Top 10 Best Basketball Movies of All Time

Sports and movies usually go together. Any sport contains all of the elements required to create a good movie story.

Basketball is becoming increasingly popular around the world. As a result, the marriage of basketball and entertainment has become a perfect fit.

As a result, we, the audience and sports fans have been treated to a slew of unforgettable basketball films and documentaries in recent years.

Former NBA star Shaq and Penny debuted in Blue Chips together

Based on reviews and ratings, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten basketball movies of all time.

10. Celtics Delight

Date of publication: 1996

IMBd score: 5.3

Celtics Pride takes the tenth spot on our list of the best basketball movies of all time.

Mike O Hara, a physical education teacher, and Jimmy Flaherty, a plumber, are portrayed in the underrated comedy film.

As die-hard Boston Celtics fans, both of them are united by the love for their favorite team.

The Celtics are in good shape to win the championship, but Utah Jazz Louis Scott delivered an incredible performance to force a game 7 in the NBA finals.

They become desperate and kidnap Jazz star Lewis Scott for their team to win the deciding game 7.

This film has a nice twist at the end, but it lacks a sense of Celtic culture.

9. Space Jam

Date of publication: 1996

IMDb score: 6.4

Back in the 1990s, Space Jam was probably the best basketball movie for young basketball fans.

It’s difficult not to include the animated film Space Jam among the best basketball movies of all time.

The main reason the goat is Michael Jordan plays the main character in the film.

Second, one of the most famous cartoon characters ever created, the Loony Tone, is featured in the film.

It is also the highest-grossing basketball film to date, grossing $90 million.

Other basketball stars in the film include Muggsy Bouges, Shawn Bradley, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, and Larry Jhonson.

The film’s unique combination of cartoons and several NBA players worked extremely well.

In the film, MJ is kidnapped by Looney Tunes to defeat Monsters, aliens who stole the NBA star’s playing ability.

MJ later returns to his family after defeating monsters.

Nearly 24 years later, in 2021, “King” LeBron James himself plays the main character in Space Jam 2.

8. Basketball and Love

Date of publication: 2000

IMDb score: 7.2

Love and Basketball depict the deep bond between two athletes and basketball.

Furthermore, the film is a mash-up of love and basketball. Life lessons are more important in movies than a big shot or buzzer-beater.

Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) and Monica Wright (Sanna Lathan) are neighbors who aspire to be professional basketball players.

They both received basketball program scholarships from USC after graduating from high school.

McCall is a top prospect because he is the son of a former NBA player, but Monica was a late addition to the USC recruiting class.

Despite having a relationship before their recruitment, they both fell apart in college. They do, however, re-connect later on.

In short, the films depict the pressures that college athletes face, whether they are top recruits or underrated players, and how often relationships take a back seat to a game they enjoy.

7. Blue Chips

Date of publication: 1994

IMDb score: 6.2

Blue Chips are one of the most underappreciated films of all time. The films have done an excellent job of depicting illegal activity behind the scenes.

In the film, Western University head coach Pete Bell (Nick Nolte) is an old-school coach who despises illegal activities and basketball cheating.

However, when his illustrious college basketball program falls behind, Bell settles his personal opinion and allows a friend of the program.”

They land three top prospect recruits for their college program next season after the program is approved by offering athletes cars, houses, jobs, and cash.

Bell resigns and tells the truth about scandals after regretting his decision in a press conference after defeating Indiana’s number one team.

NBA legends Shaq O’Neal and Penny Hardaway portrayed Coach Bell and two high school star players.

To emphasize authenticity, the film also includes other college and NBA athletes, coaches, and media.

The fun fact is that Blue Chips is the reason why Orlando Magic drafted Penny in 1993. Also, Penny and Shaq became close while filming, and Shaq personally requested Magic to draft him.

6. Above the rim

Release date: 1994

IMDb rating: 6.6

Another 1984 movie, Above the Rim, is next on our list. It was released a few months after Blue Chips.

The film shows the life of promising high school player Kyle-Lee (Duane Martin) in senior year. However, he is waiting for his basketball program scholarship from George town.

While taking the next step of his career, Kyle gets stuck between his brothers: former player/ security guard Leon and another drug dealer, Birdie.

The movie has perfectly used New York basketball to dive into the two brothers’ stories and their connection with the young hooper.

Likewise, it was shot in Harlen streets, mainly at legendary court Ruckers Playground. The movie locations provide a superb backdrop and authenticity for the movie story.

Although people think the movie is related to former NBA star Allen Iverson, he doesn’t connect to the movie.

