May 04, 2018
Americans, this is a major reason to celebrate! But what about the millions more who don’t really care about the weekly gridiron grind?
If you’re someone who enjoys the drama of football, but don’t want to spend hours every Saturday and Sunday waiting for those rare big plays, here are five great football movies you can watch instead.
1. Remember the Titans (2000)
This modern sports classic stars Denzel Washington as coach Herman Boone, an African-American coach tasked with integrating a Virginia high school football team in 1971. Based on a true story, Remember the Titans is a moving film that shows how the love of sports can help transcend social barriers and unite people of all backgrounds.
While some critics complained that Remember the Titans was too predictable and overly simplistic in handling race issues, audiences were inspired by it, driving the film to an impressive $115 million at the box office.
2. Any Given Sunday (1999)
This gritty sports drama from Oliver Stone won praise for diving into the complicated world of professional football, where big egos and big business clash on and off the field. With a large ensemble cast including Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and Aaron Eckhart, Any Given Sunday is a star-studded movie that delivers enough bone crunching action (and profanity) to earn its R rating.
3. Rudy (1993)
Often cited as one of the greatest sports movies ever made, Rudy tells the true story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, a young man who dreams of playing football for the University of Notre Dame.
Featuring a compelling lead performance from Sean Astin, who perfectly captures the real-life Rudy’s unwavering optimism and dedication, Rudy is a great reminder that if you work hard, you can achieve almost anything. Plus, who doesn’t like to chant “Rudy, Rudy, Rudy,” right?
