Common Sense Media Review
Inspiring football drama brings history to life.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Remember the Titans
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Based on 53 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a powerful and inspiring sports drama that centers around a newly integrated high school football team in 1971 Virginia, showcasing themes of unity, leadership, and resilience. Many viewers appreciate its mix of emotional depth and humor while highlighting important lessons about racism and teamwork, making it a must-see for both kids and adults.
- unity and teamwork
- emotional depth
- racism portrayal
- powerful messages
- inspiring story
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
It's important to know when watching REMEMBER THE TITANS that it wasn't until 1971—17 years after the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision—that Black students first came to T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. Every other team in that football-loving district was still segregated. But the White T.C. Williams players were confronted not only with a whole new set of Black players, but also with a Black coach, Herman Boone (played here by Denzel Washington). Remember the Titans tells how in a matter of a few weeks, Boone has to make the players into a team—and it has to be a winning team, because the school board is looking for any reason to fire him so they can reinstate Coach Yoast (Will Patton), now demoted to assistant. Boone takes the boys to a college near Gettysburg for training. It's impossible to say which is the tougher workout for the team: the physical challenges of drills and practices or the emotional challenge of overcoming a lifetime of anger and prejudice. Like all great coaches, Boone and Yoast teach the team that they have it within themselves to be great, too. And they realize that they get as much from the boys as the boys get from them.
Is It Any Good?
This movie about the real-life integration of a Virginia high school football team teeters on the brink of cliché and stereotype but manages to come down on the side of archetype. That's thanks to Remember the Titans' sure script, solid direction, and sensational star performance by Washington. This is the kind of movie that begins with all the characters attending a funeral under a bright autumn sun and then taking viewers back to where it all began. People say things like, "Is this even about football anymore, or is it just about you?," and the supreme bonding moment involves singing Motown songs together. In other words, no surprises here. (If everyone hadn't achieved a sense of brotherhood that transcended race, and it hadn't all turned out pretty well, Disney probably wouldn't have made a movie about it.) But that just leaves viewers free to enjoy the movie's appealing characters and special moments. And that's all right. There's a reason for the classic structure of the sports movie: We like to watch raw recruits learn honor and loyalty out there on the field when it's done right, and here it's done very nicely.
Washington is, as ever, that rarest of pleasures, equally an actor and a movie star. His power to mesmerize and inspire as a performer works perfectly in this role as a coach who can capture the attention and loyalty of teen boys. Boone is so secure in himself that he can devote all of his energy to the team, so he inspires them by example.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the arguments that Boone and Yoast have about how to motivate the team in Remember the Titans. Which coach inspired the players to do their best, and how did he do it?
How have times changed since 1971? What remains the same? Do you think race relations in the United States are better now? Why, or why not?
Why are so many sports movies inspiring? What are some of your favorites?
How do the characters in Remember the Titans demonstrate empathy, integrity, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 29, 2000
- On DVD or streaming : March 14, 2006
- Cast : Denzel Washington , Donald Faison , Will Patton
- Director : Boaz Yakin
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History , Sports ( Football )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Integrity , Teamwork
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violence, mild language, and a same-sex kiss
- Awards : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : February 18, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate