There have been many great movies about sports, including basketball. However, there have also been great movies about American football, as well. Without further ado, here are the 10 best football movies of all time.

Best Football Movies: 10. Varsity Blues

Varsity Blues is an iconic football movie that deserves its recognition. It focuses on a town in Texas where football is everything. Jonathon Moxon is the second-string quarterback who prefers academics to sports but has to step up when the starting quarterback is injured. The coach, Bud Kilmer, is tough but ruthless and works to turn the team around. This film offers great characters, exciting games, and plenty of noteworthy quotes.

9. School Ties

School Ties is a lesser-known film, but it is still very good. Brendan Frasier stars as David Greene, a Jewish star quarterback who gets a scholarship to go to St. Matthew’s Academy. However, despite playing well, Greene endures plenty of struggles once his Jewish beliefs are revealed. This film is a coming-of-age tale set in the mid-1950s and explores anti-Semitism, friendship, football, and fighting. Additionally, viewers who like football films that have a message are sure to enjoy School Ties, thanks to its strong characters, powerful message, and fun football.

8. The Longest Yard

The Longest Yard is a well-known football movie. It features Burt Reynolds as a former NFL player named Paul Crewe, who is in jail after he stole his girlfriend’s car and engaged in a drunken race with the police. However, Crewe is determined to keep playing football. He creates a team made up of prisoners to play the guards in an exhibition football game.

Crewe finds his love of football and his integrity once again via his bonds with his fellow prisoners. This film provides interesting cultural commentary, good football, and entertaining comedy. It is a much-watch for any football fan.

Best Football Movies: 7. Any Given Sunday

Released in 1999, Any Given Sunday tells the story of an aging NFL coach trying to keep his team together. Al Pacino plays this coach, who coaches the fictional Miami Sharks while dealing with an aggressive team owner played by Cameron Diaz. The owner believes the coach has lost his touch. Also including Jamie Foxx and Dennis Quaid, Any Given Sunday gives the viewer a gritty but realistic picture of professional sports. This action-packed movie will entertain any viewer and even lead to a dispute with the NFL due to the portrayal of the players and the league.

6. Heaven Can Wait

Heaven Can Wait is a 1978 film about football that features Warren Beatty as the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback. However, after his character’s death, he is reincarnated as a millionaire who was recently murdered because of a mistake by his guardian angel, played by Buck Henry. This leads to all sorts of hijinks and hilarity. Heaven Can Wait even received nine Oscar nominations. Viewers who want to watch a funny and unique football movie are sure to enjoy this film.

5. Monday Night Mayhem

Monday Night Mayhem is a 2002 film that tells the story of the creation of Monday Night Football on ABC in 1970. This film offers viewers insight into how it altered the way that football is played, televised, and commentated. John Turturro and John Heard are the two stars of the movie.

This film provides a deep and authentic dive into how one of football’s most important TV programs was made. Additionally, any viewer who is familiar with Monday Night Football will like this movie. Monday Night Mayhem is a great film about an important development in football history.

Best Football Movies: 4. Friday Night Lights

Friday Night Lights is a 2004 movie and many consider it one of the most iconic football movies ever. Billy Bob Thornton stars as Coach Gary Gaines and follows his journey as he seeks to lead a struggling West Texas football team to winning a state championship. This movie takes place in the late 1980s. Additionally, Friday Night Lights is rousing and stirring, providing great characters and plenty of exciting football action. Anyone who is a fan of football is sure to find this movie enjoyable, particularly if they played football in high school.

3. Concussion

Many football movies focus on players, teams, and coaches, but Concussion takes a different approach. Dr. Bennett Omalu, played by Will Smith, is the central character and finds sports-related trauma to the head he calls CTE in the brain of a professional football player who recently passed away. However, this discovery brings him into conflict with the NFL who want to ensure his findings remain a secret. Concussion is an excellent film that explores the darker side of professional football and the risks it poses to players. Football fans should check out this movie for a compelling dive into this dark side.

2. Rudy

Sean Astin stars as the title character in Rudy: a young man who wants to play in the Notre Dame football team despite his poor grades, lack of athletic prowess, and short stature. A true story inspired this film. Rudy is determined to achieve his dream regardless of the challenges he faces. Also, thanks to the well-written script and likeable main character, viewers will enjoy watching the movie and rooting for Rudy to succeed. Additionally, this film entertains and inspires viewers, making it great to watch for everyone.

1. Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire tells the story of a youthful sports agent, Jerry Maguire, who gets fired and is left with only one client. This agent, played by Tom Cruise, now has to work with his only client, a high-maintenance wide receiver with plenty of talent, to remain part of sports management.

Also, Cuba Gooding Jr. plays the wide receiver, named Rod Tidwell. Meanwhile, Cruise’s character has to balance his professional goals with his relationship with his family. Renee Zellweger plays Cruise’s wife and Jonathan Lipnicki plays Cruise’s son. Jerry Maguire is an entertaining, well-written, and fairly realistic look into the sports management aspect of professional football. It is a fitting number-one movie for this list.