Chronicling the national football team of American Samoa’s real-life journey from a humiliating 31-0 loss to Australia in 2001 to the relative glory of their 2014 World Cup qualifying rounds, Next Goals Wins is the ultimate underdog story.

Taika Waititi’s comic spin on the documentary of the same name promises to be a heartfelt story told through the perspective of Thomas Rongen, the Dutch-American coach who receives this tall task after being fired from managing the United States under-20s men’s team.

Michael Fassbender returns from his brief big-screen hiatus to take the central role and though he substitutes the usual gravitas of his biggest roles, his natural magnetism remains as a hapless, Ted Lasso-like hero who tries to take the team from poor to pro. Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Will Arnett, and Waititi regulars Rachel House, Oscar Kightley, and Rhys Darby are joined by a squad of American Samoan actors for an authentic, crowd-pleasing celebration.

It’s been a long road to the big screen for Next Goal Wins – with COVID complications, Disney’s acquisition of Fox, and Waititi’s Marvel commitments throwing in potential fouls along the way – but it’s finally set to score in cinemas soon.

Underdog Champions

The Mighty Ducks

Emilio Estevez is the reluctant lawyer-turned-children’s ice hockey coach after being forced to undertake community service. Under-appreciated at first, it gave flight to an entire media franchise. Quack! Quack! Quack!

Cool Runnings

It’s well and truly bobsled time in this 1993 sports comedy about four Jamaican athletes who share an Olympic dream. With standout performances by John Candy and the rest of the cast, Cool Runnings is a true cult champion.

Dodgeball

Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller face off in this endlessly quotable, larger-than-life comedy that proves life is beter when grabbed by the balls. The latter delivers an outrageous performance that's as ridiculous as it is memorable.