Our family enjoys watching sports. We also enjoy watching movies. When it comes to sports, the ones we watch the most are hockey and football. Probably because my two oldest boys were competitive hockey players for many years and because my husband has been a diehard Miami Dolphins fan since he was four years old. When it comes to movies that we watch as a family, we prefer comedies and movies with a good message or character lesson.

We also like the movies we watch together to be wholesome, and not full of hidden agendas, tons of foul language, sexual content, you get the idea. These days, movies like that for kids, are hard to find. In many instances, we’ll find ourselves watching older movies because they just seem to be safer and not full of junk.

Sports movies are some of my favorite kinds of movies because, well, we like sports, and they usually have a feel-good, character-building ending that hits home.

Now, I have a wide range of ages that I need to cater to when it comes to selecting movies for my family. Which can often make choosing a movie difficult, especially when I want the movie to be clean and family-friendly. If you’re looking for a good football movie for your family, I’ve done most of the work for you and below you’ll find my top picks for football movies that are family-friendly, but also enjoyed by all ages.

*Please note, these are my personal recommendations; movies that as a conservative Christian, I would be comfortable watching with my children. Always view movies in advance if you are unsure of the appropriateness for your own children.

Remember the Titans

Based on a true story set in the early 1970s, Remember the Titans stars Denzel Washington, who helps build up a team and unite a community facing racial prejudice and adversity.

Note – there is some minor language; some locker room scenes to be aware of; and racial tension and situations
Released in 2000 – Rated PG – 113 minutes

Rudy

If you like a good underdog story, you’ll likely enjoy the movie Rudy. Rudy is the story of a young man that has a dream of playing football at Notre Dame – a dream that most would deem impossible for him. Through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, Rudy overcomes many challenges with the hope of making his dream a reality.

Note – there is some minor language; some bar scenes
Released in 1993 – Rated PG – 113 minutes

American Underdog

American Underdog tells the story of NFL Football Hall of Famer, Kurt Warner. Warner, an unlikely candidate for pro football, raises above to ultimately attain a Super Bowl victory and MVP status. The film also shows how the relationship with his wife began and how his faith journey has been challenged and shaped through it all.

Released in 2021 – Rated PG – 112 minutes

Facing the Giants

Facing the Giants is a faith-based movie with a bit of a David and Goliath story line that shows how powerful prayer and faith can be when miracles start to happen, and not just on the football field.

Released in 2006 – Rated PG – 111 minutes

23 Blast

23 Blast is the inspiring true story of a high school football player who goes blind after contracting an infection, but is still able to play the sport he loves despite his disability with the help of his family, teammates, and personal strength.

Note – there is some minor language; some flirting scenes; drinking
Released in 2014 – Rated PG-13 – 98 minutes

We Are Marshall

Matthew McConaughey stars in We Are Marshall as a coach determined to resurrect a college football program after almost the entire team is killed in an unthinkable plane crash. This emotional drama tells the true story of how a school and a community overcome such a tragic loss.

Note – there is some minor language
Released in 2006 – Rated PG – 124 minutes

Below is a list of several more football movies that are good picks for families, but might not be appropriate for the entire family. The movies below have some mature content that would be fine for teens, but not necessarily for younger kids.

Greater

Released in 2016 – Rated PG – 130 minutes

The Blind Side

Released in 2009 – Rated PG-13 – 128 minutes

Invincible

Released in 2006 – Rated PG – 104 minutes

Woodlawn

Released in 2015 – Rated PG – 123 minutes

The Replacements

Released in 2000 – Rated PG-13 – 118 minutes

Radio

Released in 2003 – Rated PG – 109 minutes

What football movies would you add to the list?