Football is more than just a game – it is passion, fate, triumph and tragedy at the same time. No wonder that football also inspires its audience on canvas and streaming services. Whether captivating documentaries about legends such as Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi, exciting feature films about underdogs or emotional stories behind the scenes -here are the best football films and document that you have to see.
Table of contents
1. Documentation on legends
Diego Maradona (2019)
Duration: 130 min
Directed by: Asif Kapadia
Actor: Diego Maradona (archive material), Pelé, Claudia Villafañe
A fascinating insight into the life of the Argentine superstar, compiled from over 500 hours of unpublished material.
Messi (2014)
Duration: 93 min
Directed by: Álex de la iglesia
Actor: Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Andrés Iniesta
This documentation illuminates Lionel Messi’s rise from the little boy to the world star.
Pelé (2021)
Duration: 108 min
Directed by: Ben Nicholas, David Tryhorn
Actor: Pelé, Zagallo, Carlos Alberto Torres
A portrait of the Brazilian football idol that shows its career and influence on sport.
2. Successful stories & teams
All Or Nothing: Manchester City (2018)
Duration: 8 episodes each approx. 45 min
Directed by: Ferrin Murray, Paul Bell
Actor: Pep Guardiola, Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling
An exclusive look behind the scenes of Manchester City during the 2017/18 season under Pep Guardiola.
Take The Ball, Pass The Ball (2018)
Duration: 109 min
Directed by: Duncan McMath
Actor: Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi
The history of FC Barcelona under Pep Guardiola, based on the book of the same name.
The Class of ’92 (2013)
Duration: 99 min
Directed by: Benjamin Turner, Gabe Turner
Actor: David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes
Insights into the careers of six Manchester United players who shaped the club.
3. Football from other perspectives
The miracle of Bern (2003)
Duration: 118 min
Directed by: Sönke Wortmann
Actor: Louis Klamroth, Peter Lohmeyer, Johanna Gastdorf
A feature film about Germany’s World Cup triumph in 1954 and its social importance.
Goal! – The Dream Begins (2005)
Duration: 118 min
Directed by: Danny Cannon
Actor: Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel
The promotion story of a Mexican talent – first part of a trilogy.
Green Street Hooligans (2005)
Duration: 109 min
Directed by: Lexi Alexander
Actor: Elijah Wood, Charlie Hunnam, Claire Forlani
An exciting insight into England’s problematic fan culture.
4. Dokus about German football
Black Adler (2021)
Duration: 106 min
Directed by: Torsten Körner
Actor: Gerald Asamoah, Steffi Jones, Jimmy Hartwig
A moving documentary about racism experiences of black internationals: inside in Germany.
Germany. A summer fairy tale (2006)
Duration: 110 min
Directed by: Sönke Wortmann
Actor: Jürgen Klinsmann, Oliver Kahn, Miroslav Klose
Cult documentary on the summer fairy tale of the 2006 home World Cup.
Being Mario Götze (2018)
Duration: approx. 45 min
Directed by: Aljoscha break
Actor: Mario Götze, Ann-Kathrin Götze
An intimate portrait about the World Cup hero between shine and setbacks.
5. Insider tips & indie pearls
Next Goal Wins (2014)
Duration: 97 min
Directed by: Mike Brett, Steve Jamison
Actor: Thomas Rongen, Jaiyah Saelua
The touching story of the worst national team in the world: American Samoa.
United (2011)
Duration: 90 min
Directed by: James Strong
Actor: David Tennant, Jack O’Connell, Dougray Scott
The dramatic reconstruction of Manchester United after the aircraft accident from 1958.
Zidane – A 21st Century Portrait (2006)
Duration: 91 min
Directed by: Douglas Gordon, Philippe Parreno
Actor: Zinédine Zidane
A 90-minute real-time art film about Zinédine Zidane-recorded with 17 synchronized cameras.
(Tagstotranslate) All or Nothing City