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Best Football Movies for Kids
Jean Baptiste Kwitonda ·
Our guide to the best football movies for kids includes heartwarming comedies like Little Giants, inspiring true stories like Rudy, and important dramas like Remember the Titans.
The best football movies for kids and families celebrate teamwork, perseverance, and the thrill of the game. This list includes a wide range of options, from hilarious comedies about underdog youth teams to powerful dramas based on the true stories of legendary players and coaches. Whether you're looking for a silly movie about a dog who can play football or an inspiring story about overcoming adversity, you'll find a great pick for your next family movie night.
Use this guide to find the perfect football film for your family's ages and interests. Each entry details what parents should know about the movie's content and themes, along with a specific age recommendation to help you choose with confidence. We've included a mix of lighthearted fun, emotional true stories, and thought-provoking dramas to cover all the bases.
Choose tonight’s movie
Quick Picks
- Little Giants — A hilarious and heartwarming underdog story for younger viewers.
- Rudy — The ultimate true story about perseverance and achieving your dreams.
- Remember the Titans — A powerful film about teamwork overcoming racial division.
- Air Bud: Golden Receiver — Purely silly, low-stakes fun with a football-playing dog.
Movie Knight guide
The Full List
No. 1
Little Giants
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Youth football comedy
Little Giants
Little Giants is a hilarious 1994 family comedy about a group of misfit kids who form their own football team to take on an elite local squad. Parents should know that the film centers on a competitive but ultimately loving sibling rivalry between two brothers who are coaching the opposing teams. While it features some mild football tumbles and name-calling, its message is overwhelmingly positive. This movie works best for kids 7 and up.
Families who enjoy a classic underdog story with plenty of laughs will love this film. It’s a great movie for starting conversations about good sportsmanship, inclusion, and what it means to be part of a team, no matter your skill level.
No. 2
Air Bud: Golden Receiver
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The gentlest pick
Air Bud: Golden Receiver
Air Bud: Golden Receiver is a G-rated family film where Josh, the young owner of a talented golden retriever, tries out for the football team at his new school. As in the first film, his dog Buddy proves to be a secret athletic weapon, this time amazing everyone with his ability to catch a football. Parents should know the movie contains some mild slapstick humor and brief moments of bullying from older kids, but it's a very gentle story. The film is fine for all ages but works best for kids 6 and up.
This sweet and silly sequel is perfect for younger children and animal lovers. It offers a low-stakes story about fitting in, believing in yourself, and the loyal bond between a boy and his very special dog.
No. 3
Rebound
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Inspiring true story
Rebound
The 2023 film Rebound is an uplifting sports drama based on the true story of a South Korean high school basketball team. With a new coach and only six players, the struggling team works toward the 2012 National High School Basketball Championship. While it's a basketball story, its themes of teamwork and grit fit right in with the best football movies. The movie is best suited for ages 8 and up.
This comeback story is a great pick for families who appreciate true stories about perseverance against the odds. It celebrates the power of teamwork and the spirit of never giving up, which are valuable lessons in any sport.
No. 4
Kicking & Screaming
Kicking & Screaming is a 2005 comedy about a mild-mannered father who becomes the coach of his son's soccer team, only to transform into a hyper-competitive tyrant. The humor comes from the over-the-top dynamic between the well-meaning dad and his own ultra-competitive father. Parents should know there is some mild language and intense comedic energy that might be a lot for younger viewers. This movie works best for kids 8 and up. Kids who enjoy slapstick and parents who can laugh at the absurdity of competitive youth sports will get a kick out of this one. It's a funny, if exaggerated, look at how grown-ups can sometimes lose perspective.
No. 5
Angel GuildGreater
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Faith and football
Greater
Greater is a 2016 biographical film that tells the true story of Brandon Burlsworth, who walked on to the University of Arkansas football team and became an All-American player. The movie focuses on his deep faith, incredible work ethic, and determination to succeed against all odds. Parents should know the story involves some emotional intensity related to loss, along with realistic physical collisions during football scenes. This inspiring drama works best for kids 8 and up.
This is a powerful choice for families who appreciate stories of character and integrity. The film highlights the importance of perseverance and family support, making it an uplifting and thought-provoking watch.
Watch Greater on Angel →No. 6
We Are Marshall
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Emotional true story
We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall tells the powerful true story of how a university and town coped with the aftermath of a tragic 1970 plane crash that killed most of its football team. The film follows the new coach and surviving players as they work to rebuild the program and heal the community. Parents must know that the film deals directly with themes of mass casualty, grief, and loss, which are central to the plot. This emotional drama is best suited for children aged 10 and up with a parent nearby.
This film is a moving testament to resilience and the power of a community coming together in the face of tragedy. It can spark important conversations about hope, determination, and honoring memory.
