10 Best Soccer Movies Ever Made

10 Best Soccer Movies Ever Made

Maradona

Diego Armando Maradona opened  up his life for the mercurial Serbian director Emir Kusturica. Kusturica could be accused of glozing willfully details of Maradona’s life, presenting him as a myth. The highlight of the movie is the marriage between two members of the Church of Maradona  in the middle of Argentinos Juniors' pitch.

Football Factory

Based on John King's novel, Football Factory prefers to highlight in the dark side of the game. The hooligans. The film charts Danny Dyer's descent into a state of paranoia after an encounter  with the family of the head of Milwalls’ hooligans Tamer Hassan. The movie closes with a brutal pitched battle arranged before a Chelsea- Millwall cup clash.

Escape to Victory

The film sets in a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp that stars Sylvester Stallone, Pele and Michael Caine. The plot is about an exhibition game against the guards that turns into a publicity stunt for the German authorities. 

Mean Machine

The film is a remake of American football flick The Longest Yar.  Vinnie Jones, the star of the movie, plays a former England captain who is haunted by allegations of match-fixing as his career went into a tailspin. Despite the film is fairly predictable, the journey and the ragtag characters of the prison keep the action lighthearted and energetic. Jason Statham plays a goalkeeper with an unintelligible Scottish accent.

Looking for Eric

In this film Ken Loach essays on the nature of fanaticism and how the game provides an escape from the drudgery of regular life. Eric Bishop, who is obsessed with Eric Cantona, watches his life fall apart until Cantona helps him make changes to his uninspiring existence.

The Damned United

The Damned United focuses on one of the darkest eras of Brian Cloughie's career. It’s all about the 44 days Clough spent as manager of Leeds United in 1974. A period that has gone down as one of the most infamous, controversial spells in football history. Michael Sheen plays the main role.

Mike Bassett: England Manager

A comedy about an uncouth, foul-mouthed lower league coach, who gets a top job, preparing England for the World cup. Nothing can go right for the hapless manager, played by Ricky Tomlinson, until the semi-final defeat against Brazil that allows him to hold his head high.

Fever Pitch

Based on Nick Hornby's homonym book, Fever Pitch tells a story about Paul, a fan of Arsenal, who juggles a job as a teacher and a newly-blossoming relationship with his love for the Gunners. It’s a gripping and enthralling film.

Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait

Zinedine Zidane couldn’t miss from the film industry as arguably is the greatest French player in football history. Zizou reduces the story of his subject to just a single game in his career but the breathtaking portrait of the player and the glorious visuals make the documentary worth a look.

The Goal! Trilogy

The third film of the trilogy charts the story of a Mexican immigrant, Santiago Munez, who dreams of making the most of his outrageous talents on the pitch. Munez proves his talent when he wins the opportunity of a trial with Newcastle United and finally plays in Champions League. Football can bring in the audiences as the first two films took of over $35 million.