The FIFA World Cup has already begun — the atmosphere is heating up. If you want to keep the excitement going while the tournament is underway, it’s hard to think of a better way than watching a great football movie. We’ve gathered six films that will help you get in the tournament mood: there’s time-tested classics, heartwarming dramas, and a story about a true legend.
We’ve compiled the top football movies to celebrate the start of the World Cup
“Victory” — A Little-Known Film with Stallone
Let’s start with a classic: the film “Victory” is worth rewatching even today. The action takes place during World War II: Allied prisoners are offered the chance to play an exhibition match against a German team, and the game unexpectedly turns into something much bigger than just sport.
A great film that few people know about. Photo: kino-teatr.ru
The main highlight of the film is the cast: real football stars take the field, led by Pelé and Bobby Moore, while Sylvester Stallone himself takes his place in goal. It plays like a solid classic football movie where you want to play along with the characters in every scene on the pitch.
“Bend It Like Beckham” — A Film About Women’s Football
If you’re in the mood for something light and uplifting, this story is a perfect fit. At the center of the plot is a girl from a strict family who loves football and dreams of playing seriously, even though her family, to put it mildly, doesn’t approve of such a hobby.
A once-hyped film that really boosted women’s football. Photo: okko.tv
What makes the film engaging isn’t so much the matches but its lively tone: it’s about friendship, growing up, and the right to pursue what you love. After its release, the film literally pushed thousands of girls around the world to sign up for football clubs. A heartwarming football movie that lifts your spirits even if you’re indifferent to sports.
“Goal!” — The Most Famous Football Film
Now this is a pure fan’s dream, laid out step by step. In the film “Goal!” a guy from a modest family gets a chance to break into big European football and moves toward his goal step by step through training, doubt, and sheer determination. The film honestly shows that talent without hard work means very little, and the road to the top is almost never straight.
A cult football film that’s always fun to rewatch. Photo: kick-or-die.ru
It’s also the first part of an entire trilogy, so if it hooks you, the sequels will keep your evenings busy. A perfect choice for capturing that spirit of big-time football.
“The Miracle of Bern” — A Film About the Football World Cup
The film about the Miracle of Bern is a direct hit for the World Cup atmosphere. It’s based on a real sensation: Germany’s triumph at the 1954 World Cup, which almost nobody expected at the time. But the story is told not from the stands or through the eyes of coaches, but through an ordinary family and a boy for whom football becomes a way to cope with difficult times.
A masterpiece about 20th-century football that’s still captivating today. Photo: media-amazon.com
The result is touching and genuinely warm, without unnecessary grandeur. A great reason to remind yourself that great World Cup victories are born not only on the field but also in the hearts of fans. Yes, you should watch football movies also because they’re often based on real events!
“Pelé: Birth of a Legend” — How a Superstar Was Born
Since we’ve mentioned legends, we can’t overlook the film about Pelé. This is a biopic about a young Brazilian who grew up in a poor neighborhood and managed to reach the pinnacle of world football, giving the world his unique playing style along the way. The film carefully shows how the character of the future superstar was shaped and what price World Cup triumphs come at. Beautifully shot, with genuine respect for the hero and for Brazil itself. It’s also a great way to explain to the younger generation why Pelé is a legend.
If you haven’t watched the film about Pelé yet, it’s time to fix that. Photo: film.ru
“Green Street Hooligans” — A Film About Football Fans
And as a bonus — a film that’s not so much about the game itself as about what goes on around it. There are almost no matches here, but there are stands, fan culture, and a dangerous brotherhood that draws in the main character. The atmosphere is thick and at times rough, so “Green Street Hooligans” is more of a drama with character than a cozy evening film.
