by Basketball is one of the world’s most popular sports, and some movies are must-sees for those who want to truly understand it, the culture and history behind it and learn about why it is so important to so many.
Hoosiers (1986)
PG, Drama
Starring: Gene Hackman, Barbara Hershey, Dennis Hopper
A new basketball coach in a small Indiana town leads a seven-player squad to a successful campaign, which includes impressive regular-season and postseason wins over high schools much larger than Hickory’s. This film is the best example of what the environment surrounding this sport is like in an area where it is revered.
Providing added tension is the team’s best player being hesitant about whether or not he wants to play for the school.
Stream Hoosiers on DIRECTV STREAM, Max, YouTube Premium
Hoop Dreams (1994)
PG-13, Drama
Starring: William Gates, Arthur Agee, Emma Gates
This documentary gives a real-life look into the challenges and obstacles that aspiring high school players often face as they look to get past them and onto collegiate rosters and possibly into professional leagues afterward.
Many of the positive reviews of this film, which takes place in Chicago’s South Side, mention how accurately it shows the grittiness of these types of experiences.
Stream Hoop Dreams on Fubo, Philo, Max, Tubi, Pluto TV, Fandor, Crackle and others
White Men Can’t Jump (1992)
R, Comedy
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, Rosie Perez
Although this is a comedy, there is a serious undertone to it as it portrays an element of this sport that those involved with it know well while others may not: streetball and the hustling that often occurs in connection with those games.
In this film, a pair of basketball players develop an unlikely partnership and earn money utilizing their skills on the court and through hustling others throughout the Los Angeles area. One is white and, as the title states, “can’t jump.”
Stream White Men Can’t Jump on Epix and Tubi
Glory Road (2006)
PG, Drama
Starring: Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, Austin Nichols
This film portrays the exploits of the 1965-66 Texas Western Miners (now known as UTEP) and their ultimately advancing to the national championship game and putting out a starting five African-American players for it.
During the tumultuous 1960s and the resistance to integration that existed in much of the U.S. during those times, this was a hugely significant move. In addition, much of the movie before that title game touches upon the racial tension that this team had experienced throughout the season.
Stream Glory Road on Disney+
Blue Chips (1994)
PG-13, Drama
Starring: Nick Nolte, Mary McDonnell, J.T. Walsh
A collegiate head coach begins this film with a strong ethical viewpoint towards many of the darker elements of the sport at that level. However, when his program starts experiencing challenging times, those ethical views are challenged, and he contemplates whether or not he wants to keep doing what he had always professed.
This movie provides a good insight into aspects of college basketball that many others gloss over.
Stream Blue Chips on Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, Paramount+, Showtime and Epix
Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot (2014)
NR, Biography
Starring: Dirk Nowitzki, Holger Geschwindner, Kobe Bryant
This documentary depicts the career path of German basketball great Dirk Nowitzki, from his time with DJK Würzburg to his extensive career with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.
Much of this biography’s focus is on Nowitzki’s relationship with Holger Geschwindner and how that helped him perfect his jump shot and achieve his overall career aspirations.
The documentary was released five years prior to Nowitzki’s retirement.
Stream Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot on Prime Video, Vudu, Kanopy and YouTube
