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List of basketball films

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This is a list of films about basketball, featuring notable films where basketball plays a central role in the development of the plot.

List

[edit]
Year Title Genre Notes
1927 The Fair Co-Ed Comedy Silent film about a college girl (Marion Davies) who plays basketball to hook the coach.[1]
1938 Campus Confessions Comedy A college president's son inspires a bad team and attracts a reporter (Betty Grable).
1946 Double Dribble Comedy Disney short starring Goofy playing basketball.[1]
1947 The Big Fix Drama Army vet Ken Williams, a basketball hero, is threatened to fix his school's games.
1948 Big Town Scandal Drama A newspaper editor agrees to coach a team made up of juvenile delinquents.
1951 The Basketball Fix Drama A college player in need of money agrees to shave points for a gambler.[2]
The Harlem Globetrotters Drama A new kind of basketball team dazzles audiences with its skills.
1954 Go Man Go Biographical Origin of the Harlem Globetrotters, featuring Sidney Poitier as a player.[3]
1960 Tall Story Comedy A co-ed (Jane Fonda) tries to win the heart of the team's star (Anthony Perkins).[4]
1961 The Absent-Minded Professor Comedy Miracle substance called "Flubber" invented by a college professor (Fred MacMurray) enables school's basketball players to bounce sky-high.
1971 Drive, He Said Drama Directed by Jack Nicholson, story of a college player who becomes a campus activist.
1973 Maurie Biographical Life-changing injury's impact on NBA teammates Maurice Stokes and Jack Twyman.[1]
1974 Mixed Company Comedy A Phoenix Suns coach and his wife adopt children of various ethnic backgrounds.
1975 Cornbread, Earl and Me Drama Teen about to get basketball scholarship (Jamaal Wilkes) is mistaken for a criminal and shot by the police.[5]
1977 One on One Drama A highly recruited college freshman (Robby Benson) runs afoul of a demanding coach.[1]
1978 Coach Drama A basketball coach (Cathy Lee Crosby) hired by mistake is harassed by her superior.
1979 The American Game Documentary Follows two high school basketball players from different backgrounds[1]
Fast Break Comedy Gabe Kaplan as a New Yorker who dreams of being a coach and finally gets a shot.[6]
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh Comedy A laughing-stock basketball squad transforms itself as the Pittsburgh Pisces.[7]
The Great Santini Drama A high school star's life is complicated by his father (Robert Duvall), a mean Marine.
1980 Inside Moves Drama When a bartender's injury heals, he becomes a player for the Golden State Warriors.
1982 That Championship Season Drama A reunion of a Pennsylvania state championship team turns into an angry confrontation, starring Robert Mitchum and Bruce Dern.[1]
1985 Teen Wolf Comedy A slapstick comedy starring Michael J. Fox about a high schooler who discovers that he turns into a werewolf.[1]
1986 Hoosiers Drama Gene Hackman in story based loosely on the 1953–54 Milan High School basketball team.[8]
1987 Amazing Grace and Chuck Drama An NBA superstar (real-life NBA star Alex English) joins the anti-nuclear protest of a Montana Little League pitcher.
