This is a list of films about basketball, featuring notable films where basketball plays a central role in the development of the plot.
List Year Title Genre Notes1927The Fair Co-EdComedySilent film about a college girl (Marion Davies) who plays basketball to romantically pursue the coach.1938Campus ConfessionsComedyA college president's son inspires a bad team and attracts a reporter (Betty Grable).1946Double DribbleComedyDisney short starring Goofy playing basketball.1947The Big FixDramaArmy vet Ken Williams, a basketball hero, is threatened to fix his school's games.1948Big Town ScandalDramaA newspaper editor agrees to coach a team made up of juvenile delinquents.1951The Basketball FixDramaA college player in need of money agrees to shave points for a gambler.The Harlem GlobetrottersDramaA new kind of basketball team dazzles audiences with its skills.1954Go Man GoBiographicalOrigin of the Harlem Globetrotters, featuring Sidney Poitier as a player.1960Tall StoryComedyA co-ed (Jane Fonda) tries to win the heart of the team's star (Anthony Perkins).1961The Absent-Minded ProfessorComedyMiracle substance called "Flubber" invented by a college professor (Fred MacMurray) enables school's basketball players to bounce sky-high.1971Drive, He SaidDramaDirected by Jack Nicholson, story of a college player who becomes a campus activist.1973MaurieBiographicalLife-changing injury's impact on NBA teammates Maurice Stokes and Jack Twyman.1974Mixed CompanyComedyA Phoenix Suns coach and his wife adopt children of various ethnic backgrounds.1975Cornbread, Earl and MeDramaTeen about to get basketball scholarship (Jamaal Wilkes) is mistaken for a criminal and shot by the police.1977One on OneDramaA highly recruited college freshman (Robby Benson) runs afoul of a demanding coach.1978CoachDramaA basketball coach (Cathy Lee Crosby) hired by mistake is harassed by her superior.1979The American GameDocumentaryFollows two high school basketball players from different backgroundsFast BreakComedyGabe Kaplan as a New Yorker who dreams of being a coach and finally gets a shot.The Fish That Saved PittsburghComedyA laughing-stock basketball squad transforms itself as the Pittsburgh Pisces.The Great SantiniDramaA high school star's life is complicated by his father (Robert Duvall), a mean Marine.1980Inside MovesDramaWhen a bartender's injury heals, he becomes a player for the Golden State Warriors.1982That Championship SeasonDramaA reunion of a Pennsylvania state championship team turns into an angry confrontation, starring Robert Mitchum and Bruce Dern.1985Teen WolfComedyA slapstick comedy starring Michael J. Fox about a high schooler who discovers that he turns into a werewolf. 1986 Hoosiers Drama Gene Hackman in story based loosely on the 1953–54 Milan High School basketball team.1987Amazing Grace and ChuckDrama An NBA superstar (real-life NBA star Alex English) joins the anti-nuclear protest of a Montana Little League pitcher. 1991 The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend Drama Biographical film based on the early life of Pete Maravich. Heaven Is a Playground Drama Based on Rick Telander's book of the same name, a coach and lawyer team up to help an urban high school team stay out of trouble.1992American CitizenDramaFilm about the friendship of an American basketball player playing in Israel and an Israeli sports journalistWhite Men Can't JumpComedyOutdoor court hustlers (Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson) con opponents as well as each other.Final Shot: The Hank Gathers StoryDramaTV biographical film about doomed Loyola Marymount star.1993Hardwood DreamsDocumentaryWesley Snipes narrates a look at a Los Angeles-area high school team.1994Blue ChipsDramaNick Nolte as a successful college coach who violates the rules to recruit new stars.Hoop DreamsDocumentaryA pair of Chicago high school athletes try to succeed on the court and make it to college.Above the RimDramaStory about a New York high school player who falls in with a bad crowd.The Air Up ThereComedyKevin Bacon as a college coach who goes to Africa searching for new talent.The St. Tammany MiracleFamilyStory of an Episcopalian all-girl team.1995The Basketball DiariesDramaBased on Jim Carroll's harrowing true story of drug addiction starring Leonardo DiCaprio.Forget ParisRom-comA temperamental NBA referee (Billy Crystal) tries to make his new marriage work.Slam Dunk ErnestComedyFeaturing the character played in many films by Jim Varney.1996Space Jam Animation/Comedy Combines live action and animation, featuring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny.EddieComedyWhoopi Goldberg as a New York Knicks fan who becomes their head coach.Celtic PrideComedyBoston fans (Daniel Stern and Dan Aykroyd) kidnap opposition's top player (Damon Wayans).Sunset ParkDramaA woman (Rhea Perlman) becomes coach of an all-male team.Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" ManigaultBiographicalFilm starring Don Cheadle as the New York playground legend.1997Air BudComedyFamily adventure about a basketball-playing dog.The 6th ManComedyGhost of a teammate returns to inspire a University of Washington player.Soul in the HoleDocumentaryAbout aspiring basketball coach Kenny Jones, and his team "Kenny's Kings"1998 My GiantComedyA man nearly 8 feet tall (Gheorghe Mureșan) is found by a guy (Billy Crystal) with big ideas. Gunnin' for That #1 SpotDocumentaryThe film by Adam Yauch follows 8 of the top high school basketball players. Bad As I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman StoryDramaTV film, biographical film of NBA star. He Got GameDramaAn 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 ScandalDocumentaryHBO's look at a New York college team's point-shaving scandal.1999Game DayDramaLittle-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 HeroDramaBiographical film of former NBA great.Passing GloryDramaA 1960s priest (Andre Braugher) organizes a game between racially segregated teams.That Championship SeasonDramaRemake of 1982 film, based on Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Jason Miller.2000 Love & BasketballRomanceMale and female basketball players attend USC together and fall in love. Michael Jordan to the MaxDocumentaryIMAX documentary narrated by Laurence Fishburne. Finding ForresterDramaA reclusive author (Sean Connery) mentors a prep-school student-athlete.2001 The Luck of the IrishComedyTV family film about a junior high school student who discovers his Irish heritage. O Drama An adaptation of Othello, updated to a modern American high school and its team.2002 Juwanna MannRom-comA basketball player becomes a female impersonator. The Red SneakersFantasyTV film about a player with a lucky pair of shoes, directed by Gregory Hines. Like MikeComedyMagical shoes turn a 14-year-old (Lil' Bow Wow) into a basketball sensation. A Season on the BrinkDramaTV film based on the book, documenting 1985–86 season of Bob Knight and Indiana University. Double TeamedBiographicalDisney Channel biopic of Heather and Heidi Burge, twins from Palos Verdes who end up in the WNBA. Crossing the LineDramaA coach of a girls' team clashes with angry parents. Something to Cheer About 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.2003Full-Court MiracleFamilyStory of a team from a Hebrew academy in a big tournament. 2004 Sky Walker – The David Thompson Story Documentary A look at North Carolina State and NBA star David Thompson. The Year of the Yao Documentary Chronicles Yao Ming's first season in the NBA. The Cookout Comedy A neighbor tries to get even with a New Jersey Nets player by selling memorabilia.2005 ReboundComedyA coach banned from college ball (Martin Lawrence) ends up teaching middle-school kids. Coach CarterDrama Based on a true story, starring Samuel L. Jackson as a high school coach. The Heart of the GameDocumentaryBehind-the-scenes look at a Seattle high school girls team.Through the FireDocumentaryShows the life of Sebastian Telfair, who has to decide between playing for Louisville or heading straight to the NBAHardwoodDocumentaryHubert Davis reflects on his Harlem Globetrotters player father.2006Church BallComedyA bishop recruits Dennis Buckstead to coach a group of non-playing basketball players CrossoverActionA college student tries to concentrate on both basketball and medical school. Like Mike 2ComedyDirect-to-DVD sequel to Like Mike. Glory Road Drama Based on the true story of the 1965–66 Texas Western College team. Believe in Me Drama Assigned to an Oklahoma girls' team against his will, coach takes it to state title game.2007Home of the GiantsCrime dramaA robbery creates complications for an Indiana high school team.Quantum Hoops Documentary Caltech's team tries to end 21-year losing streak in conference play during 2005–06 season. DribblesDrama2008SlamActionChinese film about three youths facing their rivals at an Adidas street basketball tournament The First Basket Documentary Explores the influence of professional basketball on Jewish culture. Game of Change Documentary A segregated Mississippi State team, defying a court order, plays integrated Loyola Chicago in the 1963 NCAA tournament. Produced and directed by Jerald Harkness, son of 1963 Loyola star Jerry Harkness. Road to RedemptionDocumentaryNike-produced film. Semi-ProComedy The owner/coach/player (Will Ferrell) of a hapless American Basketball Association team makes various attempts to increase wins, and attendance.Ball Don't LieIndieBased on the novel of the same name, it showcases the life of Sticky (Grayson Boucher), who struggles with OCD and emotional traumas but is talented on the court.2009 Hurricane SeasonDramaBased on true story of a Louisiana coach (Forest Whitaker) rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. Kobe Doin' Work Documentary TV movie directed by Spike Lee that focuses on one day in the life of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. The Mighty Macs Drama Based on 1972 Immaculata College women's team, coached by Cathy Rush, that won first official women's national championship. More Than a GameDocumentary Chronicles the high school careers of LeBron James and four of his hometown friends. Sonicsgate Documentary Explores the controversial relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City. No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson 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 Comedy A has-been coach (Sam Rockwell) with a drinking problem takes over a girls' varsity team. Streetballers Indie Tells the story of a friendship between two junior college basketball players from different backgrounds 2010 Just Wright Romance A physical therapist (Queen Latifah) falls for a player from NBA's New Jersey Nets. Without Bias 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 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 Documentary Made for TV as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Story of Croat Dražen Petrović and Serb Vlade Divac, teammates on the Yugoslavia national team, and how the Yugoslav Wars broke their friendship. Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks 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. 2011 The Fab F