Stadium Rant Top 10 Best Basketball Movies Of All-Time
Updated: Nov 5
The only thing basketball fans enjoy more than a great game, is a great movie about the game. From documentaries, to bio pics, to straight up fiction, movie goers and season ticket holders alike, love to sit in front of the big screen for a Hollywood version of hoops. Which movies are the best though? Here is a list of the Top 10 best basketball movies of all-time.
Space Jam
Released: November 15, 1996
Box Office (2024 inflation adjusted): $505 Million
Cast: Michael Jordan, Bill Murray, Wayne Knight, Looney Tunes
An evil race of alien cartoons steal the talent of several NBA basketball players, and threaten to take over the world of Looney Tunes. Bugs, Daffy, and the rest of the game kidnap retired Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan to help them defeat the Monstars, and save their world.
He Got Game
Released: May 1, 1998
Box Office (2024 inflation adjusted): $42 Million
Cast: Denzel Washington, Ray Allen, Rosario Dawson, Milla Jovovich
A gritty drama about a man who was incarcerated for accidentally killing his wife, getting the opportunity for an early parole, if he can convince his high school superstar son to play college basketball for a politicians alma mater. A brilliant portrayal of an overbearing sports parent, that features as many sex scenes as it does basketball scenes.
The Air Up There
Released: January 7, 1994
Box Office (2024 inflation adjusted): $45 Million
Cast: Kevin Bacon, Charles Gitonga Maina, Ilo Mutombo
An assistant college basketball coach flies to a remote part of Africa to recruit a player he saw in the background of a video. The player turns out to be the tribal chief's son, and though he would love the opportunity to play basketball in the United States, he also feels an obligation as village royalty. The movie is fun and lighthearted, and the comedy doesn't bash you over the head.
Glory Road
Released: January 13, 2006
Box Office (2024 inflation adjusted): $67 Million
Cast: Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, John Voigt
Another Walt Disney sports movie that tackles racism. The film tells the real life story of the 1966 Texas Miners and head coach Don Haskins. Haskins recruits overlooked African-American players to his college, and assigns playing time based on talent rather than color. The film gives cameos to the real life coach and his former players that made NCAA history, becoming the first team ever to win the national title, with an all black starting lineup.
Love & Basketball
Released: April 16, 2000
Box Office (2024 inflation adjusted): $51 Million
Cast: Omar Epps, Sanaa Lathan, Regina Hall, Dennis Haysbert
A love drama that interweaves basketball, the movie follows the lives of two childhood friends and basketball players. Both are competitive, especially with each other, and the pair falls in and out of love, while trying to balance the drama of life, career, and hoops. It's a chick flick disguised as a sports movie, and enjoyable by anyone who loves love, and loves the game.
Above The Rim
Released: March 23, 1994
Box Office (2024 inflation adjusted): $34 Million
Cast: Duane Martin, Tupac Shakur, Leon, Bernie Mac, Wood Harris, Marlon Wayans
Kyle Watson is a talented point guard, hoping for a college scholarship from Georgetown. Like most teens, he is hard headed, stubborn, and selfish. When his childhood friend gets out of prison, the two quickly reunite, and Kyle falls in with the wrong crowd. His mom's boyfriend, a local legend fighting his own demons, is there to pull him out and set him straight. The basketball scenes are great, and Tupac steals every scene he's in.
Hoop Dreams
Released: October 14, 1994
Box Office (2024 inflation adjusted): $25 Million
Cast: William Gates, Arthur Agee
An academy award winning documentary that follows two Chicago basketball players leaving eighth grade, and their journey through high school. Both players have their share of ups and downs, and the film features their family struggles, the pressure of basketball success, and how teens deal with being local celebrities. Every second of the film, even the parts without basketball, are riveting and captivating.
Blue Chips
Released: February 18, 1994
Box Office (2024 inflation adjusted): $57 Million
Cast: Nick Nolte, Shaquille O'Neal, Anfernee Hardaway, Matt Nover, JT Walsh, Cylk Cozart
After suffering a losing season, legendary coach Pete Bell (modeled after Bobby Knight) sets off to recruit the best high school basketball players in the land. He learns quickly that players and their families want more than a good education in order to commit. With his job at stake, Bell has to decide if winning is more important than his morals. The basketball scenes in the film are fantastic, with cameos from many actual college and NBA players and coaches.
Hoosiers
Released: November 14, 1986
Box Office (2024 inflation adjusted): $82 Million
Cast: Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper
Inspired in part by the true story of the 1954 Indiana State Champion Milan High School, Hoosiers follows disgraced college coach Norman Dale to the rural town of Hickory. Dale takes over as head coach of the high school basketball team that is short on talent, and short in height. With no more than seven players, Dale finds that bis no-nonsense personality and style of coaching is not embraced by the locals, who are fanatical about the local team.
White Men Can't Jump
Released: March 27, 1992
Box Office (2024 inflation adjusted): $203 Million
Cast: Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, Rosie Perez, Cylk Cozart
Billy Hoyle has been on the run from gangsters since refusing to throw a game in college. He has taken to hustling on basketball courts, using his look and complexion to his advantage. On the Venice Beach courts in California, he meets his match in playground egomaniac Sidney Deane. The two need to work together, despite not really liking each other, not just to make money, but in order for Billy to get his life back on track.