One of my son’s favorite things is staying up past his bedtime watching a live basketball game on the television with me and my husband. In fact, he often asks, “Are we watching basketball tonight?” So, you can imagine that my entire family loves when it’s basketball season. Our household tuned in for the NBA playoffs. But now that it’s over, we’re continuing the joy by watching basketball movies for kids, which can be just as fun, too.
As a parent (and a millennial), the ‘90s movie classic Space Jam will always have a special place in my heart. However, newer movies like GOAT and Chang Can Dunk have been added to my list of favorite basketball movies for kids. And what’s most fun about some of these basketball-themed films is that my son’s favorite players either make cameos or are the main characters. It’s definitely enjoyable to watch him root for the legends of today.
Whether your kiddo loves the game, plays on a team, or is just showing general interest, watching movies about basketball can get them excited about the sport. Here, I’m sharing a list of 42 TV episodes, movies, and documentaries all about basketball (and broken down by age) to watch with your kiddos.
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Basketball Shows & Episodes for Toddlers (Ages 2-3)
These short episodes that are all about basketball are perfect for the toddler who is showing some interest in the game.
Peppa Pig: Basketball
Rating: G | Run Time: 4m | Where to Stream: Apple TV
If your little one is obsessed with Peppa and her family (and you’re obsessed with basketball), then Peppa Pig’s basketball episode may be one for you to watch. Peppa’s dad comes to coach her and her classmates. The group learns basic skills and the concept of basketball.
Blippi: Play Basketball With a Pro
Rating: NR | Run Time: 23m | Where to Stream: YouTube
Join Blippi as he ventures off to meet WNBA pro Tamika Catchings. Catchings teaches Blippi some basketball skills like dribbling, passing, shooting, and more.
More Basketball Shows & Episodes for Toddlers
- Clifford the Big Red Dog: Basketball Stories (S2, E9) – TV-Y
- Sesame Street: You Can Do It, Elmo (S50, E16) – TV-Y
- Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Daniel Plays Ball (S1, E18) – TV-Y
- Phoebe & Jay: Find Phoebe / Trick Shot (S1, E4) – TV-Y
Basketball Movies for Kids (Ages 4–7)
Enjoy these classic basketball movies that the entire family can watch. Plus, your kids will be happy to know that the Air Bud movie has spinoffs for so many other sports!
Air Bud (1997)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 1h 38m | Where to Stream: Disney+
Being the new kid in town isn’t always easy. But when a basketball-playing pup walks into Josh Framm’s life, their friendship scores them a spot on the school basketball team and in the state finals.
The Luck of the Irish (2001)
Rating: TV-G | Run Time: 1h 27m | Where to Stream: Disney+
This funny and charming movie tells the story of teenage basketball star and cool-kid Kyle Johnson, who finds himself having to battle for his lucky gold charm in order to keep his family from being controlled by an evil leprechaun. While this is technically a St. Patrick’s Day movie, this film teaches kids that they can make their own luck and find their own way, no matter the challenge.
GOAT (2026)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 1h 40m | Where to Stream: Netflix
A fun twist for kids who love sports movies but want something animated and spunky! The film focuses on a young goat as he chases his dream of playing professional roarball, proving that his small body packs a lot of power!
Basketball Movies for Tweens (Ages 8–12)
Introduce your kids to the original Space Jam and stream the newest version featuring the one-and-only LeBron James! Plus, enjoy other movies that are inspiring and more flicks that will give them a good laugh.
Space Jam: A New Legend (2021)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 1h 40m | Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video
LeBron James has dominated the NBA court for more than 20 years. In Space Jam: A New Legend, James’s son, Dom, must escape the “Serververse.” And the only way out is by playing a not-so-friendly game of basketball against an AI supervillain.
Space Jam (1996)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 1h 16m | Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Your kids may already love the new LeBron James version of this movie, so why not introduce them to the real GOAT? The Looney Tunes squad recruits legendary basketball star Michael Jordan to play on their team. Find out if this unlikely team can beat a bunch of aliens known as the “Monstars” on the court.
