Enjoying March Madness? Check out these five basketball films that you can stream right now.

      While it's April, today marks the conclusion of March Madness 2025 with a championship face-off between the Florida Gators and the Houston Cougars. Regardless of which team takes home the title, college basketball will be on hold until the new season kicks off in November.

      However, just because college basketball will be absent for the next eight months doesn't mean there aren't basketball-related stories to enjoy throughout the year. If you love March Madness, here are five basketball films you should watch right now. Some of these movies are based on real events, and you may notice some familiar themes and motifs.

      **Hoosiers (1986)**

      Orion Pictures

      Basketball films existed before Hoosiers, but this movie is the cornerstone of all that followed. The late Gene Hackman starred in this largely true account of Coach Norman Dale and the small-town team he coached in 1954. Despite Coach Dale's presence, the Milan High School players face an immediate setback when their star player, Jimmy Chitwood (Maris Valainis), leaves the team to grieve the loss of someone meaningful to him.

      In this Indiana town, high school basketball is a serious affair, and the community of parents is not pleased with either Dale's demeanor or his defensive approach to the game. They also question Dale's choice to hire Wilbur "Shooter" Flatch (Dennis Hopper) as an assistant coach due to Shooter's reputation as an alcoholic. Nevertheless, Coach Dale is merely trying to give Shooter a chance at redemption, which he also needs to find for himself.

      Watch Hoosiers on Prime Video.

      **Blue Chips (1994)**

      Paramount Pictures

      There are numerous inspirational basketball stories featuring underdogs rising to the occasion, but Blue Chips is not one of them. Instead, it critiques college programs that bend the rules to entice star players to join their rosters. Coach Pete Bell (Nick Nolte) knows it's unethical, but he feels driven to accept help from "Happy" Kuykendahl (J.T. Walsh) to attract those standout players to his small school.

      Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway were already playing together on the Orlando Magic when they were cast as Neon Boudeaux and Butch McRae in this film. Their athletic skills are undeniable, but the moral implications of Coach Bell's actions lead him to question whether it's worth compromising his integrity.

      Watch Blue Chips on Pluto TV.

      **Coach Carter (2005)**

      Paramount Pictures

      Samuel L. Jackson stars in Coach Carter as Ken Carter, who played both high school and college basketball. When the real Carter was invited to coach his former school, Richmond High, he surprised parents and faculty with his academic-first approach.

      Not all of Carter's players embrace his philosophy, including one of his top players, Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez). Nonetheless, Carter stands firm against pressure from the school, even when a potential high school championship is at stake. His priority lies in shaping who his players become as individuals rather than just their on-court abilities.

      Watch Coach Carter on Paramount+.

      **Glory Road (2006)**

      Disney

      Glory Road was released nearly six decades after Texas Western College made history by featuring the first all-Black starting lineup in NCAA basketball. The film dramatizes this groundbreaking story and illustrates how Coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) had to assemble the team primarily because he needed to select the best players available.

      Bobby Joe Hill (Derek Luke), Moe Iba (Evan Jones), David Lattin (Schin A.S. Kerr), Orsten Artis (Alphonso McAuley), Harry Flournoy (Mehcad Brooks), Willie Worsley (Sam Jones III), Willie Cager (Damaine Radcliff), and their teammates adopt a more flamboyant style of play than their competitors are used to. However, they also confront significant racism that threatens their aspirations before the championship game.

      Watch Glory Road on Disney+.

      **The Way Back (2020)**

      Warner Bros. Pictures

      In The Way Back, basketball serves as the backdrop for a man’s journey to reclaim his life. Ben Affleck has openly shared his struggle with sobriety, which is reflected in his character, Jack Cunningham. Jack, a former basketball player, faces marital strife with Angela (Janina Gavankar) stemming from his alcoholism and their mutual grief over their deceased son.

      Father Edward Devine (John Aylward) provides Jack an opportunity to find new meaning by becoming the coach at Bishop Hayes, the Catholic high school he once attended as a player. Jack is knowledgeable about the game and begins to connect with his players. However, the ghosts of his past may still catch up with him, even as he strives to maintain his sobriety.

      Rent or buy The Way Back on Prime