Movies Like American Underdog (2021)

American Underdog is a 2021 drama, family film from Andrew Erwin with a MovieMagicScore of 7.1/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Concussion and Draft Day.

Drama Family

Concussion

2015

A dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

7.1

MagicScore

Draft Day

2014

At the NFL Draft, general manager Sonny Weaver has the opportunity to rebuild his team when he trades for the number one pick. He must decide what he's willing to sacrifice on a life-changing day for a few hundred young men with NFL dreams.

6.7

MagicScore

You Don't Know Bo: The Legend of Bo Jackson

2012

A close look at two-sport athlete Bo Jackson and the creation of a legend. Even without winning a Super Bowl or World Series, Bo will forever be known as a cultural icon and one of the most famous athletes of all time. This film will examine the truths and tall tales that surround Jackson, and how his seemingly impossible feats captured our collective imagination for an all-too-brief moment in time.

7.5

MagicScore

Kelce

2023

An intimate and emotional documentary that chronicles Philadelphia Eagles team captain and All-Pro center Jason Kelce’s 2022 season, which began with him confronting one of the most challenging decisions any professional athlete will ever face—is now the time to hang it up?

7.1

MagicScore

The Replacements

2000

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.

6.7

MagicScore

Gleason

2016

At the age of 34, former New Orleans Saints defensive back Steve Gleason was diagnosed with ALS and given a life expectancy of two to five years. Weeks later, Gleason found out his wife, Michel, was expecting their first child. A video journal that began as a gift for his unborn son expands to chronicle Steve’s determination to get his relationships in order, build a foundation to provide other ALS patients with purpose, and adapt to his declining physical condition—utilizing medical technologies that offer the means to live as fully as possible.

8.4

MagicScore

Facing the Giants

2006

A losing coach with an underdog football team faces their giants of fear and failure on and off the field to surprising results.

7.5

MagicScore

12 Mighty Orphans

2021

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.

7.2

MagicScore

Gridiron Gang

2006

Under the leadership of their counselor, teenagers at a juvenile detention center gain self-esteem by playing football together. Based on a true story.

7.0

MagicScore

#10

Easy Living

1949

A football halfback has a heart condition, a nagging wife and a team secretary who loves him.

5.6

MagicScore

#11

Greater

2016

The incredible true story of the greatest walk-on in the history of college football.

7.2

MagicScore

#12

O.J.: Made in America

2016

A chronicle of the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, whose high-profile murder trial exposed the extent of American racial tensions, revealing a fractured and divided nation.

8.4

MagicScore

#13

Heaven Can Wait

1978

Joe Pendleton is a quarterback preparing to lead his team to the superbowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel plucks him to heaven only to discover that he wasn't ready to die, and that his body has been cremated. A new body must be found, and that of a recently-murdered millionaire is chosen. His wife and accountant—the murderers—are confused by this development, as he buys the L.A. Rams in order to once again quarterback them into the Superbowl.

6.6

MagicScore

#14

Rudy

1993

Rudy grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. There were only a couple of problems. His grades were a little low, his athletic skills were poor, and he was only half the size of the other players. But he had the drive and the spirit of 5 people and has set his sights upon joining the team.

7.3

MagicScore

#15

Radio

2003

In the racially divided town of Anderson, South Carolina in 1976, football coach Harold Jones spots a mentally disabled African-American young man nicknamed Radio near his practice field and is inspired to befriend him. Soon, Radio is Jones' loyal assistant, and he becomes a student at T.L. Hanna High School. But things start to sour when Coach Jones begins taking guff from parents and fans who feel that his devotion to Radio is getting in the way of the team's quest for a championship.

7.3

MagicScore

#16

The Express

2008

Follow the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

7.1

MagicScore

#17

My All American

2015

Freddie Steinmark, an underdog on the gridiron, faces the toughest challenge of his life after leading his team to a championship season.

7.0

MagicScore

#18

The 5th Quarter

2010

In the wake of a car crash that killed his brother, football player Jon Abbate leads his school's struggling team to its most successful season ever.

5.6

MagicScore

#19

Cars

2006

Lightning McQueen, a hotshot rookie race car driven to succeed, discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. On route across the country to the big Piston Cup Championship in California to compete against two seasoned pros, McQueen gets to know the town's offbeat characters.

7.1

MagicScore

#20

Home Team

2022

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.

6.6

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like American Underdog?

The top films similar to American Underdog by MovieMagicScore are Concussion (7.1), Draft Day (6.7), You Don't Know Bo: The Legend of Bo Jackson (7.5). Each shares drama/family themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is American Underdog worth watching?

American Underdog holds a MovieMagicScore of 7.1/10 from 393 viewer ratings, putting it among the better-reviewed titles in its genre.

What kind of movie is American Underdog?

American Underdog (2021) is a drama, family film directed by Andrew Erwin, starring Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Hayden Zaller.

Where can I find more recommendations like American Underdog?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more drama recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Concussion Movies like Draft Day Movies like You Don't Know Bo: The Legend of Bo Jackson Movies like Kelce Movies like The Replacements Movies like Gleason

About movies like American Underdog

This ranked list pairs American Underdog (2021), a drama and family film from Andrew Erwin, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Zachary Levi take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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