50 Best Soccer Movies of All Time
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From pillar to post and across the globe, soccer has become a popular sports game. Watching soccer movies provides enough entertainment for you and pumps you to play the game. You will get awareness related to every aspect of this sport by watching different kinds of movies related to soccer. If you are a soccer lover, you should watch soccer movies to help you motivate and stay active. Having said all of that, let’s take a look at our 50 best soccer and football movies of all time!
1. Maradona (2019)
The movie is all about the life of a passionate and top football player across the globe. Diego Armando Maradona is a famous football player of the 1980s. He got a lot of fame due to his excellent performance in football history. He was Argentina’s top football player who never compromised his performance in football. This movie is all about Maradona’s journey as one of the best soccer players the world has ever seen.
2. Football Factory (2004)
Football Factory depicts a real story of Football hooliganism. The movie revolves around four men (Tommy, Bill, Billy Bright, and Zeberdee) that belong to the working class. Football Factory is a kind of English obsession with football violence. You will see that the documentary is all about a man called Chelsea. Chelsea’s life revolves around violence, alcohol, drugs, sex, and soccer.
3. Escape to Victory (1981)
Escape to victory is all that a football lover would love to watch among the best football movies. During World War II, a match was played between the prisoners of war (POW) and the Germans. POWs accepted the challenge and played with full power. There were two options for the POWs either to lose and get freedom in Switzerland or to win the match and face severe firing.
Being the winner of the match, POWs faced severe firings and shots. All the POWs thought that the victory would be a way to escape and get freedom from the camps. Soccer-enthusiastic Karl Von Steiner ( the head of the German POWs) organized the match between both parties. Sooner or later, POWs have to face the firing by keeping an escape to victory as their secret agenda.
4. Mean Machine (2001)
Mean Machine is a British comedy football movie. The movie reflects the life of an Ex England soccer player (Danny Meehan). Danny faced a prisoner’s life after fixing a match against the Germans.
The story starts after Danny went to prison. There Danny raised a team against the wardens and the other official figures of the prison. Being a disgraced football player, Danny fixed a match between the prison’s guards and the prisoners.
5. Looking For Eric (2009)
The movie revolves around Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona (a famous and arduous French footballer). Cantona has received the title of the best football player of the generation. The film is all about the nature of fanaticism itself. You will also see that the movie focuses on real-life struggles rather than on a pitch.
For most of his career Cantona had a strained relationship with his wife and son, Looking for Eric is a movie about those struggles.
6. The Damned United (2009)
The Damned United is a fictional drama about the life of an ill-fated Brian Clough. Clough was a football player with a volatile and eccentric temperament. As every coin has two sides, so does Clough’s life. There were two sides to Clough’s life. The darker side is all about his career during 44 days stay as the Manager of Leeds United in 1974.
7. Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001)
As the name suggests, Mike Bassett was the new manager of the British football team. Mike got this position as the previous manager faced a severe heart attack. Mike was more ambitious and announced that the British team would win the World Cup soon.
Initially, Mike was the manager of the lower football league that has won the Mr. Clutch Cup. Mike made his team ready for qualifying for the World cup. Soon Mike qualified for the World Cup and left for Brazil for the final tournament. But all of Mike’s efforts ended in smoke. England didn’t win. Mike had to face a lot of humiliation along with the unexpected defeat.
8. Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (2006)
The movie is a perfect choice for football players who want a real-life story. Here, an ex-Madrid football player (Zidane) accepts a Liga clash against Villarreal in 2005. The match was between Real Madrid and Villarreal during Spain’s La Liga Clash.
Being violent and inappropriate during the match, Zidane faced humiliation. Zidane got a suspension from the World Cup final match.
9. The Goal: Trilogy (2005)
The Goal is a football film series that consists of three films. The three films that are a part of this series are Goal (goal 1), Living the dream (goal 2), and Taking on the world (goal 3).
The Goal: The trilogy depicts the story of a Mexican immigrant (Santiago Munez). Santiago was a gardener by profession, but he always dreamt of showing his talents on the pitch. Santiago tried his utmost to get that opportunity during his career.
