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List of association football films

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following is a list of films featuring association football.

List

[edit]
Year Title Genre Notes
1911 Harry the Footballer Drama Silent film about a star player being kidnapped by the opposition. However, they are foiled by his girl-friend, just in time for him to get to the match and score the winning goal.
1920 The Winning Goal Drama Silent film about a fictional team called the Blackton Rovers.
1930 The Great Game Comedy British film about fictional Manningford F.C.
1936 Sportszerelem Comedy
1939 The Arsenal Stadium Mystery Crime comedy When a player is poisoned during a match, Detective Inspector Slade must investigate.[1]
1942 Das große Spiel Comedy
1947 O Leão da Estrela Comedy-drama This Arthur Duarte movie includes original images of the Portuguese cup final Porto – Sporting
1953 The Great Game Comedy-drama The chairman of a British club is penalized for approaching a player from a rival team.
1955 The Love Match Comedy Arthur Askey stars as a football mad train driver, with Thora Hird as his wife who takes in a referee as a lodger.
1961 Két félidő a pokolban Drama Based on 1942's The Death Match between team in modern-day Ukraine (including players from Dynamo Kyiv) and a German Wehrmacht side.
1962 Garrincha: Hero of the Jungle Documentary Brazilian film on the career of then-current superstar Garrincha.
Третий тайм (The Third Half) Drama Also based on 1942's The Death Match
1970 Fútbol México 70 Documentary The 1970 FIFA World Cup held in Mexico.
1971 Dhanyee Meye Comedy
1975 Pirveli mertskhali Comedy-drama Passionate and talented sportsman Jason founded the first ever Georgian football team in the seaport of Poti
1976 Mohunbaganer Meye
1979 Yesterday's Hero Drama Ian McShane as a former football player turned alcoholic.
Coup de tête Comedy/Drama French film about player kicked off the team for fighting with the star.
El Chanfle Comedy Chespirito as a waterboy for a Mexican team whose life unexpectedly changes when his wife gets pregnant.
La Fiesta de Todos Documentary The 1978 FIFA World Cup held in Argentina.
1981 Escape to Victory War Loosely based on The Death Match, with Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine; released in North America as Victory.[1]
Gregory's Girl Comedy Scottish teen tale directed by Bill Forsyth.[1]
1982 A Captain's Tale Drama/documentary Film made for TV, about an "international" tournament (mainly 1909) in which West Auckland town somehow get invited to take part.
1983 Those Glory Glory Days Drama A group of girls growing up in 1960–61 London develop an interest in football and Tottenham Hotspur.[1]
The Champions Comedy Lee Tung (Yuen Biao) gets taunted by rival football teams.
1986 Hotshot Drama An American football player leaves his rich family and goes to Brazil to learn from a master, portrayed by Pele.
1988 Piłkarski poker Comedy-drama Polish film about the corruption in football environment directed by Janusz Zaorski.
1991 Ultra Drama Italian film.
Cup Final Drama Israeli film about a kidnapping during the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
1992 Ladybugs Comedy Rodney Dangerfield as a soccer coach who makes a boy suit up as a girl.
1994 An Impossible Job Documentary
1995 The Big Green Family Comedy A British woman teaches soccer to Texas school kids.
The Final Goal Drama An Idealistic pro soccer player is pressured to throw the biggest game of his life.
I.D. Drama Four police officers go undercover to investigate thugs on East London soccer team.
1996 When Saturday Comes Drama A factory worker (Sean Bean) is recruited by professional football clubs.[2]
1997 Didier Comedy Didier, a dog, is transformed into a human. A football agent uses him to replace injured players in a very important match.
Fever Pitch Romantic comedy Colin Firth in an adaptation of Nick Hornby's book about Arsenal.[2]
1999 The Cup Comedy Buddhist monks in a remote Himalayan monastery try to obtain a television for the monastery to watch the 1998 World Cup final.
Soccer Dog: The Movie Family comedy An orphan's dog has an uncanny skill at soccer.
Home Team Family comedy Ex-pro football player (Steve Guttenberg) is sentenced to serve as a handyman at a boys' home.
Switching Goals Family comedy Twin sisters (Olsen twins), total opposites, become soccer opponents.
2000 Air Bud: World Pup Family comedy Direct-to-video film in the Air Bud series.
The Goalkeeper Drama The plot follows the mishaps of Ramiro Forteza, a goalie arriving to an Asturian village in 1948, coming to acquaint both with the Guardia Civil and the Maquis
There's Only One Jimmy Grimble Comedy-drama A 15-year-old's goal is to play for Manchester City.
