List of basketball films

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

List
Title Year Genre Notes
The Fair Co-Ed 1927 Comedy Silent film about a college girl (Marion Davies) who plays basketball to hook the coach.
Campus Confessions 1938 Comedy A college president's son inspires a bad team and attracts a reporter (Betty Grable).
The Big Fix 1947 Drama Army vet Ken Williams, a basketball hero, is threatened to fix his school's games.
Big Town Scandal 1948 Drama A newspaper editor agrees to coach a team made up of juvenile delinquents.
The Basketball Fix 1951 Drama A college player in need of money agrees to shave points for a gambler.
The Harlem Globetrotters 1951 Drama A new kind of basketball team dazzles audiences with its skills.
Go Man Go 1954 Biographical Origin of the Harlem Globetrotters, featuring Sidney Poitier as a player.
Tall Story 1960 Comedy A co-ed (Jane Fonda) tries to win the heart of the team's star (Anthony Perkins).
The Absent-Minded Professor 1961 Comedy Miracle substance called "Flubber" invented by a college professor (Fred MacMurray) enables school's basketball players to bounce sky-high.
Drive, He Said 1971 Drama Directed by Jack Nicholson, story of a college player who becomes a campus activist.
Maurie 1973 Biographical Life-changing injury's impact on NBA teammates Maurice Stokes and Jack Twyman.
Mixed Company 1974 Comedy A Phoenix Suns coach and his wife adopt children of various ethnic backgrounds.
Cornbread, Earl and Me 1975 Drama Teen about to get basketball scholarship (Jamaal Wilkes) is mistaken for a rapist and shot by police.
One on One 1977 Drama A highly recruited college freshman (Robby Benson) runs afoul of a demanding coach.
Coach 1978 Drama A basketball coach (Cathy Lee Crosby) hired by mistake is harassed by her superior.
Fast Break 1979 Comedy Gabe Kaplan as a New Yorker who dreams of being a coach and finally gets a shot.
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh 1979 Comedy A laughing-stock basketball squad transforms itself as the Pittsburgh Pisces.
The Great Santini 1979 Drama A high school star's life is complicated by his father (Robert Duvall), a mean Marine.
Inside Moves 1980 Drama When a bartender's injury heals, he becomes a player for the Golden State Warriors.
That Championship Season 1982 Drama A reunion of a Pennsylvania state championship team turns into an angry confrontation, starring Robert Mitchum and Bruce Dern.
Teen Wolf 1985 Comedy Sci-fi slapstick starring Michael J. Fox.
Hoosiers 1986 Drama Gene Hackman in story based loosely on the 1953–54 Milan High School basketball team.
Amazing Grace and Chuck 1987 Drama An NBA superstar (real-life NBA star Alex English) joins the anti-nuclear protest of a Montana Little League pitcher (see also "Baseball" section above).
The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend 1991 Drama Biographical film based on the early life of Pete Maravich.
Heaven Is a Playground 1991 Drama A coach and lawyer team up to help an urban high school team stay out of trouble.
White Men Can't Jump 1992 Comedy Outdoor court hustlers (Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson) con opponents as well as each other.
Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story 1992 Drama TV film, biographical film about doomed Loyola Marymount star.
Hardwood Dreams 1993 Documentary Wesley Snipes narrates a look at a Los Angeles-area high school team.
Blue Chips 1994 Drama Nick Nolte as a successful college coach who violates the rules to recruit new stars.
Hoop Dreams 1994 Documentary A pair of Chicago high school athletes try to succeed on the court and make it to college.
Above the Rim 1994 Drama Story about a New York high school player who falls in with a bad crowd.
The Air Up There 1994 Comedy Kevin Bacon as a college coach who goes to Africa searching for new talent.
The St. Tammany Miracle 1994 Family Story of an Episcopalian all-girl team.
The Basketball Diaries 1995 Drama Harrowing true story of drug addiction starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Forget Paris 1995 Rom-com A temperamental NBA referee (Billy Crystal) tries to make his new marriage work.
Slam Dunk Ernest 1995 Comedy Featuring the character played in many films by Jim Varney.
Space Jam 1996 Animation/Comedy Combines live action and animation, featuring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny.
Eddie 1996 Comedy Whoopi Goldberg as a New York Knicks fan who becomes their head coach.
Celtic Pride 1996 Comedy Boston fans (Daniel Stern and Dan Aykroyd) kidnap opposition's top player (Damon Wayans).
Sunset Park 1996 Drama A woman (Rhea Perlman) becomes coach of an all-male team.
Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault 1996 Biographical TV film starring Don Cheadle as the New York playground legend.
