Screeners Podcast

The Greatest Football Films to Watch Before The Super Bowl

By Daniel Howat

We’re awaiting Super Bowl LII on Sunday, February 4th, so what better way to prepare than by watching some great football films? Surprisingly there haven’t been any films made about the Super Bowl yet, but we’ve still got plenty of great movies about football to get you and your family ready for the big game. Check out our picks below, and let us know your additions!

Remember The Titans

REMEMBER THE TITANS

One of the most iconic football films of all time is also a fantastic family film about race. Denzel Washington gives one of his best performances in Disney's inspiring drama about one of the first integrated high school football teams. Remember The Titans also helped introduce us to Ryan Gosling, so it’s a gift of a film all around.

Rudy

RUDY

If you want to get a grown man to cry, this is a good place to start. The ultimate underdog story, the film follows Rudy as he follows his dreams to play for Notre Dame. It’s a crowd-pleaser, and football films don’t get much better than this.

Jerry Maguire

JERRY MAGUIRE

It’s a bit of a different type of football film, but it counts nonetheless. This romantic-drama-comedy follows sports agent Jerry Maguire as he makes drastic changes in his life to be a more honest agent. It’s also one of the most quotable movies of all time.

Undefeated

UNDEFEATED

There have been plenty of wonderful sports documentaries over the years, but this is the best of them all. It follows a high school team in Tennessee who struggles to turn around their program after many losing seasons. Undefeated is unbelievably inspiring, truly moving, and one of the best documentaries of all time.

Invincible

INVINCIBLE

Another Disney football movie, this one stars Mark Wahlberg in the unlikely story of Vince Papale. Without any collegiate experience, Papale scored an opportunity to join the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming the oldest rookie to play in the NFL. It’s such a fun movie, especially with the Eagles playing in this year’s Super Bowl!

The Blind Side

THE BLIND SIDE

One of the few sports film to get real love at the Academy Awards, The Blind Side won Sandra Bullock the Oscar for Best Actress. It’s a lovely film about the Tuohy family who adopted Michael Oher. After learning to play football in high school, Oher went on to play in the NFL. This was a major hit, and a great film to watch with the family.

Draft Day

DRAFT DAY

Another football film of a different kind, Draft Day went well under the radar upon its release. Still, it’s a highly interesting look at the NFL drafting process, and what teams will go through to made the right picks. It’s fairly simple, but a great alternative to the traditional crowd-pleasing football movies.

Little Giants

LITTLE GIANTS

A favorite of 90s kids, Little Giants gives the nerdy kids a chance to play. The kids are goofy, and Rick Moranis is hilarious. I for one will never forget the image of that one kid’s huge snot bubble. Outside of that, it’s a funny, light movie that the kids are sure to love.

Friday Night Lights

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Some may argue that the TV Adaptation is superior (and they’re not wrong), but the film Friday Night Lights is fantastic in its own right. Filmed with such realism, it feels authentic and honest, lending heart to the film. Capturing the spirit of Texas high school football, it’s a great film, moving and exciting.

Last Chance U

LAST CHANCE U

Okay, okay, this is a TV show, not a film, but it’s one of the best pieces of football entertainment ever made. This Netflix documentary series follows East Mississippi Community College, a school known for reviving the career chances of troubled football players. The team is filled with lovable characters, beautiful cinematography, and rousing stakes. It’s a must-see show.

How’s our list? Did we miss any of your favorites? Do you disagree with our picks? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!