The Basketball Fix (1951)
A sports journalist attempts to stop an up and coming college basketball player from shaving points off of basketball games for a betting ring he becomes involved in.
30 Classic Basketball Movies
Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975)
When a promising high school basketball player is shot dead by police who mistake him for a criminal, a clash between the urban neighborhood and the police force ensues.
Coach (1978)
A high school principal is taken by surprise when he discovers that the new Olympic Gold medalist he hired to coach the boys’ basketball team is actually a woman. Discrimination laws prevent him from firing her based on sex alone, so he does his best to make sure the team fails so he can fire her due to poor performance.
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979)
A struggling basketball team receives help from an astrologer who hopes to improve the team’s ability by making them more compatible as teammates.
Teen Wolf (1985)
A high school basketball player is in for a shock when he realizes he’s secretly a werewolf.
Hoosiers (1986)
A coach with a troubled past and a town drunk help coach a small town basketball team in this 2 time Oscar nominated film.
Heaven Is a Playground (1991)
A lawyer and coach work together to ensure that members of an inner city basketball team stay don’t make any bad decisions that could jeopardize their future.
White Men Can’t Jump (1992)
Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson star as two basketball playing con men, who use the sport to their advantage.
American Citizen (1992)
In Israel, a sports journalist befriends an American basketball star, and despite their cultural differences, the two form an unlikely yet strong friendship.
The Air Up There (1994)
Assistant basketball coach and former college star Jimmy Dolan, played by Kevin Bacon, journeys to Africa, hoping he can recruit a skilled teenage player he saw on a tape. The new addition would be excellent for his team, and it just might get him promoted to head coach.
Blue Chips (1994)
A college basketball coach plans to improve his team’s standing by paying three talented athletes to sign on to the team. However, if he is found out, the consequences could be severe.
Hoop Dreams (1994)
This documentary follows the lives of two African American teens as they overcome various obstacles to pursue their dream of becoming NBA stars.
The Basketball Diaries (1995)
Leonardo DiCaprio plays a teenage basketball player whose life becomes corrupt when he turns to the streets and begins using heroin.
Celtic Pride (1996)
Two dedicated Celtics fans kidnap their opponent’s best player to ensure the Celtics win another championship.
Eddie (1996)
Whoopi Goldberg plays Eddie, a New York City limo driver and Knicks superfan. After having the opportunity to assistant coach the team, the owner fires the head coach and gives the position to Eddie, who plans to lead the team to victory.
Space Jam (1996)
Looney Tunes characters seek the help of Michael Jordan to assist them in a game of basketball against evil aliens, who are holding them captive.
Sunset Park (1996)
When a white female coach takes over an all black boys high school basketball team, she takes them from losers to winners, both on and off the court.
Air Bud (1997)
A high school student and basketball team manager’s life seems to be getting worse after his father’s death. However, the discovery that his newly adopted dog has a talent for basketball restores some goodness in his life again.
He Got Game (1998)
A prisoner and is given the opportunity to have his sentence shortened if he convinces his son, a promising basketball player, to attend college.
Game Day (1999)
A basketball coach, haunted by the loss of five championships, gets the opportunity to redeem himself coaching a second rate program.
Love & Basketball (2000)
This movie shows the love that develops between two basketball playing friends from childhood to adulthood, and all of the challenges they face.
Like Mike (2002)
A fourteen year old basketball player dreams of one day being famous. After discovering a pair of sneakers, he realizes when wearing them he is able to play basketball with skill comparable to NBA legends.
Guarding Eddy (2004)
A developmentally disabled teen comes to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of playing for the L.A. Clippers.
Coach Carter (2005)
Samuel L. Jackson stars as a high basketball coach, who, despite criticism from his players and their parents, shuts down his entire team after he learns that their academics are not up to par.
Rebound (2005)
A college basketball coach is forced to step down from his position after a display of his poor temper, and must coach a middle school team to redeem himself.
Believe in Me (2006)
A new high school basketball coach is taken by surprise when the school board rules that he must coach the girls team instead.
Glory Road (2006)
Set in 1966, this film tells the story of how coach Don Haskins led the first all-black starting line-up to the national championship.
Semi-Pro (2008)
In 1976, semi professional basketball team the Flint Michigan Tropics must fight for their chance to survive in the NBA, despite being the worst team in the league.
Just Wright (2010)
A physical therapist falls for a basketball player she is helping recover from a serious injury, despite his obliviousness to her affection.
Playoff (2011)
Based on a true story from the 1980s, Ralph Klein is an Israeli refugee who faces backlash from his country when he coaches West Germany’s basketball team.