If you’re a fan of the 2006 movie Like Mike 2: Streetball, chances are you love a good underdog basketball story with a sprinkle of magic. This direct-to-video sequel to the 2002 film Like Mike follows teenager Jerome Jenkins Jr. as he finds a mysterious pair of sneakers that give him the ability to play like Michael Jordan. With his newfound skills, Jerome joins a streetball team and navigates challenges on and off the court.
While Like Mike 2 may not have been a critical darling, it delivers a fun, family-friendly sports comedy that will leave you wanting more. Luckily, there are plenty of other great basketball movies out there with similar themes and vibes. Here are 15 awesome flicks to add to your watchlist if you enjoyed Like Mike 2: Streetball:
1. Like Mike (2002)
Let’s start with the obvious choice – the original Like Mike movie that started it all. This film stars Lil’ Bow Wow as Calvin Cambridge, an orphan who finds a pair of old sneakers with the initials “MJ” inside. When Calvin puts on the shoes, he gains the ability to play basketball like Michael Jordan himself. He’s soon drafted into the NBA and becomes a sensation, all while searching for a family to call his own.
Like Mike has a bit more star power than its sequel, with a cast that includes Morris Chestnut, Jonathan Lipnicki, Crispin Glover, and Eugene Levy. It also features cameos from real NBA players like Allen Iverson and Chris Webber. While the plot is pretty similar to Like Mike 2, the original has a bit more heart and better pacing. Definitely check it out if you haven’t already.
2. Air Bud (1997)
Okay, so Air Bud is technically about a basketball-playing golden retriever, not a kid who gains magic basketball powers. But hear me out – this movie is a classic for a reason. It’s got all the feel-good underdog vibes of Like Mike 2, plus an adorable dog to boot.
The story follows Josh Framm, a shy 12-year-old struggling to adjust after his father’s death. Josh adopts a stray dog named Buddy who turns out to have a talent for sinking baskets. Together, they turn Josh’s struggling basketball team around and learn valuable lessons about friendship and teamwork.
Air Bud launched a franchise that now includes 14 movies about Buddy and his multi-talented pups. But the original remains the most charming and endearing of the bunch. Give it a watch and try not to smile at Buddy’s on-court antics.
3. Space Jam (1996)
An evil alien race kidnaps the Looney Tunes and challenges them to a basketball game for their freedom. Their only hope? Recruiting Michael Jordan to help them win. That’s the wonderfully absurd premise of Space Jam, a live-action/animated hybrid that became a surprise hit in the 90s.
Like Like Mike 2, Space Jam features a protagonist gaining superhuman basketball abilities, albeit in a much wackier way. It’s also a shameless showcase for Michael Jordan, who had recently returned to the NBA after a brief retirement. But the movie’s pure fun and silliness make it hard to resist, especially if you’re a fan of the Looney Tunes.
Space Jam has become a nostalgic favorite for many 90s kids. A belated sequel called Space Jam: A New Legacy was released in 2021, this time starring LeBron James. But for my money, the goofy charms of the original are hard to top.
4. The 6th Man (1997)
What if a basketball star came back as a ghost to help his brother lead their college team to victory? That’s the gist of The 6th Man, another 90s basketball comedy with a supernatural twist.
When star player Antoine dies of a heart attack during a game, his brother Kenny is devastated. But Antoine’s ghost soon returns to help Kenny and his teammates make a run for the NCAA championship. Only Kenny can see and hear Antoine, leading to plenty of funny moments as they try to communicate on the court.
The 6th Man is pretty cheesy and formulaic, but it’s elevated by the charming lead performances from Marlon Wayans and Kadeem Hardison. It also features a supporting turn from a young Michael Michele, who would go on to star in shows like ER and How to Get Away with Murder. If you’re in the mood for a goofy, feel-good sports movie with a paranormal bent, give this one a shot.
5. Rebound: The Legend of Earl “The Goat” Manigault (1996)
For a more grounded take on basketball, check out Rebound, a 1996 HBO movie about the life of playground legend Earl Manigault. Don Cheadle stars as Manigault, a supremely talented player from Harlem who earned the nickname “The Goat” (as in, the Greatest of All Time).
Despite his skills, Manigault struggled with drug addiction and never made it to the NBA. Rebound follows his journey from rising star to cautionary tale, showing how he eventually turned his life around and dedicated himself to helping kids in his community.
