The Super Bowl is the biggest stage in American sports with amazing Super Bowl picks. Each year, teams compete for the right to represent the National Football League in the game, with the winner claiming victory for the season.
The Super Bowl is also a huge cultural event, watched by millions worldwide. Given the event’s magnitude, it’s no surprise that it has been immortalized in films.
Here we look at seven of the best movies about the Super Bowl:
Rudy (1993)
The story of Sean Astin’s “5-foot-nothing, 100 without anything” squirt as he captures the hearts of not only the viewers but also his Notre Dame teammates is as inspiring as any “Rocky” picture – and pretty much any movie, period.
When the film’s climactic scene rolls around, and he runs out onto the field, you’ll feel ready to make a similar joyful tackle yourself.
Heaven Can Wait (1978)
Joe, a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, earns the starting job and then gets killed while bicycling home in a tragic accident framed by the football narrative device (thanks to angelic error).
He gets a second shot at life and lies in the body of a slain businessman since he is not destined to die quite yet.
All the Right Moves (1983)
Tom Cruise stars as Stef, a high school defensive back in a steel town in Pennsylvania. Despite the odds against him, Stef gets determined to use football as a way out of his small town. He gets met with resistance from his coach, Coach Nickerson (Craig T. Nelson), who gets determined to keep the team from winning.
Despite his coach’s opposition, Stef gets determined to make his dreams come true. He works hard on the field and off, and along the way, he finds love from his girlfriend, Lisa (Lea Thompson). Stef’s determination and hard work pay off, and he can eventually lead his team to victory.
He learns valuable life lessons, such as the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Tom Cruise does an excellent job of portraying Stef as a determined and driven young man who never gives up on his goals.
The Freshman (1925)
Harold Lloyd’s 1925 film The Freshman follows the story of a naïve freshman, Harold “Speedy” Lamb, who arrives at Tate University full of ambition and hopes of becoming a successful football star.
However, things do not go as planned, and he quickly finds himself the butt of the other students’ jokes and pranks. After several mishaps and misadventures, Speedy finally finds his footing and fits in with the other students.
Through his experiences, Speedy gains self-confidence and learns the importance of hard work and resilience. Along the way, Speedy also falls in love with a beautiful co-ed and manages to gain the respect of the football team.
The Freshman is a classic comedy that shows the struggles of being a freshman and how anyone can make it with a little hard work and determination.
Paper Lion (1968)
George Plimpton (Alan Alda), a maestro of participatory journalism, proposes going to a professional team’s training camp and trying to join the squad, but only the Detroit Lions get interested.
Even though his teammates (including star player Alex Karras) eventually warm up to him, his disastrous quarterbacking performance in his only game leaves a lasting impression. Negative 41 yards in just three plays.
The Last Boy Scout (1991)
This beautifully over-the-top action film stars Damon Wayans as a disgraced quarterback who partners up with Bruce Willis’s private eye character in Los Angeles to investigate illegal gambling.
Particularly noteworthy is the opening sequence, which has a rocking “Monday Night Football”-style opener and a man amid a drug-fueled frenzy blasting his way into the end zone.
Horse Feathers (1932)
One of the great Marx Brothers’ comedies took place on a playground. The New Huxley College president (played by Groucho Marx) tries to hire two professional athletes to assist in winning a game against Darwin University but instead gets two bootleggers.
Shenanigans follow, including a hysterical chariot chase and a dog that runs away during the Big Game.
Verdict
As these seven movies demonstrate, the Super Bowl is an event that brings out strong emotions in everyone who watches it. Whether it’s the story of two friends competing for the same ultimate prize, or a rag-tag team of misfits making a name for themselves in the big game, these stories are relatable.
Fans of the Super Bowl might enjoy these films, not just for their entertainment value but because they provide insight into the game’s culture.