1991 The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend Drama Biographical film based on the early life of Pete Maravich.[6]
Heaven Is a Playground Drama Based on Rick Telander's book of the same name, a coach and lawyer team up to help an urban high school team stay out of trouble.[1]
1992 American Citizen Drama Film about the friendship of an American basketball player playing in Israel and an Israeli sports journalist[1]
White Men Can't Jump Comedy Outdoor court hustlers (Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson) con opponents as well as each other.[9]
Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story Drama TV biographical film about doomed Loyola Marymount star.[1]
1993 Hardwood Dreams Documentary Wesley Snipes narrates a look at a Los Angeles-area high school team.[1]
1994 Blue Chips Drama Nick Nolte as a successful college coach who violates the rules to recruit new stars.[10]
Hoop Dreams Documentary A pair of Chicago high school athletes try to succeed on the court and make it to college.[11]
Above the Rim Drama Story about a New York high school player who falls in with a bad crowd.[10][12]
The Air Up There Comedy Kevin Bacon as a college coach who goes to Africa searching for new talent.[12]
The St. Tammany Miracle Family Story of an Episcopalian all-girl team.[1]
1995 The Basketball Diaries Drama Based on Jim Carroll's harrowing true story of drug addiction starring Leonardo DiCaprio.[5]
Forget Paris Rom-com A temperamental NBA referee (Billy Crystal) tries to make his new marriage work.[7]
Slam Dunk Ernest Comedy Featuring the character played in many films by Jim Varney.[1]
1996 Space Jam Animation/Comedy Combines live action and animation, featuring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny.[10]
Eddie Comedy Whoopi Goldberg as a New York Knicks fan who becomes their head coach.[1]
Celtic Pride Comedy Boston fans (Daniel Stern and Dan Aykroyd) kidnap opposition's top player (Damon Wayans).[10]
Sunset Park Drama A woman (Rhea Perlman) becomes coach of an all-male team.[6]
Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault Biographical Film starring Don Cheadle as the New York playground legend.[6]
1997 Air Bud Comedy Family adventure about a basketball-playing dog.[5]
The 6th Man Comedy Ghost of a teammate returns to inspire a University of Washington player.[6]
Soul in the Hole Documentary About aspiring basketball coach Kenny Jones, and his team "Kenny's Kings"[1]
1998 My Giant Comedy A man nearly 8 feet tall (Gheorghe Mureșan) is found by a guy (Billy Crystal) with big ideas.
Gunnin' for That #1 Spot Documentary The film by Adam Yauch follows 8 of the top high school basketball players.
Bad As I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story Drama TV film, biographical film of NBA star.
He Got Game Drama An imprisoned man (Denzel Washington) tries to convince his son, a top-ranked high school basketball player, to attend the governor's college alma mater in return for a reduced sentence.[3]
City Dump: The Story of the 1951 CCNY Basketball Scandal Documentary HBO's look at a New York college team's point-shaving scandal.
1999 Game Day Drama Little-known dark drama. Haunted by the loss of five championship titles, alcoholic coach Richard Lewis gets a chance at redemption in a small college second-rate program with an obsessed fan.
Michael Jordan: An American Hero Drama Biographical film of former NBA great.[1]
Passing Glory Drama A 1960s priest (Andre Braugher) organizes a game between racially segregated teams.[1]
That Championship Season Drama Remake of 1982 film, based on Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Jason Miller.
2000 Love & Basketball Romance Male and female basketball players attend USC together and fall in love.[10]
Michael Jordan to the Max Documentary IMAX documentary narrated by Laurence Fishburne.
Finding Forrester Drama A reclusive author (Sean Connery) mentors a prep-school student-athlete.[12]
2001 The Luck of the Irish Comedy TV family film about a junior high school student who discovers his Irish heritage.[1]
O Drama An adaptation of Othello, updated to a modern American high school and its team.[6]
2002 Juwanna Mann Rom-com A basketball player becomes a female impersonator.[1]
The Red Sneakers Fantasy TV film about a player with a lucky pair of shoes, directed by Gregory Hines.[13]
Like Mike Comedy Magical shoes turn a 14-year-old (Lil' Bow Wow) into a basketball sensation.[12]
A Season on the Brink Drama TV film based on the book, documenting 1985–86 season of Bob Knight and Indiana University.[1]
Double Teamed Biographical Disney Channel biopic of Heather and Heidi Burge, twins from Palos Verdes who end up in the WNBA.[1]
Crossing the Line Drama A coach of a girls' team clashes with angry parents.[1]
Something to Cheer About Documentary About the Crispus Attucks Tigers, first all-black high school team to win a state championship against white teams, behind future NBA star Oscar Robertson.
2003 Full-Court Miracle Family Story of a team from a Hebrew academy in a big tournament.[14]
2004 Sky Walker – The David Thompson Story Documentary A look at North Carolina State and NBA star David Thompson.
The Year of the Yao Documentary Chronicles Yao Ming's first season in the NBA.[1]
The Cookout Comedy A neighbor tries to get even with a New Jersey Nets player by selling memorabilia.[3]
2005 Rebound Comedy A coach banned from college ball (Martin Lawrence) ends up teaching middle-school kids.[1]
Coach Carter Drama Based on a true story, starring Samuel L. Jackson as a high school coach.[3]
The Heart of the Game Documentary Behind-the-scenes look at a Seattle high school girls team.[15]
Through the Fire Documentary Shows the life of Sebastian Telfair, who has to decide between playing for Louisville or heading straight to the NBA[1]
Hardwood Documentary Hubert Davis reflects on his Harlem Globetrotters player father.
