Our team compiled the best Basketball movies and here is what they came up with
Basketball is a beloved sport around the world, and it’s no surprise that there have been numerous movies made about the game. From inspiring stories of underdogs rising to the top, to comedic takes on the sport, basketball movies have something for everyone. Here are 18 of the best basketball movies of all time, along with a summary of the plot, the MPAA rating, box office gross, year of release, and why the movie was appreciated by audiences.
Here are the 18 best basketball movies to check out on the streaming service.
1. Hoosiers (1986)
Rated PG, grossed $28.9 million. This classic sports drama tells the true story of a small-town Indiana high school basketball team that makes a historic run to the state championships in the 1950s. The movie is appreciated for its authentic portrayal of the sport, as well as its themes of perseverance and teamwork.
2. White Men Can’t Jump (1992)
Rated R, grossed $90.5 million. This comedy stars Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes as streetball hustlers who team up to con other players. The movie is appreciated for its fast-paced, high-flying basketball action, as well as its clever script and strong performances from its lead actors.
3. He Got Game (1998)
Rated R, grossed $21.3 million. This drama stars Denzel Washington as a prison inmate trying to convince his highly-touted basketball player son (played by Ray Allen) to sign with the governor’s alma mater. It is well-recieved for Washington’s powerful performance and Spike Lee’s direction, as well as its exploration of the commercialization of amateur athletics.
4. Love & Basketball (2000)
Rated PG-13, grossed $27.5 million. This romantic drama follows the relationship between two basketball players (played by Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan) as they navigate through their lives both on and off the court. The movie is appreciated for its authentic portrayal of the sport, as well as its honest and relatable portrayal of romantic relationships.
5. Rebound (2005)
Rated PG, grossed $10.9 million. This comedy stars Martin Lawrence as a college basketball coach who is fired for his behavior and ends up coaching a middle school team. The movie is appreciated for its comedy and feel good family friendly story.
6. The Air Up There (1994)
Rated PG, grossed $26.6 million. Starring Kevin Bacon as a college basketball coach who travels to Africa to recruit a raw but incredibly talented player back to the states. The movie is appreciated for its fish-out-of-water story and its themes of cultural understanding.
7. Semi-Pro (2008)
Rated R, grossed $33.5 million. A comedy starring Will Ferrell as the owner-coach-player of the Flint Tropics, a fictional ABA team that tries to make it to the NBA before the ABA-NBA merger. The movie is appreciated for its comedy and its satire of the ABA and the 1970s era
8. The Jackie Robinson Story (1950)
Not Rated, grossed $3.5 million. A biographical film that followed the life of Jackie Robinson who became the first African American baseball player in the major league. The movie is appreciated for its representation of one of the most important figures in sports history, and the performances of Jackie Robinson and Ruby Dee.
9. Above the Rim (1994)
Rated R, grossed $21 million. This drama tells the story of a high school basketball star (played by Duane Martin) who gets caught up in the dangerous world of street basketball. The movie is appreciated for its authentic portrayal of the sport and its depiction of the darker side of the game, as well as strong performances from Martin and Tupac Shakur.
10. Space Jam (1996)
Rated PG, grossed $230.4 million. This live-action/animated comedy stars Michael Jordan as himself, who helps the Looney Tunes characters win a basketball game against a team of alien invaders. The movie is appreciated for its combination of live-action and animation, as well as its comedic take on the sport.
11. Glory Road (2006)
Rated PG, grossed $42.6 million. This sports drama tells the true story of the Texas Western Miners, the first team with an all-black starting lineup to win the NCAA national championship. The movie is appreciated for its historical significance and portrayal of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as its portrayal of the sport.
12. The Winning Season (2009)
Rated PG-13, grossed $66,716. This drama stars Sam Rockwell as a down-on-his-luck coach who takes over a girl’s high school basketball team. The movie is appreciated for its performances, particularly Rockwell, and its themes of redemption and second chances.
13. The Last Shot (2004)
Rated R, grossed $77,662. This comedy stars Matthew Broderick as a FBI agent who poses as a Hollywood producer in order to bust a money laundering scheme involving a professional basketball team. The movie is appreciated for its comedy and its clever take on the sport.
14. The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979)
Rated PG, grossed $4 million. This comedy follows a failing basketball team who start to win after adding astrological sign players to their roster. It is well-recieved for its comedy and its satire of the astrology craze of the late 1970s.
15. The 6th Man (1997)
Rated PG-13, grossed $28.3 million. This comedy drama follows two brothers, one of which returns as ghost to help his living brother lead his college team to victory. It is well-recieved for its comedy, performances and its supernatural elements.
16. Hoop Dreams (1994)
Rated PG-13, grossed $11.3 million. This documentary film follows the lives of two inner-city Chicago high school students as they pursue their dream of becoming professional basketball players. The movie is appreciated for its real-life portrayal of the sport and the struggles that young athletes face.
17. High School Musical (2006)
Rated G, grossed $255 million. A Disney Channel Original movie that follows the story of Troy, a basketball player and Gabriella, a smart girl who discover their love for singing. The movie is appreciated for its catchy songs, positive message and relatable characters.
18. Crossover (2006)
Rated PG-13, grossed $6.7 million. This drama is set in Detroit and follows the story of a high school basketball phenom who has to choose between going to college and going pro. The movie is appreciated for its representation of basketball and its themes of friendship, family and facing one’s fears.
These are just a few of the many great basketball movies that have been made over the years. From drama to comedy, these movies offer something for every fan of the sport.