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SummaryInspired by a true-life story, Coach Carter is an inspirational account of a controversial high school basketball coach, who received both high praise and staunch criticism when he made national news in 1999 for benching his entire undefeated basketball team for poor academic performance. (Paramount)

Directed By:Thomas Carter

Coach Carter

Metascore
57
User score
Generally Favorable
7.8
My Score
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Metascore
57
44% Positive
16 Reviews
53% Mixed
19 Reviews
3% Negative
1 Review
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  • Positive Reviews
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80
Washington Post
This entry in a rather stale genre deserves to be put at the head of the class.
75
Chicago Tribune
A true story, feel-good parable and a respectable, uplifting descendent of "To Sir, With Love" and "Lean On Me."
User score
Generally Favorable
7.8
82% Positive
89 Ratings
18% Mixed
20 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Nov 17, 2025
10
Treyway03
This a great movie, don’t let critics fool you thinking it is not a great movie.
Oct 6, 2025
10
jreacher
Easily one of my favourite films of all time. I've watched it several times and rate it so highly. It's full of drama and I particularly love Timo Cruz's arc. Really well written. Being a big basketball fan helps as well as I can understand the plays/games, etc but it's not necessary if you aren't a basketball fan.
67
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
While the movie may border on teen exploitation in many scenes, its heart and values are mostly in the right place, and it qualifies its thrill of victory with a very sober message: few high school athletes become NBA millionaires, many are cheated out of an education.
60
Wall Street Journal
A smart entertainment that trades on Mr. Jackson's forceful presence, a cast of extremely likable young actors and lots of basketball action.
50
Village Voice
Proudly wearing its self-righteousness like a letterman jacket, Coach Carter's just an exasperatingly long "The More You Know" commercial starring one first-stringer and the junior varsity.
50
ReelViews
The main problem with Coach Carter can be summed up simply: too much sermonizing.
38
Rolling Stone
This afternoon-TV special trying to pass as a real movie earns an extra half star solely for Samuel L. Jackson, who brings his usual fire to the role.
See All 36 Critic Reviews
Aug 31, 2025
10
X_P3RT
Le meilleur film de basketball que j'ai jamais vu c'est un classique qui doit être regardé au moins une fois dans ça vie
Feb 29, 2024
10
pixelzboi
This is one the greatest basketball classic movies of all time. With amazing acting and is genuinely my favourite basketball movie.
Jun 22, 2023
10
zrsafar
This movie's a 10 idc what any of you say. Incredible movie with an incredible cast
May 10, 2020
10
Revert
This was the best film I have ever seen in my life and the film is already very good and the reflections it brings are excellent. This is the best movie I've ever seen!!!
Sep 7, 2014
10
Marica
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Timo Cruz That's a movie, really. It's one of the most moving films I've seen. This movie really worth seeing. Samuel L Jackson plays the role very well.
See All 109 User Reviews
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  • Coach Carter
  • MTV Films
  • Expedition Films
  • MMDP Munich Movie Development & Production GmbH & Co. Project KG
  • Tollin/Robbins Productions
Jan 14, 2005
2 h 16 m
PG-13
Never does it die; it starts again, and again. It's in your hands.
Black Reel Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
Black Movie Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
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