Top 10 Basketball Movies

Basketball Films Worth Watching

© Phil Partington

Jun 26, 2007

There have been many basketball movies made over time, though many of them could be better used as a door stop or paper weight. In order for a basketball film to qualify for this list, it must either inspire, teach, cause laughter, or succeed at its central goal. The following movies seduce their audience and induce some sort of reaction, whether it be emotional or thought-provoking, or (as in some cases) both.

1. Hoosiers (1986): Set in a tiny town in Indiana, Hoosiers tells the story of how a team of just a handful of players can beat the odds and strike down any Goliath it faces. Loosely based on a true story. The team's star in the movie, named Jimmy Chitwood, resembles the star of the team the story's based off of named Bobby Plump. Hoosiers is an inspiring story with true basketball strategy to make for believable game play and relatable characters.
2. Hoop Dreams (1994): It doesn't get more real than Hoop Dreams, which is a documentary based on two talented young basketball players and their aspirations to reach the NBA level. Hoop Dreams shows the hardships and challenges of these prospects. A must see for any true basketball fan.
3. White Men Can't Jump (1992): A comedy pairing Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson that includes well-written drama and entertaining basketball scenes. Snipes and Harrelson work very well together.
4. Coach Carter (2005): Based on a true story, this movie features some scenes that reminds viewers a lot of Hoosiers. When Coach Carter inherits a team that isn't panning out academically, he takes drastic measures to getting them back on track.
5. Finding Forrester (2000): Though probably not the truest of basketball films, Finding Forrester is a powerful drama about a basketball player with great intellect who befriends and learns from an old, secluded writer.
6. He Got Game (1998): Though not a comedy, watching Denzel Washington try to go one-on-one against NBA star Ray Allen is pretty funny and worth watching in itself. Otherwise, the movie is very entertaining and Ray Allen plays the part of Jesus Shuttlesworth very well.
7. Above the Rim (1994): A movie about high school star Kyle Watson's dream to play for Georgetown University. The concept has been done before, but this movie is put together very well and has exciting basketball scenes.
8. Love & Basketball (2000): A unique basketball movie about the romance of two star high school players. Not many basketball movies feature a protagonist men's basketball player and protagonist female basketball player. A well-made movie.
9. Glory Road (2006): Lacks the depth and substance found in, say, Coach Carter, but an entertaining movie nonetheless. Some parts seem a bit forced, but the basketball scenes are fun to watch, the acting is good and the story is basically pretty good.
10. Blue Chips (1994): NBA star Shaquille O'Neal and former NBA star (injuries have slowed his career significantly) Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway make their film debut in this fast-paced basketball movie about the sketchiness of college basketball recruiting. The acting is horrendous other than Nick Nolte, but the story is fun and insightful.

Movies that Just Missed:

• Hooked (2003): A wonderful documentary about this 5-9 basketball stud and how his choices led him to a path of drug addiction and imprisonment, rather than to NBA stardom. A very powerful piece.
• Space Jam (1996): A quirky, comical movie with Michael Jordan and several other NBA stars of the time. The movie interacts these stars, as well as Bill Murray, with the Looney Tunes cast, led by Bugs Bunny. A cute and funny comedy for the whole family.
• Pistol: Birth of a Legend (1991): A fun story about the high school years of "Pistol" Pete Maravich and how he bested his critics by starring against bigger, older players. The acting is absolutely horrible and the story is cheesy at times, but it's inspiration and fun and worth a watch.
• "O" (2001): This modern-day remake of William Shakespeare's "Othello" is full of drama, romance and fun basketball scenes.
• Like Mike (2002): When an orphan finds a pair of sneakers previously owned by Michael Jordan, the magic transfers from the sneakers to him and opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Like Mike is the basketball version of Little Big League. Stupid and silly, but fun nevertheless.
• The Air Up There (1994): A unique basketball story where a college coach travels to Africa to try to convince the tribe's prince to return to play for his school. Good story and good basketball.

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