Best-Reviewed Pro Football Movies

Critics Consensus: Concussion lands a solid, well-acted hit on its impressively timely subject matter, even if its traditional sports drama structure is a little too safe to deserve a full-on dance in the end zone.

Synopsis: While conducting an autopsy on former NFL football player Mike Webster (David Morse), forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith) discovers neurological deterioration that is... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Arliss Howard

Directed By: Peter Landesman

Critics Consensus: A smart, tense thriller from director John Frankenheimer, Black Sunday succeeds on a technical level, even if it fails to bring its characters to vivid life.

Synopsis: Blimp pilot Michael Lander (Bruce Dern), who has endured the horrors of the Vietnam War, is now psychotic. Hoping to kill himself in grand fashion,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Shaw, Bruce Dern, Marthe Keller, Fritz Weaver

Directed By: John Frankenheimer

Critics Consensus: As simple and authentic as the gritty South Philly invirons in which it's set in, Invincible sends a uplifting and heartfelt message packed with an athletic enthusiasm that shouldn't be missed.

Synopsis: Lifelong football fan Vince Papale sees his wildest dreams come true when he becomes a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. While teaching at his high-school... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks, Kevin Conway

Directed By: Ericson Core

Critics Consensus: Equal parts tough and funny, and led by a perfectly cast Burt Reynolds, The Longest Yard has an interesting political subtext and an excellent climax -- even if it takes too long to get there.

Synopsis: An ex-football star doing time is forced by the warden to organize a team of inmates to play against his own line-up of guards. The... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert, Ed Lauter, Michael Conrad

Directed By: Robert Aldrich

Critics Consensus: Anchored by dazzling performances from Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Renée Zellweger, as well as Cameron Crowe's tender direction, Jerry Maguire meshes romance and sports with panache.

Synopsis: When slick sports agent Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) has a crisis of conscience, he pens a heartfelt company-wide memo that promptly gets him fired. Desperate... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger, Kelly Preston

Directed By: Cameron Crowe

Critics Consensus: Featuring Patton Oswalt's sympathetic portrayal, Big Fan humorously and effectively captures the dark and lonely world of a sports fanatic.

Synopsis: Paul Aufiero, a parking-garage employee, is a huge fan of the New York Giants. He lives at home with his mother and spends much of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Michael Rapaport

Directed By: Robert D. Siegel

Critics Consensus: Buoyed by standout performances from James Caan and Billy Dee Williams, Brian's Song is a touching tale of friendship whose central relationship transcends its standard sports movie moments.

Synopsis: Brian Piccolo (James Caan) and Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) are teammates on the mid-1960s Chicago Bears. At a time when professional football still bears... View Full Synopsis

Starring: James Caan, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Warden, Shelley Fabares

Directed By: Buzz Kulik