2001 Shaolin Soccer Comedy Hong Kong comedy about a football-playing monk.[3]
A Shot at Glory Drama A coach (Robert Duvall) tries to get his team to the Scottish Cup final.
Mean Machine Comedy-drama Adaptation of The Longest Yard with association football instead of American football. Stars former footballer Vinnie Jones.
Mike Bassett: England Manager Comedy Manager from lower leagues becomes manager of England national football team, aims for World Cup in Brazil.
2002 The Game of Their Lives Documentary Chronicles North Korea national team that made surprising run to quarterfinals of 1966 FIFA World Cup.
Bend It Like Beckham Comedy-drama Two teenaged girls in England (Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley) try out for football.[3]
2003 Garrincha: Lonely Star Documentary Brazilian documentary examining the spectacular playing career and troubled off-field life of Garrincha, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of his birth and 20th of his death.
Just for Kicks Comedy Story of soccer-playing twin brothers (Dylan and Cole Sprouse).
The Miracle of Bern Drama Set against backdrop of 1954 FIFA World Cup Final, which became known in Germany as the "Miracle of Bern".[1]
The Other Final Documentary Match between Bhutan and Montserrat, lowest-ranked teams in FIFA World Rankings, held on same day as 2002 FIFA World Cup Final.
United Romantic comedy Norway film.
2004 The Football Factory Drama Drama film about football hooliganism in England, loosely based on the novel of the same name by John King.
Pelé Eterno Documentary
Soccer Dog: European Cup Comedy Sequel to 1999 children's film.
Guys and Balls Comedy A gay goalkeeper assembles a gay-only soccer team to play against his ex-team, which fired him due to homophobia.
2005 Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team Documentary A history of the US women's national team.
Goal! Drama Santiago Muñez (Kuno Becker), a Mexican youth in U.S. illegally, gets an opportunity to play in England.
Green Street Drama Starring Elijah Wood and Charlie Hunnam. A film about football hooliganism in England.
Kicking & Screaming Family comedy Will Ferrell screwball comedy about coaching soccer.[2]
Real, The Movie Documentary Explores history of Real Madrid, incorporating some fictional elements.
The Game of Their Lives Drama Based on USA's massive upset of England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup.
Merry Christmas aka Joyeux Noël Drama During World War I, soldiers put aside differences to play a game of soccer.
Garpastum Drama Two brothers in 1914 on the eve of the outbreak of World War I wish to build a football stadium.
2006 Goal II: Living the Dream Drama Continuation of 2005 story, with Santiago switching from Newcastle to Real Madrid.
Offside Comedy Sweden film.
Offside Drama Iranian film about girls trying to see Iran's qualifier against Bahrain.[1]
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos Documentary Matt Dillon narrates story of North American Soccer League club, with player interviews.
La Gran final Drama Three groups of people from remote areas around the world attempt to watch the 2002 World Cup Final.
Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait Documentary Chronicles life and career of Zinedine Zidane.[2]
She's the Man Comedy Based on William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Amanda Bynes disguises herself as her brother so she can play on the men’s soccer team.
Sixty Six Comedy/Drama The misadventures surrounding a London boy's bar mitzvah that conflicts with the 1966 FIFA World Cup final. Based on the real-life bar mitzvah of the film's director Paul Weiland, which took place on that specific day.
2007 Gracie Drama New Jersey girl battles to play on boys' team. Loosely based on Elisabeth Shue, who co-produced film and plays girl's mother.
Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal Drama
Her Best Move Comedy A 15-year-old girl has a shot to make the US national team.
2008 Maradona by Kusturica Documentary A look at the career of Diego Maradona.
Kicking It Documentary Colin Farrell narrates a look at the Homeless World Cup.
Soccer Mom Comedy TV family movie starring Missi Pyle.
2009 Football with a Cause Documentary Académica Coimbra team resistance against Portuguese dictatorship, shown to world in cup final against Benfica in 1969
The Damned United Drama A fictionalized version of Brian Clough's tenure as manager of Leeds United.[3]
Goal! 3: Taking on the World Drama Direct-to-video third part of trilogy following the experiences of a Mexican footballer in Europe.
Offside Romantic comedy Story about rival footballers in Australia.