Air Bud 1997 Comedy Family adventure about a basketball-playing dog.
The 6th Man 1997 Comedy Ghost of a teammate returns to inspire a University of Washington player.
My Giant 1998 Comedy A man nearly 8 feet tall (Gheorghe Mureșan) is found by a guy (Billy Crystal) with big ideas.
Gunnin' for That #1 Spot 1998 Documentary The film by Adam Yauch follows 8 of the top high school basketball players.
Bad As I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story 1998 Drama TV film, biographical film of NBA star.
He Got Game 1998 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.
City Dump: The Story of the 1951 CCNY Basketball Scandal 1998 Documentary HBO's look at a New York college team's point-shaving disgrace.
Game Day 1999 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 1999 Drama Biographical film of former NBA great.
Passing Glory 1999 Drama A 1960s priest (Andre Braugher) organizes a game between racially segregated teams.
That Championship Season 1999 Drama Remake of 1982 film, based on Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Jason Miller.
Love and Basketball 2000 Romance Male and female basketball players attend college together and fall in love.
Michael Jordan to the Max 2000 Documentary IMAX documentary narrated by Laurence Fishburne.
Finding Forrester 2000 Drama A reclusive author (Sean Connery) mentors a prep-school student-athlete.
The Luck of the Irish 2001 Comedy TV family film about a junior high school student.
O 2001 Drama An adaptation of Othello, updated to a modern American high school and its team.
Juwanna Mann 2002 Rom-com A basketball player becomes a female impersonator.
The Red Sneakers 2002 Fantasy TV film about a player with a lucky pair of shoes, directed by Gregory Hines.
Like Mike 2002 Comedy Magical shoes turn a 14-year-old (Lil' Bow Wow) into a basketball sensation.
A Season on the Brink 2002 Drama TV film based on the book, documenting 1985–86 season of Bob Knight and Indiana University.
Double Teamed 2002 Biographical Disney Channel biopic of Heather and Heidi Burge, twins from Palos Verdes who end up in the WNBA.
Crossing the Line 2002 Drama A coach of a girls' team clashes with angry parents.
Something to Cheer About 2002 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.
Full-Court Miracle 2003 Family Story of a team from a Hebrew academy in a big tournament.
Sky Walker – The David Thompson Story 2004 Documentary A look at North Carolina State and NBA star David Thompson.
The Year of the Yao 2004 Documentary Chronicles Yao Ming's first season in the NBA.
The Cookout 2004 Comedy A neighbor tries to get even with a New Jersey Nets player by selling memorabilia.
Rebound 2005 Comedy A coach banned from college ball (Martin Lawrence) ends up teaching middle-school kids.
Coach Carter 2005 Drama Based on a true story, starring Samuel L. Jackson as a high school coach.
The Heart of the Game 2005 Documentary Behind-the-scenes look at a Seattle high school girls team.
Hardwood 2005 Documentary Hubert Davis reflects on his Harlem Globetrotters player father.
Crossover 2006 Action A college student tries to concentrate on both basketball and medical school.
Like Mike 2 2006 Comedy Direct-to-DVD sequel to Like Mike.
Glory Road 2006 Drama Based on true story of the 1965–66 Texas Western College team.
Believe in Me 2006 Drama Assigned to an Oklahoma girls' team against his will, coach takes it to state title game.
Home of the Giants 2007 Crime drama A robbery creates complications for an Indiana high school team.
Quantum Hoops 2007 Documentary Caltech's team tries to end 21-year losing streak in conference play during 2005–06 season.
Dribbles 2007 Drama
The First Basket 2008 Documentary Explores the influence of professional basketball on Jewish culture.
Game of Change 2008 Documentary A segregated Mississippi State team, defying a court order, plays integrated Loyola in 1963 NCAA tournament. Produced and directed by Jerald Harkness, son of 1963 Loyola star Jerry Harkness.
Road to Redemption 2008 Documentary Nike-produced film.
Semi-Pro 2008 Comedy The owner/coach/player (Will Ferrell) of a hapless American Basketball Association team makes various attempts to increase wins, and attendance.
Hurricane Season 2009 Drama Based on true story of a Louisiana coach (Forest Whitaker) rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.
Kobe Doin' Work 2009 Documentary TV movie directed by Spike Lee that focuses on one day in the life of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.
The Mighty Macs 2009 Drama Based on 1972 Immaculata College women's team, coached by Cathy Rush, that won first official women's national championship.
More Than a Game 2009 Documentary Chronicles the high school careers of LeBron James and four of his hometown friends.
Sonicsgate 2009 Documentary Explores the controversial relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City.
No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson 2009 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 2009 Comedy A has-been coach (Sam Rockwell) with a drinking problem takes over a girls' varsity team.
