Basketball has a vast popularity all around the world, some people just watch the sport, some play it too, and there are many for whom this is more than just a sport; it is a culture. The intensity during the competitions, both on and off the court, makes it an ideal game for sports movies. This is why there are a lot of basketball movies out there, which will fuel your love for this sport even more. So, if you are a crazy basketball fan or a player and are looking for some engaging Basketball movies, here is a list that will give you not only enjoyment but motivation too with a entertainment factor in it.
Blue Chips (1994)
Blue Chips is a must-watch for all as it includes Shaquille O’Neal, who was a great player in his time. With Shaq in the movie, it is much more than a basketball movie. It’s a dark take on the corruption within college sports. The story revolves around Pete Bell, who is a college basketball coach.
He is under a lot of pressure to win more games and add better players to the team, but many skilled ones get secretly paid by other colleges and join their team Pete decides to do the same, but getting into the college sports arena eventually leaves a rift in his life as his desire to win causes him to overshadow the reasons he became a coach in the first place.
Glory Road (2006)
Glory Road is another sports drama that is based on a true story about events from the 1966 NCAA Championship. Don Haskins was the basketball coach of the Men’s team in Texas and had very limited funding, but with the limited amount, he recruited the best players, regardless of race.
This resulted in a team consisting primarily of black athletes. Don and his team won one after another and continued their dominance, but they faced growing hatred from racist fans and players. The story of this movie is about overcoming huge social barriers with the passion of sports, which will leave you emotional in many ways.
Space Jam (1996)
Space Jam is one of the best basketball movies of all time. Showcasing Michael Jordan at his peak, the story begins shortly after he decides to retire from the sport and become a baseball player. The movie has a great blend of animation and live-action and tells the story of Looney Tunes characters who recruit Michael to help them defeat alien monsters who stole the powers of other NBA stars.
Coach Carter (2005)
There are more than one reason to watch this movie, but the first one is definitely L. Jackson, who is mostly known for his role as Nick Fury in The Avengers. Jackson has played the role of Coach Carter in this film, which is based on a true story.
The movie focuses on Ken Carter, who is the head basketball coach at Richmond High. This film shows Carter’s commitment to bettering the lives of young athletes. It is a deeply touching drama that shows how a coach makes a difference when his focus is not only winning but building people’s lives better.
Hustle (2022)
Hustle is the most recent film made on basketball as it was released on Netflix in 2022. The movie starred Adam Sandler, who is an NBA scout in the story and a Spanish genius. This is a sports comedy-drama with a heartwarming story. It revolves around the life of an ageing scout who finally fulfills his dream of becoming an assistant coach, but it is suddenly taken away from him. Adam is forced to go abroad in search of talent, but finds it in a Spanish construction worker.
He Got Game (1998)
He Got Game is a movie that’s so realistic that people often feel that it is a documentary. The story of the movie is about a father and son and how capitalism made its way into basketball.
Jake Shuttleworth is a prison inmate who was incarcerated for accidentally killing his wife. Leaving his son behind after six years, he is offered a short-term release and a reduced sentence if he is able to convince his son to play at Warden College. The film displays the dark side of money and sports, as well as the gloomy relationship of a father who wants his son to escape the system and become better.
Like Mike (2002)
Like Mike is a sports comedy where a 13-year-old orphan finds a pair of magical sneakers and makes it to the NBA. The film stars Lil Bow Wow as Calvin Coolidge, who finds Michael Jordan’s magical shoes and joins the Los Angeles Knights, making it a totally fun and enjoyable story. You will also see a little kid taking school lessons and dunking in front of real NBA players. It is a great, fun basketball movie that you can watch with your whole family.
Love and Basketball (2000)
This basketball movie not only features the game but also a romantic relationship. The film stars Monica Wright (Sannah Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps), who are the rising stars in this sport and share a deep love for it.
This is the love story of two passionate and talented basketball players who face different societal pressures. Monica struggles against premeditated notions about women in sports, while Quincy is considered a rising star. The story spans years as they both aim towards the same dream together.
Hoosiers (1986)
Hoosiers revolves around the story of a small town’s basketball team. Based entirely on a true story, this is one of the original underdog sports stories that gets almost everything right. The film centers around a coach with a somewhat tainted past who gets a second chance when he is assigned to oversee a high school team. Facing resistance from both his team and the town, the coach leads them to a state championship. The film has some of the best sports moments and remarkable lines, which makes it the best basketball movie ever made.
Also Read:- Beyond the Court: Must watch documentaries on Basketball