No. 7
Rudy
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The classic underdog
Rudy
Rudy is the iconic 1993 film based on the true story of Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger, a young man who dreams of playing football for Notre Dame despite his small size and poor grades. The movie is a tribute to sheer will and the refusal to give up, showing how dedication can triumph over a lack of natural talent. Parents should know it contains some football hits and moments of frustration related to working-class struggles, but it's a very positive story. The movie is perfectly suitable for ages 8 and up.
This film is a must-see for anyone who loves an inspiring story about achieving a lifelong dream. It’s a timeless family classic that teaches kids the value of hard work, believing in yourself, and never letting anyone tell you something is impossible.
No. 8
Remember the Titans
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Teamwork over division
Remember the Titans
Remember the Titans is a celebrated 2000 film set in 1971, when a newly integrated Virginia high school must bring its Black and white football players together as one team. The story follows the two coaches who guide their players to overcome racial prejudice and forge a powerful bond. Parents should know the movie depicts historical racism, including slurs and fistfights, and includes an intense car accident. This film works best for kids 9 and up.
This is an excellent movie for starting conversations about civil rights, respect, and the power of sports to unite people. It’s a compelling story about leadership, friendship, and seeing people for who they are, not what they look like.
No. 9
Angel GuildFacing the Giants
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Faith-based inspiration
Facing the Giants
Facing the Giants is a 2006 faith-based film about a high school football coach who is on the verge of losing his job and his hope. He turns to his faith and inspires his underdog team to believe in themselves and each other, leading to a dramatic change in their fortunes on and off the field. Parents should know the film includes emotional moments related to personal struggles and feelings of failure. This uplifting movie is best for kids 8 and up.
Families looking for a football movie with a strong message of faith and perseverance will find it here. The film focuses on themes of dedication, mentorship, and overcoming adversity through belief in a higher purpose.
Watch Facing the Giants on Angel →No. 10
Angel GuildRun the Race
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Brotherhood and belief
Run the Race
Run the Race is a 2019 drama about two brothers who rely on each other after their mother's death and their father's abandonment. When a disabling injury ends one brother's dream of a football scholarship, the other brother steps up to secure their future, finding new hope through his faith. Parents should know the film deals with the emotional weight of a significant sports injury, grief, and parental absence. This movie works best for kids 9 and up.
This film will resonate with families who appreciate stories about sibling bonds and finding strength through adversity. It's a touching look at how faith and family can provide hope even when a long-held dream is broken.
Watch Run the Race on Angel →No. 11
Angel GuildThe Blind Side
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A story of family
The Blind Side
The Blind Side is the 2009 film based on the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless teenager who is welcomed into a family that helps him discover his potential on and off the football field. The film follows his journey from a difficult past to a bright future, thanks to the love and support of his new family. Parents should know the movie contains some mild thematic elements of prejudice and brief references to past trauma and poverty. This heartwarming story is best for kids 10 and up.
This is a moving film about the power of compassion, empathy, and what it truly means to be a family. It’s a great conversation starter about helping others, overcoming personal history, and the importance of belonging.
Watch The Blind Side on Angel →No. 12
Friday Night Lights
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Best for older teens
Friday Night Lights
The 2004 film Friday Night Lights is a raw and realistic drama about the immense pressure on a high school football team in a small Texas town. The movie does not shy away from mature themes, including the consequences of serious injuries, the stress of community expectations, and some strong language. Parents should know this is a gritty and intense film that portrays the harsh realities of high-stakes high school sports. It is best suited for mature teens aged 14 and up.
While too intense for younger kids, this film is a powerful look at the culture of American football. It provides a more complex perspective on teamwork, resilience, and what happens when an entire town's dreams rest on the shoulders of teenagers.
No. 13
Angel GuildWoodlawn
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Unity and faith
Woodlawn
Woodlawn is a 2015 film based on the true story of a high school football team in racially divided 1970s Alabama. As tensions escalate in their community, the team, led by its talented star player, finds a shared sense of purpose and unity through a spiritual awakening that inspires the entire school. Parents should know the movie accurately depicts the racial prejudice and slurs of the era and includes some intense conflict. This powerful film works best for kids 10 and up.
This is a great choice for families looking for an inspiring true story about overcoming division. It is a compelling testament to how faith, forgiveness, and love can help heal a community and bring people together.
Watch Woodlawn on Angel →Before you press play
A note for parents
Football movies offer more than just exciting plays; they are powerful tools for teaching kids about sportsmanship, resilience, and teamwork. These films provide great opportunities to discuss how to handle both winning and losing with grace and the importance of working hard toward a goal. For movies on this list that deal with more intense themes like racism or injury, consider watching them with your child to talk through the difficult moments and reinforce the positive lessons.
Questions parents ask
Parent FAQ
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