The Year of the Yao

PG

Released Apr 15, 2005

1h 27m

Documentary

List

67%

33 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

This documentary chronicles Yao Ming's first year of playing in the National Basketball Association. When Ming signs with the Houston Rockets, he becomes the first player from China to play in the NBA, a feat that makes him immensely popular in his homeland. However, the style of play in the league is vastly different from that in China, and Yao initially struggles. As he becomes more familiar with his teammates and the American culture, however, Yao starts to excel on the court.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Aug 22

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent The Year of the Yao on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

This sports bio documentary is given a few fresh angles, including culture clash issues, and the friendship that develops between Yao and his interpreter.

Read Critics Reviews

Audience Member

I remember the hype so it was interesting to see the intimate view of his rookie basketball season from practices to crucial head to head and championships.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great story, young man had the whole country on his back. Underrated sports documentary that is being forgotten, more people should see this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I loved this documentary! It made me want to learn more about him.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Yao Ming is a NBA legend from China. This is a movie of Yao's first year of NBA.If you are interested in basket ball and the city of Houston, you may learn something from this movie. 1.I learned how popular Yao was in China.he was not only a player, but also an ambassador. He built great relationships between China and Houston. 2.I enjoyed watching his friendship with his interpreter. Yao was not able to speak English.The interceptor sincerely helped Yao.The interpreter was not only English teacher but also some mentor of American culture, because Yao would like to learn American culture. 3.Regarding basket ball, he was struggling with NBA. Many analysts predicted Yaos failure.People were laughing at Yao' awkward play. Then Yao learned. He scored and blocked.He played at an all star game. Finally he was successful. The movie describes Yao's frst year at NBA.YAO retired but People in Houston still remember him. He still actively plays an important role between Houston and China.Thanks!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

good sports doc and another lost review flixter-grrr

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Fantastic Doc. on a great subject. Seeing Yao Ming's first season in the NBA and in America is fascinating. The cultural shifts that plagued him in the beginning eventually gave way as he become a Worldwide phenom and "unofficial" Ambassador between the West and China. The most interesting part of the doc. is the relationship between Yao's young/rookie interpretor, Colin Pine, and himself. Setting up 2 young rookie's together was either a stroke of genius or a divine accident, either way it is the heart of the film. OF COURSE, it doesn't at all hurt that I live in Houston. I think this film works so well that it would even be of interest to Non NBA fans as well. Very Nice. YAO!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Adam Del Deo

Director

James D. Stern

Director

Ming Yao

Self

Shaquille O'Neal

Self

Christopher C. Chen

Co-Producer

Adam Del Deo

Producer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

65%

78%

Linsanity

33%

76%

Trudell

76%

55%

Game Over: Kasparov and the Machine

72%

57%

My Date With Drew

80%

92%

Step Into Liquid

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Yao Ming Turns Down "Rush Hour 3"

View more photos

Fred Camper

Chicago Reader

James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo's taut, engrossing 2004 documentary on Chinese basketball player Yao Ming's first year in the NBA offers insight into the game and its stars.

Mar 25, 2008

Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

Should be a natural for NBA fans and please non-enthusiasts as well.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 5, 2005

Full Review

Kevin Crust

Los Angeles Times

As bright and shiny as you would imagine something co-produced by NBA Entertainment to be, The Year of the Yao provides little insight beyond hanging out with its super-sized star.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 4, 2005

Full Review

Jason Gorber

Film Scouts

The film never feels like some sort of shill, but an actual historical document of this strangest of cultural immersions for a national superstar.

Rated: A-

Jun 21, 2007

Full Review

Lewis Beale

Film Journal International

By playing up the hoopla and glitz, the filmmakers have created a vacuum at its center.

Mar 1, 2007

Full Review

Harvey S. Karten

Compuserve

The film is happily as fast paced as the sport of basketball itself: there are no bearded, stuttering academics discussing any aspect of the story.

Rated: B

Jan 19, 2007

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

This documentary chronicles Yao Ming's first year of playing in the National Basketball Association. When Ming signs with the Houston Rockets, he becomes the first player from China to play in the NBA, a feat that makes him immensely popular in his homeland. However, the style of play in the league is vastly different from that in China, and Yao initially struggles. As he becomes more familiar with his teammates and the American culture, however, Yao starts to excel on the court.

Director: Adam Del Deo, James D. Stern
Producer: Bill Duffy, Adam Silver, Larry Weitzman, Gregg Winik
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: NBA Entertainment, Endgame Entertainment
Rating: PG (Some Mild Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 15, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.7K
Runtime: 1h 27m

Most Popular at Home Now