Hardball

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Hardball

PG-13

Released Sep 14, 2001

1h 46m

Drama

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

114 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Conor (Keanu Reeves) is a ticket scalper, gambler and, now, Little League coach for a rag-tag team of kids in one of the toughest part of Chicago. He's no role model, but his buddy Jimmy won't help him pay off his gambling debts unless Conor coaches Jimmy's corporately sponsored team. Surprising even himself, Conor becomes attached to his players -- and to their attractive schoolteacher (Diane Lane) -- and drawn into their tough and sometimes tragic lives.

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Critics Consensus

Although Hardball contains some touching moments, they are not enough to transcend the sports formula.

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Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

The filmmakers realize that playing baseball isn't nearly enough to fix what's wrong in these kids' lives, which might have made a more provocative ending than what follows.

May 13, 2020

Full Review

Matthew Feeney

Slate

[Keanu] Reeves is often mocked for his blankness, but that quality is an asset here.

May 13, 2020

Full Review

Nathan Rabin

AV Club

Director Brian Robbins' film ultimately seems as uninterested in penetrating the graffiti-scarred walls of its Cabrini Green setting as its white-bread protagonist is.

May 13, 2020

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

At heart, it's still an underdog sports flick of the sort we've seen countless times.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 24, 2021

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Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Stereotypical at its best, copycat at its worst, Hardball is okay but nothing special.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 21, 2021

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Steve Simels

TV Guide

It's clichéd, tacky and cynical.

Rated: 1/4

May 13, 2020

Full Review

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Brien W

Cult classic in the black community, it’s a rite of passage to watch it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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Carlos I

Hardball is a classic example of the formulaic underdog sports movie, hitting every beat you'd expect. If you're in the mood for that predictable yet comforting cinematic experience, it will certainly entertain you enough. Think of it as Bad News Bears but without the laughs, delivering more heartwarming earnestness than comedic relief.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/15/25

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Devin B

One of the best baseball movies you will ever see.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

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Drew F

Extremely well acted. Your typical underdog story, but still glad I watched.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/24/25

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Selle O

Great Movie! Funny, sweet and sad. Keanu Reeves does a great job in this movie. The people who say he can't act need to watch this movie, especially towards the end. He gives a great dramatic performance.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

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Alex A

This score is some weak ass bullshit. Great movie, top 5 sports movies of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

Full Review

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Brian Robbins

Director

Keanu Reeves

Conor O'Neill

Diane Lane

Elizabeth Wilkes

John Hawkes

Ticky Tobin

Bryan Hearne

Andre Ray Peetes

Julian Griffith

Jefferson Albert Tibbs

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Synopsis

Conor (Keanu Reeves) is a ticket scalper, gambler and, now, Little League coach for a rag-tag team of kids in one of the toughest part of Chicago. He's no role model, but his buddy Jimmy won't help him pay off his gambling debts unless Conor coaches Jimmy's corporately sponsored team. Surprising even himself, Conor becomes attached to his players -- and to their attractive schoolteacher (Diane Lane) -- and drawn into their tough and sometimes tragic lives.

Director: Brian Robbins
Producer: Michael Tollin, Tina Nides, Brian Robbins
Screenwriter: Daniel Coyle, John Gatins
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Nides/McCormick Productions, Fireworks Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 14, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $40.2M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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