Just Wright 2010 Romance A physical therapist (Queen Latifah) falls for a player from NBA's New Jersey Nets.
Without Bias 2010 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 2010 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 2010 Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Story of Croat Dražen Petrović and Serb Vlade Divac, teammates on Yugoslavia national team, and how the Yugoslav Wars broke their friendship.
Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks 2010 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.
The Fab Five 2011 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 2011 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 2011 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.
The Announcement 2012 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 2012 Documentary Examines 1984 killing of Ben Wilson, a high school superstar from Chicago's South Side.
The Other Dream Team 2012 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.
There's No Place Like Home 2012 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 2012 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.
Winning Favor 2012 Drama Two childhood friends meet each other in the state championship.
Dream Team 1935 2012 Drama Little-known true story of origins of basketball in Europe, culminating with first European Basketball Championship tournament, held in Geneva, Switzerland in 1935.
Bernie and Ernie 2013 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 2013 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 2013 Comedy Middle-aged women challenge the state high school champs.
Linsanity 2013 Documentary On the sudden fame of NBA guard Jeremy Lin.
Medora 2013 Documentary Struggles of an Indiana high school with just 70 students.
Survive and Advance 2013 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 2013 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 2013 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 2013 Documentary NBA TV documentary about the ABA and NBA career of Julius Erving.
Coach 2013 Documentary Made for TV short film - part of ESPN's Nine for IX. Examines renowned basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer.
1000 to 1: The Cory Weissman Story 2014 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.
Bad Boys 2014 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 2014 Documentary German film on development of Dirk Nowitzki into an NBA superstar, featuring shooting coach Holger Geschwindner.
Playing for the Mob 2014 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 2014 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 2014 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 2014 Drama A college student in India fights the cricket establishment to start a basketball program.
Down in the Valley 2015 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.
I Hate Christian Laettner 2015 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 2015 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 2015 Documentary Explores the journey of Serge Ibaka from childhood in war-torn Republic of the Congo to NBA stardom.
We Will Be the World Champions 2015 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.
Giants of Africa 2016 Documentary Profiles Masai Ujiri's philanthropic efforts to promote the development and expansion of basketball in Africa.
One & Done 2016 Documentary Made for TV. Explores the life of Australian prospect and eventual NBA player Ben Simmons, focusing on his only season at LSU.
Phi Slama Jama 2016 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 2016 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 2016 Drama Gambling of a college professor (Michael Shannon) complicates life for his son, a high school basketball star.
The Carter Effect 2017 Documentary Explores the impact of Vince Carter's stint playing for the Toronto Raptors.
Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 Biography Chinese film about Stephon Marbury and his career resurrection in China.
On the Map 2017 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 2017 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 2017 Drama A once promising college basketball player (Chris Staples) is released from prison after serving six years in prison for armed robbery.
Finding Big Country 2018 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 2018 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 2018 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.
The Dominican Dream 2019 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 2019 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 2019 Drama During a pro basketball lockout, a sports agent pitches a rookie basketball client on an intriguing and controversial business proposition.
Events Transpiring Before, During and After a High School Basketball Game 2020 Comedy The travails of an unsuccessful high school basketball team and the school they play for.
One of Ours 2020 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 2020 Drama An alcoholic construction worker (Ben Affleck) is recruited to become head coach of the basketball team at the high school he used to attend.
Boogie 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Documentary Documentary about a streetball crew in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
NBA Films for Fans 2021 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 2021 Animation/Comedy Combines live action and animation, featuring LeBron James and Bugs Bunny.
Golden Delicious 2022 Coming-of-age drama A Chinese-Canadian teenager comes to terms with social expectations when he falls in love with his basketball teammate.
The Grizzlie Truth 2022 Documentary Filmmaker Kathleen Jayme investigates the decline and collapse of the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Hustle 2022 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.
Rise 2022 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 2022 Anime/Drama Japanese animated film based on the sports manga series Slam Dunk.
Champions 2023 Comedy A temperamental minor-league basketball coach who after an arrest must coach a team of players with intellectual disabilities as community service.
Air 2023 Drama The origin of the Air Jordan shoe brand
White Men Can't Jump 2023 Comedy American remake of the 1992 film
Shooting Stars 2023 Drama A Peacock original biopic about LeBron James' high school years.
All-Star Weekend N/A Comedy Two friends find themselves fans of opposing NBA stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
48 Hours in Vegas N/A Biography Inspired by the story of how NBA star Dennis Rodman went on a madcap adventure in the middle of the 1998 NBA Finals.
King of the South N/A Biography TBA

See also

References
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