15 Soccer Movies & TV Programs you need to watch

We all need plenty of things to keep us going through the current COVID lockdown so our ACSC coaches have done some brainstorming and put together a selection of their favorite soccer related TV shows and movies. 

Below are trailers and summaries on 15 movies and TV shows which differ greatly. From serious documentaries to comedies, our coaches’ selection has the whole family covered.

CLICK on the title for the trailer. 🍿🎥

• Diego Maradona – Said to be the best ever documentary on Diego Armando Maradona. Containing never before seen footage this docudrama focuses on Maradona’s tumultuous spell at Napoli when he delivered a Serie A title and was beloved by Neapolitans across the globe. Rated M  
• Escape to Victory – An American sports war film made in 1981. Set in France during the Second World War the film focuses on a team of star players playing against a German army amid the background of an escape. Stars Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone, Bobby Moore and Pele. Rated PG
• Bend it like Beckham – A great family movie made in 2002. Keira Knightly and Parminder Nagra star as aspiring young female players in London as their team, against all odds, prove they belong. A truly uplifting movie as curling free-kicks like David Beckham’s famed right foot is still the main aim for every young English girl and boy growing up. Bend it like Beckham has it all soccer, comedy and a little bit of romance! Keira Knightly and Parminder Nagra. Rated PG
• The Damned United –  Brian Clough is perhaps the greatest manager England has ever produced. He won two European Cups with Nottingham Forest and league title with Forest and rivals Derby Country and did it all while making everyone laugh. The movie stars Michael Sheen and focuses on his infamous 44-day spell in charge of Leeds United. Rated R (for language) 
• Mike Bassett: England Manager – Think of every single British soccer cliche that you can, this mock-documentary follows the inept Mike who finds himself managing the English Team after qualifying for the World Cup on a technicality. Rated M
• Kicking & Screaming – A feel-good comedy for the whole family. Will Ferrell stars as family man Phil Weston, a lifelong victim of his father’s competitive nature who takes on the coaching duties of a kids soccer team and soon finds that he’s also taking on his father’s dysfunctional way of relating. Rated PG
• We must go – An incredible documentary on Bob Bradley taking charge of the Egyptian national team after being fired by the USMNT in 2011.  Amid the uprising against the government in Egypt, the Port Said massacre, and huge unrest, people were united by one thing: Egypt reaching the 2014 World Cup for the first time in 24 years. This story about Bradley and his young team coming so close to their goal is emotional, dramatic and full of poignant moments. 
• Alex and Me – Alex and Me is an uplifting story of the passion and drive it takes to succeed and the power of family to help realize your dreams. Kid-friendly soccer tale with great positive messages. This film stars soccer player Alex Morgan. Rated G
• Pele: Birth of a Legend – Biographical film about the early life of Brazillian footballer Pele and his journey with Brazil to win the 1958 FIFA World Cup. Brilliant viewing. Rated PG.
• All or Nothing: Manchester City – An Amazon Original Series following English Premier League Manchester Citys progress through their 2017-2018 season in which they won two of four contested trophies and broke a series of Premier League performance-related records. Rated for 16+
• The English Game –  A historical sports drama television 6-part miniseries developed by Julian Fellows for Netflix about the origins of modern football in England.  High Recommended! Rated M.
• Sunderland ‘Till I Die – a fly on the wall sports documentary series following Sunderland A.F.C during their 2017–18 season which saw them relegated from the EFL Championship. Available on Netflix. Rated M.
• She’s the Man –   Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum star in this comedy about high school soccer as Bynes pretends she is a boy on the varsity team but there is plenty of drama along the way. Another inspirational story about women proving antiquated attitudes are no longer welcome in the beautiful game. Rated 
• United – The tragic story of the 1858 Munich Air Disaster is told in a compelling and gripping manner, as Manchester United’s famous Busby’s Babes are still revered to this day. One of the greatest teams English soccer has ever seen, the plane carrying United home from their European Cup clash at Partizan Belgrade crashed in Munich, Germany over a stop. Star players perished as the grief was felt by the entire soccer world.
• One night in Turin – Every single England fan out there will tell you they should have won the World Cup in 1990. Paul Gascoigne’s tears. Gary Lineker’s goals. More penalty kick heartache. This was typical England. Set against the backdrop of hooliganism on the rise in England once again, Sir Bobby Robson led his unfancied Three Lions squad to the brink of their first World Cup final since 1966. Rated