Summary
Dennis Quaid’s golf biopic is performing brilliantly on Netflix, and it is the perfect reminder to watch a nearly two-decade-old Shia LaBeouf film.The Long Gamewas released in April 2024, but despite its mostly positive reviews, it has found new life on streaming, with the movie becoming a global success on Netflix. The golf film hit the platform on July 08, 2025, and features the likes of Jay Hernandez, Jaina Lee Ortiz, and Julian Works among other exciting names, while also continuingDennis Quaid’s sports biopic trend, allowing the actor to fit seamlessly into this role.
The Long Game’s premise focuses on real golfers, as the movie is based on a true story about the San Felipe Mustangs overcoming discrimination to become Texas state champions. The Mexican teenagers even built their own golf course to practice on, showing just how instrumental they were to inclusion and progression within the sport. The movie also perfectly captures the spirit of golf with some beautiful cinematography and an uplifting, heartwarming story. WhileThe Long Gamecontinued the positive momentum of the sports biopic genre, a Shia LaBeouf film from 19 years ago also tells an excellent, must-watch golf story.
The True Story Behind The Long Game’s San Felipe Mustangs
The Long Game film follows the story of a 1957 high school golf championship, telling the true story of the victory and the players.
After Dennis Quaid’s The Long Game, Make Sure To Watch 2005’s The Greatest Game Ever Played
LaBeouf’s Golf Movie Is The Perfect Watch After The Long Game
Shia LaBeouf’s golf hit,The Greatest Game Ever Played, is the perfect movie to watch afterThe Long Game. Both movies share some key similarities, asLaBeouf’s Disney film is a real-life fairy-tale, focusing on the story of Francis Ouimet turning from an amateur golfer to a U.S. Open champion. Despite his working-class background and immigrating to America, Ouimet managed to overcome all the odds and not only take up golf but win a major trophy. The inspiring film is based on true events, making it one of the most remarkable sporting stories of all time.
The Greatest Game Ever PlayedandThe Long Gameare both underdog stories that highlight the difficulties of breaking into golf alongside the sport’s most emotional victories. Despite the role coming fairly early into LaBeouf’s professional career, his performance was filled with ambition and likability, making Ouimet the ultimate dark horse. AlthoughThe Greatest Game Ever Playeddoesn’t focus on a team, it still shows the heartwarming relationship between Francis and his 10-year-old caddy, Eddie. Just likeThe Long Game’s ending, LaBeouf’s classic offers an optimistic and satisfying conclusion that is the perfect watch following Quaid’s golf movie.
How The Greatest Game Ever Played’s Reviews Compare To 2024’s The Long Game
The Long Game & The Greatest Game Ever Played Share Similar Reviews
Despite being released nearly 20 years apart,The Long GameandThe Greatest Game Ever Playedshare more than just similar plots, as their reviews also overlap.The Long Gamecomes out on top on Rotten Tomatoes, as both its audience score and Tomatometer are higher than LaBeouf’s film. However,The Greatest Game Ever Playedfares better on IMDb, proving there is a case for either film being ranked higher. The majority of the reviews are mostly positive, and although they differ from site to site, both movies are favorable among audiences and critics.
IMDB Score - 7.4
IMDB Score - 6.7
Metacritic User Score - 8.1
Metacritic User Score - 6.9
Crowning one movie over the other seems difficult, as they are clearly both strong biopics that do a great jobof telling their real-life stories. Picking a winner comes down to personal preference, which could ultimately be decided by what true story is more inspiring to each individual viewer. WhileThe Greatest Game Ever Playedhas been one of the standout golf films for almost two decades,The Long Gameoffers some real competition, and the overall reception suggests both are worth checking out.
The Long Game
In 1956, JB Peña and his wife moved to the small town of Del Rio, TX, partly for a job as a school superintendent, but mostly to fulfill JB’s dream of joining the prestigious, all-white Del Rio Country Club. So when JB is rejected on the basis of his skin color, he is devastated. But his world soon collides with a group of young latino golf caddies who work at the country club, and JB is inspired by the handmade course the boys built in the country to teach themselves golf. With little experience and even fewer resources, JB convinces the boys to start their own high school golf team, starting them all on a journey where they learn that it takes more than just golf skills to make history.
The Greatest Game Ever Played
Cast
A compelling sports drama that chronicles the true story of Francis Ouimet, a young amateur golfer from a humble background, who makes a historic run at the 1913 U.S. Open. Against all odds, Francis enters the prestigious tournament, facing off against the world’s top golfers, including the legendary British champion Harry Vardon. With his youthful caddie Eddie by his side, Francis battles not only the challenges on the golf course but also the societal expectations and class barriers of the time.