While not as lighthearted as Like Mike 2, Rebound is a powerful and inspiring story that highlights the importance of second chances. Cheadle gives an incredible performance as Manigault, capturing both his swagger on the court and his inner demons. The movie also features strong supporting turns from James Earl Jones, Eriq La Salle, and Michael Beach.
6. Hoosiers (1986)
Hoosiers is widely considered one of the greatest sports movies ever made, and for good reason. Set in 1950s Indiana, it tells the story of a small-town high school basketball team that makes an improbable run to the state championship.
Gene Hackman stars as Norman Dale, a coach with a troubled past who takes over the underdog Hickory Huskers. With the help of alcoholic assistant coach Shooter (Dennis Hopper) and star player Jimmy Chitwood (Maris Valainis), Norman leads the team on a Cinderella story for the ages.
Hoosiers is a classic underdog tale that hits all the right notes. It’s got great performances, a stirring score, and some of the most iconic sports movie moments ever (I dare you not to get chills during the slow clap scene). While not as overtly comedic as Like Mike 2, it shares that film’s themes of perseverance, teamwork, and believing in yourself. An absolute must-watch for any basketball fan.
7. Coach Carter (2005)
Based on a true story, Coach Carter stars Samuel L. Jackson as Ken Carter, a high school basketball coach who made headlines in 1999 for benching his undefeated team due to their poor academic performance.
The movie follows Carter as he returns to his alma mater, Richmond High School, to coach the struggling basketball team. He implements strict rules and high standards, both on and off the court, which initially leads to clashes with his players and the community. But as the team starts to buy in and turn their season around, they learn valuable lessons about discipline, respect, and the importance of education.
With a stacked cast that includes Jackson, Rob Brown, Channing Tatum, and Ashanti, Coach Carter is an inspiring sports drama that packs an emotional punch. It doesn’t shy away from heavy themes like poverty, violence, and racial inequity, grounding its basketball story in a very real sense of place and character. While more serious in tone than Like Mike 2, it’s a powerful film that any hoops head should check out.
8. Glory Road (2006)
Another inspiring true story, Glory Road follows the 1965-66 Texas Western college basketball team, the first to win an NCAA championship with an all-black starting lineup. Josh Lucas stars as Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins, who recruits talented black players from across the country to play for his underdog squad.
As the team racks up wins and rises in the national rankings, they face racism and discrimination at every turn, from hostile crowds to unfair officiating. But through it all, they remain united in their goal of making history and proving that excellence has no color.
Glory Road is a rousing, emotionally charged sports movie that doesn’t pull any punches in its depiction of the civil rights era. It features great performances from Lucas, Derek Luke, and Jon Voight, as well as thrilling on-court action. Like Like Mike 2, it’s a movie about underdogs overcoming the odds and proving the doubters wrong. But it also packs a powerful message about social justice that still resonates today.
9. He Got Game (1998)
A Spike Lee joint set in the world of basketball recruiting, He Got Game stars Ray Allen as Jesus Shuttlesworth, the top high school prospect in the country. Denzel Washington plays his father Jake, who is granted a temporary release from prison to convince his son to play for the governor’s alma mater.
As Jesus navigates the pressures of his newfound fame and the expectations placed on him, he must also confront his complicated relationship with his father. Meanwhile, Jake sees an opportunity to redeem himself and rebuild his family, even as his motives are questioned at every turn.
He Got Game is a searing, stylish drama that explores the dark side of the sports world, from the exploitation of young athletes to the corruption of the college recruiting system. It features incredible performances from Allen (in his acting debut) and Washington, as well as a killer soundtrack curated by Public Enemy. While tonally very different from Like Mike 2, it’s a must-see for any serious hoops fan.
10. Hoop Dreams (1994)
One of the most acclaimed documentaries ever made, Hoop Dreams follows two African-American high school students from Chicago as they pursue their dreams of playing in the NBA. Filmed over the course of five years, it offers an intimate, unflinching look at the lives of William Gates and Arthur Agee, both on and off the court.
Through their stories, Hoop Dreams explores issues of race, class, education, and the American dream. It shows the incredible sacrifices and challenges that young athletes and their families face in pursuit of a better life, as well as the systemic barriers that stand in their way.
While not a fictional film like Like Mike 2, Hoop Dreams is essential viewing for anyone interested in the real-life stories behind basketball. It’s a powerful, eye-opening documentary that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
11. White Men Can’t Jump (1992)
A classic sports comedy with a streetball twist, White Men Can’t Jump stars Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes as two hustlers who team up to dominate pickup games across Los Angeles. Harrelson plays Billy Hoyle, a former college player who uses his goofy white guy persona to lull opponents into a false sense of security. Snipes is Sidney Deane, a flashy, trash-talking baller who knows every trick in the book.