2006 Church Ball Comedy A bishop recruits Dennis Buckstead to coach a group of non-playing basketball players[1]
Crossover Action A college student tries to concentrate on both basketball and medical school.[16]
Like Mike 2 Comedy Direct-to-DVD sequel to Like Mike.[1]
Glory Road Drama Based on the true story of the 1965–66 Texas Western College team.[6]
Believe in Me Drama Assigned to an Oklahoma girls' team against his will, coach takes it to state title game.[1]
2007 Home of the Giants Crime drama A robbery creates complications for an Indiana high school team.
Quantum Hoops Documentary Caltech's team tries to end 21-year losing streak in conference play during 2005–06 season.
Dribbles Drama
2008 Slam Action Chinese film about three youths facing their rivals at an Adidas street basketball tournament[1]
The First Basket Documentary Explores the influence of professional basketball on Jewish culture.
Game of Change Documentary A segregated Mississippi State team, defying a court order, plays integrated Loyola Chicago in the 1963 NCAA tournament. Produced and directed by Jerald Harkness, son of 1963 Loyola star Jerry Harkness.
Road to Redemption Documentary Nike-produced film.
Semi-Pro Comedy The owner/coach/player (Will Ferrell) of a hapless American Basketball Association team makes various attempts to increase wins, and attendance.
Ball Don't Lie Indie Based on the novel of the same name, it showcases the life of Sticky (Grayson Boucher), who struggles with OCD and emotional traumas but is talented on the court.[1][17]
2009 Hurricane Season Drama Based on true story of a Louisiana coach (Forest Whitaker) rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.[1]
Kobe Doin' Work Documentary TV movie directed by Spike Lee that focuses on one day in the life of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.[5]
The Mighty Macs Drama Based on 1972 Immaculata College women's team, coached by Cathy Rush, that won first official women's national championship.[18]
More Than a Game Documentary Chronicles the high school careers of LeBron James and four of his hometown friends.[1]
Sonicsgate Documentary Explores the controversial relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City.
No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look at a fight and subsequent trial when Allen Iverson was in high school.
The Winning Season Comedy A has-been coach (Sam Rockwell) with a drinking problem takes over a girls' varsity team.[1]
Streetballers Indie Tells the story of a friendship between two junior college basketball players from different backgrounds[19]
2010 Just Wright Romance A physical therapist (Queen Latifah) falls for a player from NBA's New Jersey Nets.[11]
Without Bias Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores career of Len Bias and his death from a cocaine overdose shortly after he was selected in the 1986 NBA draft.
Guru of Go Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. On 1985–1990 coaching tenure of Paul Westhead at Loyola Marymount, team's frenzied offensive pace and star players Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble.
Once Brothers Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Story of Croat Dražen Petrović and Serb Vlade Divac, teammates on the Yugoslavia national team, and how the Yugoslav Wars broke their friendship.
Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look at Reggie Miller's rivalry with New York Knicks in 1990s, especially 1994 and 1995 playoffs and interaction with Knicks fan Spike Lee.
2011 The Fab Five Documentary Made for TV follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Documents the University of Michigan's early-1990s Fab Five ups and downs.
Off the Rez Documentary Made for TV. Focuses on high school career of future WNBA player Shoni Schimmel, a Native American who grew up on an Oregon reservation.
Unguarded Documentary Made for TV follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Chronicles life and career of former NBA player Chris Herren, battle with drug addiction and ongoing recovery.
2012 The Announcement Documentary Made for TV follow-up to ESPN's 30 for 30 series. About the impact of Magic Johnson's 1991 announcement that he had tested positive for HIV.
Benji Documentary Examines 1984 killing of Ben Wilson, a high school superstar from Chicago's South Side.
Ginger: More than a Game Documentary Serbian documentary on the life and impact of Radivoj Korać, credited with establishing basketball as a major sport in the former Yugoslavia.
