Best Soccer Movies and Documentaries to Watch Right Now (Ranked)
Whether you're looking for something to watch with the family after a match day or you want to dive deep into the tactical mind of Pep Guardiola, there's never been more great soccer content available than right now. From Oscar-winning dramas to Netflix fly-on-the-wall docs, here's a ranked list of the best soccer movies and documentaries available today.
Top Documentaries
1. All or Nothing: Manchester City (Amazon Prime)
The gold standard of sports documentaries. All-access footage of Manchester City during their first Premier League title under Pep Guardiola (2017-18 season). You get locker room conversations, tactical meetings, Guardiola's genius up close, and the emotional highs and lows of a historic season. Essential viewing for anyone interested in elite coaching or team dynamics.
2. Sunderland 'Til I Die (Netflix)
The bittersweet counterpart to the glamour docs — following Sunderland AFC's relegation and climb through English soccer's lower divisions. It's about loyalty, community, and what a soccer club means to a city beyond wins and losses. Genuinely moving. Multiple seasons available.
3. The Two Escobars (ESPN 30 for 30)
The extraordinary true story of Colombian soccer's rise in the 1980s-90s and its catastrophic intersection with Pablo Escobar's cocaine empire. When Andrés Escobar was murdered after scoring an own goal in the 1994 World Cup, it sent shockwaves through the sport. This documentary is essential viewing — it's not just about soccer, it's about power, corruption, and tragedy.
4. Pelé (Netflix)
A comprehensive look at Pelé's life and career from his childhood in Bauru, Brazil, to his World Cup victories and global legacy. Featuring archival footage and interviews, this documentary captures the magic of what many consider the greatest soccer player who ever lived. Available on Netflix.
5. Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (Film)
An art film unlike any sports documentary. Seventeen cameras tracked only Zinedine Zidane throughout one Real Madrid match. No narration, no interviews — just Zidane. A meditative portrait of one of the greatest players ever, and a unique cinematic experience. Available on streaming platforms.
6. Diego Maradona (Amazon Prime)
Asif Kapadia (the director of Amy and Senna) turns his documentary mastery to Maradona's extraordinary, complicated life. Focusing on his Napoli years — when Maradona lifted a poor southern Italian city to the heights of European soccer — this film captures both the magic and the tragedy of one of sport's most fascinating figures.
7. El Clásico: The Greatest Rivalry in Football (YouTube/Various)
Multiple documentaries exploring the century-long rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The political dimensions (Castilian center vs. Catalan identity), the greatest players in history, and the tactical battles that defined eras of European soccer.
8. Take Us Home: Leeds United (Amazon Prime)
Following Leeds United's push for promotion back to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa. An inspiring story of tactical innovation, passion, and a legendary coach's effect on a historic club.
Best Fiction Films
1. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
A British-Indian girl defies family expectations to pursue her dream of playing professional soccer. Funny, warm, culturally specific, and genuinely inspiring — especially for young female players. Still holds up beautifully after two decades.
2. Escape to Victory (1981)
Allied POWs challenge their Nazi captors to a soccer match. Starring Pelé, Bobby Moore, Michael Caine, and Sylvester Stallone. Completely implausible. Absolutely iconic. The kind of movie that reminds you soccer can be the backdrop for larger stories of freedom and dignity.
3. Goal! (2005)
A young Mexican-American player from Los Angeles gets a tryout with Newcastle United and fights against the odds to make it as a professional. Genuinely fun, particularly for youth players with big dreams. Spawned two sequels.
4. The Damned United (2009)
Michael Sheen's portrayal of Brian Clough's disastrous 44-day reign as Leeds United manager is one of the best performances in a sports movie ever made. A film about ego, loyalty, and the complex psychology of management. Brilliant.
5. Green Street Hooligans (2005)
An American student gets drawn into the world of West Ham United's firm. Controversial, visceral, and genuinely compelling look at soccer's darker subcultures. Not for young players, but fascinating for adult soccer fans.
For Youth Players and Families
If you're watching with young players, the best options are:
- Pelé (Netflix) — inspiring life story, appropriate for all ages
- Bend It Like Beckham — great for youth female players especially
- Goal! — the dream-big story that resonates with every ambitious young player
- Various YouTube channels — The Overlap, DAZN Soccer, Copa90 all produce excellent documentary content
On YouTube (Free)
Don't overlook YouTube for exceptional soccer content. Copa90's production on fan culture and grassroots soccer is world-class. DAZN's documentaries on individual players are frequently excellent. And of course, the extended highlights of classic matches — watching Ronaldinho at Barcelona or Messi's greatest Champions League nights for free is genuinely one of the internet's best offerings.
Whatever you watch, let it fuel the love of the game. The best part about soccer films and docs: they remind you that this sport matters to people in ways that go far beyond 90 minutes and a scoreline.