standout at the time.

However, the film is not only famous for its cast.

The football matches portrayed in the movie are amazing, and the action sequences are expertly directed.

Moreover, the plot is unique and captivating, following a group of allied prisoners of war during World War II who are challenged to play a football match against the German national team while planning their escape.

This movie was a commercial success for all of these reasons - and it received a lot of praise from critics.

‘Escape to Victory’ is now considered a classic sports movie and a must-watch for football fans worldwide.

5. ‘The Damned United’

‘The Damned United’ is a 2009 biographical sports drama film that was based on David Peace's novel of the same name, and it stars Michael Sheen as Brain Clough, alongside Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney and Jim Broadbent.

This film is regarded as one of the best football films ever made, and it has earned a dedicated following among fans of the sport. And for good reason!

The film tells the story of Brian Clough's ill-fated 44-day reign as the coach of Leeds United in 1974.

It explores themes of power, leadership and redemption, as Clough, who had just led Derby County to the English League Championship, takes over a team that he loathes and that hates him, too.

Clough's obsession with proving himself in the face of his bitter rival, Don Revie, who had left Leeds to coach the English national team, drives him to make several missteps that ultimately cost him his job.

The film is famous for its gritty portrayal of the behind-the-scenes politics of football and the challenges of leadership.

Michael Sheen's performance as Brian Clough was widely acclaimed, as was the film's attention to detail in recreating the atmosphere of English football in the 1970s.

6. ‘Pelé: Birth of a Legend’

‘Pelé: Birth of a Legend’ is another biographical sports film that will leave you feeling emotional.

The film follows football legend Pelé’s journey from a young boy growing up in a poor neighbourhood in Brazil to becoming one of the greatest football players of all-time.

This ultimate rags-to-riches story is inspirational and touching; the film highlights the difficulties that Pelé faced growing up, including poverty, discrimination and social barriers.

It also showcases his dedication to the sport, his unique style of play, and the impact he had on Brazilian football and the world stage.

The film was released in 2016, and it features film stars Kevin de Paula as Pelé and Rodrigo Santoro as his coach Vicente Feola.

This movie is also famous for the showcase of Pelé's signature bicycle kick, which has become an iconic moment in football history.

Even though the film was initially praised for its stunning cinematography and accurate, touching depiction of the early years of Pelé's life, the film received mixed reviews from critics.

However, spectator reviews were better - and this film is a must-watch for football fans and those interested in the inspiring story of one of the greatest athletes of all-time.