Long Shot: The Kevin Laue Story Documentary Kevin Laue, despite being born with an arm that ends below the elbow, gets the chance to be a basketball player.[1]
The Other Dream Team Documentary On the resurrection of the Lithuania national team after restoration of the country's independence in 1990, and its journey to the 1992 Olympics.[1]
There's No Place Like Home Documentary Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series looking at the attempt to bring James Naismith's Original Rules of Basketball back to the University of Kansas, where Naismith worked for over 40 years.
Thunderstruck Family A teenager who idolizes Kevin Durant (who stars as himself) switches talents with the NBA star, becoming a phenom while Durant is mired in a slump.[1]
Winning Favor Drama Two childhood friends meet each other in the state championship.
Dream Team 1935 Drama Little-known true story of origins of basketball in Europe, culminating with first European Basketball Championship tournament, held in Geneva, Switzerland in 1935.
2013 Bernie and Ernie Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. About friendship between NBA players Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld, which began when both played for the Tennessee Volunteers in the 1970s.
Free Spirits Documentary Made for TV as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series taking a look at The Spirits of St. Louis ABA basketball team, and how the team's owners kept them involved with the NBA for decades after the Spirits folded.
The Hot Flashes Comedy Middle-aged women challenge the state high school champs.
Linsanity Documentary On the sudden fame of NBA guard Jeremy Lin.[1]
Medora Documentary Struggles of an Indiana high school with just 70 students.[20]
Survive and Advance Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A 30-year retrospective on North Carolina State's improbable run to win the 1983 ACC and NCAA tournaments.
Swoopes Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's Nine for IX series. A look at Sheryl Swoopes, sometimes called the female Michael Jordan.
Pat XO Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's Nine for IX. Examines the Tennessee coach Pat Summitt and her battle with early-onset Alzheimer's.
The Doctor Documentary NBA TV documentary about the ABA and NBA career of Julius Erving.
Coach Documentary Made for TV short film - part of ESPN's Nine for IX. Examines renowned basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer.
2014 Jayhawkers Biographical Phog Allen, head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team recruits Wilt Chamberlain.[1]
1000 to 1: The Cory Weissman Story Drama Direct-to-DVD film based on the real story of Cory Weissman, a high school star who suffered a stroke while at Gettysburg College, and his battle to return to the court despite initial paralysis.[1]
Bad Boys Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look back at the Detroit Pistons of late 1980s and early 1990s.
Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot Documentary German film on development of Dirk Nowitzki into an NBA superstar, featuring shooting coach Holger Geschwindner.
Playing for the Mob Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores how Mafia associate Henry Hill orchestrated a massive point-shaving scheme at Boston College.
Requiem for the Big East Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A history of the Big East Conference, founded in the same year as ESPN itself, examining what led to its 2013 split into two leagues.
When the Garden Was Eden Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look back at early-1970s teams of the New York Knicks.
Villinam Drama A college student in India fights the cricket establishment to start a basketball program.
2015 Down in the Valley Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look back at the fight of Sacramento and its mayor, former NBA star Kevin Johnson, to keep the Kings from moving to Seattle. Not aired as scheduled on October 20, 2015.
I Hate Christian Laettner Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Examines the life and career of Christian Laettner, and intense dislike some fans still harbor toward the former Duke star, more than 20 years after his last game for the Blue Devils.
Sole Man Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the rise of Sonny Vaccaro from Pennsylvania steel-town roots to his prominent position in the basketball and athletic shoe industry.
Son of the Congo Documentary Explores the journey of Serge Ibaka from childhood in war-torn Republic of the Congo to NBA stardom.
Brotherly Love Drama Follows high school basketball player Sergio Taylor as he deals with the fame that comes with being a star athlete and coming from a family with faded aspirations.
We Will Be the World Champions Drama Serbian film about the development of basketball in the former Yugoslavia, culminating in the national team's victory in the 1970 FIBA World Championship.
2016 Giants of Africa Documentary Profiles Masai Ujiri's philanthropic efforts to promote the development and expansion of basketball in Africa.
One & Done Documentary Made for TV. Explores the life of Australian prospect and eventual NBA player Ben Simmons, focusing on his only season at LSU.[1]
Phi Slama Jama Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look back at the University of Houston's iconic Phi Slama Jama team of the 1980s.
This Magic Moment Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look back at the 1990s Orlando Magic and cultural phenomenon inspired by Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway.
Wolves Drama Gambling of a college professor (Michael Shannon) complicates life for his son, a high school basketball star.
