Basketball is among the most popular and beloved sports in the world. Between the games, movies, and shows dealing with it, basketball seems to be everywhere. Whether one's a fan of the game or not, there is always something to enjoy about the subject. While many other sports have found themselves adapted into successful and dynamic stories in the medium of film, basketball has always held a special place in the hearts of many filmmakers.

From engaging and depth-defying stories of a high-stakes game or a more dramatic and emotional tale that simply uses basketball as a backdrop, there is no shortage of creative and powerful cinematic stories with basketball at the center of it all. Especially as it continues to be one of the most exciting and engaging sports to watch, there is continuously a high number of amazing basketball films that make the most of the sport's possibilities.

15 'Glory Road' (2006)

Director: James Gartner

Based on the autobiography of the same name, Glory Road follows Don Haskins (Josh Lucas), who was hired to coach the Texas Western College (now UTEP) basketball team in 1966. Haskins made history by recruiting players based on skills rather than their race and made headlines by using a starting lineup with all Black players. Derek Luke, Mechad Brooks, and Jon Voight also star in this feel-good Disney flick.

While not particularly reinventing the wheel when it comes to coaching stories or sports biopics, the powerful story at its center, combined with the high stakes and emotion, has made it a fan favorite for many over the years. It's a film that handles the difficult balance of discussing and examining a darker and more adult time in American history while also being light and uplifting enough to make for a great sports film for audiences of all ages.

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14 'Finding Forrester' (2000)

Director: Gus Van Sant

Finding Forrester tells the story of basketball phenom Jamal (Rob Brown) befriending notorious hermit William Forrester (Sean Connery). When Forrester begins to tutor Jamal for his college courses, Jamal’s professor (F. Murray Abraham) suspects he is plagiarizing. The college agrees if Jamal helps the basketball team win the state championship, they will dismiss the charges. The duo quickly form a genuine bond, teaching each other more about their own perspectives in the process of their work together.

Sweet and poignant, Finding Forrester is the perfect example of a film that uses basketball less as the main draw of the film and more as a key element for a more engaging and powerful story. The plot is as much about the internal struggles and difficulties of the curmudgeon writer Forrester as it is about Jamal's strive and journey for success in the world. More than just a great basketball movie, Finding Forrester is also a perfect movie for aspiring writers.

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13 'Hustle' (2022)

Director: Jeremiah Zahar

One of the rare dramatic turns for Adam Sandler, Hustle sees Sandler as Stanley Sugarman, a down-on-his-luck basketball scouter who makes the find of a lifetime in Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangómez). Despite Cruz's undeniable skill as a basketball player, the higher-ups are afraid because of Cruz's shaky past, but Sugarman sticks to his guns and fights for Cruz. He decides to bring Cruz to the US without the approval of his bosses, with only a single shot of proving to everyone that he has what it takes to be an NBA star.

While always most often praised for his comedic roles, Sandler has always been able to turn up the heat in a dramatic role, as previously seen in films like Punch-Drunk Love and Uncut Gems. Hustle combines this mostly untapped dramatic talent with the actor's signature love for the sport of basketball to create a dramatic match made in heaven that easily ranks among Sandler's best movies with Netflix. Combined with great supporting performances from Queen Latifah and Hernangómez, Hustle is one of the most defining sports films of the streaming era. - Robert Lee

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12 'Air Bud' (1997)

Director: Charles Martin Smith

For those who love movies about dogs and their bond with kids who overcome evil adults, this is the perfect movie. And the dog plays basketball! This heartwarming 1997 film is a classic basketball tale that can bring an entire generation to tears in an instant. Michael Jeter stars as Snively, an evil man whom young Josh (Kevin Zegers) is trying to keep sweet Buddy away from. It may be a silly premise, but it will tug at all the right heartstrings thanks to the love between a boy and his dog.

Air Bud may just be the most iconic family sports film of the '90s, with its mixture of wholesome animal fun, a high-stakes basketball game, and the hardships and growth making it an instant classic for many households. While its premise and sequence of events have made it the target for numerous jokes, this only continues to show the surprising legacy and impact that this film has held over the years.

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11 'The Way Back' (2020)

Director: Gavin O'Connor

Jack (Ben Affleck) is drinking away his life as a way of dealing with his grief of losing his son. He is offered a job coaching basketball at his former high school, which helps in more ways than one. With his assistant coach, Dan (Al Madrigal), and his supportive wife, Angela (Janina Gavankar), there may just be hope for Jack. It isn’t until he truly hits bottom that his job and life fall back into jeopardy.

