With Thanksgiving just around the corner and my nostalgia kicking itself up to 11 now that I live so far from the land of yearly mass turkey slaughter, I find myself thinking of all the things I’ve been taught to associate with this yearly harvest festival. Though I was raised in an exclusive fútbol (soccer) household, I can’t help but tie American Thanksgiving with American football (you know, the one with minimal contact between foots and balls [and also yes, I know it’s called football because it’s a ballgame played on foot instead of on horseback]). While I never actively choose to watch football myself, I am a bit of a sucker for inspirational sports movies. So, if you’re in the same boat (or at the very least on the same ocean) then I’ve prepared a short list of three inspirational football movies for you to watch instead of actual football. As an extra perk for anyone else that’s noticed the recent resurgence in love for the 70s, these movies are all set in that decade.

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3. We are Marshall (2006)

“From the ashes we rose”

We are Marshall is a feel-good sports drama based on the tragic loss of Marshall University’s football team to a plane crash and the gut-wrenching aftermath of this catastrophic event. Starring Matthew McConaughey, this emotional memorialization of Marshall’s lost “Thundering Herd” presents a classic college town (Huntington, WV) in the throes of grief as MU attempts to rebuild the school’s football program. The film focuses on McConaughey’s Jack Lengye, a new coach tasked not only with bringing Marshall back to the field but with helping the community heal and overcome their devastating loss. Despite a heavy subject matter, We Are Marshall remains a feel-good, genre-molded tear-jerker crafted (albeit imperfectly) to pinball you between tears and cheers.

2. Remember the Titans (2000)

“Before they could win, they had to become one.”

Another nugget of loosely based, true-life gold, Remember the Titans is a racially charged Disney cookie-cutter about the T C Williams High School football team and their struggle through racial integration. Denzel Washington plays Herman Boone, a new coach tasked with leading the desegregation of TCWHS’s football team. Boone employs a rigorous and uncompromisingly assertive coaching style—and a mandatory inspirational speech, of course—to help dispel brutal racial tensions and lead the team to emotional growth and athletic success. Well-acted, moving, and socially relevant, Remember the Titans is definitely worth a watch or two.

1. Rudy (1993)

“When people say dreams don’t come true, tell them about Rudy.”

Before Sean Astin ever charmed us as the wholesome tech-geek, Bob, in Stranger Things or the ultimate best friend, Samwise, in The Lord of the Rings, he was the spunky young underdog in Rudy who taught us that if you work hard and believe in yourself, anything is possible. Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger is the real-life inspiration for this amazing film about a persistent dreamer who refuses let anything or anyone keep him down. Despite inadequate grades (partially due to undiagnosed dyslexia), questionable talent, and meager funds, this heartland hero absolutely refuses to believe that he can’t play collegiate football at Notre Dame. Rudy is beyond a doubt the best football movie ever made, so if you only have time for one gridiron–themed film, I highly recommend you join Rudy Ruettiger on this feel-good journey that is sure to have you bounding all obstacles and chasing long-lost dreams.

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I hope you enjoyed this short list of three sports movies to watch this fall. If football movies set in the 70s aren’t quite your thing though, maybe give three films for when dead is better a try; or, if you’re a horror fan, check out the Of-Joy-That-Kills-approved horror movie list.

As always, feel free to leave a comment below or throw me a line on social media. I’m available on both twitter and instagram (@ofjoythatkills).

Do you have a favorite football movie, or do you prefer the live-action event?