2017 The Carter Effect Documentary Explores the impact of Vince Carter's stint playing for the Toronto Raptors.
Hoops Africa: Ubuntu Matters Documentary From the first-ever NBA game held in South Africa to the streets of Zimbabwe, this film explores the dreams of a young player and a nonprofit that uses basketball as a force of good. Witness the power of Ubuntu and how it can change the world. Narrated by NBA Hall of Fame Hakeem Olajuwon.
Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies Documentary Three-part documentary made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Examines the Celtics–Lakers rivalry, including its impact on the NBA as a whole.
Disgraced Documentary A made-for-TV examination of the 2003 murder of Baylor player Patrick Dennehy by a teammate and the massive violations of NCAA rules uncovered in its wake.
Going Vertical Drama Film about the controversial victory of the Soviet national team over the US Olympic team, ending the USA's 63-game winning streak, at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
My Other Home Biography Chinese film about Stephon Marbury and his career resurrection in China.
On the Map Documentary A 40-year retrospective of the 1976–77 season of Maccabi Tel Aviv, who in the words of their New Jersey-born star Tal Brody put Israel "on the map" with victory in that season's European Champions Cup.
One and Not Done Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Explores the life and career of John Calipari against the backdrop of his 2015–16 Kentucky team.
Slamma Jamma Drama A once promising college basketball player (Chris Staples) is released from prison after serving six years in prison for armed robbery.[21]
2018 Finding Big Country Documentary Filmmaker Kathleen Jayme attempts to track down the whereabouts of former Vancouver Grizzlies player Bryant "Big Country" Reeves following his retirement from basketball.
The Last Days of Knight Documentary Made as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series and initially released on the company's new ESPN+ streaming service. A retrospective of the events leading to Indiana University's 2000 firing of Bob Knight, directed by the reporter whose investigation led to Knight's dismissal.
Uncle Drew Comedy A streetball coach loses the team he planned to enter in a big tournament, and turns to an elderly group of players in a desperate bid to win the tournament. Spin-off of a series of Pepsi Max commercials featuring NBA star Kyrie Irving as the title character; also features Hall of Fame players Lisa Leslie, Reggie Miller, and Shaquille O'Neal as well as many other prominent basketball figures.[11]
Warrior Pride Drama The head coach of a Michigan-based AAU basketball team pursues a national championship while helping his players navigate the ups and downs of life on and off the court.[1]
2019 The Dominican Dream Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look at the life and career of Felipe López, the son of Dominican immigrants who enjoyed great success in high school and college, and the contentment he finds after a middling professional career.
Rodman: For Better or Worse Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. An unrestrained look at the life and career of Dennis Rodman.
High Flying Bird Drama During a pro basketball lockout, a sports agent pitches a rookie basketball client on an intriguing and controversial business proposition.[7]
2020 Events Transpiring Before, During and After a High School Basketball Game Comedy The travails of an unsuccessful high school basketball team and the school they play for.
Basketball County: In the Water Documentary A look into youth basketball in Prince George's County, Maryland, an area that has produced a significant number of talented basketball players such as Kevin Durant and Victor Oladipo[22]
One of Ours Documentary Profiles Josiah Wilson, a young Black Canadian man who was adopted and raised by a First Nations family but was rejected for participation in a 2016 indigenous basketball tournament on the grounds that he is not indigenous by birth.
The Way Back Drama An alcoholic construction worker (Ben Affleck) is recruited to become head coach of the basketball team at the high school he used to star for.[7]
2021 Boogie Drama A basketball phenom (Taylor Takahashi) struggles to balance the pressure from his traditional East Asian parents to earn a scholarship to an elite college over chasing his NBA dreams.
Breakaway Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. At the height of her career, WNBA superstar Maya Moore walked away from her sport to work toward freeing a man whom many believed to have been wrongfully convicted—a quest that would change her life in unexpected ways.
Handle With Care: The Legend of the Notic Streetball Crew Documentary Documentary about a streetball crew in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
NBA Films for Fans Documentary Anthology of five short documentary films about basketball, created to mark the 75th anniversary of the first-ever National Basketball Association game.
Space Jam: A New Legacy Animation/Comedy Combines live action and animation, featuring LeBron James and Bugs Bunny.
