Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- sentimental
- uplifting
- family movie night
- kids sleepover
What critics said
Critics generally regarded it as a pleasant, harmless children's diversion whose predictable plot and schmaltz limit its appeal for adults.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Calvin's lightning-induced basketball powers let an orphan enter the NBA and pursue a more secure life.
The NBA, professional basketball culture, and the prospect of playing alongside established stars drive the fantasy.
Calvin and his friends live in an orphanage, where their bonds contrast with bullying and fears about adoption.
Calvin is struck by lightning while retrieving the mysterious shoes and gains extraordinary basketball powers.
Films like Like Mike, and why
The Sandlot
family fantasy comedy built around a young outsider gaining extraordinary athletic abilities
Angels in the Outfield
children's sports comedy combining friendship, wish fulfillment, and an underdog team
Space Jam
family sports fantasy with a magical premise and a child-centered emotional arc
Air Bud
uplifting youth-oriented sports comedy about belonging and unlikely success
Movie Details
- Director
- John Schultz
- Release Date
- 2002-07-03
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (582)
Cast
- Shad Moss
- Morris Chestnut
- Jonathan Lipnicki
- Anne Meara
- Jesse Plemons
- Brenda Song
- Julius Ritter
- Crispin Glover
- Robert Forster
- Eugene Levy
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus, Wonder Project Amazon 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 Like Mike about?
- An orphaned boy's lightning-powered basketball talent opens an improbable path from group-home life to NBA stardom and belonging.
- What is Like Mike like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Like Mike as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Like Mike violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Like Mike as mild.
- What did critics think of Like Mike?
- Critics generally regarded it as a pleasant, harmless children's diversion whose predictable plot and schmaltz limit its appeal for adults.
- Which films are like Like Mike?
- Films with a similar feel include The Sandlot, Angels in the Outfield, Space Jam, and Air Bud.
- How long is Like Mike?
- Like Mike runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Like Mike?
- In United States, Like Mike streams on Disney Plus, Wonder Project Amazon Channel.
