While some movies are a product of fiction, there are great movies that are richly inspired by true life experiences.
Sports can provide one of the best platforms for telling great stories, especially in NFL movies based on true life stories.
Football, in particular, lends itself to telling great and true tales about the struggles and victories of players and coaches who have made a difference on the gridiron.
5 NFL movies to watch based on true stories.
1. Movie Title: Home Team
https://youtu.be/xppbyXSxPlo
Production Year: 2022
Duration: 1 hour 35 mins.
Director: Charles and Daniel Kinnane
Genre: Family/Comedy
Can be seen on: Netflix
Ad rating according to IMDb: PG for crude material, language, and some suggestive references.
A year after the NFL suspended Sean Payton (played by Kevin James) for the entire 2012 season due to his involvement in the Saints’ Bountygate scandal, he takes on the role of head coach for his middle son's (portrayed by Tyler Lautner) 6th-grade football team.
He assists the struggling former coach and works on rebuilding his relationship with his son.
Payton was suspended in 2012 for his part in the team's Bountygate scandal, which involved alleged incentives paid to players for attempting to injure opposing team players.
Payton's transformation from a shamed coach to a devoted father and encouraging mentor is a powerful tale of personal renewal.
It also underscores the theme of being given a second chance, illustrating that even when faced with adversity, one can turn things around and discover success and joy in unexpected places.
Viewers should watch out for the appearance of the real Sean Payton.
2.Movie Title: We are Marshall
https://youtu.be/kRCi-zLSJT8
Production Year: 2006
Duration: 2 hours 11 minutes
Director: McG
Genre: Sports/Drama
Can be watched on: Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV
Ad rating according to IMDb: PG for emotional thematic material, a crash scene, and mild language.
It depicts the aftermath of the 1970 plane crash that claimed the lives of 75 people: 37 players of the Marshall University football team, five coaches, two athletic trainers, the athletic director, 25 boosters, and the airplane crew of five.
When one of the players (Anthony Mackie) couldn't join the plane due to an injury, he and the students convinced the school to restart the football program.
They hire a new head coach(Matthew McConaughey) who takes on the responsibility of building a successful team to carry on the legacy of the old team and make the city and school proud.
The movie highlights the importance of community support and unity in overcoming complex challenges as the entire town of Huntington, West Virginia, comes together to support the team and the university.
3. Movie Title: Remembering The Titans
https://youtu.be/nPhu9XsRl4M
Production Year: 2000
Duration: 1 hour 53 minutes
Director: Boaz Yakin
Genre: Sports/Drama
Can be watched on: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV.
Ad Rating: PG "for thematic content and some language," according to IMDb.
In the 1970s, the black football coach, Herman Boone(Denzel Washington) was hired as a member of the football coaching staff at a desegregated high school.
According to IMDb, Boone was later promoted over the current head coach in an effort to “reconcile racial differences.”
Amidst challenges and resistance, Boone had to help his players learn to respect and support each other to become a united team and achieve success on the field, because he was later told he would lose his job if the team lost a game.
The movie shows how sport can bring people together and promote understanding through hardwork and determination even in the face of adversity.
4. Movie Title: American Underdog
https://youtu.be/_6rn-6lKBJ8
Production Year: 2021
Duration: 1 hour 52 minutes
Director: Andrew and Jon Erwin
Genre: Sport/ Drama
Can be watched on: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
Ad rating according to IMDb: PG for some language and thematic content.
It tells the story of NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner(Zachary Levi), who went from being a stock boy in a grocery store to being a two-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion.
It also follows how years of challenges and setbacks could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player.
However, with the support of his now-wife, Brenda (Anna Paquin), children, and the encouragement of his family, coaches, and teammates, Warner perseveres and finds the strength to show the world the champion he truly is.
American Underdog is an inspirational story demonstrating the power of family, faith, and determination.
5. Movie Title: Brady's 80
https://youtu.be/-UeGXB2NjR8
Production Year: 2023
Duration: 1 hour 38 minutes
Director: Kyle Marvin
Genre: Sport/Comedy
It can be watched on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount.
Ad rating according to IMDb: PG-13 for brief strong language, some drug content, and some advice.
Brady's 80 is a movie about four best friends who live life to the fullest when they take a wild trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their hero, Tom Brady, play.
The four longtime New England Patriots stars, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sarah Leigh Fields, decided to see their favorite team and play in the '80s, but things didn't go as planned for the friend.
Brady is a producer and stars in the film alongside former teammate Rob Gronkowski.
The movie celebrates the solid and supportive friendship between four women who aren't afraid to go after their dreams and live life to the fullest, even if it means breaking a few rules.
Conclusion
Football is more than just a game! It is a source of inspiration, a stage of overcoming adversity, and a place where communities can come together to grow.
These five NFL movies based on true stories are just a few incredible stories the sport has birthed.
Whether you're in for a light-hearted comedy or an emotional drama, these movies are sure to score a touchdown with you!