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IMDbPro

American Underdog

  • 2021
  • PG
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
27K
YOUR RATING
Dennis Quaid, Anna Paquin, and Zachary Levi in American Underdog (2021)
American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stocking shelves at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner's unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player - but just when his dreams seemed all but out of reach, it is only with the support of his wife, Brenda (Anna Paquin) and the encouragement of his family, coaches, and teammates that Warner perseveres and finds the strength to show the world the champion that he already is. American Underdog is an uplifting story that demonstrates that anything is possible when you have faith, family and determination.
Play trailer2:20
27 Videos
55 Photos
FootballBiographyDramaRomanceSport

The story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.The story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.The story of NFL MVP and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who went from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming an American Football star.

  • Directors
    • Andrew Erwin
    • Jon Erwin
  • Writers
    • Kurt Warner
    • Michael Silver
    • Jon Erwin
  • Stars
    • Zachary Levi
    • Anna Paquin
    • Hayden Zaller
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    27K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Andrew Erwin
      • Jon Erwin
    • Writers
      • Kurt Warner
      • Michael Silver
      • Jon Erwin
    • Stars
      • Zachary Levi
      • Anna Paquin
      • Hayden Zaller
    • 226User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 53Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos27

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:20
    Official Trailer
    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 2:02
    Teaser Trailer
    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 2:02
    Teaser Trailer
    American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story
    Trailer 2:15
    American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story
    American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story
    Trailer 2:13
    American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story
    American Underdog: Welcome To The Rams
    Clip 1:03
    American Underdog: Welcome To The Rams
    American Underdog: Turning Point
    Clip 0:54
    American Underdog: Turning Point

    Photos54

    View Poster
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    + 49
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Zachary Levi
    Zachary Levi
    • Kurt Warner
    Anna Paquin
    Anna Paquin
    • Brenda Meoni
    Hayden Zaller
    Hayden Zaller
    • Zack
    Ser'Darius Blain
    Ser'Darius Blain
    • Mike Hudnutt
    Dennis Quaid
    Dennis Quaid
    • Dick Vermeil
    Chance Kelly
    Chance Kelly
    • Mike Martz
    Simeon Castille
    • Isaac Bruce
    Bruce McGill
    Bruce McGill
    • Jim Foster
    Adam Baldwin
    Adam Baldwin
    • Coach Allen
    Cindy Hogan
    Cindy Hogan
    • Sue Warner
    Nic Harris
    • Ray Lewis
    • (as Nicholas Harris)
    Steven Chester Prince
    • Gene Warner
    Dean Denton
    Dean Denton
    • David Gillis
    Kevin Downes
    Kevin Downes
    • John Ramsdell
    Cora Wilkerson
    • Jesse (4 Yrs)
    Morgana Shaw
    Morgana Shaw
    • Jenny Jo
    Danny Vinson
    Danny Vinson
    • Larry
    Andrea Cohen
    Andrea Cohen
    • Weary Teacher
    • Directors
      • Andrew Erwin
      • Jon Erwin
    • Writers
      • Kurt Warner
      • Michael Silver
      • Jon Erwin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews226

    7.126.7K
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    Featured reviews

    8ilovefoodcoma

    So inspiring!

    Such inspiring movie! Great to see his journey to his success. I love it how the director using the real old footage of the game into the film. It made the movie even more realistic!
    9Instant_Palmer

    πŸ‘ A Shinning Light in an Often-Cynical World πŸ‘

    Get the tissues - American Underdog will make even the most stone face man let go... Best sports themed feel-good movie I've EVER seen (and I see a LOT of movies)! Second only to CODA this year in the feel good category at large, which might very well be the best of all time. It was a memorable year for feeling good watching movies πŸ‘.

    Better than anticipated, and glad I bought American Underdog (only way to see it right now other than in Theaters). Worth it!

    My "Favorite Film of 2021" [EDIT: Replaced later by 'CODA' which I saw after this film]

    Anyone who reads my reviews knows I don't give out 9s or 10s easily. Like Kurt Warner, this film defies the "usual" and earns my 9 without reservation.

    πŸ‘πŸ‘
    7jljacobi

    Nice tale, good movie. A love story with some football

    Okay, this isn't the best movie technically I've ever seen, but it's a good story that needed to be told and I enjoyed it.

    The moral conclusions will be obvious once you watch the movie, so I'll just skip over those. And unless you're a diehard cynic, you should.

    Yes, it's sentimental, but it's not maudlin (much) and the story is largely factual. If it bothers you, you've got issues. How someone could rate this four stars, I have no idea. The acting is not mediocre, it's quite good. Dead on for the lead characters if you've ever seen the real folk interviewed live.

    The overall flow of the movie is reasonable sprightly, though a tad clunky in places.

    A good, fun, watch that doesn't go overboard with the emotion... Okay, maybe just a tad, but mainly the movie lets the story speak for itself.
    8Movi3DO

    Feel-good in its great form

    No disrespect but still screw the Rams.

    It's not the most unique plot of all, but it sure was a feel-good underdog story. I had a great time watching the story of Kurt Warner. It's great that the real people actually involved a lot in the production, because I felt the relationship between Warner and his family first charming, and then endearing. Another warm aspect was the amount of support that the side characters had for our main quarterback. I just can't help but feel inspired.

    Overall, it's another underdog story, but man it's a good one. 8.5/10.
    9RJBrez

    Beautifully made, and much better than I thought it'd be

    I was fifteen years old during the 1999 Rams season. I still remember the "greatest show on turf" like it was last year, even though it's now been 22 years. The Rams revolutionized the sport that season.

    "American Underdog" left me speechless at times. Levi was believable enough as an athlete, but the major theme of the story is family and how sometimes winning isn't really winning if you don't have those to share it with. I had heard the Kurt Warner story a few times, but obviously not with this much detail and heart.

    As for the football scenes, I was blown away by how well they did. The play calling especially was well done. The trailer had me worried about the quality of football and my worries quickly subsided only after a few minutes of the film.

    The supporting cast also was impressive. I wish we saw more of the beautiful and talented Paquin, who portrayed Brenda Warner and knocked it out the park. Dennis Quaid plays Dick Vermiel and like usual, was awesome. I could go on and on.

    I mostly wanted to write this review for football fans (like me) who were skeptical of this film after the trailer. Please see it. I will definitely be buying this film for my personal collection. I hope you all enjoy it as well.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The second film featuring an underdog backed by Dick Vermeil after Invincible (2006) about Vince Papale, a Philadelphia Eagles walk-on wide receiver while Vermeil was Eagles head coach.
    • Goofs
      The UNI football game was shown outdoors. At the time Warner played there, the games were played inside the UNI Dome.
    • Quotes

      Kurt Warner: Do what you can do, till you can do what you want to do?

    • Connections
      Features The NFL on CBS (1956)
    • Soundtracks
      Wink
      Written by Tom Shapiro (as Thomas Shapiro), Bob DiPiero

      Performed by Neal McCoy

      Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp. for the United States and WEA International for the world outside of the United States

      By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

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    FAQ

    • How long is American Underdog?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 2021 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • American Underdog: La historia de Kurt Warner
    • Filming locations
      • Jim Norick Arena, State Fair Park, 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA(stadium scenes)
    • Production companies
      • City on a Hill Productions
      • Kingdom Story Company
      • Lionsgate
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $26,514,814
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,861,836
      • Dec 26, 2021
    • Gross worldwide
      • $26,514,814
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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