A Time for Champions Documentary Made for TV. Explores history of soccer in St. Louis, focusing on Saint Louis University in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Looking for Eric Fiction Eric Bishop is a football fanatic postman whose life is descending into crisis. When he gets high his idol Eric Cantona appears to him and offers him advice.[3]
2010 One Night in Turin Documentary Chronicles England's run in the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Tim Cahill: The Unseen Journey Documentary Australian made-for-TV film following Socceroos star Tim Cahill during the run-up to the team's appearance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Referee Documentary Film about Swedish soccer referee Martin Hansson and his dramatic journey to 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The Two Escobars Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores lives of footballer Andrés Escobar and drug lord Pablo Escobar, and links between murders of both men.[2]
2011 For the Glory Drama
Egaro Drama Indian Bengali team Mohun Bagan wins 1911 IFA Shield against mighty British team East Yorkshire Regiment in Calcutta under background circumstances of Partition of Bengal of 1905.
The Four Year Plan Documentary Chronicles the 2007 takeover of nearly bankrupt Queens Park Rangers by a group of billionaires and their attempt to get the club promoted to the Premier League by 2011.
The Last Proletarians of Football Documentary Swedish film exploring the 1980s "golden age" of IFK Göteborg amid the backdrop of significant changes to Swedish society.
Lucky Trouble Comedy A school teacher is mistaken for a football coach and ends up training a group of juvenile delinquents for the Russian Youth Soccer Cup.
Will Drama After losing his parents, 12-year-old journeys across Europe to witness 2005 UEFA Champions League Final, which features dad's favorite football club Liverpool.
United Drama Based on the true story of the Munich air disaster which claimed 23 lives including lives of eight Manchester United players. In the aftermath of the disaster a makeshift United team reached the 1958 FA Cup Final against all odds.
Abby Head On Documentary ESPN Film about soccer phenom Abby Wambach
2012 Playing for Keeps Romantic comedy A former professional star (Gerard Butler) coaches a kids' team.
2013 Metegol Comedy Argentine computer-animated film about a man who plays football who tried to protect a whole town with his help with his foosball players to play real soccer.
The Other Sport Documentary 3-part TV series about the history and developments inside women's soccer in Sweden.
The Class of '92 Documentary Chronicles the rise of six young Manchester United players—David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, and Paul Scholes—from the club's 1992 FA Youth Cup win, featuring four of the group, to United's Treble victory in 1999.
The 99ers Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's Nine for IX series. An insider account of the 1999 US World Cup soccer team that broke new ground for women's sports
The Whistle Documentary Winner of the Sundance Film Festival's Grand Jury Prize for Short Film, The Whistle is a documentary about a soccer referee who has reached a critical crossroads in his life
2014 Eighteam Documentary Spanish–Zambian co-production. Explores the recent history of the Zambia national team—from promise in the late 1980s, to unspeakable tragedy in 1993, resurrection in 1994, and ultimate victory in 2012.
Hillsborough Documentary Made for TV as an ESPN–BBC co-production. A 25-year retrospective of the Hillsborough disaster, featuring many accounts from fans in attendance, police officers, and victims' family members. First aired in the U.S. as part of the 30 for 30 series in 2014; first aired in the UK in 2016.
Messi Documentary Spanish film exploring the rise of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
Next Goal Wins Documentary British film about American Samoa team trying to qualify for World Cup.[1]
United Passions Drama French film about origins of FIFA.
White, Blue and White Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. After victory in the 1978 World Cup, Argentines Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa become cult heroes at Tottenham Hotspur, but later find themselves torn by the impending conflict between Argentina and Britain.
The Opposition Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 Soccer Stories Series. Chile hosts a World Cup qualifier in a stadium that only months earlier had been used as a concentration camp
Maradona '86 Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 Soccer Stories Series. In the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Diego Maradona redefined what is possible for one man to accomplish on the soccer field.