5. Hoosiers

Released date: 1986

IMDb rating: 7.5

The first movie on our list, based on a real story, Hoosiers ranks fifth as the best basketball movie ever made. It’s a movie that represents Indiana.

Hoosiers is the story of Milan High School from an Indiana small town that made the journey to the state championship in 1954.

The movie covers an underdog high school basketball team who pushed themselves to the state championship game through unity and hard work.

Likewise, Hoosiers have beautifully presented how basketball bonds people and feeling toward their community.

Gene Hackman has played an excellent role as a team coach in the movie.

The town’s best player Jimmy Chitwood eventually joins the team leading the seven-member team towards their championship.

Filmed on a less than $7 million budget, it’s quite a successful movie of all time.

Furthermore, the motivational speeches and quotes from the film are still famous among athletes and clubs worldwide.

Interestingly, the “Hickory” jerseys worn in the movie by high school players are the same as the one NBA team Indian Pacers usually wear.

4. Hoop Dreams

Date of publication: 1994

IMDb rating: 8.3

Next on the list is documentary rather than fictional movies. Being one of the best sports documentaries ever filmed, Hoop Dreams deserves to be 4th on our list.

Moreover, in a 2007 poll International Documentary Association honored Hoop Dreams as the best documentary of all time.

The documentary covers two boys named Arthur Agee and Willian Gates living in the inner-city of Chicago. Likewise, both kids want to play professionally in the NBA.

It was filmed from 8th grade in their high school to freshman year in college.

However, after being scouted by St.Joseph High School, one stays, but another one joins a local public school due to financial problems.

Similarly, it also covers the obstacles like bad grades, injuries, family deaths, social issues, and other problems faced to become a successful basketball player.

Both of the kids are using basketball as means to get out of these difficult situations.

Although documentaries became successful, sadly, both of them failed to make it to the NBA.

Furthermore, Hoop Dreams have clearly shown glimpses of many issues in the countries and how youths are making an effort to rise from these tough situations.

3. Coach Carter

Released date: 2005

IMDb rating: 7.3

Coach Carter not only focuses on basketball but also teaches real-life lessons emphasizing discipline, hard work, and academics.

The movie is a true story based on Richmond High School basketball coach Ken Carter.

He made headlines for suspending his undefeated basketball team due to bad exam grades in 1999. As expected, he only allowed teams to play only after improving their grades.

Samuel Jackson has played the role of a coach in the movie. His role teaches coaches responsibility in the life of their players.

The tough coach takes an unmotivated group of boys to Northern California’s best high school, changing the team’s entire culture.

Moreover, Coach Carter symbolizes the mantra of an underdog rising against all odds. The true meaning behind the movie is wonderful and amazing.

Coach Carter is a must-watch inspirational and motivational movie for any sport athletes or fan.

2. He Got Game

Released Date:1998

IMDb rating: 6.9

One of the best basketball movies made by Spike Lee, He Got Game comes next on our list.

The movie focus on the top of his school prospect Jesus Shuttlesworth and his father, Jake. Jesus’ role model is his father, who was a former basketball player.

Moreover, in the movie Jesus Shuttlesworth is played by former NBA player Ray Allen.

But Jesus’ dad is in prison for killing his mom. So, he wants to play professionally as soon as possible to take improve his sister and own living standard.

Big-time basketball colleges offer Jesus cash and women during his recruiting visits.

However, the state governor offers Jake a chance of prison sentence reduction if his son plays for his Alma Mater.

Ultimately, to decide their future fate, father and son play serious one-on-one basketball.

Everything from cinematography, soundtracks, and scenery is perfect and amazing in the movie. Not to forget Ray Allen’s beautiful jump shots.

1. White Man Can’t Jump

Released Date: 1992

IMDb rating: 6.8

White Man Can’t Jump takes the crown of best basketball movie ever made on our list. The movie has shown glimpses of real street basketball in the USA.

The movie covers unlikely hustlers Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) and Sidney Deane (Wesley Snipes) (Wesley Snipes).

Billy is a former college basketball athlete making a living playing against streetballers who think he can’t play because of his skin color.

On the other hand, Dean is a talented cocky street baller who is defeated by Billy twice.

Understanding Billy’s talents and skills, Dean becomes his partner to be successful in LA streets.

The comedy movie has shown the friendship of two different street ballers of different backgrounds trying to make a living from the game they love.

Furthermore, both Harrelson and Snipes have displayed good and awesome basketball in the movies.

Summary

The 2020-21 NBA season will end within one month. Basketball fans have to wait until October to watch their favorite teams and players hit the backcourt again.

So, for fans watching these basketball movies will be worth it during the offseason. Let’s have quick look at the summary.