Soccer is a game that is played in many parts of the world and is arguably one of the most watched sports. Interestingly, soccer movies are one of the genres that filmmakers love to portray.
While some of these movies are about teams and how they rose, there are many more about the players, coaches, and managers who push the stars. Notably, some of these movies have been around for some time and they always leave lovers of soccer inspired long after their favorites leave the pitch.
Soccer Movies That You Should Watch
1. Bend it like Beckham(2002)
- Director: Gurinder Chadha
- Starring: Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley
- Box Office: $76.6 million
- Genre: Comedy/Sport
Though a fictional story, it is inspired by two soccer players, Ian Wright and Permi Jhooti. Interestingly, Bend It Like Beckham is one of the highest-grossing soccer movies of all time.
The cameras focus on two ambitious girls who go against their parent’s wishes to follow a professional soccer career. Understandably, one of the girls, Jess Bhamra(Parminder Nagra) has strict Indian parents who did not allow her to play even when she 18.
However, things changed when she was discovered by Jules Paxton. Following this, Paxton convinces Jess to play for her semi-pro team. She agreed but had to hide her matches from her family.
2. Diego Maradona(2019)
- Director: Asif Kapadia
- Starring: Diego Maradona
- Box Office: $2.8 million
- Genre: Documentary
This movie is about the legendary Argentine player, Diego Maradona who is also called the ‘god of football’ and the hand of God. Considering the myth around him, the film shows aspects of his life far from the pitch.
Notable among these is a scene where two members of the Church of Maradona get married and the bride drops a ball among guests.
3. Beckham(2023)
- Director: Fisher Stevens
- Starring: David Beckham, Fisher Stevens, Sandra Beckham, Ronaldo
- Box Office: $ 40.8 million
- Genre: Docuseries
Former Manchester United and English national team midfielders inspired many in a career of over two decades. Interestingly, his life and legacy are captured in this 2023 Netflix series.
The focus is on David Beckham’s rise from a working-class home to the top of English soccer. He had a huge impact on soccer and is still considered one of the greats. Notably, the movie became one of the most-watched shows on Netflix at the time.
4. Fever Pitch(1997)
- Director: David Evans
- Starring: Colin Firth, Bea Guard, Nick Hornby
- Box Office: $ 3.7 million
- Genre: Sports Romance
The movie is based on Nick Horny’s book of the same name. As the cameras focus on the main character, viewers discover that they are following the story of an Arsenal fan who has to manage his work as a teacher and a passion for his favorite club.
Paul, the character is unable to function well on match days. A high point in the movie is when he takes on Liverpool in the last game of the season. Notably, the game is a mirror of another success recorded by the team when they won the final in 1989 during the last minutes of the game.
5. Goal! (Trilogy 2005, 2007, 2009)
- Directors: Danny cannon, Andy Morahan, Jaume Collet-Serra
- Starring: Kuno Becker, Anna Friel, Alessandro Nivola
- Box Office: $27.6 million
- Genre: Sports Drama
Made in three films, it follows the life of Santiago Munez, a Mexican immigrant living in Los Angeles. He had dreamed of one day using his talent on the pitch but has to make ends meet as a gardener.
Thankfully, his dream comes true when he gets a chance to go for a trial with Newcastle United. However, he faces challenges adjusting including the rain and cold of the British North East. He overcomes all these and shows that he is worth his place when he helps Newcastle in the Champions League.
Notable in the series, we see different transition stages in his life including moves to other clubs as well as career achievements.
6. Rooney(2022)
- Director: Matt Smith
- Starring: Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, Sven-Göran Eriksson, David Beckham
- Box Office: $ 9.2 million
- Genre: Documentary
This award-winning movie gives a close look at the life of football great, Dwayne Rooney. From his professional debut at the age of 16, he rose to become a top scorer for Manchester United and England national team.
It is a story of a boy who becomes a man, then a leader and an inspiration.
7. Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In(2021)
- Director: Jason Ferguson
- Starring: Alex Ferguson, Cathy Ferguson
- Box Office: $116 million
- Genre: Sport Documentary
Told through the eye of one Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, this is a soccer story that never gets old. During his twenty-six-year tenure as manager of the English club, he also experienced challenges such as a life-threatening brain hemorrhage.
Yet, the football legend did not allow this to stop him. On-screen, his life is seen in an angle that is away from the joy of celebrating soccer goals. He rises high above and takes center stage as he fights for his life.
Interestingly, the documentary was directed by his son Jason Ferguson.
8. The Class of 92(2013)
- Directors: Ben Turner, Gabe Turner
- Starring: David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Raphael Burke, Karl Brown, Chris Casper
- Box Office: $50.4 million
- Genre: Sports Documentary
Many soccer players have risen through the ranks to reach stardom yet very few get to have their stories on film. Class of 92 tells the story of 6 stars, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Gary and Phill Neville, and Ryan Giggs as they rise to stardom.
The camera lights pick up their everyday routine in their own backyards and their time at the 92 You Cup. The six eventually won the Premier League and are still remembered as the historic treble in 1999.
9. Two Escobars(2010)
- Directors: Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist
- Starring: Andres Escobar, Pablo Escobar, Francisco Maturana, Maria Ester Escobar
- Box Office: $14 million
- Genre: Sports Thriller/Mystery
This is a story of sports and the Colombian drug cartel. On the one hand, the Colombian Defender Andres Escobar, the man who helped his country push out Los Cafetorio from the US in 1994.
The second Escobar is the famed drug Lord who used his passion for soccer to expand his drug business. Pablo laundered money using the Athletico Nacional. In the end, Andres, a Nacional defender was caught up and eventually gunned down in a nightclub car park.
See Also: 10 Incredible Tennis Movies For Lovers Of Tennis
10. Shaolin Soccer(2001)
- Director: Stephen Chow
- Starring: Ng Man-tat, Stephen Chow, Zhao Wei
- Box Office: $42.7 Million
- Genre: Sports Comedy
Unlike any soccer movie, Shaolin Soccer is a compelling story of martial arts and soccer. Golden Leg Fung lost his ability to grow his soccer career but he was able to make up for it when he taught a Shaolin Kung Fu master, Sing, the game. In turn, Sing agrees so he can promote Kung Fu to others.
In the end, Sing and five of his brothers succeed and people start using Kung Fu in everyday life.
Discussion about this post