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Next Goal Wins

Play trailer 1:00 Poster for Next Goal Wins PG-13 Released Nov 17, 2023 1h 44m Comedy Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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45% Tomatometer 166 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 100+ Verified Ratings
Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok), NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world's worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
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Next Goal Wins

Next Goal Wins

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Critics Consensus

Next Goal Wins finds director/co-writer Taika Waititi with his heart in the right place, even if his crowd-pleasing aim has noticeably strayed from its target.

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Audience Says

Next Goal Wins is a funny, feel-good film that doesn't do anything new with the standard inspirational sports movie formula, but it'll move you with its heartwarming message anyway.

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Critics Reviews

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Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) Waititi’s willed clunkiness grows ever harder to distinguish from a genuine lack of craft. The ad hoc compositions couldn’t be further from the precision of Wes Anderson, who he’s mimicked in the past. Rated: 2/5 Dec 29, 2023 Full Review Jonathan Romney Financial Times Next Goal Wins presents ineptitude almost as an exalted state, but its own mediocrity remains decidedly earthbound. This is comedy played on a very soggy pitch. Rated: 2/5 Dec 24, 2023 Full Review Donald Clarke Irish Times It is impossible not to think of high Paddywhackery such as Wild Mountain Thyme. And it took four years to get this thing into cinemas? Faith and begorrah (or the Southern Pacific equivalent)! Rated: 2/5 Dec 23, 2023 Full Review Calum Cooper Cinerama Film With such steadfast faith in audiences, it’s a wonder the film didn’t include a laugh track. Rated: 2/5 Jul 19, 2024 Full Review Joonatan Itkonen Toisto.net It’s also supremely apt that, like the team featured in the film, Waititi fumbles the ball at every turn. Rated: 1/5 Jul 2, 2024 Full Review Shawn Edwards Fox 4 Kansas City Next Goal Wins is uplifting, silly, predictable, but also basic. Rated: 2/5 Mar 6, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Malaki Enjoyable, but felt like every underdog story with a leading actor to star in. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/22/23 Full Review Patrick Really funny, sweet and touching movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/06/23 Full Review Joshua Wasn't half bad. Very paint by numbers but situated in an interesting location. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/05/23 Full Review Emanuel it was funny underdog sports movie, surprised to learn it was based off a true true story Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/04/23 Full Review Bella Rotten tomatoes got this wrong (again). This movie was fantastic. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/03/23 Full Review Chelsea Heartwarming tell! Loved it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/02/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Next Goal Wins

Next Goal Wins: Extended Preview Next Goal Wins: Extended Preview 9:11 Next Goal Wins: Exclusive Movie Clip - Haka War Dance Next Goal Wins: Exclusive Movie Clip - Haka War Dance 1:12 Next Goal Wins: Movie Clip - It's Torture Coaching This Team Next Goal Wins: Movie Clip - It's Torture Coaching This Team 1:09 Next Goal Wins: Movie Clip - Just One Goal Next Goal Wins: Movie Clip - Just One Goal 1:03 Next Goal Wins: Movie Clip - A Warm American Samoan Welcome Next Goal Wins: Movie Clip - A Warm American Samoan Welcome 1:30 Next Goal Wins: Movie Clip - Trust Is Broken Next Goal Wins: Movie Clip - Trust Is Broken 0:59 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok), NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world's worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
Director
Taika Waititi
Producer
Jonathan Cavendish, Garrett Basch, Taika Waititi, Mike Brett, Steve Jamison
Screenwriter
Taika Waititi, Iain Morris
Distributor
Searchlight Pictures
Production Co
Imaginarium Productions, Archer's Mark
Rating
PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Crude Material)
Genre
Comedy, Sports
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 17, 2023, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 16, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.7M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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