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The Mighty Macs

The Mighty Macs

She dared to dream. They dared to believe.

200999 minGMidcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
Director
Tim Chambers
Starring
Carla Gugino, Marley Shelton, Ellen Burstyn, David Boreanaz

In 1971, Cathy Rush becomes the head basketball coach at a tiny, all-girls Catholic college. Though her team has no gym and no uniforms — and the school itself is in danger of being sold — Rush looks to steer her girls to their first national championship.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Mighty Macs?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Mighty Macs streaming on Dove Channel via Prime Video, Prime Video, Tubi (free) and UP Faith & Family via Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The Mighty Macs?

The Mighty Macs earns 5 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Preferred by US Viewers.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is The Mighty Macs worth watching?

The Mighty Macs' Midcredits score is the 60th percentile of all films, from 3K ratings across 6 sources. 61% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

60th percentile

Better received than 60% of films

60th percentile among Drama58th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)51st
Approval (how many liked it)67th

62 /100

51st percentile of all films

50th percentile among Drama50th percentile among 2000s

Critics 49 · Audience 63

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

61% liked it

67th percentile of all films

68th percentile among Drama65th percentile among 2000s
61% rated it 7–1039% rated it 1–6

Critics 44% · Audience 64%

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

65th percentile

3K ratings across platforms

68th percentile among Drama57th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 44% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$7M
Opening weekend$963K
Domestic gross$1.9M
Worldwide gross$1.9M

Returned 0.3× its budget — 68th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

An old-fashioned, formulaic feel-good sports drama with a wholesome message.

Fans praised

  • inspiring true story of underdog triumph
  • Carla Gugino's charismatic performance
  • wholesome family-friendly entertainment

Detractors panned

  • formulaic sports-movie clichés
  • bland, shallow characters
  • canned inspiration rather than genuine drama

What stands out

ActingDivisive72

Gugino's charisma and Burstyn's gravitas praised; young players called weak or unknown

Emotional impactDivisive65

moving yet manipulative; fans cried, detractors felt canned

EndingDivisive60

satisfying but predictable underdog victory

Atmosphere60

old-fashioned, respectful tone; modest production values

Plot and storyDivisive42

predictable rags-to-riches arc, standard underdog story

CharactersDivisive40

players described as blanks, shallow; nuns shown with individuality

Originality25

laden with sports-movie clichés, very formulaic

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 14 points higher than men.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 33 points higher than non-US viewers.

Watch experience

What is The Mighty Macs like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

No single mood: browse every movie of this kindNo one kind of watch fits it, so it is described by how heavy it is.

Watch this when you want something light and easy.

It has a few laughs and leaves you fired up. 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

Moods
HopefulTriumphantJoyful
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its underdog sports story straight and earnestly, aiming for sincere inspiration without irony.
The rideThe mood is steadily encouraging with low volatility, building toward a climactic triumph in the final act that delivers a hopeful, euphoric release.
StructureA conventional beginning-middle-end sports story told in order: the coach is hired, the team struggles through losses, then forges itself into a champion.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Fired up.

Rousing · 10% of filmsHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe underdog championship leaves viewers inspired and empowered by the team's perseverance and belief in themselves.
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).Rags
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% (this title): Underdog triumph 2% (this title) · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · 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%

Rags to riches: A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition. · Underdog triumph: Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).

3% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA tiny, cash-strapped all-women's Catholic college rises from obscurity to win the first national championship in women's basketball, a textbook underdog Cinderella rise.

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 filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · 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% (this title): Community 14% (this title) · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Society

Community · 14% of filmsSelf-worth · 7% of filmsAmbition · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on a team and school finding collective strength and purpose, while individuals discover their own value and drive against cultural odds.
StanceThe film celebrates community and collective perseverance, affirming that a small, determined group can overcome structural odds and achieve greatness.

The world

Late 20th centuryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalFolkSupportive music · original score
SettingImmaculata College, a small Catholic women's college in Philadelphia, 1971
MusicLikely a rousing, inspirational score typical of sports dramas, but the composer is not indicated in the provided data.

Content guide

Is The Mighty Macs okay for kids?

G

The Mighty Macs is rated G. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (0/100), sexual content at mild (33/100), language at minimal (0/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (0/100) and frightening material at minimal (0/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • Germany6
  • AustriaFSK 6
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Profanity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (8 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

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 The Mighty Macs have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Mighty Macs?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Carla Gugino
as Cathy Rush
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.
Marley Shelton
as Sister Sunday
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ellen Burstyn
as Mother St. John
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.
David Boreanaz
as Ed Rush
Katie Hayek
as Trish Sharkey
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Kim Blair
as Lizanne Caufield
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Margaret Anne Florence
as Rosemary Keenan
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Kate Nowlin
as Colleen McCann
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Malachy McCourt
as Monsignor
Phyllis Somerville
as Sister Sister

Crew

Directed by

Tim Chambers

Written by

Tim Chambers

Cinematography

Chuck Cohen

Edited by

M. Scott Smith

Music by

William Ross

More like this

What are movies like The Mighty Macs?

Movies like The Mighty Macs include Pride (2007), Invincible (2006) and McFarland, USA (2015). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films set in Philadelphia, and all are films that feel triumphant.

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

All 12 share its story type: sports underdog. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Mighty Macs?

1.3K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: teacher. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.