10. There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000)
The movie is all about a teenage boy (Jimmy Grimble). Jimmy was full of talents and powers, but his lack of confidence made him far away from real fame. Jimmy faced severe bullying at school. Jimmy also hated his mother’s boyfriend.
He started playing football at his school. All these things paved the way for achieving the win of the local school cup.
11. The Game Of Their Lives (2005)
The movie depicts the wonderful story of a soccer match in the 1950s. Being the best team (Gerard Butler, Wes Bentley, Jay Rodan), the Americans went to Brazil to compete. Americans defeated England with a slide victory. The thing that made the Americans win was the British squad of 1950.
12. Offside (2006)
Offside is a bit different film when compared with the other football films. In this film, a group of girls from Iran wanted to watch the World Cup qualifying match. Intoxicated with their dream, all the girls forgot that the Iranian law doesn’t allow them to do so.
The movie follows their story, as well as it puts Iranian women’s rights struggles in the spotlight.
13. Goal! The Dream Begins (2007)
The movie is a part of the original Goal: Trilogy. Santiago made his way to impress Newcastle with the amazing performance of his team.
He had to face several difficult times during his journey. His half-brother came to know about their relationship. Santiago’s girlfriend left him alone due to fake publicity. All these things made Santiago win the match.
At the end of the match, Santiago hits a free-kick and wins the match.
14. Green Street (2005)
Green Street is a football hooligan film that depicts an American college student (Matt Buckner). Harvard expelled Matt from the college due to some reasons. After being expelled from the college, He made his way to his married sister. Matt met with his sister, his sister’s husband, and the brother of his sister’s husband (Peter).
Peter and Matt became good friends. There started the real-life football story of Matt. Matt entered a world where football was worshiped. Being an outsider, peter’s hooligan gang members never accepted Matt.
15. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Bend it like Beckham is a film that focuses on the two main characters. Here, two girls (18 years old) aimed at becoming professional soccer players.
As the name implies, both girls bend the rules to become professional soccer. Against the will of their parents, the girls joined the local football team. Then the girls made their way to the top of the league.
16. Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Shaolin soccer is a Hong Kong comedy film. In this film, one of Shaolin’s fans reunites with his team members. The purpose was to raise a solid and robust football team. The ultimate aim was to use their martial arts skills to play football. They also wanted to bring Shaolin Kung fu to the masses.
17. Goal! Taking on the World (2009)
This movie is different than the first tow entries as it involves a lot of tragedy. Santiago’s ex-team has faced an accident while they were returning from the match. Will they be able to accept that and take on the world again?
18. Kicking & Screaming (1995)
The movie is all about comedy. In Kickin and Screaming, a group of college graduates is trying to enjoy their lives before diving into the ocean of professional life.
All the members of the group didn’t want to leave the college due to different reasons.
Only one of them has a plan for her future life. The phrase “Kicking and Screaming” depicts that all have to give up on their dreams. Some of the group members have to join their family businesses.
The author has related the theme of the film to the football match.
19. The Miracle of Bern (2003)
The movie is all about a miracle that happened in the life of a young boy. The film tells us the story of a German family. The family was waiting for their lost father.
There were many Prisoners of War (POW) in Germany at that time. The young boy and his family had lost their father during war days. Their father was one of the POWs.
Soon the 1954 World Cup final in Bern, Switzerland, made him happy with the news that the country will soon release the prisoners of war. That was a miracle for the German family. That’s why the film is named The Miracle of Bern.
20. A Shot At Glory (2000)
A shot at Glory has its roots in a bitter relationship between a father and his daughter.
Here a soccer coach, Gordon McCloud, is searching for a talented and skilled football player for his team.
Gordon found an undeniable player (Jackie) for his team. Jackie was famous for his football skills and was notorious for being a wrong fit when it comes to playing with a team.
Jackie was also son-in-law of Gordon. All these things made Gordon not take Jackie on his team.
But Gordon made Jackie his team member due to his endless skills of Jackie in the end.
