Here’s 8 Football Movies To Watch All Season Long
Sports lovers, football Sunday is finally back!
With football season underway, there’s nothing like sitting down with a couple snacks — wings, nachos, pizza, you name it — while you watch some football every Sunday. There’s only one problem. Football doesn’t last all week. Of course, you can get that football fix from watching Monday or Thursday Night games, but what about the other days of the week? That’s where Pop Culture Planet contributor Sam Schultz steps in. Here are 8 football movies you need to watch to stay in the football spirit.
The Water Boy
Adam Sandler stars in this 1998 sports comedy film directed by Frank Coraci. If you're looking for a laugh than The Water Boy certainly does the trick. The film follows the socially awkward Bobby Boucher, the waterboy for a Louisiana football team. After being bullied over the years, Boucher ends up retaliating and is convinced by his new coach to play football… and the story of Bobby Boucher begins. The film is filled with laughs and, of course, BIG hits.
Watch The Water Boy on Apple TV+, Disney+, and Prime Video.
Draft Day
What happens off the field is often times just as entertaining as what happens on the field. Starring Kevin Costner, Jennifer Garner, Chadwick Boseman, and Denis Leary, Draft Day takes you behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a general manager in the NFL. Viewers can expect to be on the edge of their seat anticipating what Cleveland Browns general manager Sonny Weaver Jr. (Costner) is going to do with his upcoming draft selections.
Stream Draft Day on Max, Apple TV+, Roku, Prime Video, and Hulu.
The Longest Yard
Yup, Adam Sandler has another football comedy worth the watch on this list! This time he portrays a former professional quarterback who, in exchange for an early release from prison, assembles a football team to play against the prison guards. A remake of the 1974’s The Longest Yard, the film also stars Chris Rock, James Cromwell, Nelly, and William Fichtner, plus Burt Reynolds who starred in the original film. Although the football aspect of the film isn’t completely authentic, The Longest Yard certainly will yield plenty of laughs and make up for it’s non-realistic football gameplay with it’s entertainment value.
Watch The Longest Yard on Paramount+, Roku, Prime Video, and Pluto TV.
We Are Marshall
Get your tissues ready as We Are Marshall sheds light on what it means to overcome tragedy and centers football as not just a game but a family. The film is based on the 1970 plane crash that killed 75 people, 37 of those being players, coaches, fans, and staff members of the Marshall University Thundering Herd Football Team. While everyone grieves differently, they are all united. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, Anthony Mackie, and David Strathairn, this emotional rollercoaster will pull your heartstrings as the Thundering Herd look to make a comeback from devastation and win some football games.
Watch We Are Marshall on Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Max.
Friday Night Lights
Everything is bigger in Texas, including football. Friday Night Lights, directed by Peter Berg, follows the coach and players of a high school football team in the Texas City of Odessa. Based off the book by H. G. Bissinger its centers the 1988 Permian high school football team as they chase a state championship. The film depicts the importance that football has over these players lives and the communities they live in. How will the Permian Panthers handle adversity? Will they win the state championship or let down the community? The film Stars Billy Bob Thornton, Derek Luke, Lucas Black, and Garrett Hedlund.
Watch Friday Night Lights on Peacock and Prime Video.
Remember The Titans
Starring Denzel Washington, Remember The Titans tells the true story of Coach Herman Boone who attempted to racially integrate the Alexandria City High School football team. He sets to work with former head coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) and integrate both white and Black players on the team. Remember The Titans shows the power of unity that football creates while reminding us that when having to work together as a team you tend to forget the differences you might have with the person next to you.
Watch Remember The Titans on Disney+.
Rudy
This 1993 classic remains a must watch! Rudy tells the true story of Daniel Ruettiger who had a dream of playing football for Notre Dame despite multiple obstacles, including his height. It’s an inspiring sports movie that proves hard work and persistence pays off. Although the football gameplay isn’t top tier, the motivational storyline makes up for it. The film Stars Sean Astin, Ned Thomas Beatty, Charles S. Dutton, Jon Favreau, and Vince Vaughn.
Watch Rudy on Hulu.
Little Giants
This 1994 sports comedy film is your classic feel good football movie filled with hysterical moments and an intriguing underdog story. Little Giants stars Rick Moranis and Ed O’Neill as Kevin and Danny, O’Shea, two brothers who coach rival pee-wee football teams. While Kevin is coaching a team full of great players, Danny takes control of a team full of unathletic kids that don’t know how to play football. But they find themselves in a showdown to determine whose team can represent Urbana, Ohio. In a story filled with laughs, promising moments, and kids playing football, I would compare Little Giants to footballs version of The Sandlot.
Watch Little Giants on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