2022 Dream On Documentary Three-part documentary made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. A look at the 1996 United States women's Olympic basketball team, which dominated the competition at the Atlanta Olympics and contributed to the creation of the WNBA the next year.
Golden Delicious Coming-of-age drama A Chinese-Canadian teenager comes to terms with social expectations when he falls in love with his basketball teammate.
The Greatest Mixtape Ever Documentary Part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Examines the sporting and cultural impact of 1990s streetball and the AND1 Mixtape Tour.
The Grizzlie Truth Documentary Filmmaker Kathleen Jayme investigates the decline and collapse of the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Hustle Comedy/Drama An NBA scout (Adam Sandler) discovers an unknown player in Spain (Juancho Hernangómez) and brings him back to United States to prepare for the upcoming NBA draft.[7]
Rise Docudrama Disney+ release about the rise of the Antetokounmpo brothers from struggles as the sons of Nigerian immigrants to Greece to basketball prominence—and in the case of Giannis, NBA mega-stardom.
The First Slam Dunk Anime/Drama Japanese animated film based on the sports manga series Slam Dunk.
The Redeem Team Documentary Tells the story of the 2008 USA Men's Basketball Olympic team[23]
2023 Hello Universe! Fantasy/Comedy A middle-aged man gets to live the life he wanted when a magical figure grants his wish of being a successful basketball coach.[24][25]
Air Drama The origin of the Air Jordan shoe brand.[11]
Champions Comedy A temperamental minor-league basketball coach who after an arrest must coach a team of players with intellectual disabilities as community service.
Chang Can Dunk Drama Chang, a 16-year-old Asian American high school student in band, bets the school basketball star that he can dunk by homecoming.[26][7]
The Hidden Court Documentary The story of a group of 11 men from Northern Westchester, NY who, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when gyms were closed and rims taken off outdoor courts, found a sense of community and camaraderie by playing 'prohibition basketball' on a hidden outdoor court.
Lady Ballers Comedy Jeremy Boreing plays a down-on-his-luck-coach who will do anything to win, even bring his old male basketball team together to compete in women's sports.
The Luckiest Guy in the World Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Four-part series exploring the life of Bill Walton, from his start as a high school phenom through dominance at UCLA, an injury-riddled NBA career, social activism, and sometimes-controversial basketball commentary.
Shooting Stars Drama A Peacock original biopic about LeBron James' high school years.[7]
Warrior Strong Drama An aspiring professional basketball player is asked by his former high school principal to return to the school as assistant to the head basketball coach.
White Men Can't Jump Comedy American remake of the 1992 film.[27]
Sweetwater Drama Biopic about Nat Clifton, the first African-American to sign a contract with the NBA.[28]
2024 Rez Ball Drama The Chuska Warriors, a Native American high school basketball team from New Mexico, must band together after losing their star player to keep their quest for a state championship alive.[29]
2025 Court of Gold Documentary A six-part Netflix documentary series chronicling four men's basketball teams at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
All-Star Weekend Comedy Two friends find themselves fans of opposing NBA stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
King's Court Short documentary Two friends in Toronto regularly meet to play pick-up basketball on the neighbourhood courts in St. James Town.
Saints and Warriors Documentary A Haida basketball team prepares to compete in the All Native Basketball Tournament.[30]
Volunteer for Life Documentary Part of ESPN's SEC Storied series, looking back at how Tennessee men's star Chris Lofton played his final Volunteers season in 2007–08 while undergoing treatment for testicular cancer.
2026 48 Hours in Vegas Biography Inspired by the story of how NBA star Dennis Rodman went on a madcap adventure in the middle of the 1998 NBA Finals.
GOAT Animation/comedy In a world of anthropomorphic animals, a young goat makes a name for himself in roarball, that world's version of basketball. Co-produced by Stephen Curry, with Curry, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Love, Angel Reese, Dwyane Wade, and A'ja Wilson all voicing characters.
King of the South Biography TBA

List of highest grossing basketball films

[edit]

The following is a list of basketball films that surpass $1 million. Looney Tunes is the most frequent franchise with 2 films on the list.

2021 is the most frequent year with 2 films on the list. 98% of the films played since 1970 and films that have not played since then do not appear on the chart due to ticket price inflation, population size, and ticket purchasing trends not being considered.

