The 6 Best Women’s Soccer Documentaries You Should Stream Right Now

Thanks to dedicated and passionate filmmakers, many of the most intriguing and captivating stories surrounding women’s soccer have been captured in documentaries over the past two decades. From the remote villages of Nepal to a famous penalty spot in Pasadena, California, we’ve assembled some of our favorite documentaries that you can stream from the comfort of your own home that tell stories that have to be seen to be believed.

The 99ers (2013) – ESPN Films

When the U.S. Women’s National Team went to France for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, they were rightfully accompanied by a swarm of videographers to help catalogue and preserve their record-breaking win. In 1999, however, the most compelling footage of the team was captured by team co-captain and “self-appointed videographer” Julie Foudy, who helped capture an inside look at the tournament that was capped off by Brandi Chastain’s historic penalty (and celebration) in front of a crowd of 90,185 at the Rose Bowl.

Interspersed with clips of eight of that team’s stars sitting on the same grass in Pasadena and reminiscing on the cultural significance of the tournament, The 99ers provides a behind-the-scenes look at the team that burned women’s soccer into the national consciousness at the turn of the millennium.

You can stream The 99ers right now on ESPN+.

Sunakali: Teenage Girls’ Journey to Glory (2015) – Ananda Media

In Nepal’s remote and undeveloped Mugu District, the illiteracy rate for women is close to 90 percent. Despite the lack of infrastructure and resources, though, dreams grow just as big as anywhere else. Sunakali follows Sunakali Budha, a star player in her village, as she looks to help lead Mugu’s women’s soccer team to a national championship.

Lauded by critics around the world and featuring breathtaking visuals of remote Nepal, Sunakali provides a glimpse into the dreams of teenage girls and their love for the beautiful game in one of the most remote places on earth.

You can view the trailer for Sunakali on YouTube, while the whole documentary is available to rent or purchase on Vimeo.

This is Football: “Belief” (2019) – Amazon Prime

While the United States’ loss to Japan in the 2011 Women’s World Cup final may serve as a bitter memory for some fans, the victory served as a much-needed emotional relief for a country still reeling from an earthquake and tsunami that claimed the lives of 16,000 people. Part of Amazon Prime’s This is Football series, which gives a glimpse at the ways the world interacts with and finds meaning in the beautiful game, “Belief” examines Japan’s triumph and the rise of women’s soccer around the globe.

Featuring interviews with players from both the U.S. and Japanese national teams and a retrospective on what the 1999 World Cup meant for women’s soccer worldwide, “Belief” is a look at the development of the modern era of the women’s game.

You can stream all of This is Football right now on Amazon Prime.

In the Game (2015) – Kartemquin Films

From the studio behind critically acclaimed basketball documentary Hoop Dreams comes In the Game, a documentary that looks at the hardships faced by members of Kelly High School’s girls’ soccer team in Chicago’s south side. The documentary looks at the challenges faced by a school dealing with severe budget cuts and a group of players trying to juggle soccer, school, and supporting their families.

You can watch the trailer for In the Game on Kartemquin Films’ website, while the whole documentary is available for rent or purchase on Vimeo.

Dare to Dream (2005) – HBO Sports

Filmed in the wake of the United States’ second gold medal-winning campaign at the 2004 Olympic Games, HBO’s Dare to Dream looks at the growth and development of women’s soccer in the United States through the lens of the U.S. Women’s National Team from the late 1980s to the most dominant team in history.

The entire documentary can be found in three parts on YouTube.

Football Under Cover (2008) – Ayat Najafi & David Assmann

In 2006, the Iranian women’s national team welcomed a team from beyond its borders for the first time in history, facing German amateur women’s side BSV AL-Dersimspor. Football Under Cover catalogues the efforts to schedule and play that match, facing visa issues and Iran’s strict dress code for female athletes. Ultimately, the film examines soccer’s potential to bridge cultural divides in celebration of sport.

You can view the trailer for Football Under Cover on YouTube, where the film is available to rent or purchase.

Do you have a favorite women’s soccer documentary that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments!