The best movies about soccer

Adapted from a novel of the same name, The Arsenal Stadium Mystery is one of the earliest movies to use soccer as a central focus of the plot. The story follows a murder at Arsenal's original home pitch. English stage and screen actor Leslie Banks plays the lead role of Insp. Anthony Slade. Meanwhile, parts of the movie were filmed at Arsenal Stadium, and the picture featured Gunners stars Cliff Bastin and Eddie Hapgood.

Also known simply as Victory and directed by John Huston, this sports drama features Hollywood superstars Sylvester Stallone and   Michael Caine and soccer legend Pelé, who delivers quite an impressive performance.  Set during World War II, allied POWs face off against a German soccer team in this captivating film that generally received positive reviews upon its release. Other popular English footballers made cameos, including former England captain Bobby Moore. 

Not to be confused with the Tom Cruise legal thriller of the same name from 1993. Gary Oldman stars as "Bex" Bissell , the leader of the "Inter City Firm," based on the football hooligan firm Inter City Firm that supports English Premier club West Ham United. In terms of depicting the authentic and notably violent nature of the hooligan lifestyle on film, The Firm is considered the gold standard — even if it was created as a made-for-television release. 

Professional critics hated this Rodney Dangerfield comedy . His character, Chester, tries to impress his boss and earn a promotion by coaching the superior's daughter's soccer team — with a boy (Jonathan Brandis) dressed as a girl to play. The laughs are decent, but the plot is somewhat predictable. However, it is fun to see legendary Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda provide a cameo. It's not even close to the caliber of Easy Money or Back to School, but it's not a complete waste of time.

This fictional account of a school teacher's passion — or obsession — for Arsenal football was based on Nick Hornby's popular 1992 memoir, Fever Pitch: A Fan's Life . An Americanized version about baseball and the Boston Red Sox starring Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore might be more well-known. However, Colin Firth and Ruth Gemmell are more likable and not as over-the-top while trying to balance a budding romance with top-flight English soccer.

Also known as The Beautiful Game, we have another romantic comedy with a more creative soccer theme. In this case, two village pubs, Benny's Bar and Le Bistro, in Scotland are set to meet on the pitch for the 100th time. The loser is forced to give their business to the other. Benny is facing a sure loss but has a chance if soccer savant and university boy Wullie Smith, who re-enters the life of crush Rosemary and former pro football "Pıss-Off" are involved. Soccer fans of any origin should seek this out.

For over 20 years, Manchester City has done a massively good job of cutting into Manchester United's prominence. In 2000, There's Only One Jimmy Grimble touched on the Citizens' popularity. Jimmy Grimble is a 15-year-old awkward fellow obsessed with Man City. A decent player in his own right, Jimmy's chances of starring for his school side increase when he comes into possession of a special pair of football boots with ties to his favorite pro club.

Before the 2000s, Irishman Steve Barron was best known for directing popular music videos such as "Billie Jean" and "Money for Nothing." Here, he delivers a satirical take on the misery and often dysfunction associated with England's national soccer team. Bassett, a lower-division manager, is surprisingly brought in to coach the team as it earns a World Cup spot based on a technicality. The in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the film is quite funny in this mockumentary romp. Renowned English actor Ricky Tomlinson is stellar in the lead role.

Probably not one of the many Robert Duvall pictures that come to mind, but still worth a watch despite its rather predictable storyline. Duvall plays Gordon McCloud, the manager of Scotland's fictional  Kilnockie FC. It's a struggling franchise in danger of being sold by a greedy American owner (Michael Keaton) and led on the pitch by aging star Jackie McQuillan (former Scottish footballer Ally McCoist), who also happens to be McCloud's son-in-law. 

It's girl power at its finest, with some English football and the Spice Girls. One of the surprise hits of the early 2000s, Bend it Like Beckham introduced the cinema world to Keira Knightley. Her character, Jules, and pal Jess (Parminder Nagra) showed that girls could shun stereotypes and use sports as an empowering vehicle toward a well-rounded life, no matter where they come from and what they believe. The football scenes are nicely done, and Beckham makes a late and brief cameo.

West Germany's stunning victory over heavily favored Hungary in the final of the 1954 World Cup helps a recent POW form a relationship with his 11-year-old son, who is a huge football fan. While the father struggles with his post-World War II life, a trip together to Bern for the World Cup final provides a turning point in their lives — and for West German star Helmut Rahn, who helps heal a nation move on through one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.

Loosely based on John King's book of the same name, The Football Factory is another drama that tackles the subject of hooligan firms. This particular British film focuses on Chelsea and die-hard Tommy Johnson. Danny Dyer's performance in the lead role is noteworthy, but the movie is dark and disturbing. As noted on this list, channeling into the world of hooliganism is not necessarily for the faint of heart, even if it makes for entertaining and dramatic viewing.

This movie is also known for its alternate title, The Miracle Match. Angelo Pizzo, of Hoosiers and Rudy fame, wrote the screenplay based on the United States upsetting England in the 1950 World Cup . The film starred Gerard Butler and Wes Bentley and featured Bush's Gavin Rossdale. It dug into the lives of the players on that U.S. squad — offering some off-pitch insight intended to provide some depth and grow relationships before one of the greatest soccer moments in the history of the U.S. program. 

Goal! is the first in a trilogy of films, followed by 2007's Goal II: Living the Dream and 2009's Goal III: Taking on the World . The consensus is that the first installment is the best of the lot. It's the story of Santiago Muñez (Kuno Becker), a budding soccer star who hails from one of the poorer areas of Los Angeles. Over time, Santi gets noticed for his skills and eventually earns a tryout with England's Newcastle United. From there, Santi's trials and tribulations are detailed. Over the years, Goal! has earned cult-like status, especially from Newcastle supporters.

Keeping with the trend of films with multiple names, Green Street has also been referred to as Green Street Hooligans and Hooligans. This Lexi Alexander-directed drama nicely offers an American twist to the hooligan culture. Elijah Wood's Matt takes in an English football match while visiting family in London. While there, he's introduced to a local hooligan firm, Green Street Elite, and quickly becomes a prominent member. His life is upended, but his newfound community also instills confidence and improves his self-esteem in a roundabout way. 

Depending on who is talking, Kicking & Screaming is a decent comedy with Will Ferrell in the lead or one of his time-wasting pictures. Still, the soccer backdrop is a key plot point and provides most of the movie's memorable moments. It delivers enough to watch casually on basic cable. Phil (Ferrell) is a mild-manned guy who does not want to turn out like his ultra-competitive father (Robert Duvall). Mike Ditka’s appearance is a highlight.

Based on the successful 2006 novel The Damned Utd. This movie adaption of the book's essentially fictional tale of Brian Clough's rather disastrous tenure as Leeds United manager during the early-to-mid 1970s did not do well at the box office. It was also ripped for various inaccuracies regarding the actual story (and resulted in at least one lawsuit). However, Welsh actor Michael Sheen was lauded for his performance in the lead role. 

Not every movie on our list is about game-action soccer. In the case of this underrated British comedy-drama, it's more about the spirit of the game that drives the plot. It follows a group of young African soccer fans trekking thousands of miles on the continent for Fabrice, a talented footballer, to potentially participate in the 2010 World Cup opening ceremonies. The adventure offers moments of danger, emotion, and plenty of humor. This is a must-see for those who cherish all that soccer can do to unite the world.