Together, they run the courts and stack their cash, all while navigating their own personal dramas off the blacktop. Billy is trying to get his life together and support his girlfriend (Rosie Perez), while Sidney dreams of moving his family out of the projects and into a house of their own.
White Men Can’t Jump is a hilarious, endlessly quotable movie that captures the energy and attitude of streetball culture. Harrelson and Snipes have incredible chemistry, bouncing one-liners off each other like a perfectly timed alley-oop. And the basketball action is top-notch, with real moves and trash talk that feel authentic to the setting. If you love the streetball vibes of Like Mike 2, this is a must-watch.
12. Blue Chips (1994)
Another unflinching look at the dark side of college basketball, Blue Chips stars Nick Nolte as Pete Bell, a once-great coach struggling to keep his program afloat. Desperate to land top recruits and compete with the big boys, Pete turns to shady boosters and under-the-table deals to get the players he needs.
As his team starts to win, Pete must grapple with the moral compromises he’s made and the toll they’re taking on his integrity. Meanwhile, his star players (played by real-life NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway) navigate the pressures and temptations of being big-time college athletes.
Blue Chips is a gritty, realistic portrayal of the corruption and hypocrisy that can infect college sports. It features strong performances from Nolte, O’Neal (in his acting debut), and a supporting cast that includes Mary McDonnell and Ed O’Neill. While not as uplifting as Like Mike 2, it’s a thought-provoking film that raises important questions about the role of money and power in amateur athletics.
13. Above the Rim (1994)
A streetball drama with a dash of crime thriller, Above the Rim stars Duane Martin as Kyle-Lee Watson, a talented high school basketball player torn between two worlds. On one side is his coach and mentor (played by Leon), who wants Kyle to focus on school and get a college scholarship. On the other is Birdie (Tupac Shakur), a local drug dealer who sees Kyle’s talent as a way to make money and settle old scores.
As Kyle navigates these competing influences, he must also confront his own demons and decide what kind of man he wants to be. Will he follow his dreams and use basketball as a way out of the hood? Or will he succumb to the lure of easy money and street life?
Above the Rim is a gritty, intense movie that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of inner-city life. It features a magnetic performance from Shakur (in one of his few film roles before his tragic death) as well as strong turns from Martin, Leon, and Wood Harris.
uses basketball as a backdrop to explore deeper themes of family, loyalty, and personal responsibility.
14. Love & Basketball (2000)
A romantic drama with a hoops twist, Love & Basketball follows the relationship between Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps), two childhood friends who share a passion for the game. From playing on the same youth teams to competing at the college level, their love for each other grows alongside their basketball dreams.
But as they pursue their goals – Monica wants to play in the WNBA, while Quincy aims for the NBA – they must navigate the challenges of young adulthood, from family pressures to career setbacks. Can their relationship survive the ups and downs of chasing their dreams?
Love & Basketball is a sweet, heartfelt movie that uses the sport as a metaphor for the game of life. Lathan and Epps have incredible chemistry, and writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood brings a fresh perspective to the typical sports movie formula. It’s a film that celebrates the power of love and the pursuit of passion, on and off the court.
15. Teen Wolf (1985)
Okay, hear me out on this one. Teen Wolf may be more of a high school comedy than a straight-up basketball movie, but it’s got enough hoops action (and 80s nostalgia) to warrant a spot on this list.
Michael J. Fox stars as Scott Howard, a typical teenager who discovers he has a unique family heritage: he’s a werewolf. At first, Scott is horrified by his transformation. But when he realizes his wolf powers make him a basketball superstar, he embraces his new identity and becomes the big dog on campus.
Of course, Scott eventually learns that being a wolf isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and he must learn to be true to himself (and his friends) if he wants to find real happiness. It’s a silly, goofy premise, but Fox’s charisma and some fun basketball sequences make Teen Wolf a cult classic.
Conclusion
There you have it – 15 awesome basketball movies to check out if you loved Like Mike 2: Streetball. From heartwarming family films to gritty dramas, these movies showcase the many ways that hoops can inspire, challenge, and entertain us.
Whether you’re a die-hard baller or just a fan of great storytelling, these films offer something for everyone. They remind us of the power of sports to bring people together, to teach valuable lessons, and to help us dream big. So grab some popcorn, lace up your sneakers, and get ready to fall in love with basketball all over again.