High School Musical (2006)
Rating: TV-G | Run Time: 1h 40m | Where to Stream: Disney+
It’s time to ‘get your head in the game!’ Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) is a star player on the East High basketball team, but everything changes for him when he sings karaoke with Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) at a New Year’s Eve party. When they return to campus, the two decide to audition for the spring musical. Today, the film’s lessons about following your dreams, no matter what external expectations may be weighing on you, still resonate with kids and adults.
Chang Can Dunk (2023)
Rating: PG | Run Time: 1h 49m | Where to Stream: Disney+
If you want an underdog story, watch Chang Can Dunk with your kiddos. High school student Chang isn’t the most popular kid, but he makes a bet against the star basketball player that his 5-foot-8-inch frame can dunk a basketball by homecoming.
More Basketball Movies for Tweens
- Thunderstruck – PG (2012)
- Like Mike – PG (2002)
- Like Mike 2: Streetball – PG (2006)
- More Than a Game – PG (2009)
- Rise – PG (2022)
- Glory Road – PG (2006)
- Rebound – PG (2005)
- Double Teamed – TV-G (2002)
- Linsanity – PG (2013)
- Sneaks – PG (2025)
- When the Garden Was Eden – G (2014)
Basketball Movies for Teens (Ages 13+)
Enjoy movies inspired by real-life stories and documentaries about past and present basketball legends. For parents, take note of the ratings and consider whether or not a movie deserves a parental preview beforehand.
Coach Carter (2005)
Rating: PG-13 | Run Time: 2h 16m | Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video
For Ken Carter, there’s more to being a basketball coach. In this inspiring story, Coach Carter pushes a young group of boys to be successful on and off the court. Based on a true story, Coach Carter is still as inspiring as it was over two decades ago.
17 Again (2009)
Rating: PG-13 | Run Time: 1h 38m | Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Starring Zac Efron and the beloved Matthew Perry, 17 Again is about Mike O’Donnell, a former high school basketball star who cut his athletic career short after he and his high school sweetheart welcomed a baby. Years later, he’s lost touch with who he is and the father and husband he wants to be. But when a high school janitor sends him into a vortex that turns him into his younger self, he’s forced to see his life from an old perspective. Can his former self help him in the present day?
Hustle (2022)
Rating: R | Run Time: 1h 58m | Where to Stream: Netflix
Stanley (played by Adam Sandler), an international talent scout, risks his entire career for a talented streetball player from Spain to help him make it to the NBA. Can the two prove themselves on and off the court? Watch real-life professional basketball player Juancho Hernangómez star in this film, along with some other famous cameos from the NBA.
Editor’s Note: Because this movie is rated R for strong language, sexual content, and some violence, it’s more suitable for kids ages 16+.
AIR (2023)
Rating: R | Run Time: 1h 54m | Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video
Learn how the iconic “Air Jordan” shoes came to be. Based on a true story, the movie Air—directed by Ben Affleck and starring Matt Damon—tells the origin story of how Nike rose to the ranks in the shoe world, all because of a rookie player named Michael Jordan. This movie is primarily rated R for profanity.
More Basketball Movies for Teens
- Shooting Stars – PG-13 (2023)
- The First Slam Dunk – PG-13 (2022)
- Kobe Bryant’s Muse – TV-MA (2015)
- Nowitzki: The Perfect Shot – TV-14 (2014)
- The Heart of the Game – PG-13 (2006)
- A Kid From Coney Island – Not Rated (2020)
- Hoop Dreams – PG-13 (1994)
- Rez Ball – PG-13 (2024)
- Stephen Curry: Underrated – PG-13 (2023)
- Champions – PG-13 (2023)
- Vince Carter: Legacy – PG (2021)
- Giannis: The Marvelous Journey – TV-MA (2024)
- The Redeem Team – TV-MA (2022)
- Tony Parker: The Final Shot – TV-14 (2020)
FAQs
Do basketball movies help kids become interested in sports?
Kids can become more excited about playing basketball after watching inspiring sports movies, like the ones on this list!
Are there basketball movies featuring kids as the main characters?
Yes, a few basketball movies featuring kids as main characters include Air Bud, Like Mike, Space Jam: A New Legend, and Chang Can Dunk.
Are there animated basketball movies available for kids?
Yes, some animated basketball movies include GOAT, Space Jam, Space Jam: A New Legend, and Sneaks.
Patty Schepel, Associate Editor
As the Associate Editor, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, editing freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.
