Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- grounded
- awkward
- lazy sunday
- sports movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a moderately effective but familiar sports comedy-drama, with Sam Rockwell's performance providing much of its appeal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bill accepts coaching duties without enthusiasm, then develops a meaningful bond with the struggling girls' basketball team.
Bill is tasked with coaching a barely assembled girls' team in a town where boys' basketball dominates.
Bill's excessive drinking, neglected daughter, and new coaching role converge as he tries to repair his life.
The film balances basketball setbacks and team bonding with Bill's job at a cafe, drinking, and strained family life.
Films like The Winning Season, and why
Hoosiers
shared sports comedy-drama structure, emotionally bruised mentor, and community-based redemption
The Bad News Bears
shared underdog team narrative, awkward humor, and warm but imperfect personal relationships
Coach Carter
shared small-town basketball setting, fatherhood themes, and grounded ensemble drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Jim Strouse
- Release Date
- 2009-01-19
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (165)
Cast
- Sam Rockwell
- Emma Roberts
- Rob Corddry
- Emily Rios
- Rooney Mara
- Jessica Hecht
- Connor Paolo
- Meaghan Witri
- Melanie Hinkle
- Shareeka Epps
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 The Winning Season about?
- A washed-up former athlete discovers a fragile second chance when he reluctantly coaches an underdog girls' basketball team.
- What is The Winning Season like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Winning Season as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Winning Season violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Winning Season.
- What did critics think of The Winning Season?
- Critics broadly found the film a moderately effective but familiar sports comedy-drama, with Sam Rockwell's performance providing much of its appeal.
- Which films are like The Winning Season?
- Films with a similar feel include Hoosiers, The Bad News Bears, and Coach Carter.
- How long is The Winning Season?
- The Winning Season runs 119 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Winning Season?
- In United States, The Winning Season streams on Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