Ceasefire Massacre Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 Soccer Stories Series. On 18 June 1994, as the Republic of Ireland World Cup team played in New Jersey, six fans were gunned down 24 miles south of Belfast.
The Myth of Garrincha Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 Soccer Stories Series. A profile of Brazilian association football icon Mané Garrincha.
Mysteries of the Rimet Trophy Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 Soccer Stories Series. The Jules Rimet Trophy, the holy grail of sport trophies, was the target of numerous thefts and ultimately disappeared without a trace
Barbosa: The Man Who Made Brazil Cry Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 Soccer Stories Series. A look at Brazilian goalkeeper Moacir Barbosa Nascimento and how a costly mistake in the 1950 FIFA World Cup which cost Brazil the title and impacted his countrymen
2015 Boca Juniors 3D Documentary Argentinian film exploring the history of Boca Juniors.
Ronaldo Documentary Filmmaker Anthony Wonke examines the life and career of famed soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo.
2016 Pelé: Birth of a Legend Film that examines the life and career of Pelé.
Becoming Zlatan Documentary Swedish film that explores the early life and football development of Zlatan Ibrahimović, leading up to his international breakthrough in 2005 with Juventus.
Ola Bola Comedy/Drama Malaysia first sport football film exploring the real story about Malaysia during qualifying to 1980 Summer Olympics.
Bo66y Documentary A film which marks the 50th anniversary of England's victory in the 1966 World Cup.
2017 George Best: All By Himself Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. George Best was one of the most naturally gifted footballers ever, lifting Manchester United to new prominence a decade after its unspeakable tragedy—but alcoholism ended his football career while he was still in his twenties.
2018 Early Man Comedy British stop-motion film following Dug and his Stone Age tribe who must beat Lord Nooth's Bronze Age team at football to reclaim their land.[3]
The Bromley Boys Comedy British film about a boy from Bromley who wants to become a football manager, and becomes a football manager.
Diamantino Comedy-drama The film follows premier association football star Diamantino after he loses his special touch and ends his career in disgrace.
Trautmann (The Keeper) Drama The film tells the story of Bert Trautmann, a German prisoner of war who became a football legend in England.
2019 Kolej Havası Documentary Turkish film about the story of the Beşiktaş football team, nicknamed the College Team, which won championships between 1989 and 1992.
2020 Ultras Drama
2021 King Otto Documentary Greek film about how German manager Otto Rehhagel took a Greece national team that had never before won a match in a major international tournament to Euro 2004 glory.
The United Way Documentary The film tells the story of Manchester United from the Busby Babes era to the 1999 Champions League final, including Eric Cantona's Manchester United career.
2022 The Soccer Football Movie[4] Animation Animated film featuring Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Megan Rapinoe where their footballing abilities are stolen by an evil scientist.
2023 City of Dreams Drama Young Mexican association football player is trafficked into the United States.
Dream Comedy-drama South Korean film about a football player an his job as new coach of the national football team of homeless people.
Forever Drama Swedish coming-of-age sports drama about two teenage footballers, whose friendship is tested by the arrival of a demanding new coach.
Next Goal Wins Comedy-drama Feature film based on the 2014 documentary
2024 The Beautiful Game Drama Film about a squad of English homeless footballers who are led by their coach Mal, to compete in Rome at the global annual football tournament, the Homeless World Cup.
Iluminados Documentary Peruvian film that explores the 2023 Liga 1 final between classic rivals Universitario de Deportes and Alianza Lima, ending with the victory of the former for the third time.
#SeAcabó: Diario de las campeonas Documentary Netflix Spain production recounting the Spain women's national team's run to the 2023 World Cup crown and the controversy that followed the win.
U.S. Palmese Comedy A star footballer is transferred from Paris Saint-Germain FC to US Palmese in Calabria, Italy.
2025 Berlusconi: Condemned to Win Documentary Three-part entry in ESPN's 30 for 30 series, exploring how Silvio Berlusconi's ownership of AC Milan helped propel him to three stints as Italy's prime minister, raising questions of the relationship between sports and politics.
2026 México 86 Comedy-drama A satirical film that chronicles the behind-the-scenes political and clandestine deals to bring the 1986 World Cup to Mexico.

