Top 10 Best Football Movies Ever Made

At the top of the list is this brilliant character study of the most remarkable manager England has ever known: “Brian Clough”. The film focuses on his disastrous 44-day spell as manager of Leeds United. Michael Sheen plays the role of Clough truly incomparably. It is a film about ego, jealousy and the bitter rivalry between trainers. It exudes the smell of wet grass, cigar smoke and muddy fields. A masterpiece that shows that football takes place at least as much in people's heads as on the field itself.

This film is a beautiful, understated tribute to the “Busby Babes” of Manchester United. It tells the tragic story of the 1958 Munich plane crash, in which much of the team died. The focus is on young Bobby Charlton and the club's enormous resilience. It is an emotional film that shows how sport can connect a city in times of deep sadness. The atmosphere of 1950s England is beautifully captured, including the time when football players still took the bus to the match.

This is without a doubt the most legendary football film ever. Where else can you see Sylvester Stallone standing in the goal while “Pelé” makes a masterful bicycle kick? The story about a competition between prisoners of war and the Nazis is large-scale and full of American drama. With roles for real football heroes such as Bobby Moore and Osvaldo Ardiles, it is a treat for fans. It may not be the most realistic film, but the iconic images make up for it.

Elijah Wood trades his hobbit feet for coffins in this story about the “firms” of West Ham United. He plays an American student who accidentally ends up in the violent world of the GSE (Green Street Elite). The film explores the psychology of peer pressure and the need for belonging. Although the film is sometimes somewhat romanticized, it remains a compelling portrait of camaraderie and the rivalry with arch-enemy Millwall. The tension is palpable in every scene.

This Hungarian film is a lot grimmer than most titles on this list. During World War II, prisoners in a labor camp must battle a team of Nazi officers. The stakes are high: winning probably means a death sentence for the prisoners, losing means selling their honor. It is an impressive drama about moral choices and the power of sport as the last straw of dignity. The film was the direct inspiration for later blockbusters such as “Escape to Victory”.

This is the classic fairy tale of the “underdog” who makes it to the top of the world. Santiago Munez is a poor Mexican boy in Los Angeles who is discovered by pure chance. He gets a trial period at the English Newcastle United and has to fight injuries, homesickness and the cutthroat competition. The film was made with the cooperation of FIFA, so you see many real stars such as “Zinedine Zidane”. It's a film that does exactly what it's supposed to do: makes you believe that dreams can come true.

Vinnie Jones was already a feared figure on the field, so the step to the silver screen was small. In “Mean Machine” he plays a former national team captain who ends up in jail. There he is given the task of training a team of prisoners for a match against the corrupt guards. Don't expect high-tech football, but do expect tough tackles and a good dose of black humor. The film is a British nod to the American classic “The Longest Yard” and entertains from start to finish.

No one describes a football fan's obsession better than author “Nick Hornby”. In this film version we see Colin Firth as a teacher whose entire life revolves around Arsenal. His relationship with a new colleague comes under pressure when his love for the club seems to overshadow everything. The film is set around the legendary championship year of 1989. It is a celebration of recognition for anyone who has ever had their mood ruined by a defeat in the last minute. A romantic comedy with a good dose of mud on the studs.

For those who want to see the dark side of British football, “The Football Factory” is a bitter pill to swallow. We follow Tommy, a young fan of Chelsea's hard core. For him, life is not about the ninety minutes on the field, but about the adrenaline of the confrontation on the street. It is a raw and sometimes violent look at a subculture full of its own laws and loyalties. The film is based on the book by John King and shows how pointless, but at the same time addictive, the world of hooligans can be.

In this heartwarming film we follow Jess, a girl from a traditional Sikh family in London. Her parents would like her to study law and find a good husband, but Jess has only one idol: “David Beckham”. She dreams of being able to play football as well as he does. The film addresses serious themes such as cultural differences and the emancipation of women's football in a light-hearted manner. It is a wonderful “coming-of-age” story in which passion for the sport ultimately breaks through all barriers.