Hoop Dreams

Hoop Dreams

An Extraordinary True Story.

Directed by Steve James

Produced by Fine Line Features, Kartemquin Films

1994174 min7.6 / 10

A five-year intimate portrait of two young athletes navigating systemic obstacles and family bonds in pursuit of basketball dreams, balancing hope against the harsh realities of class and race.

Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes each way from inner-city Chicago to St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, a predominately white suburban school well-known for the excellence of its basketball program. Gates and Agee dream of NBA stardom, and with the support of their close-knit families, they battle the social and physical obstacles that stand in their way. This acclaimed documentary was shot over the course of five years.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is Hoop Dreams sad? Somewhat. More sad than 70% of films.

  • Is Hoop Dreams scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 65% of films.

  • Does Hoop Dreams end with hope? Somewhat. More hopeful than 65% of films.

  • Is Hoop Dreams violent? Not especially. Less violent than 64% of films.

  • Is Hoop Dreams easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 62% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

67/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Distinctly its own thing.

Rarity37

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise80

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love90

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like Hoop Dreams, and what each one shares →

Like Hoop Dreams

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Hoop Dreams

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Hoop Dreams, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Hoop Dreams, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Hoop Dreams, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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