Best Soccer Movies to Watch in 2024
What are the best soccer movies? Soccer is the world’s most popular sport and many soccer movies have been made throughout the years to share stories of the beautiful game. Watching a soccer movie can be a great way for any player, beginner, youth, or professional, soccer coach, or fan, to learn tips and insights about the realities of the game, while being inspired and entertained at the same time.
This is a list of the best soccer movies worth watching.
Best Soccer Movies to Watch Right Now
Gol! The Dream Begins (2005)
Gol! The Dream Begins is considered by many fans, especially soccer fans, one of the greatest sports films ever made. The film tells the story of young Mexican Santiago Muñez’s inspiring journey from amateur leagues in Los Angeles, as well as bussing tables, to achieving his football dreams with Newcastle United in the English Premiere League.
If you have not watched a soccer movie before then this is the first movie you should watch that will teach you why people fall in love with this sport. The film also has two sequels, one in which he plays for Real Madrid and one in which he represents the Mexican National Team, but those films are not even close to being as good as the original one.
Diego Maradona (2019)
Asif Kapadia’s documentary offers a deep exploration into the life of one of the best players of all time, Diego Maradona. This great documentary is inspired by true events and provides never before seen footage of the global icon who has scored two of the most legendary goals of all time, the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century.
Pele: Birth of A Legend (2016)
“Pele ” on Netflix is a celebration of another one of the game’s most legendary players. This film follows the life of Brazilian icon Pele and dives into his challenging childhood and rise to the top of world football. Through a mix of never before seen footage and interviews, the film provides a captivating narrative of Pele’s impact on the football world.
Zinedine Zidane- A 21st Century Portrait (2006)
“Zinedine Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait” (2006) takes inspiration from a 1970 experimental German film focused on only George Best during the entire game. Directors Douglas Gordon and Philippe Pareno recreated the concept with French maestro Zinedine Zidane, immersing audiences in a claustrophobic experience heightened by the sounds of Scottish band Mogwai. This is one of the most unique films on this list.
Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Stephen Chow’s comedic masterpiece “Shaolin Soccer,” available on Hulu, fuses martial arts with the beautiful game. The film delivers visually spectacular and highly entertaining sports action scenes, showcasing Chow’s unique storytelling and cinematic creativity.
The Two Escobars (2010)
ESPN’s documentary, “The Two Escobars” shares the interesting mixed stories of footballer Andrés Escobar and drug lord Pablo Escobar. Through captivating narratives and insightful interviews, the film reveals the connections between football, crime, and societal pressures in certain parts of the world.
Next Goal Wins (2014)
Available on Hulu, “Next Goal Wins” is a heartwarming documentary following the American Samoa football team’s journey of redemption. The film follows the American Samoa national team after one of the highest scoring games in history, a 31-0 loss to Australia.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give in (2021)
The Sir Alex Fersguson documentary, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, provides a deep dive into Sir Alex Ferguson’s illustrious career and personal challenges. With rare insights and moments, the film offers fans, players, and coaches, a closer look at the man behind Manchester United’s success.
The Damned United (2009)
“The Damned United ” is an exciting fiction sports drama about Brian Clough’s time as Leeds United’s manager. The film explores the themes of rivalry and ambition, and offers an up-close look at football management at a high level. .
Although the film is inspired by true events, the book that inspired this film is mostly fiction. This movie shows a more realistic approach to how being a manager really is, especially when compared to a more recent comedy soccer manager show called “Ted Lasso.”
Bend it Like Beckham (2002)
Gurinder Chadha’s film, “Bend it Like Beckham” is a comedy drama about bending the rules to make your dreams come true and explores some of the realities of women’s soccer. The film follows two girls who want to make professional soccer their careers and explores themes of tradition, family, and the pursuit of dreams.
Offside (2006)
Jafar Panahi’s Iranian film, “Offside” available on Criterion Channel, cleverly explores gender barriers in football during World Cup qualifiers. With insightful storytelling and social commentary, the film offers a thought-provoking perspective on societal norms and the love for the game
Green Street Hooligans (2005)
“Green Street Hooligans” featuring Elijah Wood and Charlie Hunnam is a British drama that uncovers the world of football hooliganism. After being unfairly expelled from Harvard, Wood heads to the UK, where he stumbles upon the intense fan culture and violent clashes associated with the beautiful game.
This film not only explores the darker side of football but also delivers a gritty crime drama, offering a captivating look into the interesting, and sometimes violent, world of soccer fans.
The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (2006)
“The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos” is about a pivotal era when soccer briefly seized America’s spotlight. This documentary explores the rise and fall of the North American Soccer League franchise, the New York Cosmos, during the 1970s.
By using archival footage, vintage photographs, and personal anecdotes from former players and businessmen, the film follows a team led by Brazilian soccer legend Pele. Founded by non-sports enthusiasts, the Cosmos experienced a meteoric sensation only to be derailed by the league’s ambitious expansion.
Summary
To summarize, watching soccer movies is not as fun as actually playing soccer, it can be a great way for any soccer player to learn more about the game, while having fun and being entertained at the same time. In this blog, I covered the best soccer movies to watch right now available on different streaming services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What soccer players have their own sports films?
There are many famous soccer players that have their own films and/or documentaries such as Diego Maradona, Pele, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Bobby Moore, Eric Cantona, and many more.
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.
What soccer team does famous movie actor Ryan Reynolds own?
Ryan Reynolds is the current owner of Wrexham AFC, a professional soccer team from Wales. You can learn more about Ryan and his team by watching their documentary.
What is EMF protection?
EMF protection includes products like blue light blocking glasses which are useful to wear at night while using electronics, after the sunset has gone down, as well as many other products to help improve mitochondrial function which will improve overall athletic performance, sleep, recovery, and more.