Highest grossing association football films

[edit]

The following is a list of association football films that surpassed $1 million.

2001 is the most frequent year with three entries on the list, while 42% of the films were released after 2000.

Goal! is the most frequent franchise with two.

Highest grossing association football films
RankFilmBox officeYearRef.
1Bend It Like Beckham$92,247,6342002[5]
2She's the Man$57,194,6672006[6]
3Kicking & Screaming$56,070,4332005[7]
4Early Man$54,629,1392018[8]
5Shaolin Soccer$42,776,7602001[9]
6The Unbeatables$32,768,9402013[10]
7Playing for Keeps$30,962,3352012[11]
8Goal! The Dream Begins$27,610,8732005[12]
9Escape to Victory$27,453,0001981[13]
10Next Goal Wins$18,648,8022023[14]
11Joyeux Noël$17,709,1552005[15]
12The Big Green$17,736,6191995[16]
13Looking for Eric$11,650,7262009[17]
14Ladybugs$14,796,4941992[18]
15Lucky Trouble$14,005,8612011[19]
16Goal II: Living the Dream$7,864,9052007[20]
17Mean Machine$7,310,2062001[21]
18Pelé: Birth of a Legend$7,846,6082016[22]
19Mike Bassett: England Manager$5,022,8652001[23]
20Fever Pitch$4,371,0891997[24]
21Green Street$4,333,2712005[25]
22The Damned United$4,091,3782009[26]
23Gracie$3,826,5682007[27]
24The Keeper$2,056,5772018[28]
25Sixty Six$1,930,1332006[29]
26Guys and Balls$1,140,9092004[30]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "10 great football films". BFI. 2014-06-12. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Young, Neil; Roxborough, Scott; Ritman, Alex; Rahman, Abid (2022-11-20). "Goal! The 22 Best Soccer Movies". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "10 Best Soccer Movies, Ranked by Tomatometer". SportsEngine. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  4. ↑ https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80228012
  5. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0286499/
  6. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0454945/
  7. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0384642/
  8. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt4701724/
  9. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0286112/
  10. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1634003/?ref_=bo_se_r_3
  11. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1540128/?ref_=bo_se_r_2
  12. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0380389/
  13. ↑ https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Victory#tab=summary
  14. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt10767052/
  15. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0424205/
  16. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=biggreen.htm
  17. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1242545/
  18. ↑ mhttps://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0104670/
  19. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1682187/?ref_=bo_se_r_1
  20. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0473360/?ref_=bo_se_r_1
  21. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0291341/
  22. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0995868/
  23. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0282744/?ref_=bo_se_r_1
  24. ↑ https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Fever-Pitch-(1998)
  25. ↑ https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Green-Street-Hooligans
  26. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1226271/
  27. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0441007/
  28. ↑ https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Trautmann-(Germany)-(2019)#tab=summary
  29. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0493450/?ref_=bo_se_r_1
  30. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0375911/?ref_=bo_se_r_1/
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