List of highest grossing basketball films
RankFilmBox officeYearRef.
1Space Jam$230,594,9621996[31]
2Goat † $190,564,5902025[32]
3Space Jam: A New Legacy$163,692,2282021[33]
4Going Vertical$108,613,5012017[34]
5White Men Can't Jump$90,753,8061991[35]
6Air $90,060,1062023[36]
7Finding Forrester$80,049,7642000[37]
8Teen Wolf$80,000,0001985[38]
9Coach Carter$76,669,8922005[39]
10Like Mike$62,274,7802002[40]
11Forget Paris$56,000,0001995[41]
12Uncle Drew$46,664,4142018[42]
13Semi-Pro $44,004,5022008[43]
14Glory Road $42,938,4492006[44]
15Eddie$31,387,1641996[45]
16Love & Basketball$27,743,5962000[46]
17Air Bud$23,144,4991997[47]
18Blue Chips$26,000,0001994[48]
19The Absent-Minded Professor$25,381,4071961[49]
20Champions $21,899,5062023[50]
21He Got Game$21,567,8531998[51]
22Michael Jordan to the Max$21,520,5962000[52]
23The Air Up There$21,011,3181994[53]
24Best Shot$28,607,5241986[54]
25Just Wright$21,584,4242010[55]
26One by One$20,000,0001979[56]
27O$19,260,5372001[57]
28 Rebound$17,492,0142005[58]
29Above the Rim$16,192,3201994[59]
30The Way Back$15,490,5142020[60]
31The 6th Man$14,772,7881997[61]
32Juwanna Mann$13,802,5992002[62]
33The Cookout$12,009,0702004[63]
34Hoop Dreams$11,830,6111994[64]
35Sunset Park$10,163,7821996[65]
36Crossover $7,009,6682006[66]
37Celtic Pride$9,255,0271996[67]
38The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh$8,281,2461979[68]
39My Giant$8,072,0071998[69]
40The Hot Flashes$5,600,0002013[70]
41Silent Voice$5,400,0001987[71]
42The Great Santini$4,702,5751979[72]
43Boogie$4,191,0232021[73]
44The Basketball Diaries$2,402,4381994[74]
45Cornbread, Earl and Me$2,020,0001975[75]
46The Mighty Macs$1,891,9362009[76]
47Tall Story$1,700,0001960[77]
48Inside Moves$1,200,0001980[78]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 "98 Basketball Movies to See Before You Die (Full List)". 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  2. ↑ "The Basketball Fix (1951)". BFI. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Kienlen, Jacob (2008-03-18). "Top 10 Basketball Movies". IGN Southeast Asia. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  4. ↑ "Tall Story". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on April 4, 2011. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kring-Schreifels, Jake; Rosenberg, Josh (2023-04-14). "The 25 Best Basketball Movies to Stream Now". Esquire. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Turner, Gus; Diaz, Angel (July 28, 2022). "20 Best Movies About Basketball of All Time". www.complex.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Truitt, Brian (March 21, 2024). "March Madness 2024: The 25 best basketball movies, ranked (from 'Air' to 'Hoosiers')". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  8. ↑ "The Milan Indians…More Than A Movie". Stateline Sports Network. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  9. ↑ Willis, Jeremy (2023-05-19). "'White Men Can't Jump' at 30: Sneakers, bets and stories from an all-time sports movie". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Fray, Jason (January 26, 2012). "Ranking the Top 10 Basketball Movies". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Murrian, Samuel R. (2023-04-07). "Lace up your Air Jordans! The 27 Best Basketball Movies Ever". Parade. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "The 16 best basketball movies of all time". Red Bull. 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  13. ↑ "The Red Sneakers". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  14. ↑ Ezkenazi, Joe (November 6, 2003). "Hebrew hoopsters — A Disney spin on yeshiva basketball — J." JWeekly. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  15. ↑ "Heart of the Game, The". Rocky Mountain Women's Film. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  16. ↑ Lemire, Christy (2006-09-01). "'Crossover' all flash and trash". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  17. ↑ Bleier, Evan (November 21, 2012). "Grayson "The Professor" Boucher Teaches on and off the Court". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  18. ↑ "The Mighty Macs: The Story Behind the Film | Franciscan Media". www.franciscanmedia.org. 2020-05-12. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  19. ↑ "Former Missouri player stars in independent movie". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  20. ↑ "Director's Cut: Medora's Davy Rothbart". FOX Sports. March 4, 2020. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  21. ↑ Scheck, Frank (2017-03-24). "'Slamma Jamma': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  22. ↑ Langmann, Brady (2020-05-15). "A County in Maryland Produces a Wild Number of Basketball Stars. This Documentary Wants to Know Why". Esquire. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  23. ↑ Fitzgerald, Toni (October 14, 2022). "7 Surprises From Netflix's New Hit Documentary 'The Redeem Team'". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  24. ↑ Salterio, Leah C. (January 17, 2023). "Xian Lim directs his comic idols in Hello, Universe". