From a 1974 prison comedy to a tearjerker: 10 greatest football movies of all time, ranked to watch before Thanksgiving

A holiday mix of games and films

The holiday football schedule starts Wednesday the 25th with the Packers visiting the Rams on Netflix. The slate continues Thursday with the Bears at Lions, Eagles at Cowboys and Chiefs at Bills, then concludes on Black Friday with the Broncos at Steelers.

The ten selections bring together very different takes on the sport, ranging from rough-edged comedy to a story about a threat at the Super Bowl. The films span 1971 through 2014, and the list includes true stories, a literary adaptation and a TV movie remembered for its emotional impact.

The ranking emphasizes the movies’ staying power and character work. Jerry Maguire is included even though much of its story follows an agent, because football remains central throughout.

The original Longest Yard

Robert Aldrich directed the 1974 version of The Longest Yard, starring Burt Reynolds as Paul Crewe, a former professional quarterback disgraced after shaving points. A prison warden pushes Crewe to assemble an inmate football team for a game against the guards.

The prisoners take the name Mean Machine and welcome the chance to hit their opponents. Crewe’s initial cooperation with the warden creates tension with his teammates, while Michael Conrad plays an experienced coach among the inmates.

Ed Lauter portrays Captain Knauer, the guards’ formidable leader, and Aldrich keeps the action close during the game’s hard tackles. Packers linebacker Ray Nitschke also appears as an inmate, a connection for fans watching Green Bay’s Wednesday matchup.

What shapes the ranking

The list weighs how well each movie works on a return viewing, giving character development more importance than ticket sales or blockbuster scale. Its range of styles is meant to reflect the many ways filmmakers have approached football.

Some entries also connect with teams playing over Thanksgiving week. Brian’s Song is linked to the Bears, while Black Sunday features the Cowboys and Steelers.