McFarland, USA

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McFarland, USA

PG

2015

2h 9m

Drama

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

130 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Track coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is a newcomer to a predominantly Latino high-school in California's Central Valley. Coach White and his new students find that they have much to learn about one another, but things begin to change when White realizes the boys' exceptional running ability. More than just physical prowess drives the teens to succeed; their strong family ties, incredible work ethic and commitment to their team all play a factor in forging these novice runners into champions.

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Critics Consensus

Disney's inspirational sports drama formula might be old hat, but McFarland, USA proves it still works -- especially with a talented director and eminently likable star in the mix.

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Brandon Ambrosino

Vox

Dec 17, 2015

What makes McFarland USA so successful, and so bracing, is the way that its protagonist becomes aware of something that is rarely broached in these sorts of narratives - his own privilege.

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

Sep 25, 2015

Niki Caro uses every device at her disposal to make a rousing, feelgood movie but risks turning the film into a glorified fairytale in the process.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Sep 24, 2015

McFarland, USA is a modern anomaly — a Kevin Costner sports movie that’s genuinely rousing.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Feb 2, 2021

2.5/5

A standard issue inspiration coach movie.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 16, 2020

3.0/4.0

Its feel good and inspirational story will raise your spirits and leave you feeling much better when you leave the theater than when you entered it.

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Allen Almachar

The MacGuffin

Jul 16, 2020

B-

There are good intentions behind this, even when it contains a problem or two [or three].

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Tyler L

@Tyler131 Sep 1, 2026

A really good movie with great performances.

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June C

@june.coover Aug 23, 2026

Great movie and so inspiring.

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Caspian P

@RT71490233 Jul 31, 2026

As a cross country athlete myself, I loved everything about this movie. You can't tell me, "THAT'S NOT DANNY DIAZ!" isn't one of the most inspiring moments of television.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Mar 25, 2026

The worldwide gross is $45,710,059.00.

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Frederick S

@Sawickifr33 Feb 4, 2026

Bland movie. I watched this in school and I did not like it one bit. I found it so boring. The blood when he gets hurt really fits the expression.

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Tom E.

@RT42310841 Jan 6, 2026

Loved it. I just wish that, 10 years later, it's themes of multi-cultural curiosity and acceptance did not seem out of date.

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Synopsis

Track coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is a newcomer to a predominantly Latino high-school in California's Central Valley. Coach White and his new students find that they have much to learn about one another, but things begin to change when White realizes the boys' exceptional running ability. More than just physical prowess drives the teens to succeed; their strong family ties, incredible work ethic and commitment to their team all play a factor in forging these novice runners into champions.

Director: Niki Caro
Producer: Gordon Gray, Mark Ciardi
Screenwriter: Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois, Grant Thompson
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Mayhem Pictures
Rating: PG (Some Violence|Language|Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 20, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 2, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $44.5M
Runtime: 2h 9m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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