Football is one of the most loved sports in the United States, there’s no doubt about that. As with any other sport, there will always be stories that can inspire and touch the hearts of many. And fortunately, we were able to witness some of those stories through films inspired by real-life events. Well, we all know movies based on true stories hit differently, especially if it’s about a sport as beloved as football. 

With the NFL season at its peak, there’s no better time to watch the best football movies based on real-life stories. Most of these films can be watched on on-demand streaming platforms and pay as you go TV, so you won’t really have a hard time looking for them. 

1. American Underdog

If you’re an NFL fan, you likely know Kurt Warner. Well, if not, you’re going to know him in this movie. American Underdog is about a man who has always dreamt of becoming a Super Bowl quarterback. Several years later, he pursued his dream by joining the University of Northern Iowa Panthers. Unfortunately, his journey wasn’t easy — he goes undrafted after college, works nights stocking shelves at a grocery store, and has no NFL offers.

Eventually, Kurt was given a chance to join the Iowa Barnstormers in the Arena Football League, which became one of his stepping stones to the NFL. Kurt then gets another chance with the St. Louis Rams. After the team’s starting quarterback is injured, he took over and lead his team through an excellent season run. The Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV, where he set a new record for passing yards.

2. Remember the Titans

People of color have been extremely discriminated against in the past, and it’s no different in the field of sports. Herman Boone is a black man who became the head of a football team for the T. C. Williams High School. Racial tensions are high, and both the team and town are divided. Boone faces a lot of resistance—not only from the white players but also from assistant coach Bill Yoast, who’s upset about Boone taking his job.

Despite these challenges, Herman Boone is determined to bring his players together. He and his assistant coach pursued to help the players form a bond that goes beyond the color of their skin. Since this is a relatively old movie, it is sometimes aired on traditional TV like DIRECTV and others. 

3. Gridiron Gang

Juvenile delinquents are always up to no good they say. But in the Santa Monica Mountains of California, one juvenile detention center has changed this stereotype. Camp Kilpatrick started a sports program to help build character for the kids there. Having built a football team in 1990, they were able to go up against other teams and schools within their community. In the movie, Dwayne Johnson plays the football coach who helps the delinquents see their potential and hopefully stop them from living a life of violence. Released in 2006, this movie can be watched on on-demand streaming platforms like Netflix and even on DISH TV packages and other traditional TV options.

4. We Are Marshall

In 1970, a tragedy struck Marshall University when a plane crash killed nearly their entire football team, including coaches and fans. This heartbreaking incident left the university and the town of Huntington, West Virginia, well… devastated. Jack Lengyel (played by Matthew McConaughey) was hired as the new head coach of the university’s football team, where he had to recruit new players, train nonstop, and pick up where the previous team left off. You can watch this movie on Apple TV+.

5. Undefeated

Undefeated is an emotional documentary that follows a struggling high school football team from Memphis, Tennessee, called the Manassas Tigers. For years, they’d been written off, with little funding and no real support. But in 2009, Coach Bill Courtney stepped in with a mission to turn things around—not just on the field but in his players’ lives. He teaches them the importance of hard work, discipline, and believing in themselves in a single season on and off the field. It’s a beautiful documentary that won several awards. 

Final Thoughts

The NFL season is far from over, so why not spend a few hours getting to know some of the best stories surrounding the sport we all love? Trust us, these movies will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. So if you’re looking for a great underdog story or are simply looking for football movies to watch, you can never go wrong with these films. Happy watching!