Shaolin Soccer: The best football movie you’ve never seen

Coming from Hong Kong and directed by Stephen Chow, Shaolin Soccer might be the best football movie you’ve never heard of. 

Despite being released back in 2001, the movie still holds up to this day, from its excellent visuals and cinematography to its hilarious yet adrenaline-inducing moments.

Shaolin Soccer rose to the top, becoming a global sensation among sports fans, with its unique blend of martial arts, comedy, and football. However, it has succumbed to the test of time as cinephiles talk about it less and less every year, so we’re here to remind you that it’s still absolutely worth a watch.

Shaolin Soccer: The best football movie you’ve never seen

What makes the movie so unique is its usage of exaggerated elements inspired by Shaolin kung fu, sprinkled with unique comedic skits. It follows the story of a down-on-his-luck young Shaolin follower who decides to reunite with his retired brothers to form a football team and rise to the top, using their experience in kung fu.

Each brother has their unique superpower, from a mighty steel leg that pierces through every goal with precision, to an iron head with a formidable header. The movie is best described as watching a live-action anime, as it heavily depends on flashy superpowers, similar to shows like Kuroko No Basket, Captain Tsubasa, and Inazuma Eleven.

Stephen Chow, who also stars in the movie, is considered one of the biggest names in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry as both an actor and filmmaker. Other than Shaolin Soccer, the renowned actor is also known for directing and starring in the hit comedy movie, Kung Fu Hustle.

The movie currently sits at a respectable score of 7.3/10 on IMDB and a whopping 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.