Pelé: Movies & Box Office
- films
- 32
- on screen
- 1962–2025
- box office
- $19.3M
- average score
- 75
- Born
- October 23, 1940
- Birthplace
- Três Corações, Brazil
- Full name
- Edson Arantes do Nascimento
- Citizenship
- Brazil
- Occupations
- Footballer, Humanitarian
- Years active
- 1956-1977
- Spouses
- Rosemeri dos Reis Cholbi, Assíria Lemos Seixas, Marcia Aoki
- Children
- 7
Pelé's Career in Numbers
Pelé's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Pelé works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from O Barão Otelo no Barato dos Bilhões (1971) to Gold Stars: The Story of the FIFA World Cup Tournaments (2017), and the 1980s were the busiest decade.
Pelé Movies by Decade
- 1970s 1
- 1980s 5
- 1990s 1
- 2000s 1
- 2010s 1
The 1980s were Pelé's busiest decade, with 5 films.
Pelé Movies by Genre
- Drama 3
- Documentary 2
- Sport 1
- Comedy 1
- Family 1
- Fantasy 1
Drama is the genre Pelé has worked in most, with 3 films, ahead of documentary (2).
Pelé Career Milestones
- First film
- O Barão Otelo no Barato dos Bilhões 1971
- Biggest box office hit
- Victory $10.9M worldwide
- Newest film
- Gold Stars: The Story of the FIFA World Cup Tournaments 2017
Pelé Filmography: Every Movie
Every film Pelé is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 75. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Pelé Movies as an Actor
9- 2017
Gold Stars: The Story of the FIFA World Cup Tournaments Documentary - 2006
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos Sport Worldwide box office: $214K - 1992
Beijoqueiro: Portrait of a Serial Kisser Documentary - 1987
Hotshot as Santos · Drama - 1986
Os Trapalhões e o Rei do Futebol as Nascimento · Comedy - 1983
A Minor Miracle as Pelé · Family - 1981
Victory Drama Worldwide box office: $10.9M - 1981
Escape to Victory as Cpl. Luis Fernandez, Brazil · Drama - 1971
O Barão Otelo no Barato dos Bilhões Fantasy
Pelé in Documentaries & Specials
23- 2025
O Carnaval é de Pelé as Self · Documentary - 2023
L’Âge d’or de la pub as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2021
Pelé as Self · Sport Movie Echo Score: 76 - 2021
Sergio Mendes in the Key of Joy as Self · Documentary - 2020
Jair Rodrigues - Let Them Talk as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2019
Diego Maradona as Self · Biography Worldwide box office: $2.8M Movie Echo Score: 80 - 2018
In Search of Greatness as Self · Documentary Worldwide box office: $58.1K Movie Echo Score: 70 - 2016
Bobby as Self · Documentary Worldwide box office: $12.9K - 2014
Ilusión Nacional as Self (archive footage) · Documentary Worldwide box office: $355K - 2012
Santos, 100 Years of Playful Soccer as Self · Documentary - 2010
A Day in the Life as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2010
Todo Poderoso: O Filme - 100 Anos de Timão as Self · Documentary - 2009
Simonal: No One Knows How Tough It Was as Self · Documentary - 2007
Dare To Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team as Self · Documentary - 2006
The Art of Football from A to Z as Self · Comedy - 2005
Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova as Self (archive footage) · Music - 2004
Pelé Forever as Self · Documentary - 2003
Born To Be Blind as Self (uncredited) · Documentary - 2001
Mike Bassett: England Manager as Self · Comedy Worldwide box office: $5.02M - 1969
Superstição e Futebol as Self · Documentary - 1966
Goal! as Self · Documentary - 1963
Ecco as Self · Documentary - 1962
O Rei Pelé as Himself · Drama
Who Is Pelé?
Pelé was born in Três Corações, Brazil in 1940. Credited on films since 1962, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, was born on 23 October 1940 in Três Corações, Brazil and died on 29 December 2022. He was a professional footballer who played as a forward and is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. Throughout his career, he won three FIFA World Cups: 1958, 1962, and 1970, marking him as the only player to achieve this feat. Pelé was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999 and was included in Time's list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. He also held the Guinness World Record for his 1,279 goals in 1,363 games, including matches outside of professional leagues.
Pelé began his professional career with Santos at 15 and his international career with the Brazil national team at 16. His impressive performance led to his nickname, O Rei (The King). He later played for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League and ended his 22-year professional career in 1977. Off the pitch, Pelé was known for his charismatic sportsmanship and was dubbed 'The Black Pearl'. His popularity led to his teams touring internationally, attracting crowds wherever he played. Well after his retirement, he continued to be recognized globally through his ambassadorial and humanitarian work, becoming an everlasting figure in football.
Who Pelé Makes Movies With
The actors and directors Pelé shares the most films with. John Huston comes first, with 3 films together, followed by Frank Sinatra (2).
Pelé: Questions & Answers
How many movies Pelé has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has Pelé been in?
Pelé is credited on 32 films, from 1962 to 2025. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.
What is Pelé's highest-grossing movie?
Victory (1981) is Pelé's biggest box office hit, with $10.9M worldwide, ahead of Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001) ($5.02M). Across every film with box office figures, Pelé's movies have made $19.3M.
Pelé's biggest hits What is the best Pelé movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Pelé's best-rated film is Diego Maradona (2019) with a score of 80, followed by Pelé (2021) (76).
Best Pelé movies, ranked What is Pelé's newest movie?
The most recent film on Pelé's filmography is O Carnaval é de Pelé (2025), in the role of Self.
Who does Pelé work with most often?
Pelé shares the most films with John Huston (3 films), Frank Sinatra (2 films) and Sylvester Stallone (2 films).
The Best Pelé Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 32 credits.
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