10 Best Basketball Movies on Netflix This Week

Looking to immerse yourself in the world of great basketball movies? We’re here to assist. Sports dramas offer an unparalleled thrill. They evoke laughter, tears, and cheers simultaneously, and if you’re fully invested, you might even break a sweat, just like the players on-screen.

Whether it’s a classic tale of the underdog or the ascent of a destined superstar, these stories resonate universally. Whether it’s basketball season or the excruciating wait between seasons, it’s time to take your shot with movies centered around the fast-paced game.

So, why not add these films to your lineup? Prepare for a surge of inspiration, LeBron-style, as you dive into these cinematic experiences.

1. Title: The Redeem Team

Release: 2022
Director: Jon Weinbach
Runtime: 1h 38m

The Dream Team, featuring basketball icons Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, reestablished the United States as a global basketball force. However, within a decade, as other nations elevated their game, the US suffered embarrassing bronze-medal finishes in the 2004 Olympics and 2006 World Championships. In response, the Redeem Team emerged. Dwyane Wade, a member of the team and executive producer of the movie, reflects on playing with his heroes, all-stars, friends, and future teammates in 2008. Their mission extended beyond dominance they aimed to change perceptions of the NBA and USA Basketball. This film chronicles the journey of the star-studded Redeem Team at the Beijing Olympics, featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with players such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and the late Kobe Bryant.

2. Title: Hustle

Release: 2022
Director: Jeremiah Zagar
Runtime: 1h 58m

When it comes to sports movies, Adam Sandler reigns supreme. Even when his films aren’t solely about sports, Sandler ensures basketball, his beloved game, plays a part. In director Jeremiah Zagar’s delightful dramedy, “Hustle,” Sandler seamlessly combines his passion for movies and hoops. He portrays Stanley Sugerman, a longtime Philadelphia 76ers scout, who discovers a game-changing talent in the unknown Spanish player, Bo Cruz, portrayed by real-life NBA player Juancho Hernangómez. 

3. Title: Untold: Malice at the Palace

Release: 2021
Director: Floyd Russ
Runtime: 1h 10m

The documentary series Untold showcases some of the most outrageous and unbelievable stories in sports, but its debut episode, “Malice at the Palace,” stands out. This captivating installment takes viewers inside the notorious 2004 brawl at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit. The fight erupted during the closing seconds of a heated game between Eastern Conference rivals, the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers. After a contentious foul by Pacers star Ron Artest (now known as Metta Sandiford-Artest) and a subsequent scuffle, a beverage was hurled from the crowd, striking Artest. This incident triggered his charge into the stands, where he attacked the suspected instigator. The intensity and chaos of this event make it a truly unforgettable story.

4. Title: A Kid from Coney Island

Release  2019
Director: Coodie Simmons
Runtime: 1h 57m

Hailing from Coney Island, Stephon Marbury emerged as a basketball prodigy, following in the footsteps of legendary New York City point guards. With immense talent, he seemed destined to secure his place among the city’s all-time greats, becoming an NBA superstar and receiving numerous All-Star selections. However, his success proved fleeting, and eventually, even his beloved hometown team, the Knicks, decided to part ways with him. Despite the ups and downs, Marbury’s journey remains a testament to the highs and lows of a promising basketball career in the heart of New York.

5. Title: Amateur

Release 2018
Director: Ryan Koo
Runtime: 1h 36m

Michael Rainey Jr., known for his role as the lead in Power Book II: Ghost, showcased his talent as a young leading man in the sports drama “Amateur,” directed and written by Ryan Koo. The film centers around Terron Forte (Rainey Jr.), a highly sought-after 14-year-old basketball prodigy who discovers the corruption and greed prevalent in amateur sports when he is recruited to an elite preparatory school. Sharon Leal (Dreamgirls) and Brian J. White (The Family Stone) portray Terron’s supportive parents, while Corey Parker Robinson (The Wire) and Josh Charles (The Good Wife) play his demanding coaches. Rainey Jr.’s performance establishes him as a powerful force in the film.

6. Title: Above the Rim

Release: 1993
Director: Jeff Pollack
Runtime: 1h 37m

Basketball in New York is more than just a game, it’s a way of life and a means of escape. This sentiment holds true in the 1994 cult classic starring Duane Martin, known for his role in “White Men Can’t Jump.” Martin portrays Kyle Lee Watson, a talented high school player with dreams of attending Georgetown University and eventually making it to the NBA. However, his aspirations are hindered by a conflict between two brothers: Shep (Leon), a former high school star now working as a security guard and dating Kyle’s mother, and Birdie (Tupac Shakur), a hot-tempered gangster who resents his older brother. The battle for Kyle’s loyalty reaches its climax during a local street basketball tournament and leads to a tragic outcome. 

7. Title: One in a Billion

Release: 2016
Director: Roman Gackowski
Runtime: 1h 9m

In a country with over 1 billion people, Satnam Singh Bhumara became the first Indian-born citizen to make it to the NBA, and this documentary chronicles his remarkable journey. From a small, remote village in India, where he grew up as the son of a wheat farmer, Singh transformed into a 7-foot-2, 300-pound NBA prospect. The film delves into how he carried the hopes and dreams of an entire nation on his broad shoulders. Featuring appearances from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Hall of Famer Larry Bird, and maverick Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who took a chance on Singh in the 2015 NBA Draft, allowing him to create history.

8. Title: Love & Basketball

Release: 2000
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Runtime: 2h 4m

Celebrated filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood, known for her work on “The Old Guard,” achieved a slam dunk with her directorial debut, “Love & Basketball,” produced by the passionate basketball enthusiast Spike Lee. This romantic sports drama follows the love story of childhood neighbors and sweethearts Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) and Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan), whose shared passion for basketball brings them together and pulls them apart. Prince-Bythewood aimed to create a “Black When Harry Met Sally,” seeking to reflect herself and others like her in love stories. Epps and Lathan exhibit scintillating chemistry, highlighted by their characters’ famous game of one-on-one strip basketball.

9. Title: Tony Parker: The Final Shot

Release 2020
Director: Florent Bodin
Runtime: 1h 38m

Tony Parker wasn’t very well-known when he joined the San Antonio Spurs basketball team in 2001. He was a young and skinny player from France and America, and not many people thought he would be successful in the NBA. But Parker worked hard and became one of the best players in the world. This documentary tells his story and includes interviews with his teammates and rivals who explain why they think he was so amazing.

10. Title: High Flying Bird

Release: 2019
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Runtime: 1h 30m

If there’s a filmmaker who always does things differently, it’s Steven Soderbergh. He made movies about strippers, thieves, and even a famous pianist. Now, he’s made a movie about basketball, but it’s not like other sports movies. He filmed the whole thing using just an iPhone, which is really cool. The story is about a guy who helps basketball players, and he tries to use a new player to make the people who own the teams end a disagreement. But the movie is more about what happens behind the scenes, like in offices, instead of what happens on the basketball court. The movie is really interesting, and it goes by quickly because it’s only 90 minutes long. It’s also a great chance for the actor André Holland to show how good he is. Plus, there are other famous actors like Zazie Beetz and Zachary Quinto in it too.