The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
The Bears trade California diamonds for Japanese culture shock when a promoter hustles them into an unruly international little-league showdown.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- breezy
- witty
- irreverent
- family movie night
- baseball themed viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the sequel a scattershot, commercialized, and confused sports comedy that lacked the original's wit and baseball focus.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Bears travel to Japan and struggle with an insurmountable language barrier while facing a Japanese all-star team.
The California champions are challenged to prove themselves against Japan's best little-league team.
Small-time Hollywood promoter Marvin Lazar organizes the Bears' Japanese baseball adventure, and critics specifically noted the film's blatant commercialism.
The established California baseball team embarks on a promotional trip to Japan before its international match.
Films like The Bad News Bears Go to Japan, and why
The Bad News Bears
youth sports comedy built around a mismatched baseball team and abrasive coaching
Mr. Baseball
international baseball culture clash, broad comedy, and an American team facing Japanese opponents
The Mighty Ducks
family-friendly underdog sports comedy centered on children competing against stronger rivals
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training
traveling sports-team comedy with culture clash and an ensemble of unruly young players
Movie Details
- Director
- John Berry
- Release Date
- 1978-06-30
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 4.8 / 10 (43)
Cast
- Tony Curtis
- Jackie Earle Haley
- Tomisaburō Wakayama
- Kanji Inoki
- Hatsune Ishihara
- George Wyner
- Lonny Chapman
- Matthew Anton
- Erin Blunt
- George Gonzales
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Bad News Bears Go to Japan about?
- The Bears trade California diamonds for Japanese culture shock when a promoter hustles them into an unruly international little-league showdown.
- What is The Bad News Bears Go to Japan like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Bad News Bears Go to Japan as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Bad News Bears Go to Japan violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Bad News Bears Go to Japan.
- What did critics think of The Bad News Bears Go to Japan?
- Critics broadly found the sequel a scattershot, commercialized, and confused sports comedy that lacked the original's wit and baseball focus.
- Which films are like The Bad News Bears Go to Japan?
- Films with a similar feel include The Bad News Bears, Mr. Baseball, The Mighty Ducks, and The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training.
- How long is The Bad News Bears Go to Japan?
- The Bad News Bears Go to Japan runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Bad News Bears Go to Japan?
- In United States, The Bad News Bears Go to Japan is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