The Way Back is a beautiful story of anguish and redemption and features an often unnoticed and underrated performance by Affleck. He seamlessly and effortlessly falls into the role of Jack, balancing his washed-up stature with a determination and drive to finally give back to the community that lifted him as a child while returning to his glory days. As far as modern-day basketball movies go, few are as dynamic and engaging as The Way Back.

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10 'Above the Rim' (1994)

Director: Jeff Pollack

1994’s Above the Rim stars Tupac Shakur as Birdie, who runs a street basketball tournament in Brooklyn. The top neighborhood player, Kyle (Duane Martin), struggles with whether to play for Birdie or for a famous local coach (David Bailey), who would help him get into the Georgetown basketball program. Under the watchful eye of his brother, Shep (Leon), Kyle is forced to make the right decision for his future while not angering Birdie to the point of violence. The film’s soundtrack went double platinum, and it featured the now-classic “Regulate” by Warren G featuring Nate Dogg.

The film features a surprisingly great performance from the rapper, who gives it his all in a role that shows just how much of a diverse multi-talent Tupac truly was. Even outside of the iconic faces and killer soundtrack, Above the Rim does a great job of following Kyle's difficult moral conundrum by using basketball as the centerpiece for its story of growth, potential, and betrayal. While mostly remembered nowadays for its soundtrack, there's enough greatness within Above the RIm to make it a classic in its own right.

Rent on Amazon

9 'The Basketball Diaries' (1995)

Director: Scott Kalvert

The Basketball Diaries tells the unbelievable true story of writer Jim Carroll (Leonardo DiCaprio), as it relays the story of his teenage years as a promising high school basketball star and writer. However, his life suddenly takes a massive shift when he develops an addiction to heroin following the death of his best friend, Bobby. As his life slowly begins to crumble around him in a disastrous free fall, it becomes harder and harder to maintain his status as a basketball star while facing his crippling addiction.

Basketball films and sports stories as a whole have always made for effective entryways not only for great coming-of-age movies but also for stories dealing with internal struggles and drug abuse. The Basketball Diaries is one of the most heartbreaking yet powerful coming-of-age movies of the 90s, not shying away from disturbing concepts and ideas as a means to tell its raw and emotional story. It can be attributed greatly to the lead performance from DiCaprio, who, in one of his first breakout roles, showed just how dynamic and effective of an actor he was. - Robert Lee

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8 'Coach Carter' (2005)

Director: Thomas Carter

Samuel L. Jackson stars in this film based on the true story of Ken Carter, who is determined to make academics just as important as basketball for his team. His decision to place priority on things other than basketball runs him afoul of the school administration as well as some players. However, with external threats never seeming to end, the team comes together to realize the importance of being well-rounded and getting their education as well as playing better basketball.

While many other sports and basketball movies will tell stories of a coach coming in to help a team of rookies achieve greatness, Coach Carter makes waves by doing the opposite. Here, the inspiring titular coach helps a team of all-stars become more than just the game they play. Ironically, even though the story mostly focuses on the importance and strengths outside basketball, it is still easily one of the greatest basketball movies out there. Indeed, Coach Carter provides a deep inspection of the relationship between the player and the game.

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7 'Space Jam' (1996)

Director: Joe Pytka

When an alien capitalist theme park owner (Danny DeVito) decides he wants to use the Looney Tunes as an attraction, he comes to Earth and challenges them to a basketball game. His minions inhabit five NBA stars to outsmart them, whereas the Looney Tunes recruit Michael Jordan, who has recently retired, to try his hand at baseball.

Space Jam is proof that not every basketball movie has to be incredibly serious and play by the rules, as it thrives off of the insanity and slapstick comedy of the Looney Tunes characters. The film is brimming with creativity and memorable moments with every passing scene, becoming an instant icon of 90s film culture as a whole. Even with its downsides and aspects that haven't held the test of time, Space Jam is a basketball movie classic that cannot be replicated, no matter how many times they tried.

Rent on Apple

6 'High Flying Bird' (2019)

Director: Steven Soderbergh

An engaging and unpredictable basketball thriller from iconic director Steven Soderbergh, 2019's High Flying Bird follows the story of sports agent Ray Burke (Andre Holland), who only has 72 hours to pull off a dangerous and controversial plan. It has the potential to completely disrupt the NBA as an institution, giving more power and weight to the talent and players instead of the agencies hanging over their heads. However, Burke needs the help of his client, rookie player Erick Scott (Melvin Gregg), to pull off this unprecedented plan.

