Weekend Football Film Marathon: Best Movies To Watch

by Alexandra Mansilla

Weekend Football Film Marathon: Best Movies To Watch

22 Jun 2024

From June 14 until July 14, football fans (and let's be honest, not just them) are glued to Euro 2024. To add to the excitement, we have put together a list of movies that will immerse you even deeper into the football atmosphere. So, here are our favourites.

United (2011)

This film, based on real events, tells the story of the 1958 plane crash that killed 23 people, including eight players from the Manchester United football club (known as the "Busby Babes" after their coach). The film follows the challenging and determined journey of rebuilding the team, highlighting the pivotal roles of coach Jimmy Murphy (David Tennant) and young player Bobby Charlton (Jack O'Connell), who survived the crash.

United (2011). Source: IMDb

The Damned United (2009)

At 29, footballer Brian Clough ended his playing career due to an injury. He then took on the role of manager for Derby County, leading them to an English championship title. Later, he left this position to manage Leeds United, a stint that lasted just 44 days.

Although Brian Clough did indeed manage Leeds United for 44 days, the events in the film are said to be highly exaggerated and dramatised (some even fabricated), so they shouldn't be taken as a strict biography.

The Damned United (2009). Source: IMDb

All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur (2020)

This documentary series delves into the 2019/2020 season of the Tottenham Hotspur football club. It covers major events like the dismissal of Mauricio Pochettino and the appointment of José Mourinho as head coach. You can dive into exclusive behind-the-scenes footage at training sessions, crucial matches, and off-field moments.

All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur (2020). Source: IMDb

Maradona (2008)

Emir Kusturica's documentary delves into the life and career of the legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona. It features his iconic goals, "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century," and goes beyond his football genius, portraying Maradona as a real person with emotions, struggles, scandals, and battles with addiction.

Photo: Revista El Grafico

Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016)

This biographical film tells the inspiring story of Pelé, charting his rise from a poor boy in a Brazilian village to becoming a global football legend. The film focuses on the challenges and obstacles Pelé faced and overcame, and his pivotal role in Brazil's 1958 World Cup victory when he was just 17 years old.

Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016). Source: IMDb

Summer of '92 (2015)

This film tells the true story of an incredible victory. Denmark's national football coach, Richard Møller Nielsen, faces a tough challenge with a team that refuses to play by his tactics. However, everything changes in the summer of 1992. The Danish team had failed to qualify for the European Championship in Sweden, and the players were already on vacation when they received an unexpected call: Yugoslavia had been disqualified, and Denmark was asked to step in. Now, Richard must muster all his willpower and skill to turn a disjointed team into champions.

Summer of '92 (2015). Source: IMDb

Ted Lasso (2020)

If this show ever fades into obscurity, I (along with other fans) will keep singing its praises. "Ted Lasso" is an incredibly heartwarming series about the kindest coach ever. The plot follows an American football coach who arrives in England to coach AFC Richmond, a soccer team. Ted doesn't know the terminology or the rules of soccer, and no one believes in him except for himself and his assistant, Coach Beard. However, they are wrong to doubt him.

Ted Lasso (2020). Source: IMDb

by Alexandra Mansilla