21. Pele (2016)
The movie revolves around a poor boy that lived in a Brazilian neighborhood. Being poor, Pele did all the things to feed his family.
He was not only the breadwinner of his family but also a diehard lover of soccer. Pele wanted to pursue his talents and skills in football.
The ultimate aim of his life was to become an international player and icon. Pele didn’t give up, and soon his efforts bore fruit. Pele became an international icon with his powerful footballing skills and perseverance.
22. United (2011)
The movie is a true story of Manchester United’s legendary Busby Babes. The team has got the name of the youngest team to win the Football League. Things were going in favor of the winning team but soon ended with a tragedy. Manchester team met with an air crash, and eight team members died at the spot.
23. Next Goal Wins (2014)
The movie is all about the endless efforts of a Dutch soccer coach. American Samoa’s national football team was in search of a great coach. The team wanted to qualify for the FIFA 2014 World Cup. But the lack of a skilled coach made the team worry about their future. Thomas Rongen (a Dutch soccer coach) consented to make the team qualify for the upcoming World Cup. You will see how one of the weakest football teams in this world turned into the best team. American Samoa’s national football team qualified for the World cup and won the match.
24. The Two Escobars (2010)
Pablo and Andres are the two main and leading characters of this football movie. Here, both men belonged to different places and teams. But soon, Pablo found a kind of connection between Andres and him. Pablo was famous as the top-notch drug dealer while Andres had won the 1994 World Cup. You will also learn how Pablo used the football platform for his vested interests.
25. She’s The Man (2006)
The movie is all about a girl who feels that her football team is no more. Due to such apprehensions, the girl decides to join the boy’s football team and live on her terms. The girl faced rejection from the team coach. As a result, she decided to dress up like her brother (Sebastian). As soon as she takes up his brother’s get up, there arises a more complicated situation. What happens next is full of suspense.
26. The Cup (1999)
Palden and Nylma were the two Tibetan young boys. Both have the craze to become football players all around the world. Both fled to Tibet and went into exile.
Soon the World Cup soccer matches started. Palden and Nylma also wanted to watch the World Cup. The monastery arranged a satellite for all the people in exile. That’s the way Palden and Nylma managed to watch the World Cup.
27. The Match (1999)
The movie is all about the rivalry between the two pub holders. Here, you will see that there were two different soccer teams. Each team has the dream to occupy the whole pub. The rivalry between the two soccer teams was a century old. Both teams wanted to forget their hatred once and for all. The two Scottish pubs organized a match. The winner of the match will take over the pub of the defeated team.
28. The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (1939)
The movie is all about a soccer match in which one of the footballers has been poisoned. During a soccer match against Arsenal at Highbury, John Doyce was given the poison. John’s murder put a pause on football matches. The police started investigating the murderer. The movie took several turns on the way to finding the real culprit.
29. When Saturday Comes (1996)
The movie is all about a regular drinking man (Jimmy). Jimmy wanted to become international soccer but was unable to do so. He has been addicted to drinking, and this addiction preventing him from becoming an international figure. He met with a beautiful woman and started giving up on drinking. A bright future and life were waiting for Jimmy. The journey was difficult for Him, but he kept on trying to achieve his dreams.
30. Lessons of A Dream (2011)
Lessons of a dream are a movie that is all about teaching English vocabulary to German kids. Here an Oxford-educated teacher takes the responsibility to teach the German kids. The Oxford teacher came to know that the students are fond of soccer. So, the teacher used soccer as a way to make the students learn English vocabulary.
30. Captain (2019)
As the name depicts, the movie is all about a captain. Madan Khadka (a football player) went to Saudi Arabia to support his family in this movie. He went there in search of a livelihood as football was not helping him in this regard. Madan’s son (Ishan) was also a diehard lover of football. He wanted Ishan to follow in his footsteps. And Ishan was giving his best in this regard. All of a sudden, Madan faced an accident. Now Ishan had to choose between his dream and his father’s career.
