White Men Can't Jump

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White Men Can't Jump

R

1992

1h 54m

Comedy

Sports

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

107 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) is a white basketball hustler who banks on black players underestimating his skills on the court. When he pulls one over on Sidney Deane (Wesley Snipes), his victim sees a lucrative opportunity, and they become partners in the con game, plying their trade across the courts of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Billy has to keep one step ahead of mobsters, to whom he owes money, while staying on the good side of his Jeopardy!-obsessed, motormouth wife (Rosie Perez).

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Critics Consensus

White Men Can't Jump provides a fresh take on the sports comedy genre, with a clever script and a charismatic trio of leads.

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Jack Mathews

Newsday

The street comedy has the rhythm of a basketball game itself. There are fast breaks, some solid teamwork, plenty of slam dunks and, alas, too many time outs.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 31, 2023

Full Review

Henry Sheehan

Sight & Sound

[The] cleverly simple idea guarantees that the film is never less than amusing, and the casting of Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes, and particularly Rosie Perez, ensures that even the most exposition-laden lines crackle.

Aug 31, 2023

Full Review

Dolores Barclay

Associated Press

Shelton takes us right to the street hoops and slam dunks a winner. The movie is funny, it's fast and it's funky.

Aug 31, 2023

Full Review

Ernece B. Kelly

The Crisis

This is a side of working class life that movies rarely look at. And this fresh point-of-view keeps White Men from sliding into unrealistic and potentially harmful generalities.

Nov 27, 2023

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Michael Sragow

San Francisco Examiner

In White Men Can't Jump, Shelton & Co. turn the slam dunk into the stuff of life and art.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 31, 2023

Full Review

Jeff Simon

Buffalo News

It's a wonderfully funny and delightful and provocatively titled movie about the trash-talking intimidations of playground basketball.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 31, 2023

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Blake S.

Interesting and unique storyline. Good basketball movie and Woody and Wesley have great on screen chemistry. Not a deep movie by any means but an easy watch and a fun watch.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/29/25

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Ed R

Brilliant portrayal by Woody and Wesley!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

Full Review

GebtMirEuerGeld M

Really loved that movie. I have to admit that I just also love Basketball! The basketball scenes where amazing and quite authentic, with them not being connected to some supernatural powers and people jumping 4 meters high to dunk the ball. The movie also aged quite well when it comes to production. Definitely a recommend for every basketball fan!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

tArRa b

First of all I am really late to the party here. I love this movie. I love the original. I read a few reviews that said there was a lot going on but it was enough of each. I know unpopular opinion but highly recommend. 💜

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

Full Review

Dave C

It hasn't stood the test of time well, and it is repetitive and hollow. There is no real connection between any of the characters, and the script is shoddy. There are points where WS and WH show some spark, but it is short-lived

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

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Anton H

This timeless sports comedy is just as terrific and hilarious as “Slap Shot”. Woody and Wesley are an INCREDIBLE duo. Exciting gameplay, thrilling high-stakes hustling, and some of the most hilarious trash-talking ever put on film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/08/24

Full Review

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Ron Shelton

Director

Wesley Snipes

Sidney Deane

Woody Harrelson

Billy Hoyle

Rosie Perez

Gloria Clemente

Tyra Ferrell

Rhonda Deane

Cylk Cozart

Robert

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Synopsis

Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) is a white basketball hustler who banks on black players underestimating his skills on the court. When he pulls one over on Sidney Deane (Wesley Snipes), his victim sees a lucrative opportunity, and they become partners in the con game, plying their trade across the courts of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Billy has to keep one step ahead of mobsters, to whom he owes money, while staying on the good side of his Jeopardy!-obsessed, motormouth wife (Rosie Perez).

Director: Ron Shelton
Producer: Don Miller, David V. Lester
Screenwriter: Ron Shelton
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Sports
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 27, 1992, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $71.6M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround

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