The Bad News Bears

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3:08

The Bad News Bears

PG

Released Apr 7, 1976

1h 42m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Hard-drinking, ex-minor-league hopeful Morris Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) grumpily agrees to coach a Little League team at the behest of lawyer-councilman Bob Whitewood (Ben Piazza), who has a vendetta against the league for excluding his marginally talented son from play. After failing with his new team of misfits, Buttermaker enlists feisty and gifted pitcher Amanda Whurlitzer (Tatum O'Neal) to lead the charge -- but can he find the luck and patience to whip these outcasts into shape?

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Critics Consensus

The Bad News Bears is rude, profane, and cynical, but shot through with honest, unforced humor, and held together by a deft, understated performance from Walter Matthau.

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Dan Epstein

Rolling Stone

A film was released that got everything beautifully, hilariously and even painfully right.

May 30, 2018

Full Review

Charles Taylor

Slate

At a time when sports movies can't be just sports movies anymore, it's both startling and soothing to take a second look at Michael Ritchie's Little League comedy The Bad News Bears.

May 30, 2018

Full Review

Jay Cocks

TIME Magazine

Surprisingly, improbably, The Bad News Bears is the year's funniest movie.

Aug 3, 2008

Full Review

Steve Warren

The Barb (Atlanta)

It's well-written and directed, and avoids being labeled as an outright "family comedy."

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Brett Doze

InSession Film

Still one of the scrappiest underdog movies...

Rated: B+

May 2, 2023

Full Review

Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

A sublime, unique film that finds a way to serve its agitation with superbly scripted dry humor and richly defined characters.

Rated: A

Sep 6, 2021

Full Review

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Christian K

A classically templated sports movie with great performances. Its funny that even when Buttermaker realizes he needs to be a better coach for the players, he continues to drink and smoke in the dugout while doing so.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/03/25

Full Review

Audience Member

A comedy about the worst baseball team becoming the best bad influence. Director Michael Ritchie and the late Walter Matthau and Tatum O' Neal. Morris is an ex-baseball minor league player who spends his day drinking. His lawyer-councilman Bob recommends he coaches a boys team. It's all out of spite against the league who denies his son to play given how talented he is. These boys are inexperienced and stink on the field. Morris' last attempt is to have a girl Amanda join the team to up their winning streak. But the rest of them are against the idea. Plus they both have rough past with Morris briefly dating her mother then one day he took off. These kids are bad news indeed with the bad attitudes, bad language, and crummy play antics. True this movie is a product of the time; with all the racial and homophobic slurs. Not to mention the violence inflicted on several characters. But give credit it started some familiar tropes in this genre. Even a terrible team can come together. It blends heart, comedy, and wicked satire. Matthau's performance stands out even if his character is less than sympathetic. The kids manage to keep up too with all the cynicism involved and the precociousness to win or play by the book. Just make sure to skip the remake!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

Full Review

Brent A

10% rating ... I did not care for this film. I didn't think it was very funny and the storyline felt dull.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/20/23

Full Review

Jp T

One of the Best movies ever made !!! 70s and 80s Rule!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/23

Full Review

Charles M

My favorite baseball movie ever.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/23

Full Review

Howard M

I just want to say, this is how things really were in the 1970's. I know. I was there. And had a lifetime .333 little league batting average.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/05/23

Full Review

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Michael Ritchie

Director

Walter Matthau

Coach Morris Buttermaker

Tatum O'Neal

Amanda Whurlitzer

Vic Morrow

Coach Roy Turner

Joyce Van Patten

Cleveland

Ben Piazza

Councilman Whitewood

The Bad News Bears: Official Clip - Cups & Supporters

1:43

The Bad News Bears: Official Clip - There's Chocolate on the Ball

2:13

The Bad News Bears: Official Clip - Do The Best You Can

1:49

The Bad News Bears: Official Clip - Lupus Makes the Catch

1:08

The Bad News Bears: Official Clip - I Don't Want Your Company

2:12

The Bad News Bears: Official Clip - A Girl Ballplayer

2:11

The Bad News Bears: Official Clip - Wait 'Til Next Year!

1:50

The Bad News Bears: Official Clip - Throw the Ball, Joey!

2:13

The Bad News Bears: Official Clip - Picking On Lupus

1:50

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The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training

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The Bad News Bears: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Hard-drinking, ex-minor-league hopeful Morris Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) grumpily agrees to coach a Little League team at the behest of lawyer-councilman Bob Whitewood (Ben Piazza), who has a vendetta against the league for excluding his marginally talented son from play. After failing with his new team of misfits, Buttermaker enlists feisty and gifted pitcher Amanda Whurlitzer (Tatum O'Neal) to lead the charge -- but can he find the luck and patience to whip these outcasts into shape?

Director: Michael Ritchie
Producer: Stanley R. Jaffe
Screenwriter: Bill Lancaster
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 7, 1976, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Mono

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