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Space Jam

Space Jam

Get ready to jam.

199688 minPGMidcredits score: 67th percentile of all films
Director
Joe Pytka
Starring
Michael Jordan, Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle, Manner Washington III

With their freedom on the line, the Looney Tunes seek the help of NBA superstar Michael Jordan to win a basketball game against a team of moronic aliens.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Space Jam?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Space Jam streaming on HBO Max and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Space Jam?

Space Jam earns 6 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Box Office Hit.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Space Jam worth watching?

Space Jam's Midcredits score is the 67th percentile of all films, from 777K ratings across 6 sources. 56% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

67th percentile

Better received than 67% of films

53rd percentile among Animation69th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)70th
Approval (how many liked it)61st

67 /100

70th percentile of all films

55th percentile among Animation74th percentile among 1990s

Critics 57 · Audience 68

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.7 — solid but not unanimous.

56% liked it

61st percentile of all films

48th percentile among Animation63rd percentile among 1990s
56% rated it 7–1044% rated it 1–6

Critics 46% · Audience 63%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 5 wins / 8 noms overall

98th percentile

777K ratings across platforms

96th percentile among Animation98th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 15% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$80M
Opening weekend$28M
Domestic gross$91M
Worldwide gross$231M

Returned 2.9× its budget — 91st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Space Jam is a silly, fast-paced, family-friendly mashup of Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes cartoon antics that delivers simple fun aimed primarily at children.

Fans praised

  • fun family entertainment for kids and adults
  • catchy 90s soundtrack with iconic songs
  • lively mix of live-action and Looney Tunes animation

Detractors panned

  • thin, nonsensical plot that serves as a commercial
  • stiff, wooden acting from Michael Jordan and other athletes
  • lacks the wit and anarchic spirit of classic Looney Tunes shorts

What stands out

Sound and music80

memorable 90s soundtrack including 'I Believe I Can Fly' and 'Space Jam' theme

Effects and spectacle55

innovative for its time but dated CGI and green-screen work

HumorDivisive50

cartoonish slapstick and some clever cameo gags

Originality50

novel idea to blend NBA star with classic cartoon characters

CharactersDivisive45

Looney Tunes retain their classic traits but feel simplified

DialogueDivisive40

some funny one-liners but often flat and reliant on pop-culture references

ActingDivisive35

Michael Jordan wooden and amateurish; Bill Murray a bright spot

Plot and storyDivisive35

predictable, simplistic, barely more than a sports commercial premise

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 12 points higher than women.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Space Jam like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Fun ride: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want a fun ride.

It is gentle and funny and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Fun ride.

The answer rests on this: Moods
JoyfulTriumphant
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulWarmExuberant · 2% of films: Bursting with energy and joy in its own filmmaking.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film approaches its absurd premise with earnest, cartoon-like energy, never winking at the audience.
The rideThe film maintains a consistently playful and lighthearted mood, building to an energetic and triumphant basketball game climax.
StructureThe film follows a conventional setup-conflict-resolution structure.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayViewers leave with a joyful, nostalgic feeling of entertainment.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestRescue
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% (this title) · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Rescue: Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).

10% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe Looney Tunes challenge the aliens to a basketball game to avoid enslavement, and recruit Michael Jordan to lead their team.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% (this title) · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% (this title) · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsFriendship · 9% of filmsFame · 3% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Global stakes: Consequences reach the world.Dual lead
How it treats its themeMichael Jordan, having retired from basketball, rediscovers his purpose and joy in the game while forming an unlikely bond with the Looney Tunes to save them.
StanceThe film celebrates the joy of purpose, friendship, and play, with Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny as co-protagonists leading their teams to victory.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanAlternate dimensionStylized realism
Orchestral modernPopJazzForeground music · hybrid · James Newton Howard
SettingLooney Tunes' Toon World and real-world 1990s America (primarily a basketball arena and golf course)
MusicThe soundtrack blends orchestral cues with a prominent 1990s pop and hip-hop song selection (e.g., 'I Believe I Can Fly' by R. Kelly).

Content guide

Is Space Jam okay for kids?

PG

Space Jam is rated PG: “Rated PG for some mild cartoon language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (30/100), sexual content at mild (22/100), language at mild (21/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (25/100) and frightening material at mild (27/100). Overall it is heavier than 21% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 21 other countries
  • UKU
  • AustraliaG
  • Germany0
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandG
  • JapanG
  • South Korea12
  • BrazilL
  • ArgentinaATP
  • CzechiaU
  • Denmark7
  • FinlandS
  • Hungary12
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoB
  • NetherlandsAL
  • Poland7
  • PortugalM/6
  • SK7
  • SpainAPTA
  • SwedenBtl
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 6% of all filmsHeavier than 21% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 36%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 51%
Profanity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 36%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 44%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 27%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is violence, heavier than 36% of PG-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Space Jam have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Space Jam?

Cast

At least 3 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Michael Jordan
as Michael Jordan
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Wayne Knight
as Stan Podolak
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Theresa Randle
as Juanita Jordan
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Manner Washington III
as Jeffery Jordan
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Eric Gordon
as Marcus Jordan
Penny Bae Bridges
as Jasmine Jordan
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Brandon Hammond
as Michael Jordan (10 Years Old)
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Larry Bird
as Larry Bird
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Bill Murray
as Bill Murray
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Thom Barry
as James Jordan
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Space Jam?

Movies like Space Jam include Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021), Chicken Little (2005) and Kicking & Screaming (2005). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Steve Rudnick and Leo Benvenuti, and most are family adventures.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

5 of these 12 share its world: another dimension. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Space Jam?

1.3K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: sports underdog. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.