31. We are the Champions (2005)
We Are The Champions tells us the story of a divorced father. Torben was a great soccer player, and he also found the same skills in his son (David). Torben wanted to coach David’s team. Soon David’s coach left. Now he has the opportunity to coach David and his team. orben faced a lot of pressure from the parents of the team boys. And soon, He fell in love with a single mom from the parents of the team boys.
32. Montevideo: Taste Of A Dream (2010)
The movie tells us about the journey of a Serbian football team. The Serbian team wanted to qualify and win the first World Football Championship in Montevideo, Uruguay. As the name implies, the movie will show you that the Serbian team has already tasted the victory of the World football championship. As the team has tasted its dream, nothing can stop the Serbian team from putting their dreams into reality. Serbian football dream chased its dream and fought tooth and nail to achieve them.
33. Gracie (2007)
The movie is all about a young girl (Gracie Bowen). Gracie was fond of playing football. Her father was a soccer star, and her three brothers also loved football. Since Gracie was the only daughter of her father, she wanted to become like her father and brothers. But she could not fulfill her dreams as the old customs and traditions didn’t allow her. Gracie wanted to remove that gender discrimination once and for all.
34. Her Best Move (2007)
Her best movie revolves around a young girl (Sara). Sara was a simple young girl 15 years old. She wanted to live a simple life that would be full of love. She was good at playing soccer. Sara’s father wanted her to practice football and become a football player but Sara was not interested in that. She had to choose between her own life and her father’s ambitions.
35. The Four Year Plan (2011)
The movie is all about Queen’s Park Rangers football club in West London. The team’s performance was not satisfactory. Then there comes a twist in the film. Most of the businessmen started investing in that team to make the team achieve the finale. The movie is all about solid and rich characters that earn the QPR into the premier league. All those characters invested a lot to make it possible.
36. Kicking it (2008)
Kicking it is an excellent documentary about six soccer players. All six players gave their lives to a football game. They were homeless and faced a lot of troubles throughout their journey. The six soccer players wanted a miracle in their lives that would change their lives. The story took a sharp twist when they travel to Cape Town. There they get a chance to compete in the Homeless World Cup.
37. Soccer Killer (2017)
Are you looking for a football film that will provide you with endless fun? Well, here is your film. Soccer Killer is all about a group of patriots who sacrificed their lives for their beloved country. The group played soccer against their nation’s traitors. You will find Soccer Killer the perfect film to watch if you want to watch the best comedy sports film.
38. Brother (2010)
The movie is all about two brothers. Here, Julius and Daniel were brought up by a single mother. Both Julius and Daniel loved football very much. Both wanted to pursue football as their profession. Julius and Daniel dreamed of a life where they would get rid of their misery and poverty. That thing made both brothers play for their city.
39. Eleven Men Out (2005)
The movie is all about a person who loved her wife a lot. Ottar Thor was a famous football player who led a simple and passionate life. Ottar’s marriage ended as soon as he announced the real Ottar in front of the people. Ottar was gay. As a result, the team members expelled Ottar from the team.
40. The Champions (1983)
The movie is a masterpiece when it comes to highlighting the evils that are common in sports. In this movie, Lee Tung faced severe humiliation from his team. He left his team and joined another team to pursue football as his profession and dream. He didn’t give up on football and taught us that the bullying, corruption, and jealousy in sports had eaten the vitals of sports.
41. Mario (2018)
Mario revolves around love, feelings, and emotions. In this movie, Mario (a football player) found love with his teammate (Leon). Mario and Leon spent a lot of time together on and off the field. But the accurate picture of their relationship came to the fore. Now Mario has to decide whether to remain a team member or to spend his life with Leon.
42. Let The Girls Play (2018)
Let the Girls Play is all about female Soccer players. The film started as a provocation but turned into a revolution within no time. The team belonged to France. And that was the first female soccer team in the history of France.
43. Two Half Times In Hell (1961)
The movie, Two Half Times in Hell depicts a horrific event. Here, the movie revolves around Hilter’s birthday party after the Second World War. A Nazi officer aimed at organizing a football competition between the Germans and the Prisoners of war. Onodi took the responsibility to make the team from POWs. Onodi used that platform to get rid of the workload and also demanded extra food for the team members.
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