"Best of" Lists

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Basketball Movies

It doesn't need to be March Madness for you to enjoy a good Cinderella story. If you've got a hoops fan in your house, this list of our favorite basketball movies is sure to be a slam dunk. Whether you're in the mood to watch Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes team up on the court or be inspired by documentaries about NBA superstars like LeBron James, there's something for every basketball lover on this list. So if you're waiting for tip-off, try one of these fantastic picks. And don't forget to check out our lists of great soccer, football, and baseball movies.
Air Bud Poster Image
MOVIE

Air Bud

age 6+

Sweet dog tale has some peril and mature themes.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1997)
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Like Mike Poster Image
MOVIE

Like Mike

age 7+

Lil Bow Wow in family-friendly fantasy.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2002)
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The Mighty Macs Poster Image
MOVIE

The Mighty Macs

age 7+

Tame girls' basketball tale is sentimental but inspiring.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2011)
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Space Jam Poster Image
MOVIE

Space Jam

age 7+

'90s live-action-animation mix has some cartoon violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1996)
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Believe in Me Poster Image
MOVIE

Believe in Me

age 8+

Sweet, feel-good sports flick is girl-powered.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2007)
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Double Teamed Poster Image
MOVIE

Double Teamed

age 8+

Positive true story of twin girls' rise to pro basketball.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2002)
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High School Musical Poster Image
MOVIE

High School Musical

age 8+

A modern-day Grease for tweens.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2006)
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Like Mike 2: Streetball Poster Image
MOVIE

Like Mike 2: Streetball

age 8+

Basketball fantasy teaches about teamwork, friendship.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2006)
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The Year of the Yao Poster Image
MOVIE

The Year of the Yao

age 8+

Yao Ming's journey from Shanghai to Houston.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2005)
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Hoosiers Poster Image
MOVIE

Hoosiers

age 9+

Stirring tale of heroic sportsmanship will inspire families.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1986)
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Linsanity Poster Image
MOVIE

Linsanity

age 9+

Thoughtful sports docu will inspire young basketball fans.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2014)
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The Basket Poster Image
MOVIE

The Basket

age 10+

An ambitious, complicated, and thoughtful story.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2000)
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Chang Can Dunk Movie Poster: Bloom Li alone on the court.
MOVIE

Chang Can Dunk

age 10+

High school underdog tale has bullying, life lessons.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
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Glory Road Poster Image
MOVIE

Glory Road

age 10+

Inspiring sports flick about an underdog team.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2006)
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More Than a Game Poster Image
MOVIE

More Than a Game

age 10+

Inspirational basketball documentary is OK for young fans.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2009)
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Rise Movie Poster
MOVIE

Rise

age 10+

True story about overcoming odds has positive messages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2022)
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The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend Poster Image
MOVIE

The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend

age 10+

Inspiring true sports story with bullies, discrimination.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2008)
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Sweetwater Movie Poster: Sweetwater jumps in the air, holding a basketball beneath his upper knee
MOVIE

Sweetwater

age 11+

Sports biopic is educational but clunky; smoking, language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
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Uncle Drew Poster Image
MOVIE

Uncle Drew

age 11+

Amusing street-ball comedy has a few racy jokes, language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2018)
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The Heart of the Game Poster Image
MOVIE

The Heart of the Game

age 12+

Excellent high school sports documentary.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2006)
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