6 Best Football Underdog and Triumph Movies

By Vlad Zakh · May 25, 2026

The gritty determination and against-all-odds triumph of the football underdog has powered some of cinema’s most inspiring sports dramas. In Remember the Titans (2000): A newly integrated high school football team overcomes racial tension under a demanding new coach. Worth seeking out is Rudy (1993): An undersized, underestimated young man refuses to give up his dream of playing football for Notre Dame.

We Are Marshall (2006)

TMDB ★ 7.2

A college football team and its community rebuild after a devastating plane crash kills most of the roster.

Directed by McG · 2h 11m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Friday Night Lights (2004)

TMDB ★ 7.1

A small Texas town's entire identity rests on the shoulders of its high school football team during a crucial season.

Directed by Peter Berg · 1h 58m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Radio (2003)

TMDB ★ 6.9

A high school football coach befriends a mentally challenged young man, transforming their entire community.

Directed by Michael Tollin · 1h 49m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Remember the Titans (2000)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A newly integrated high school football team overcomes racial tension under a demanding new coach.

Directed by Boaz Yakin · 1h 53m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus, Hulu · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Varsity Blues (1999)

TMDB ★ 6.2

A backup high school quarterback is thrust into the spotlight after the star player is injured.

Directed by Brian Robbins · 1h 46m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Rudy (1993)

TMDB ★ 7.5

An undersized, underestimated young man refuses to give up his dream of playing football for Notre Dame.

Directed by David Anspaugh · 1h 54m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: TNT, TBS, tru TV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix, built to fix a specific annoyance: most recommendation sites are just algorithm-driven noise. Our lists are researched and organized by who's in a film, where it's from, and the mood you're actually in tonight.

6 Best Football Underdog and Triumph Movies

We Are Marshall (2006)

Friday Night Lights (2004)

Radio (2003)

Remember the Titans (2000)

Varsity Blues (1999)

Rudy (1993)

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