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Hoop Dreams

  • 19941994
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 50m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
26K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Hoop Dreams (1994)
Home Video Trailer from New Line Cinema
Play trailer1:28
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Documentary
  • Drama
  • Sport
A film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.A film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.A film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
26K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Steve James
  • Writers
    • Steve James
    • Frederick Marx
  • Stars
    • William Gates
    • Arthur Agee
    • Emma Gates
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steve James
  • Writers
    • Steve James
    • Frederick Marx
  • Stars
    • William Gates
    • Arthur Agee
    • Emma Gates
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 91User reviews
    • 62Critic reviews
    • 98Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 22 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos2

    Hoop Dreams
    Trailer 1:28
    Hoop Dreams
    Hoop Dreams
    Trailer 1:41
    Hoop Dreams

    Photos145

    William Gates in Hoop Dreams (1994)
    Hoop Dreams (1994)
    Hoop Dreams (1994)
    William Gates in Hoop Dreams (1994)
    Hoop Dreams (1994)
    Hoop Dreams (1994)
    Hoop Dreams (1994)
    William Gates in Hoop Dreams (1994)
    Hoop Dreams (1994)
    Arthur Agee in Hoop Dreams (1994)
    Hoop Dreams (1994)
    Hoop Dreams (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Gates
    William Gates
    • Selfas Self
    Arthur Agee
    Arthur Agee
    • Selfas Self
    Emma Gates
    • Self - William's Motheras Self - William's Mother
    Curtis Gates
    • Self - William's Brotheras Self - William's Brother
    Sheila Agee
    Sheila Agee
    • Self - Arthur's Motheras Self - Arthur's Mother
    Arthur 'Bo' Agee
    • Self - Arthur's Fatheras Self - Arthur's Father
    Earl Smith
    • Self - Talent Scoutas Self - Talent Scout
    Gene Pingatore
    • Self - High School Basketball Coachas Self - High School Basketball Coach
    Isiah Thomas
    Isiah Thomas
    • Self - Professional Basketball Playeras Self - Professional Basketball Player
    Marlyn Hopewell
    • Self - High School Guidance Counseloras Self - High School Guidance Counselor
    • (as Sister Marlyn Hopewell)
    Bill Gleason
    Bill Gleason
    • Self - Television Reporteras Self - Television Reporter
    Patricia Weir
    • Self - President: Encyclopedia Brittanicaas Self - President: Encyclopedia Brittanica
    Marjorie Heard
    • Self - High School Guidance Counseloras Self - High School Guidance Counselor
    Luther Bedford
    • Self - High School Basketball Coachas Self - High School Basketball Coach
    Aretha Mitchell
    • Self - High School Guidance Counseloras Self - High School Guidance Counselor
    Shannon Johnson
    • Self - Arthur's Friendas Self - Arthur's Friend
    Tomika Agee
    • Self - Arthur's Sisteras Self - Arthur's Sister
    Joe 'Sweetie' Agee
    • Self - Arthur's Brotheras Self - Arthur's Brother
    • Director
      • Steve James
    • Writers
      • Steve James
      • Frederick Marx
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Hoop Dreams Reunion

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Roger Ebert, after the film failed to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary, he and Gene Siskel learned about the nominating process. He said that members of the Academy's documentary committee held flashlights when they watched documentaries, and anyone who had "given up" could wave it against the screen. The movie was turned off if a majority waved their flashlights. This film was turned off after 15 minutes.
    • Quotes

      William Gates: That's why when somebody say, "when you get to the NBA, don't forget about me", and that stuff. Well, I should've said to them, "if I don't make it, don't you forget about me."

    • Crazy credits
      Thanks to the St. Joseph High School community and Coach Gene Pingatore who agreed to participate in a not for profit Kartemquin Educational film telling William and Arthur's stories. Today, St. Joseph, with a 39% minority enrollment, remains committed to the dream of a better life for all. Awarding need based financial aid to 40% of its students, St. Joseph with limited resources continues to maintain its academic excellence. A Hoop Dreams Fund has been set up to provide academic scholarships.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Intersection/The Air Up There/Body Snatchers/Iron Will/Hoop Dreams (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      In This Very Room
      Words & Music by Ron & Carol Harris

      © 1979 Ron Harris Music (ASCAP)

      All Rights Reserved.

      All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Used by Permission.

    User reviews91

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    A superb supporting "cast" powers this excellent film
    "Hoop Dreams" brilliantly follows multiple parallel stories, bringing the viewer into the lives of two families of inner-city kids looking for a chance at the "big time", their ticket out of the ghetto. Although the main focus is on William Gates and Arthur Agee, their "supporting cast" is equally enthralling. From William's jaded brother Curtis, sublimating his own basketball aspirations to the reality of his blue-collar mailroom job, to Arthur's indomitable mom Sheila, doing the impossible every day as she keeps her troubled family together, there are a thousand reasons to cheer, laugh, cry, and rage packed throughout this amazing, inspirational, cautionary documentary.

    By examining not only the players but also their families and environments, we are given a clearer view of their aspirations and motivations, what they plan to achieve and what they wish to avoid.

    I will not summarize or elaborate further. If you have not seen this movie, put it on the short list. 9/10.
    helpful•14
    2
    • 0rganism
    • Aug 24, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 14, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 籃球夢
    • Filming locations
      • Cabrini Green Housing Complex, Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • KTCA Minneapolis
      • Kartemquin Films
      • Sprockets Music
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $700,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,830,611
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $18,396
      • Oct 16, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,830,611
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo

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