This month we’re streaming football movies. I selected twelve of my personal favorites in no special order. It was tough to choose because there are so many great films about football and football players, but each of these films has something special. From the brilliant comedic performance of Gene Hackman in The Replacements, Billy Bob Thornton as a high school coach in a football crazed town, and James Caan as Brian Piccolo, I gravitated toward exceptional performances as my tiebreaker. Many of these films are based on true stories. Streaming information is subject to change without notice. Enjoy!
Rudy – (1993) is directed by David Anspaugh. It’s based on the life of Daniel “Rudy’ Ruettiger who dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame in spite of tremendous obstacles. It’s a story with a lot of heart and Sean Astin is so believable as the spunky underdog, Rudy. Though the film embellishes many events, it’s always fun to pull for the underdog. You can watch this film for free on Pluto TV. Its also available to watch with a subscription to STARZ and can be rented from Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu or Redbox.
Friday Night Lights (2004) was co-written and directed by Peter Berg. It’s based on the book, Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and a Dream (1990) by H.G. Bissinger which followed the story of the 1988 Permian High School football team as they made a run at a state championship title. Billy Bob Thornton stars as Coach Gary Gaines. His wife is played by Connie Britton. Set in Odessa Texas, the film depicts the football crazed town and some of its over-the-top fans, the challenges of high school, poverty, and abuse. In addition to being hailed as an outstanding sports film, Friday Night Lights is also recognized as one of the best high school movies by Entertainment Weekly. It’s available for streaming on Watch it on Freevee, STARZ, Prime Video, Vudu, Redbox. or Apple TV on your Roku device. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.
The Replacements (2000) – This film stars Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Brooke Langton, Rhys Ifans, Jon Favreau, Orlando Jones, and David Denman. It’s a fictionalized account of the 1987 NFL football strike and the replacement players hired to play in place of the striking players. It’s funny and well-acted. The team dancing to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” is priceless. Watch it on Tubi - Free Movies & TV, HBO Max, Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV, or Redbox. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.
Remember the Titans (2000) – This film stars Denzel Washington, Ryan Hurst, Ryan Gosling, Wood Harris, Ethan Suplee, Will Patton, and Hayden Panettiere. It was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Boaz Yakin. It chronicles the real-life attempts of Coach Herman Boone (Washington) to integrate the 1971 T. C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia. Stream this film on Disney+, Prime Video, Redbox, Apple TV, Vudu, or Goggle Play Movies. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.
We are Marshall (2006) This film is based on the true story of a 1970 plane crash that killed 75 people – 37 players of the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team, five coaches, two athletic trainers, the athletic director, 25 boosters, and the airplane crew of five. It stars Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, and David Stratham. It addresses rebuilding the football team and healing the community after the tragedy. Stream this film on Prime Video, Redbox, Apple TV, or Vudu. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.
Any Given Sunday (1999) This film stars Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Oliver Stone, and Dennis Quaid, LL Cool J, and Jim Brown. It’s a fictional account of life on a football team and the twisted machinations of the owners. Stream this film on Prime Video, Redbox, Apple TV. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.
School Ties (1992) This film was directed by Robert Mandel. It stars Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris O’Donnell, and Anthony Rapp. David Greene (Fraser) is a Jewish high school student who wins an academic/athletic scholarship to play football at an elite prep school for his senior year in high school. Greene hides that he is Jewish after hearing antisemitic remarks by his schoolmates. After he is accidentally outed by an instructor, he is almost completely ostracized. Green is blamed and nearly expelled when another student cheats on an exam and the cheat sheet is found. I picked this film because it demonstrates the opportunities athletic ability can provide as well as some of the pitfalls. Stream this film on HBO Max, Prime Video, Redbox, Apple TV, Vudu, Direct TV, YouTube, or Goggle Play Movies. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.
Brian’s Song (1971) This film is about the friendship between two NLF players on the Chicago Bears, Gayle Sayers, and Brian Piccolo. It stars Billy Dee Williams as Sayers and James Caan as Piccolo. Sayers and Piccolo developed an unlikely friendship and became the first interracial roommates in NFL history. When Piccolo is diagnosed wit leukemia, Sayers stands by him and the touching story of the bonds of friendship will stay with you long after the credits fade from the screen. Stream this film on Prime Video, Redbox, Apple TV, Vudu or BYUtv. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.
Jerry Maguire (1996) This film was written, produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe. It stars Tom Cruise, Renee Zellweger, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Jonathan Lipnicki. When Maguire (Cruise) has an epiphany about the soulless aspects of his profession, he decides to strike out on his own and try to become an ethical agent. Dorothy (Zellweger) a single mother working at the agency joins his new firm. Rod Tidwell (Gooding Jr.) is a star wide receiver Maguire needs to keep for his business to survive. Jerry and Dorothy become involved and enter into a hasty marriage with disastrous effects. The interactions between the three main characters are flawless and Dorothy’s son Ray (Lipnicki) is too cute for words. Stream this film on HBO Max, Prime Video, Redbox, Apple TV, or Vudu. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.
The Last Boy Scout (1991) This buddy action-comedy stars Bruce Willis, Halle Berry, and Damon Wayans. Hallenbeck (Willis) is a disgraced former secret service agent turned private investigator. He receives an assignment to protect a stripper. Cory (Berry) and inadvertently discovers a major illegal gambling scheme targeting professional football. He must team up with Jimmy Dix (Wayans) a former professional quarterback to break up the ring and expose the high-ranking U.S. senator involved. Stream this film on Tubi, Prime Video, Redbox, Apple TV, YouTube, Vudu, or Goggle Play Movies. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.
Varsity Blues (1999) Directed by Brian Robbins, this film stars James Van Der Beek, Paul Walker, Ali Larter, Amy Smart, Scott Caan, Ron Lester, and Jon Voight. Jonathan Moxon is an academically gifted back-up quarter back in a football obsessed Texas town. Moxon becomes the starting quarterback after the team’s quarterback is seriously injured because of the reckless actions of Coach Kilmer (Voight) who instructed the team physician to repeatedly administer painkillers to the quarterback’s injured knee to keep him playing. Moxon rebels against his dangerous coach and becomes the true leader of his team. I think my son’s remember the whipped cream bikini and the scene stealing Billy Bob (Lester) most of all. Stream this film on Paramount+, The Roku Channel, YouTube, Prime Video, Redbox, Apple TV, Vudu, or Goggle Play Movies. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.
The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (2008) This film was based on the 1983 book, Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express by Robert C. Gallagher. It’s based on the life of Syracuse University football player Ernie Davis, the first African American player to win the Heisman Trophy. It stars Rob Brown as Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Geoff Stults, Omar Benson Miller, and Dennis Quaid. Stream this film on Peacock, YouTube, The Roku Channel, Prime Video, Redbox, Apple TV, Vudu, or Goggle Play Movies. Rental fees or subscriptions may apply.