Best movies like 12 Mighty Orphans
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Haunted by his mysterious past, a devoted high school football coach leads a scrawny team of orphans to the state championship during the Great Depression and inspires a broken nation along the way.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: History, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing, historical drama, inspirational, anamorphic, cult classic
Best tv shows and movies like 12 Mighty Orphans (2021):
Similar in 81%
Heart of Champions (2021)
Plot Summary:
During their last year at an Ivy League college in 1999, a group of friends and crew teammates' lives are changed forever when an army vet takes over as coach of their dysfunctional rowing team.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing, inspirational
Similar in 82%
Match (2012)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of the "death match" where the Soviet team "Start" scored its second victory over the German team «Flakelf» on August 9, 1942.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 833
Genere: Drama, History, Sport
Country: Russia
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: captivating, suspense
Similar in 79%
North Dallas Forty (1979)
Plot Summary:
A semi-fictional account of life as a professional Football (American-style) player. Loosely based on the Dallas Cowboys team of the early 1970s.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: clever, realistic, funny, spiritual, tense, serious, biting, surprise ending, inspirational, sexy
Similar in 78%
Under the Stadium Lights (2021)
Plot Summary:
After a crushing defeat ended their prior season, everyone counted the Abilene Eagles out of title contention. Facing doubts and personal challenges both on and off the field, it takes the guidance of their team chaplain and a surrogate father figure for the players to realize what they can achieve when they stand united.
IMDB Rating: 3.9
IMDB Votes: 463
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 75%
Paper Lion (1968)
Plot Summary:
Sportswriter George Plimpton poses as a rookie quarterback for the Detroit Lions for a "Sports Illustrated" article.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious, slapstick
Similar in 84%
The Comebacks (2007)
Plot Summary:
A comedy that spoofs the inspirational sports movies, The Comebacks tells the story of an out-of-luck coach, Lambeau Fields, who takes a rag-tag bunch of college misfits and drives them towards the football championships. In the process, this life-long loser discovers that he is a winner after all by redeeming himself, saving his relationship with his family and friends, and finding that there is indeed, no "I" in "team"!.
IMDB Rating: 4.3
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: parody, humorous, spoof, funny, melancholic, not serious, hilarious, slapstick, satirical, realistic
Similar in 89%
See You in Montevideo (2014)
Plot Summary:
A football team from Belgrade, former Republic of Yugoslavia gets a chance to go to the First World Football Championship, but things get complicated along the way.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Comedy, History, Sport
Country: Serbia
Duration: 141 min
Plot tags: exciting, humorous, semi serious, captivating, light, sentimental, realistic, stylized
Similar in 83%
The Game of Their Lives (2005)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story, this film tells the tale of the 1950 US soccer team who, against all odds, beat England 1 - 0 in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Although no US team has yet won a World Cup title, this story is about the family traditions and passions which shaped the lives of the players who made up this team of underdogs.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, History, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: exciting, sentimental, serious, realistic, independent film
Similar in 76%
The Replacements (2000)
Plot Summary:
Maverick old-guard coach Jimmy McGinty is hired in the wake of a players' strike to help the Washington Sentinels advance to the playoffs. But that impossible dream hinges on whether his replacements can hunker down and do the job. So, McGinty dusts off his secret dossier of ex-players who never got a chance (or screwed up the one they were given) and knits together a bad-dream team of guys who just may give the Sentinels their title shot.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 69000
Genere: Comedy, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, inspirational, intense, realistic, sincere, funny, entertaining, hilarious, motivational
Similar in 87%
Code Breakers (2005)
Plot Summary:
In 1951, a cheating scandal rocks West Point academy, as 83 cadets -- including the son of the school's football coach (Glenn) -- are implicated and ultimately dismissed.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 453
Genere: Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: captivating, disturbing
Similar in 81%
Safety (2020)
Plot Summary:
The story of Ray-Ray McElrathbey, a freshman football player for Clemson University, who secretly raised his younger brother on campus after his home life became too unsteady.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: captivating, thrilling, light
Similar in 90%
Home Team (2022)
Plot Summary:
Two years after a Super Bowl win when NFL head coach Sean Payton is suspended, he goes back to his hometown and finds himself reconnecting with his 12-year-old son by coaching his Pop Warner football team.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Comedy, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: captivating, entertaining, satirical, semi serious, funny, humorous, feel good
Similar in 86%
The Junction Boys (2002)
Plot Summary:
Tom Berenger leads an outstanding cast in this bone-crunching dramatization of legendary college football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's debut at Texas A&M in the summer of 1954. The often unnerving story finds Bryant ducking the school's good ol' boy network of rich, influential alumni by spiriting his new team away to a makeshift training base in a tiny town called Junction. There, Bryant runs the equivalent of a POW camp, brutalizing an oversized, underdeveloped bunch of rowdy young men and tormenting those who seek medical attention for cracked spines and deadly heat exhaustion. Berenger delivers a warts-and-all performance as the vulgar, monstrous, yet much-respected Bryant, and the direction by seasoned television vet Mike Robe is brisk and almost explosively charged. Whatever one thinks of Bryant's punishing methods, the film does not flinch from telling its powerful tale. --Tom Keogh.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 979
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: tense, serious, sincere, captivating, realistic
Similar in 75%
Wildcats (1986)
Plot Summary:
Molly is a high school track coach who knows just as much about football as anyone else on the planet. When a football coach's position becomes vacant, she applies for the job, despite snickers from fellow staff members and her former husband.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Comedy, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: feel good, light, inspirational, entertaining, humorous, realistic, semi serious, funny, sexy, unusual plot structure
