Football fans, it’s Super Bowl Sunday. After five months of NFL action, two teams remain: the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. By nightfall, a champion will be crowned, and the season will be over. If you’re anxious before the game or need some extra football after, Prime Video has a perfect selection of movies to watch to satisfy your craving for touchdowns and interceptions.
The list’s top pick is arguably the greatest football movie in cinematic history. It garnered so much critical acclaim that NBC brought the story to television, which some call the greatest show ever. Our other picks include a Kevin Costner drama and two documentaries about sensational running backs.
4
Saquon
This is the part of the article where I must mention my favorite football team: the New York Giants. There haven’t been too many things to cheer about in New York since Eli Manning hoisted the Super Bowl trophy in 2012. One of the lone bright spots was Saquon Barkley, the talented running back out of Penn State whom the Giants selected with the second pick in the 2018. Barkley is one of the rare running backs with elite size to match game-breaking speed.
In 2024, Barkley left the Giants to sign with the rival Philadelphia Eagles. How did he fare in Philly? Barkley rushed for over 2,000 yards and led the Eagles to a victory in Super Bowl LIX. Luckily for football fans, cameras captured Barkley’s historic season in Saquon, a documentary chronicling the running back’s rise to superstardom, culminating with a championship. While it pained me to watch him win in Philly, I can appreciate Barkley’s inspiring journey from talented prospect to NFL champ.
3
Draft Day
If someone ever creates a hall of fame for sports movies, Costner gets in on the first ballot. Bull Durham and Field of Dreams are pantheon movies, while Tin Cup and For Love of the Game hold special places in many hearts. With baseball and golf covered, Costner took a crack at football in Draft Day, the last movie ever directed by comedic genius Ivan Reitman. Instead of putting on the pads, Costner wore a suit and tie to play the general manager of the Cleveland Browns.
It’s the morning of the 2014 NFL Draft, and Sonny Weaver Jr. (Costner) somehow secures the No. 1 pick for the Browns in a blockbuster trade. Sonny is one bad decision away from getting fired. Predictably, Sonny makes a questionable call that makes ownership irate, forcing him to pull a rabbit out of his hat to save his job. Draft Day is the melodramatic version of Moneyball, but less effective. Draft Day is not a perfect movie, but it is fun to watch Costner flex his sports muscles in this entertaining B-movie. Oh, and if my general manager ever executed Sonny’s plan, I would pray it resulted in a pink slip.
Draft Day
Release Date
April 7, 2014
Runtime
120minutes
Director
Ivan Reitman
2
Bye Bye Barry
When starting a list of the greatest NFL players who retired too soon, Barry Sanders has a strong argument for the number-one spot. After dominating college football, Sanders went to the NFL in 1989 and played for the Detroit Lions, where he quickly became one of the game’s best running backs. With cheetah-like speed and elusiveness, defenders couldn’t tackle Sanders in a phone booth. After 10 seasons, Sanders was two good years away from Walter Payton’s rushing record. Then, it all came to a screeching halt after Sanders shocked the world by retiring at the age of 31.
Bye Bye Barry attempts to answer the question that every football fan wants to know: Why did Sanders retire so soon? For the overwhelming majority of people, it’s hard to comprehend why a talented player at the top of his game, making millions would walk away. After hearing Sanders’ rationale, you’ll gain even more respect for the legend. Plus, the jaw-dropping highlights that play throughout the doc make it easy to understand what made Sanders one of a kind.
Bye Bye Barry
Release Date
November 21, 2023
Runtime
92 Minutes
Director
Paul Monusky, Micaela Powers, Angela Torma
1
Friday Night Lights
Before “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose,” it was “clear eyes and love in your heart.” The latter quote is from Friday Night Lights, Peter Berg’s sports drama about Texas high school football. Based on Buzz Bissinger’s novel, Friday Night Lights captures the Permian Panthers and their quest to win the 1988 Texas state championship. At the helm is coach Gary Gaines, played by Billy Bob Thornton two decades before entering the Taylor Sheridan universe. Permian’s team includes the quiet quarterback, Mike Winchell (Lucas Black); the star running back, Boobie Miles (Derek Luke); and the partying fullback, Donny Billingsley (Garrett Hedlund).
Friday Night Lights captures the distinct qualities of Texas high school football. When Permian wins, the team becomes rock stars. If they, the townspeople might run the team out of town. The football scenes are incredibly cinematic, leaving the audience short of breath during every big play. Between the camaraderie of the players and the buy-in from the town, how can you not be romantic about football?
If you need more weekend content, check out Netflix’s Winter Olympics documentary about the Miracle on Ice. Also, check out Prime Video’s top documentaries, including Selling Superman.
Subscription with ads
Yes, via Prime membership or $9/month
Simultaneous streams
3
Prime Video has a large volume of content to watch. The other Amazon perks are a bonus as well.
