Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- energetic
- tense
- gritty
- sports movie night
- 1990s nostalgia night
What critics said
Critics found the cast and energetic performances compelling but judged the film hampered by familiar clichés and technical flaws.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kyle is drawn into Birdie's orbit while trying to advance as a high school basketball player.
Kyle's basketball promise is tested by expectations, rivalry, and the influence of Birdie and Shep.
Kyle's school basketball world connects athletic achievement with reputation, belonging, and adult intervention.
Tupac Shakur's prominent performance as Birdie and the film's basketball-and-street setting anchor it in 1990s hip hop culture.
Films like Above the Rim, and why
Juice
shared coming-of-age sports drama, teenage ambition, and pressure from dangerous street influences
He Got Game
shared urban basketball culture, young male friendship, crime pressures, and hip hop atmosphere
Hoosiers
shared teen sports drama, mentorship, class tension, and determined young athletes
Boyz n the Hood
shared hood drama, youth identity, and morally hazardous street environments
Movie Details
- Director
- Jeff Pollack
- Release Date
- 1994-03-23
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (248)
Cast
- Duane Martin
- Tupac Shakur
- Bernie Mac
- Marlon Wayans
- Leon
- Wood Harris
- Michael Rispoli
- David Bailey
- Tonya Pinkins
- Byron Minns
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Above the Rim about?
- A gifted high school basketball player must choose between legitimate opportunity and the dangerous influence of a powerful drug dealer.
- What is Above the Rim like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Above the Rim as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Above the Rim violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Above the Rim as moderate.
- What did critics think of Above the Rim?
- Critics found the cast and energetic performances compelling but judged the film hampered by familiar clichés and technical flaws.
- Which films are like Above the Rim?
- Films with a similar feel include Juice, He Got Game, Hoosiers, and Boyz n the Hood.
- How long is Above the Rim?
- Above the Rim runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Above the Rim?
- In United States, Above the Rim streams on Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
