Top 10 American Football Movies

If watching the games isn't enough, you're in the right place. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we're counting down our picks for the Top 10 American Football Movies.

For this list, we're taking a look at the films that center on the sport of American Football and are making our choices based on a mix of how memorable, popular and successful they are. Warning: This video contains spoilers, Keanu Reeves and kids playing football.

Shane Falco was once the star QB of his school team, but he choked during his final college game and failed to break pro. Of course, choking in big games doesn't have to end your career… just ask Peyton Manning. But when the starting players on the Washington Sentinels strike, Falco finally gets his chance to redeem himself. This sports comedy is great because we get to watch Keanu Reeves leading ragtag semi-pros. It's also silly, light and definitely worth watching. Although, why Keanu doesn't just use his awesome Matrix powers during games is beyond us!

After a plane crash claims the lives of the entire team, Marshall University rallies to ensure their football program can continue. The Uni President has to find a new coach, new players and a way to convince the NCAA to allow the team to play. Despite a rough start to the season, the team holds on to win their first home game of the season. The community coming together around the team following a tragedy is powerful stuff to watch, and something the real NFL didn't experience until the 2009 New Orleans team and that's part of what makes this historical drama, based on true events, stand out.

When two brothers start coaching rival peewee football teams, it leads to one of the most well-known family sports comedies of all time. One coaches the titular underdog Giants and the other the cocky Cowboys. Of course, the Giants win on a last minute play and the brothers are brought closer together. And while the film made a slight loss at the box office, it still managed to work its way into many people's hearts. Plus, one of the plays featured in the comedy, called the Annexation of Puerto Rico, was actually used by the Carolina Panthers in 2011.

Another true story, this telefilm shows the friendship between Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. Both Chicago Bears players, Sayers is the old pro and Piccolo the young talent. A relationship that transcends race, their friendship is tested when Piccolo gets cancer, ending his career and leaving him terminally ill. The portrayal of the teammates isn't overly soppy, but does show the genuine affection between the two men in a gentle and effective way. Both the true parts, and the fictional scenes, are extremely moving viewing so it's no wonder it's been called one of the best made-for-TV movies ever.

Marky Mark plays a 30-year-old bartender who tries out for the Philadelphia Eagles. Yeah, that happens. Just add a talking teddy bear and you've got a smash hit comedy. But “Invincible” is actually based on a true story. This film doesn't only show viewers that some dreams can come true, it also gives us some great shots of Wahlberg exercising on the streets. Because, you know, sports movies, never really show us someone running around in Philadelphia… not that that matters, we're here for the football after all!

This film is a classic. When ex-pro Quarterback Paul “Wrecking” Crewe gets sent to jail, the prison warden decides to hold a game between the guards and the inmates. The warden also promises Crewe a shortened sentence if he throws the game. Of course, Crewe befriends the prisoners and helps them win the game. This film was so good it inspired a remake and a soccer version. Although both of those movies had a severe shortage of Burt Reynolds.

This film follows Rudy Ruettiger's attempts to make the Notre Dame team. Despite being too short and too weak to make the team and too thick to get into the school, Rudy never relents. He gets special teaching to meet Notre Dame's standards and trains for years as a tackling dummy until he's finally allowed to play one game. This tale of determination has the right balance of grit and hope to make the film work. It was that same grit and hope that helped Rudy become the first person to be carried off Notre Dame's field.

This film is worth watching just for the cast. Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid, Cameron Diaz, etc. After starting QB Cap Rooney injures himself, the team is left with career long benchwarmer Willie Beaman. Beaman starts to show immense talent, which blossoms into cockiness, meaning the coach, Tony D'Amato, now has a quarterback controversy on his hands. The result? An intense film with high drama throughout. And yes, that epic speech.

This movie shows how sports can exacerbate race relations, and create tension. The film starts with two segregated schools, one black, one white, being forced to join into one. In this merger, the coach of the black team becomes the coach of the combined squad. Naturally this creates a mixed atmosphere, but the team becomes a beacon of unity. Though not as epic as watching Denzel rail coke and then fly a jet, here, he still delivers a performance with gravitas and class.

Before we get to our number one, let's have a look at some honorable mentions:
- “The Blind Side” (2009)
- “The Waterboy” (1998)
- “Varsity Blues” (1999)
- “Necessary Roughness” (1991)

This film really captures what Texas football is about. Following the high school team from Odessa, the drama highlights the importance of each game to the community. The team looks stumped after star player Boobie Miles is injured during the season opener. Wait, his name is Boobie? Without their star, the team appears doomed. But through inspirational speeches from Bad Santa and hard work, the team rallies to make the semi-finals. “Friday Night Lights” is an honest and emotive film that understands its subject and portrays it brilliantly. It even spawned a TV show. And okay, let's say that one more time... Boobie.

Do you agree with our list? What's your favorite football flick? For more entertaining top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.