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  25. ↑ Jusay, Annalyn. "Positive reviews for Xian Lim's 'Hello Universe'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  26. ↑ Merican, Sara (March 27, 2023). "How 'Chang Can Dunk' Director Jingyi Shao Went From Making Commercials To A Debut With Disney". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  27. ↑ Yemi, Frank (2024-08-02). "'I've Got to Get Better': Jack Harlow Addresses White Men Can't Jump Reboot". CBR. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  28. ↑ "28 years in the making, 'Sweetwater' premieres in theaters". NBA.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  29. ↑ "Rez Ball: A film that brought Indigenous identity to the spotlight". The Eyeopener. 2024-09-25. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  30. ↑ Nathan Caddell, "DOXA 2025: Basketball is much more than a game in Saints and Warriors". The Georgia Straight, May 1, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Space Jam". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
  32. ↑ "GOAT". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
  33. ↑ "Space Jam: A New Legacy". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
  34. ↑ "Three Seconds". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
  35. ↑ "White Men Can't Jump". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  36. ↑ "Air". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  37. ↑ "Finding Forrester". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  38. ↑ Tribune, Chicago (2011-09-27). "'Teen Wolf' director's brutally honest commentary". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  39. ↑ "Coach Carter". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  40. ↑ "Like Mike". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  41. ↑ Planet Hollywood". Screen International. August 30, 1996. pp. 14–15.
  42. ↑ "Uncle Drew". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  43. ↑ "Semi-Pro". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  44. ↑ "Glory Road". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  45. ↑ "Eddie". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  46. ↑ "Love & Basketball". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  47. ↑ "Air Bud". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  48. ↑ Top 100 grossers worldwide, '93-94". Variety. October 17, 1994. p. M-56.
  49. ↑ "The Absent Minded Professor (1961) - Box Office and Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  50. ↑ "Champions". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  51. ↑ "He Got Game". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  52. ↑ "Michael Jordan to the Max". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  53. ↑ "The Air Up There". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  54. ↑ "Hoosiers". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  55. ↑ "Just Wright". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  56. ↑ https://archive.org/details/cinefantastique_1970-2002/Cinefantastique%20Vol%2013%20No%205%20%281982%29/page/n17/mode/1up
  57. ↑ "O". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  58. ↑ "Rebound". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  59. ↑ "Above the Rim". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  60. ↑ "The Way Back". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  61. ↑ "The Sixth Man". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  62. ↑ "Juwanna Mann". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  63. ↑ "The Cookout". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  64. ↑ "Hoop Dreams". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  65. ↑ "Box Office Mojo > Sunset Park (1996)". www.boxofficemojo.com. Archived from the original on 2005-03-20. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  66. ↑ "Crossover". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  67. ↑ "Celtic Pride". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  68. ↑ "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  69. ↑ https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0120765/
  70. ↑ "Fastlane NextGen". fastlaneng.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
  71. ↑ "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  72. ↑ "The Great Santini". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  73. ↑ "Boogie". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  74. ↑ "The Basketball Diaries". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  75. ↑ "American film distribution : the changing marketplace : Donahue, Suzanne Mary, 1956- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive". Internet Archive. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  76. ↑ "The Mighty Macs". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  77. ↑ "Rental Potentials of 1960", Variety, 4 January 1961 p 47. Please note figures are rentals as opposed to total gross.
  78. ↑ "American film distribution : the changing marketplace : Donahue, Suzanne Mary, 1956- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming". Internet Archive. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
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