Hoosiers

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Hoosiers

PG

1986

1h 54m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Failed college coach Norman Dale gets a chance at redemption when he is hired to direct the basketball program at a high school in a tiny Indiana town. After a teacher persuades star player Jimmy Chitwood to quit and focus on his long-neglected studies, Dale struggles to develop a winning team in the face of community criticism for his temper and his unconventional choice of assistant coach: Shooter, a notorious alcoholic.

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Critics Consensus

It may adhere to the sports underdog formula, but Hoosiers has been made with such loving craft, and features such excellent performances, that it's hard to resist.

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Chris Stuckmann

ChrisStuckmann.com

02/17/2021

A

This film has so much heart. Every time I watch it, I am on the verge of tears for almost the entire runtime.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

10/29/2008

A-

The filmmakers are at the top of their game.

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Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

08/01/2008

Hackman is wonderful as an inarticulate man tense with the struggle to curb a flaring, mysterious anger.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Dec 30

There's an awful lot of basketball, not but much human interest in this "Rocky"-like treatment of the sport.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 22

3.5/4

Much of its appeal comes courtesy of Gene Hackman, whose work here -- a canny mix of aw-shucks bluster and below-the-surface slyness -- was a warm-up for the career-best performance he would deliver in 1988's Mississippi Burning.

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Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

Mar 26

4/5

I love a good sports movie. There's a formula to them, which this film actually went a bit against. I really enjoyed the historical accuracy of how they used to play basketball in the '50s.

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Margie M

@DrManifold Feb 6

I'm not a basketball fan - but I LOVE this movie. Based on a wonderfully true story. . . It is brilliant, heartbreakingly beautiful and leaves one with the hope of possible impossibilities.

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Charles P.

@reptaddict Jan 23

The best sports movie ever, and nothing else is close.

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Michael F

@Moviemaven58 Dec 9

Hoosiers is definitely in the top five sports movies of all time. Right there with The Natural and Field of Dreams. I’ve seen it half a dozen times at least and never get tired of it. Perfectly edited, filmed and staged. A definite must see even if you’re not a basketball fan. Just to see Gene Hackman again is priceless.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 8

1 hour and 54 minutes based on a true story. Rated PG for Brief Language Throughout and Sequences of Sports Violence.

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Rob A

@RT76386004 Mar 27

Here's an oldie but goodie for you! A David vs. Goliath story about a tiny Indiana high school basketball team, led by a former college coach with a checkered past (Gene Hackman RIP) and their unlikely run at the state championship back in the 1950's. Barbara Hershey and Dennis Hopper co-star as a skeptical Principal and alcoholic father/assistant coach repectively. The film is a classic; well written and directed. Every few years I watch it again. Hoosiers having been released in 1986 (I was in high school myself) I've probably seen it 5 times by now.

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Gregory D

@RT08979414 03/24/2025

This movie came out a few years after I was born. My older brother and father were already a fan by the time I saw it. I grew up playing basketball and the story of a small town team making it to the state finals appealed to me as I grew up in a small town. The players conviction and unbelievable performance by Hackman, captivate me every time I watch it. The music is incredible. The basketball scenes are awesome. I cry at various points during this flick as it gets me emotional. Ollie making those 2 free throws to win the game remind me of 2 free throws I made, coming right off the bench. Team, team, team. No one more important than the other. I love that. Living in Massachusetts, Boston Celtics is all about team. You must watch this movie. The greatest basketball movie ever made.

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David Anspaugh

Director

Gene Hackman

Coach Norman Dale

Barbara Hershey

Myra Fleener

Dennis Hopper

Shooter

Sheb Wooley

Cletus

Fern Persons

Opal Fleener

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Coach Meets His Team

1:58

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Measuring the Massive Gym

1:54

Hoosiers: Official Clip - God Wants You on the Floor

1:01

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Benching Rade on Principle

2:09

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Jimmy's Final Shot

2:13

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Shooter Runs the Picket Fence

2:09

Hoosiers: Official Clip - David and Goliath

2:08

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Coach Offers Shooter a Job

2:07

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Ollie Sinks His Free Throws

2:14

Hoosiers: Official Clip - Your Coaching Days Are Over

1:50

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Synopsis

Failed college coach Norman Dale gets a chance at redemption when he is hired to direct the basketball program at a high school in a tiny Indiana town. After a teacher persuades star player Jimmy Chitwood to quit and focus on his long-neglected studies, Dale struggles to develop a winning team in the face of community criticism for his temper and his unconventional choice of assistant coach: Shooter, a notorious alcoholic.

Director: David Anspaugh
Producer: Angelo Pizzo, Carter DeHaven
Screenwriter: Angelo Pizzo
Distributor: Orion Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Hemdale Film Corporation [us]
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 14, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $25.8M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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