The Mighty Macs

G

Released Oct 21, 2011

1 hr. 38 min.

Drama

List

47%

51 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

In 1971, Immaculata College finds a new coach, Cathy Rush (Carla Gugino), to head its women's basketball team. Right from the start, Cathy faces an uphill battle at the tiny, all-women's school -- with little support from Mother St. John (Ellen Burstyn). There's no gymnasium on campus, no uniforms, and there might not even be enough players to field a team. With help from a spunky assistant and a booster club of elderly nuns, Cathy sets out to achieve the impossible.

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Critics Consensus

Its heart is obviously in the right place, but The Mighty Macs is too blandly formulaic to transcend the genre's many clichés.

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Andrew K

Cute film with a heartwarming ending.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Alright - so it's a rags to riches, believe in yourself sport movie - but what's wrong with that?! Great for the fam

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

steve d

A great film about the early days of woman's basketball, interesting characters and a powerful true story. A must see for fans.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Entertaining but formulaic with stereotyped characters.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I really liked this movie. It is inspirational and very well done. It is based on the amazing real story during a critical time of change in our country. The acting is good, and the actors that play the role of athletes really know how to play the game so the footage is authentic, exciting and refreshing. I highly recommend the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Awesome movie..very motivating and inspirational.. Specifically knowing its a true story

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Tim Chambers

Director

Carla Gugino

Cathy Rush

Ellen Burstyn

Mother St. John

Marley Shelton

Sister Sunday

David Boreanaz

Ed Rush

Phyllis Somerville

Sister Sister

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Sweetly old-fashioned … nice and well-intentioned, but on the other hand the Macs deserve better than a nice, well-intentioned movie.

Rated: B-

Oct 21, 2011

Full Review

Neil Genzlinger

New York Times

Sometimes a film feels a bit too pat and yet is impossible to resist.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 21, 2011

Full Review

Joe Williams

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Without resorting to any trick plays, "The Mighty Macs" is the equivalent of high-top Converse All-Stars: timeless and effective, but perhaps not flashy enough for the kids at the mall.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 21, 2011

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

It's a story that inspires with pleasing and winning performances from the entire cast of this family-oriented, feel good film.

Rated: 3.0/4.0

Sep 16, 2020

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

The Mighty Macs - a feel good film for families, females, and sports fans alike...even if you're not from Philadelphia.

Nov 26, 2019

Full Review

Will Leitch

Deadspin

There's a nice inspirational message for young girls in this movie, and boy does this movie hit it hard.

Rated: C-

Jun 22, 2013

Full Review

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Synopsis

In 1971, Immaculata College finds a new coach, Cathy Rush (Carla Gugino), to head its women's basketball team. Right from the start, Cathy faces an uphill battle at the tiny, all-women's school -- with little support from Mother St. John (Ellen Burstyn). There's no gymnasium on campus, no uniforms, and there might not even be enough players to field a team. With help from a spunky assistant and a booster club of elderly nuns, Cathy sets out to achieve the impossible.

Director: Tim Chambers
Executive Producer: Vince Curran, John Chambers, Thomas Karl, Bud S. Smith, Pat Croce
Screenwriter: Tim Chambers
Distributor: Freestyle Releasing
Production Co: Quaker Media
Rating: G
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 21, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.9M

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