With March well underway, there’s one sport that never fails to take center stage. Basketball manages to find a way into everyone's life, whether you're a casual viewer or a crazed fan.
Whether you need a break from the madness that is the NCAA Tournament or you are just looking for some exciting films, here are seven of the best basketball movies.
Above The Rim
“Above the Rim” focuses on Kyle Lee Watson (Duane Martin), who dreams of one day playing for the Georgetown Hoyas.
When it’s time to compete in the local basketball tournament, Kyle must choose between playing for his high school coach or running with drug dealer Birdie (Tupac Shakur), who can help make Watson's wildest dreams come true.
Shakur pops off the screen because he is able to be charming yet terrifying as the film's antagonist. The film features several strong performances from Marlon Wayans, Bernie Mac and Wood Harris, all of which were just beginning their Hollywood careers.
Harris is particularly memorable in his role as Motaw, who serves as Birdie's right-hand man, due to his intimidating physicality during the basketball sequences.
He Got Game
“He Got Game” follows Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel Washington) and his week-long attempt to get his son, Jesus Shuttlesworth (Ray Allen), to commit to Big State in order to alleviate his current prison sentence for murder.
Directed by Spike Lee, this film features stronger themes and ideas than the typical sports films, such as the relationship between father and son through the lens of athletics, while also exploring temptation and forgiveness.
Jesus Shuttlesworth is forced to deal with constant temptation from coaches, agents and women as he goes through recruitment while also battling his demons with his father.
Allen, who spent 18 years in the NBA and is a member of the hall of fame, does a pretty decent job hanging with the veteran actor Washington, who is easily the best part of the movie.
Love & Basketball
It can be easy for a basketball movie to fall into the generic sports movie troupe; “Love & Basketball” is not one of them.
This film is all about the relationship between Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps), who, from the time they meet, must navigate their complex feelings toward each other while also trying to make it in the game of basketball.
From pickup games as kids to being recruited by the top schools in California, the film does a great job showing nearly every level of basketball from every perspective.
There are several things to love about this movie, from the great performances by Lathan and Epps to the film being broken up into quarters to represent an actual basketball game, and of course, a stellar soundtrack.
Space Jam
“Space Jam” follows Michael Jordan during his brief baseball career following his retirement from the NBA. Jordan is kidnapped by Bugs Bunny and recruited by the rest of the "Looney Tunes" cast to play in a basketball game.
The Tune Squad must win, or Bugs, Daffy and the rest of the Tunes will be taken as captives by the Monstars, who also stole the talent of the best players in the NBA, plus Shawn Bradley.
As ridiculous as that plot sounds, the film doesn’t beat around the bush and gets straight to the point. At a runtime of only 88 minutes, nearly a third is dedicated to the climactic final basketball game.
The success of “Space Jam” looms large in today's culture, with Jordan selling shoes based on the movie, Tune Squad and Monstars jerseys still worn today and even a sequel in 2021 featuring LeBron James.
Blue Chips
In “Blue Chips”, the story follows head coach Pete Bell (Nick Nolte), a once legendary head coach who is now struggling at the fictional school Western University in California.
After another losing season, Pete must decide to either keep playing by the rules and potentially suffer the same fate as the year before or break the rules and bring Western University back to national prominence.
This movie is filled with icons of early '90s college basketball, including players such as Bobby Hurley, Penny Hardaway (Butch McRae) and Shaquille O’Neal (Neon Boudeaux), as well as coaches Bobby Knight, Rick Pitino and Jim Boeheim.
Director William Friedkin opted to shoot real, unscripted playing sequences, allowing every player on the court to simply play basketball. This gives the movie a very real feeling during each of the games.
Hoosiers
If March is all about underdogs, then “Hoosiers” may be the perfect example. Set in 1951 Indiana, Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) accepts the head coaching job at Hickory High School.
Throughout the movie, Norman grows by putting others' needs ahead of his own. He helps star player Jimmy Chitwood (Maris Valainis) find his passion for the game again and assistant coach Shooter in his battle with alcohol addiction, all while competing for a state championship.
The highlight of the movie is Hackman’s performance. His portrayal of an old school, drill sergeant-esque basketball coach helps make every game feel like it could be Hickory's last.
Much like high school football in Texas, basketball is everything in Indiana, and the film does a great job of expressing this. Every person in town has thoughts on Dale’s coaching tactics, like whether he should run a man or zone defense.
White Men Can’t Jump
In “White Men Can’t Jump,” Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) is a streetball hustler who makes his money by pretending to be way worse at basketball than he actually is, before defeating his opponents and taking their money.
When he hustles another talented player in Sidney Deane (Wesley Snipes), the pair decide to team up to help Billy earn enough money for his girlfriend Gloria Clemente (Rosie Perez) to appear on the game show "Jeopardy."
Snipes and Harrelson have real chemistry, which makes them a believable duo that could be a formidable two-on-two team while also best friends who argue over Jimi Hendrix.
From the chain nets to the costume design of both Billy and Sidney, this film has a unique feel and aesthetic that separates it from the rest of the list. This movie isn’t about making it as a coach or player; it’s about shooting hoops and earning money.
