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Next Goal Wins

Next Goal Wins

Be happy.

2023104 minPG-13Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films
Director
Taika Waititi
Starring
Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane

Dutch coach Thomas Rongen attempts the nearly impossible task of turning the American Samoa soccer team from perennial losers into winners.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Next Goal Wins?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Next Goal Wins streaming on Hulu and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Next Goal Wins?

Next Goal Wins earns 7 badges, led by Guilty pleasure and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Next Goal Wins worth watching?

Next Goal Wins' Midcredits score is the 57th percentile of all films, from 155K ratings across 6 sources. 56% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

57th percentile

Better received than 57% of films

65th percentile among Comedy58th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)51st
Approval (how many liked it)61st

62 /100

51st percentile of all films

59th percentile among Comedy52nd percentile among 2020s

Critics 44 · Audience 64

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.6 — solid but not unanimous.

56% liked it

61st percentile of all films

68th percentile among Comedy61st percentile among 2020s
56% rated it 7–1044% rated it 1–6

Critics 46% · Audience 85%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 3 noms overall

87th percentile

155K ratings across platforms

86th percentile among Comedy88th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 37% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$14M
Opening weekend$2.5M
Domestic gross$6.7M
Worldwide gross$19M

Returned 1.3× its budget — 81st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both fans and detractors agree the film is a Taika Waititi comedy with humor and warmth, but they differ on whether the jokes and tonal imbalance hinder or enhance the emotional core.

Fans praised

  • heartfelt, feel-good underdog story with real warmth
  • Waititi's signature humor lands; funny and lighthearted
  • well-paced, entertaining crowd-pleaser with likable cast

Detractors panned

  • disjointed, unfocused narrative that misses the mark
  • too much self-conscious kidding undermines emotional moments
  • fails to capture the real story's heart and depth

What stands out

HumorDivisive75

Plenty of gags and visual jokes; some find it overbearing

Acting70

Fassbender's performance praised; side characters add humor and charm

DialogueDivisive70

Waititi's witty, memorable lines praised; some jokes fall flat

PacingDivisive65

Good runtime and balance between comedy and heartfelt moments praised

CharactersDivisive60

Quirky team members likable, but some side characters underdeveloped

Emotional impactDivisive60

Heartfelt moments and kindness resonate; some find it saccharine

Originality50

Underdog sports genre considered familiar despite real-story basis

Plot and story45

True-story basis compelling, but execution feels formulaic and disjointed

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 11 points higher than men.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 10 points higher than under-30s.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 7 points apart

Watch experience

What is Next Goal Wins like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle, has a few laughs and leaves you feeling good.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
HopefulWarmAbsurd
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
WarmPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film balances sincerity with Taika Waititi's signature irreverent humor, undercutting emotional beats with jokes but never losing its warmth.
The rideThe film maintains a light, affectionate tone throughout, with the emotional stakes peaking around the team's struggles and breakthroughs in the middle.
StructureThe story follows a classic sports-underdog arc: introduction of the team and coach, training and bonding, climax at the final match.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you with a warm, optimistic feeling about perseverance and the human spirit.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rags
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3% (this title): Underdog triumph 2% (this title) · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rags to riches: A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition. · Underdog triumph: Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).

3% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

Why this archetypeA down-on-his-luck coach takes over the worst soccer team in the world, and their journey to score a single goal becomes a story of rising from the bottom.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsLoyalty · 4% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe team's unity and the coach's acceptance into a makeshift family are central, while the players also learn to see their own value beyond the scoreline.
StanceThe film celebrates the team's spirit and the coach's redemption, presenting their collective journey as a triumph of heart over odds.

The world

Early 21st centuryUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · hybrid · Michael Giacchino
SettingAmerican Samoa and its soccer world, with scenes in Hawaii and elsewhere
MusicGiacchino's score blends orchestral warmth with island-flavored touches, underlining the emotional beats without overpowering them.

Content guide

Is Next Goal Wins okay for kids?

PG-13

Next Goal Wins is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for some strong language and crude material” (MPAA). As of August 19, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (14/100), sexual content at mild (28/100), language at moderate (56/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (39/100) and frightening material at mild (17/100). Overall it is heavier than 30% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 27 other countries
  • UK12A
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany0
  • Ireland12A
  • New ZealandPG
  • South KoreaAll
  • Brazil12
  • CzechiaU
  • FinlandK-12
  • Hong KongIIA
  • Hungary18
  • IsraelAll
  • LTN-13
  • MexicoA
  • Netherlands6
  • Norway6
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/16
  • PRPG-13
  • RO12
  • SingaporeNC16
  • SK15
  • Spain7
  • Sweden7
  • THG
  • Türkiye10+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 22% of all filmsHeavier than 30% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 13%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 49%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 82%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 78%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 17%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 82% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Next Goal Wins have?

MovieCove's classifier found 1 depicted content warning in Next Goal Wins: Sexual harassment or grooming (moderate). 1 more is mentioned only, in dialogue or backstory: Death of a parent. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateSexual harassment or grooming
MentionedDeath of a parent

Mentioned: referenced in dialogue or backstory, not shown in the story’s present.

Cast and crew

Who is in Next Goal Wins?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Michael Fassbender
as Thomas Rongen
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Oscar Kightley
as Tavita
Kaimana
as Jaiyah
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
David Fane
as Ace
Rachel House
as Ruth
Beulah Koale
as Daru
Taika Waititi
as American Samoan Priest
Will Arnett
as Alex Magnussen
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Elisabeth Moss
as Gail
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Uli Latukefu
as Nicky Salapu

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Next Goal Wins?

Movies like Next Goal Wins include Little Big League (1994), Hustle (2022) and Wildcats (1986). Of the 12 closest matches, several are stories about unlikely alliances, and most are films about self-worth.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its story type: sports underdog. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Next Goal Wins?

1.3K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: teacher. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.