Soderbergh has always been legendary for his ability to create high-octane drama and tension out of his thrillers, with High Flying Bird taking his exceptional directorial talents to the world of basketball. It initially received a great deal of attention thanks to its feat of being filmed entirely on the iPhone. However, the tight-knit screenplay from Tarell Alvin McCraney and the high-powered characters are what truly elevate High Flying Bird into the upper echelon of great basketball movies. - Robert Lee

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5 'He Got Game' (1998)

Director: Spike Lee

Jake (Denzel Washington) is serving time in Attica prison when the governor grants him temporary parole to try and convince his son, Jesus (Ray Allen), to sign with Big State University. Jesus is a basketball star, and the governor would love to see him play for his former school. Jesus and Jake don’t have a great relationship since Jake was very strict while coaching Jesus. Their conflict often led to arguments, one of which ended in Jake accidentally killing Jesus’ mother.

Director Spike Lee has always had an incredible talent for telling multifaceted dramas filled with emotion, dynamic characters, and a story that seamlessly hooks the viewer in. He Got Game is just another masterpiece in his filmography, as a great film about forgiveness and acceptance, as well as an examination of race and familial sacrifice. Het Got Game is a love letter to basketball as much as it is a critique of it and the community surrounding it, making it one of the most unique basketball films ever made.

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4 'Love & Basketball' (2000)

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Love & Basketball tells the story of two childhood friends, Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps). Both are big basketball stars trying to use their skills to get into college. The story takes a look at their lives through four quarters (like a basketball game) from childhood all the way past college. The film and the soundtrack are beloved by many, and director Gina Prince-Bythewood won an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.

The film uses basketball as the structure and basis for what is, at its core, a powerful and deeply personal story of evolving love through a relationship. The powerful chemistry between Lathan and Epps helps make Love & Basketball a beautiful, heartstring-pulling watch, creating a timeless portrait of passion and romance. On top of being one of the best basketball movies of all time, Love & Basketball is easily one of the best black-led love stories in cinema.

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3 'White Men Can’t Jump' (1992)

Director: Ron Shelton

A story of street basketball hustlers, White Men Can’t Jump stars Wesley Snipes as Syd, who seems unbeatable on the court. Along comes Billy (Woody Harrelson), who somehow beats him twice. When Syd finds out Billy and his girlfriend, Gloria (Rosie Perez), are hustlers, they decide to team up to make some serious cash but at the expense of what? A great story about the importance of friendship and all that can be accomplished by playing a simple game of basketball.

White Men Can't Jump may be one of the deepest and most powerful examinations of basketball, tackling a powerful theme of the divide between the commercialization and monetization of the sport and the love of the game. While many other basketball dramas have more focus on the characters than actual basketball, White Men Can't Jump showcases both while having some of the best and most enthralling characters in any basketball film.

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2 'Hoop Dreams' (1994)

Director: Steve James

One of the best sports documentaries, Hoop Dreams takes a look at two Chicago players, William Gates and Arthur Agee, who are recruited into a mostly white high school for a better chance at a career in the sport. The documentary takes an in-depth look at these two young men and the adversity they face. Despite rave reviews, it was snubbed by the Oscars, an egregious snub considering that, nearly 30 years later, it is still a tale of the school system and athletic programs in the U.S.

Few documentaries, sports or otherwise, can claim to have the same level of monumental highs and emotional story that is present in Hoop Dreams, a genuine feat of documentary filmmaking. It provides a painful yet all too real painting of the truths behind the American dream and the difficulties and hurdles that will be in the way of success, no matter the skill. Even with its nearly 3-hour runtime, the film goes by like nothing, with its uncanny ability to immediately get audiences invested.

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1 'Hoosiers' (1986)

Director: David Anspaugh

The timeless story of David vs. Goliath comes to light here in a story of a rural Indian basketball team making it to the state championship. When Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) is hired to coach a high school team, the small-town folk are up in arms about his methods. However, when a quiet, reclusive basketball phenom, Jimmy (Maris Valainis), steps in, together they take the unlikely team to the state title game in Indianapolis. Through the process, he becomes close with the boys on the team, endears himself to the skeptical townsfolk, and even falls in love.

Especially for fans and people who grew up with the sport, there is simply no basketball film that understands the essence of the game as Hoosiers. No matter how many times fans watch, it’s hard not to get chills in the final scene when Jimmy utters those three epic words to Coach Dale: “I’ll make it.” The film has easily become an icon for sports films as a whole, and, for many people, the first film that they think of when the topic of sports films comes up.

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