Slam dunk: 5 hoop dream movies on Showmax

Basketball is a team sport that prizes the courtside experience, which translates beautifully to screen as audiences get a taste of the action and drama between two hoops. Here are 5 fine basketball series that bring the hopes, dreams and team dynamic of the competitive and thrilling sport to life.

1. Mr Throwback S1

Critics Choice nominee Adam Pally (Happy Endings, Sonic the Hedgehog) stars in Mr. Throwback as a washed-up sports memorabilia dealer looking for a second chance—by reconnecting with his childhood teammate, none other than NBA legend Stephen Curry (playing himself).

Saturday Night Live’s Ego Nwodim co-stars in this hilarious mockumentary series, which boasts an 86% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Paste calls it “warm, resonant and funny,” and praises Curry for proving he’s not just one of the greatest athletes of our time — he’s funny, too.

2. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

Executive produced by Succession’s Adam McKay, Winning Time is a slam dunk of a series that dives into the rise of the legendary 1980s Los Angeles Lakers.

Season 2 picks up after their 1980 Finals win, building up to the iconic Magic Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) vs. Larry Bird (Sean Patrick Small) rematch. With returning stars like Adrien Brody, Jason Segel, and Gaby Hoffman - plus newcomer Michael Chiklis - the series blends high-stakes drama with courtside charisma. Critics agree it’s a winner, with Season 1 scoring 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.3/10 on IMDb.

3. The Day Sports Stood Still

While most would rather forget it ever happened, reverberations from the Covid-19 pandemic are still being felt today. Besides the eeriness of empty inner cities and duress of face masks that became linked to lockdown, Covid-19 also had a major effect on sport in the United States. The domino effect started in March 2020 when a basketball game between OKC Thunder and Utah Jazz was canceled mid-session.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, The Day Sports Stood Still chronicles the events that followed this game's unexpected shutdown, which ultimately led the NBA to suspend their season.

Through interviews with athletes and coaches, this insightful sports documentary tracks the effects on mental and physical health, as well as social change and return to competition and a new normal.

4. Bel-Air

Bel-Air brings serious game - on and off the court. This bold reimagining of the iconic 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air trades laughs for layered drama, set against the glitzy backdrop of modern-day Los Angeles.

Jabari Banks shines as Will, a West Philly teen with a killer jump shot and a whole lot more going on beneath the surface - earning him Best Actor nominations at the 2024 Black Reel and Image Awards. The show itself was also nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at both events. With standout performances from Adrian Holmes (as Image Award-nominated Uncle Phil) and Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Bel-Air isn’t just nostalgia - it’s a full-court press of emotion, swagger, and style.

Executive produced by Will Smith and Morgan Cooper, this is one basketball-fueled drama you don’t want to miss on Showmax.

5. Basketball Wives LA

If you love basketball and live for drama, Basketball Wives LA is a reality series you can’t miss. The show gives a front-row seat to the glamorous - and often explosive - lives of the wives, ex-wives, and girlfriends of professional basketball players.

From lavish parties to fiery confrontations, every episode is packed with unfiltered emotion and high-stakes tension. The cast includes fan favourites like Jackie Christie, and the rest of the cast bring the heat with alliances, betrayals, and bold personalities. Whether you're into the sport or just the lifestyle that comes with it, Basketball Wives LA delivers courtside drama like no other.