Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Positive themes in salty, uneven Little League drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
You Gotta Believe
What's the Story?
In YOU GOTTA BELIEVE—which is based on a true story—Fort Worth's Westside youth baseball team is told that they can compete in the Little League World Series despite their last-place status. When they learn that their coach (Luke Wilson), who's also the dad of one of their teammates, has been diagnosed with advanced melanoma, the team is motivated to push beyond their skillset to bring the coach happiness by winning, again and again.
Is It Any Good?
Director Ty Roberts' retelling of a ragtag team that almost wins the Little League World Series is almost a feel-good inspirational sports drama. The amazing true story of kids who overcome the odds to bring happiness to their dying coach is teed up, sitting there on the plate, ready for a grand slam. But instead Roberts bunts, spending too much time on dying dad Bobby (Wilson) and stunting the film's potential for joy.
And while the dialogue is brimming with motivational quotes and pep talks, the script never exactly explains what "you gotta believe" in. God? Yourself? Each other? Your training? A bigger cause? That you can win through determination? Little League has used this title/slogan to motivate thousands of kids over the decades, and the real-life story of this 2002 team is worth telling, but despite having the bases loaded, this movie doesn't quite score truly inspirational status.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how You Gotta Believe compares to other sports movies they've seen. Do you also consider it a faith-based film? Why, or why not?
Why did the 2002 Westside Little League World Series game become "an instant ESPN classic"? What is an underdog story, and why do people often love them? How accurate do you think the movie is to what actually happened?
Did you notice any stereotyping in the film? What about positive diverse representations?
Which characters do you consider role models, if any? How do they demonstrate compassion, integrity, humility, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important life skills?
Do you think the language in the script is authentic to how characters like the ones in the movie would talk? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 30, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : October 22, 2024
- Cast : Luke Wilson , Greg Kinnear , Sarah Gadon
- Director : Ty Roberts
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Well Go USA
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Humility , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic content, language and suggestive references
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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