Top Basketball Movies

From Steve James, starring William Gates, Arthur Agee, Emma Gates, Curtis Gates
Rated PG-13

Hoop Dreams is a 1994 documentary film directed by Steve James that follows the lives of two African-American high school basketball players, Arthur Agee and William Gates, as they pursue their dream of becoming professional basketball players. The film follows the boys through their freshman and sophomore years of high school and their quest to become college basketball stars. Along the way, they must overcome numerous obstacles, such as family issues, poverty, and the high stakes of amateur athletics. The film was critically acclaimed, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature and numerous awards from film festivals. It has been hailed as one of the greatest documentaries of all time, and is considered a seminal work for its exploration of race and class in America.

From Kristopher Belman, starring LeBron James, Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton
Rated PG

More Than a Game is a 2008 documentary film directed by Kristopher Belman and produced by Harvey Mason Jr. and Mike Tollin. The film follows the story of five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio—LeBron James, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis, and Sian Cotton—and their coach, Dru Joyce II, who, through hard work and determination, help lead the team to a state championship. Along the way, the film explores the interrelationships between the players and the importance of family, friendship, and community. It also highlights the role of LeBron James, who was not only a star on the court, but also a leader and mentor off the court. Ultimately, the film is a story of the power of teamwork and how these players, through their collective efforts, made it all the way to the NBA.

From Scott Kalvert, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco, Marilyn Sokol, James Madio
Rated R

From Gus Van Sant, starring Sean Connery, Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Anna Paquin
Rated PG-13

From Thomas Carter, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Rick Gonzalez, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown
Rated PG-13

From Gina Prince-Bythewood, starring Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Glenndon Chatman, Jess Willard
Rated PG-13

From James Gartner, starring Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, Austin Nichols, Jon Voight
Rated PG

From Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Milla Jovovich, Ray Allen, Rosario Dawson
Rated R

From Ron Shelton, starring Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, Rosie Perez, Tyra Ferrell
Rated R

From Joe Pytka, starring Michael Jordan, Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle, Manner Washington
Rated PG

From William Friedkin, starring Nick Nolte, Mary McDonnell, J.T. Walsh, Ed O'Neill
Rated PG-13

From Kent Alterman, starring Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André 3000, Maura Tierney
Rated R

From Tom DeCerchio, starring Damon Wayans, Daniel Stern, Dan Aykroyd, Gail O'Grady
Rated PG-13