7 Best Basketball Movies on Netflix For Sports Geek [November-2023]

Basketball movies are as entertaining as the sport itself. Netflix offers a compelling selection of basketball movies, leaving NBA enthusiasts on the edge. This blog lists the 7 best basketball movies on Netflix that you should watch in 2023.

Netflix’s libraries are region-specific, which varies from region to region. For example, American viewers have different titles on their list as compared to Australian ones. If you’re willing to watch any movie that is not part of your local library on Netflix but is a part of the US’s library, you must change your location to an American one.

If you’re outside the US and want to watch what is on Netflix’s library in the US, you must connect to an American server. This job can be done by employing a Premium VPN like ExpressVPN that provides highly optimized US servers that upgrade the viewer’s experience.

In this blog, we’ve listed some of the best 7 basketball movies on Netflix 2023. From mind-blowing classics to highly influential dramas, these films highlight the role of basketball and how this amazing sport affects people’s lives.

1. Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko is  Richard Kelly’s outstanding 2001 masterpiece, more than a basketball movie. It features some paradigmatic basketball scenes in movie history.

The memorable plot completely captures the movie’s surreal and nostalgic essence. You should watch it for yourself; it may even motivate you to grab a basketball and hit the court.

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2. The Carter Effect

This Carter effect outlines the story of an eight-time NBA All-Star Vince Carter. He was famous for his fantastic playing style and was considered a superstar. The movie’s story revolves around his with the Toronto Raptors, where he leads the team to glory and acceptance on the national level. The movie covers interviews with Carter, former teammates and coaches, and famous figures such as Drake and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The synopsis of the film is about how one player can have a significant impact on the game.

3. High Flying Bird

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the movie explores the business of basketball. When the NBA faces a lockout, sports agent Ray Burke (played by André Holland) stands up face-to-face against the system. The supporting cast, including Zazie Beetz, Melvin Gregg, and Kyle MacLachlan, deliver top-notch performances.

High Flying Bird Apart is one of the best basketball movies on Netflix, which covers the nature of professional sports and the systems governing them. It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of sports and society.

Read More: The 30 Best Black Movies on Hulu: Exploring Black Cinema

4. Coach Carter

Coach Carter is a movie about a high school basketball school team coach named Ken Carter( Samuel L. Jackson). The team struggles to perform well, but Carter wants his player to create a balance between studies and personal character rather than winning. This philosophy conflicts with the players and parents, who prioritize winning.

To ensure the team’s success, Carter sets strict rules such as mandatory study halls and a contract that requires players to maintain a minimum GPA. When the players’ academic performance starts to affect their game, Carter locks them out of the gym until they improve their grades.

The movie tells an inspiring and heart-wrenching underdog story, which is why it in the list of the best basketball movies on Netflix.

5. Space Jam: A New Legacy

In 1996, Michael Jordan joins hands with Bugs Bunny and with the rest of the Looney Tunes gang for Space Jam. Space Jam is an action-packed animated movie that became popular among viewers in no time.

In the film, LeBron and his son Dom (Cedric Joe) are trapped by the evil Don Cheadle who wants to use LeBron’s basketball skills for his own evil intentions. To break free, LeBron join the  Looney Tunes to defeat the opponent team of digitized NBA stars. The film is a beautiful father-son story and a treat for true NBA fans.

Read More: The 10 Best Sports Movies on Netflix

6. Love & Basketball

Love and Basketball covers a dramatic love story between two individuals, Quincy McCall as Omar Epps, and Monica Wright, played by Sanaa Lathan. The story revolves around these two childhood friends who build a connection over their mutual admiration for Basketball. Quincy desires to be a professional basketball player like his father, while Monica wants to be a WNBA player.

Their relationship gets affected whenever they try to achieve their goals. The movie highlights gender inequality and political affairs that sportswomen face as they try to achieve their place in their professional careers. Love and Basketball is a modern class that targets the hearts and minds of sports and romance fanatics.

7. Hoosiers

Gene Hackman stars as the team’s coach, Norman Dale, who has a controversial past and clashes with the town’s basketball booster, who wants to run the team himself. The film is a testament to the power of teamwork, perseverance, and belief in oneself. It’s a timeless underdog story that’s guaranteed to leave you cheering for the Hickory Huskers.

Gene Heckerman played the role of the team’s coach Norman Dale, and the movie’s highlight is the importance of teamwork, willpower, and self-belief. The movie keeps you captivated and leaves an inspiring impact on your thoughts and personality.

Read More: Top 9 Johnny Depp Movies on Netflix

Wrapping It Up:

The above-listed 7 Best Netflix Basketball Movies on Netflix are cherry-picked to ensure you enjoy the scintillating and awe-inspiring effects they deliver. You can easily find these movie titles on Netflix’s library, but if you cannot find any on your regional Netflix library, make sure you employ a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN and Connect to its US-based server to get all of these in your home country.