Best-Reviewed Pro Football Movies

Are you ready for some football? A brand new NFL season is just around the corner, so we at Rotten Tomatoes thought it was time to compile a list of the best-reviewed movies about pro football. These movies are taking it one game at a time. They aren’t afraid to get their jerseys a little dirty. And they always give 110 percent.

#10

Concussion (2015)
61%

#10

Adjusted Score: 67.592%

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: Based on the true story of the doctor who discovered CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in football players, and the uphill... [More]

Starring: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Directed By: Peter Landesman

#9

Black Sunday (1977)
71%

#9

Adjusted Score: 72.802%

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: With the help of international terrorists, angry Vietnam vet Lander plots to cause trouble at the Super Bowl by sending... [More]

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

Directed By: John Frankenheimer

#8

Invincible (2006)
71%

#8

Adjusted Score: 74.987%

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: This is the true story of Vince Papale, who became a member of the Philadelphia Eagles football team as a... [More]

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

Directed By: Ericson Core

#7

The Longest Yard (1974)
81%

#7

Adjusted Score: 84.093%

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: Ex-football star Paul Crewe (Burt Reynolds) ends up in a prison run by sadistic sports-nut Warden Hazen (Eddie Albert). Strong-armed... [More]

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

Directed By: Robert Aldrich

#6

Semi-Tough (1977)
88%

#6

Adjusted Score: 82.198%

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Burt Reynolds and Kris Kristofferson star as two pro-football pals who both fall for the team-owner's very rich daughter. Kind... [More]

Starring: Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, Jill Clayburgh, Robert Preston

Directed By: Michael Ritchie

#5

Jerry Maguire (1996)
82%

#5

Adjusted Score: 86.436%

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: Jerry Maguire is a man who knows the score. As a top agent at Sports Management International, Jerry is unquestionably... [More]

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

Directed By: Cameron Crowe

#4

Big Fan (2009)
86%

#4

Adjusted Score: 88.004%

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 35-year-old parking garage attendant from Staten Island, is the self-described "world's biggest New York Giants fan." He... [More]

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

Directed By: Robert D. Siegel

#3

North Dallas Forty (1979)
87%

#3

Adjusted Score: 88.44%

Critics Consensus: Muddled overall, but perceptive and brutally realistic, North Dallas Forty also benefits from strong performances by Nick Nolte and Charles Durning. Football fans will likely find it fascinating.

Synopsis: Onetime Dallas Cowboy Peter Gent's tell-all novel about the big business of football is the source for Ted Kotcheff's film,... [More]

Starring: Nick Nolte, Mac Davis, Charles Durning, Dayle Haddon

Directed By: Ted Kotcheff

#2

Heaven Can Wait (1978)
89%

#2

Adjusted Score: 92.495%

Critics Consensus: A throwback to the high-gloss screwball comedies of the 1940s, Heaven Can Wait beguiles with seamless production values and great comic relief from Charles Grodin and Dianne Cannon.

Synopsis: In this film, Warren Beatty plays pro-football-player Joe Pendleton, who is whisked to Heaven before his due date by over-eager... [More]

Starring: Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, James Mason, Jack Warden

Directed By: Warren Beatty, Buck Henry

#1

Brian's Song (1970)
92%

#1

Adjusted Score: 92.717%

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: This football film draws on the memoirs of Chicago Bears' Gale Sayers to depict his friendship with fellow player Brian... [More]

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

Directed By: Buzz Kulik