Hoosiers

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Michael F @Moviemaven58 Dec 9 Hoosiers is definitely in the top five sports movies of all time. Right there with The Natural and Field of Dreams. I’ve seen it half a dozen times at least and never get tired of it. Perfectly edited, filmed and staged. A definite must see even if you’re not a basketball fan. Just to see Gene Hackman again is priceless. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 8 1 hour and 54 minutes based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Brief Language Throughout and Sequences of Sports Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $25,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Rob A Mar 27 Here's an oldie but goodie for you! A David vs. Goliath story about a tiny Indiana high school basketball team, led by a former college coach with a checkered past (Gene Hackman RIP) and their unlikely run at the state championship back in the 1950's. Barbara Hershey and Dennis Hopper co-star as a skeptical Principal and alcoholic father/assistant coach repectively. The film is a classic; well written and directed. Every few years I watch it again. Hoosiers having been released in 1986 (I was in high school myself) I've probably seen it 5 times by now. See more Gregory D Mar 24 This movie came out a few years after I was born. My older brother and father were already a fan by the time I saw it. I grew up playing basketball and the story of a small town team making it to the state finals appealed to me as I grew up in a small town. The players conviction and unbelievable performance by Hackman, captivate me every time I watch it. The music is incredible. The basketball scenes are awesome. I cry at various points during this flick as it gets me emotional. Ollie making those 2 free throws to win the game remind me of 2 free throws I made, coming right off the bench. Team, team, team. No one more important than the other. I love that. Living in Massachusetts, Boston Celtics is all about team. You must watch this movie. The greatest basketball movie ever made. See more Los G Mar 11 UTTERLY run-of-the-mill fare here, despite the great cast. Coach with a dodgy past takes over a down and out team, gets kickback from players and families, slowly wins them over etc etc Maybe it's an American thing to be so obsessed with basketball, but if someone told me this had been devised by AI I wouldn't have been surprised See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Mar 11 Hoosiers remains one of the most respected basketball films of the 1980s, largely due to the commanding presence of Gene Hackman in the lead role. Hackman portrays a determined coach brought in to guide a struggling high school team, and his performance grounds the story with authenticity and emotional weight. The film instantly establishes its tone—a gritty yet heartfelt sports drama rooted in discipline, redemption, and belief. Viewing Hoosiers through the lens of its original release era reveals just how groundbreaking it must have felt in the 80s. At that time, its underdog narrative, strong character development, and slow-burn emotional pacing would have captivated audiences who weren’t yet inundated with hundreds of similar sports dramas. The film’s authenticity, small-town Americana feel, and focus on discipline over flash made it stand out as something special. Watching it today offers a different experience. Modern audiences may feel like they’ve seen this formula repeatedly, especially since Hoosiers essentially became the blueprint for countless inspirational sports movies that followed. But that familiarity doesn’t diminish its impact—it simply highlights how influential this film truly is. When you return to the source, you can appreciate its craft even more. The direction, pacing, and emotional beats remain effective even decades later. The screenplay does an excellent job balancing tension, teamwork, personal struggle, and triumph without ever feeling exaggerated. Hackman delivers one of his best performances of the era, and the supporting cast brings depth to the community surrounding the team. The story builds steadily toward the championship, creating a payoff that feels genuinely earned. What makes Hoosiers still work today is the sincerity of the filmmaking. There is nothing artificial or forced about the journey. The film respects its audience, trusting that the emotional stakes, strong performances, and grounded storytelling are enough to keep viewers engaged. And they are—this is the kind of movie that pulls you in quietly and leaves you fully invested by the final whistle. Hoosiers is absolutely worth watching for anyone who loves sports films or appreciates powerful, character-driven storytelling. Its timeless emotional core has allowed it to survive the decades without losing its charm or relevance. It would be exciting to see a modern reimagining—perhaps through a platform like Netflix—but the original still stands tall as one of the finest entries in the genre. See more Read all reviews

Hoosiers

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