Similar in 90%
Necessary Roughness (1991)
Plot Summary:
When the Texas Southern Armadillos football team is disqualified for cheating and poor grades, the University is forced to pick from a team that actually goes to school. Will they even win a single game?.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Comedy, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: entertaining, light, inspirational, feel good, humorous, semi serious, funny, cult classic, exciting, realistic
Similar in 79%
Believe (2013)
Plot Summary:
A young, gifted soccer player who gets into trouble for a petty crime is brought to the attention of former Manchester United coach Matt Busby, who comes out of retirement to help the boy and his teammates.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 940
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: uplifting, realistic, captivating, inspirational, sentimental, touching, feel good, serious
Similar in 88%
Soul of the Game (1996)
Plot Summary:
Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson are the greatest players in the Colored leagues, and everyone expects that one of them will make the leap to the Major Leagues, now that there is talk of integration. But, unexpectedly, it's the rookie with the army record, Jackie Robinson, that gets tapped to be the first.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 75%
Woodlawn (2015)
Plot Summary:
Love and unity in a school torn by racism and hate in the 1970s.A gifted high school football player must learn to embrace his talent and his faith as he battles racial tensions on and off the field.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: christian film, realistic, sincere, serious, captivating, inspirational, light, uplifting
Similar in 75%
Friday Night Lights (2004)
Plot Summary:
A small, turbulent town in Texas obsesses over their high school football team to an unhealthy degree. When the star tailback, Boobie Miles, is seriously injured during the first game of the season, all hope is lost, and the town's dormant social problems begin to flare up. It is left to the inspiring abilities of new coach Gary Gaines to instill in the other team members -- and, by proxy, the town itself -- a sense of self-respect and honor.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 66000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: inspirational, intense, sincere, serious, captivating, realistic, motivational, sentimental, philosophical, emotional
Similar in 80%
American Underdog (2021)
Plot Summary:
The true story of Kurt Warner, who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: inspirational, psychological, thought provoking, captivating, disturbing, christian film, emotional
Similar in 75%
Eight Men Out (1988)
Plot Summary:
The great Chicago White Sox team of 1919 is the saddest team to ever win a pennent. The team is bitter at their penny pincher owner, Charles Comiskey, and at their own teammates. Gamblers take advantage of this opportunity to offer some players $ to throw the series (Most of the players didn't get as much as promised.) But Buck Weaver and the great Shoeless Joe Jackson turn back at the last minute to try and play their best. The Sox actually almost come back from a 3-1 deficit. 2 years later, the truth breaks out and the Sox are sued on multiple accounts. They are found innocent by the jury but baseball commissioner Landis has other plans. The eight players are suspended for life, and Buck Weaver, for the rest of his life, tries to clear his name.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Drama, History, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: realistic, factual, atmospheric, talky, intense, serious, captivating, inspirational, independent film, non fiction
Similar in 79%
Facing the Giants (2006)
Plot Summary:
A losing coach with an underdog football team faces their giants of fear and failure on and off the field to surprising results.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, sentimental, christian film, feel good, biblical, uplifting, sad, patriotic, indie film
Similar in 82%
My All American (2015)
Plot Summary:
Freddie Steinmark, an underdog on the gridiron, faces the toughest challenge of his life after leading his team to a championship season.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, sincere, touching, suspense, suspenseful, motivational, feel good, historical drama, tear jerker
Similar in 83%
The Final Season (2007)
Plot Summary:
True story of Kent Stock, who in the early 90's, gives up a job and ditches his wedding plans to take over as head coach as the Norway High School baseball team. Kent must win over his players and convince them and himself that he can fill their former coach's shoes and that they can go out winners. In the summer of 1991 Norway High's baseball tradition ended on a triumphant but sombre note.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, realistic, historical drama, serious, captivating, emotional, independent film
Similar in 81%
We Are Marshall (2006)
Plot Summary:
When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team's new coach and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 64000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: sentimental, emotional, inspirational, touching, compassionate, sincere, serious, realistic, historical drama, feel good
Similar in 89%
When the Game Stands Tall (2014)
Plot Summary:
A young coach turns a losing high school football program around to go undefeated for 12 consecutive seasons.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: uplifting, captivating, exciting, sincere, serious, christian film, inspirational, sentimental, feel good, historical drama
Similar in 89%
Gridiron Gang (2006)
Plot Summary:
Teenagers at a juvenile detention center, under the leadership of their counselor, gain self-esteem by playing football together.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 80000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: inspirational, hood, realistic, serious, sincere, rough, exciting, motivational, sentimental, epic
Similar in 83%
Invincible (2006)
Plot Summary:
Inspired by the true story of Vince Papale, a man with nothing to lose who ignored the staggering odds and made his dream come true. When the coach of Papale's beloved hometown football team hosted an unprecedented open tryout, the public consensus was that it was a waste of time – no one good enough to play professional football was going to be found this way.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 74000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sentimental, motivational, exciting, feel good, sincere, serious, captivating, entertaining, historical drama
Similar in 76%
Greater (2016)
Plot Summary:
Greater – The story of Brandon Burlsworth, possibly the greatest walk-on in the history of college football.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: psychological, light, unusual plot structure, captivating, visually appealing, christian film, inspirational, feel good, cult classic
Similar in 83%
The Express (2008)
Plot Summary:
Based on the incredible true story, The Express follows the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: inspirational, uplifting, emotional, factual, serious, realistic, sincere, exciting, motivational, historical drama