We’re a week in and the competition’s heating up by the day. Whether you’re an avid football fan, or just want an alternative well this is an opportune time to flip the script, turn to your screen and get mucked in on these football classics that aren’t about the men!
So, do it now and do it right, here are 10 football films to watch over the world cup season….

1. Bend it like Beckham

This iconic British movie cannot go amiss from any Great, British movies list, let alone a women’s football films list.

Starring Parminder Nagra (Jess), Keira Knightley (Jules) and Jonathan Rhys Meyers (coach Joe). The story of a girl from a strict, traditional Indian family who longs for nothing else but to kick ball. Amids her parents refusal she embarks on a secret semi-pro football career.

2. She’s the Man

Amanda Bines (Viola Johnson) stars in this tongue-in-cheek romcom about a high society girl who goes undercover and poses as her twin brother in order to play on the boy’s football team.

3. Dare to dream: The Story of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team

The 2005 documentary chronicles the inception of the women’s US football team with interviews from the players Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, and Joy Fawcett

4. Offside

The 2006 film that documented the the problematic nature of the Iranian sport’s ban. Not only was the sports ban a trigger, but the national sport, football had any women waging a rebellion for their right to playing against being dismissed from stadiums. The film harks to the events of group of women who banned together to disguise as men to sneak into Tehran stadium to watch the match between Iran and Bahrain. By 2018 the Iranian (Beirut) authorities and the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) made efforts to ensure that women and girls could freely attend future games.

5. Shaolin soccer

Not quite a film about women but, Shaolin soccer is a comedy centering a young man who’s affinity to Kung Fu and concludes that all of life’s problems could be solved by the sport. After an incident makes him reconsider he forms a football team with a group of unsuspecting men. Now, yes it isn’t about women but, honorable mention goes to the bad ass female players, Cecilia Cheung and Karen Mok, masquerading as men who they end up having to play against.

6. fever pitch

This 1997 film starring Colin Firth (Paul Ashworth) and Ruth Gemmell (Sarah Hughes), A football obsessed teacher supporting a team that hasn’t won a league in 18 years and balancing a suffering relationship…relatable.

7. Gracie

Raised in a house filled with boys as the only girl is no small feat. Gracie (Carly Schroeder), who’s family are football mad; after a family tragedy Gracie warms to football to cope with her grief.

8. her best move

The coming of age movie about Sara (Leah Pipes) that’s forced to juggle the facts of life and a blossoming football career.

9. Gregory’s Girl

Gregory Underwood (Gordon John Sinclair) a teen football player who’s team is just woeful as he. When Dorothy (Dee Hepburn) joins the team, she soon becomes the envy and admiration of the boys. After a prank goes awry Gregory learns to like the girl that he thought was Dorothy.

and honorable mention goes to…

10. the pass

Romance blossoms between Jason(Russell Tovey) and Ade (Arinse Kene)on the eve of the champion’s league and changes the course of both of their lives. A tender tale of race and sexuality in football.