Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for The Bad News Bears

The Bad News Bears

Seen it?

1976 | 102 min | Family, Comedy, Drama

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes), it made about 5 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh and families. If you loved The Rookie, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Funny with heart, feel-good.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 42 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1976: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

An aging, down-on-his-luck ex-minor leaguer coaches a team of misfits in an ultra-competitive California little league.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.9 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $42 million worldwide on a $9 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 226K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Michael Ritchie

  • Walter MatthauMorris Buttermaker
  • Tatum O'NealAmanda Whurlitzer
  • Vic MorrowRoy Turner
  • Joyce Van PattenCleveland
  • Ben PiazzaBob Whitewood
  • Jackie Earle HaleyKelly Leak
  • Alfred LutterOgilvie
  • Chris BarnesTanner Boyle
  • Erin BluntAhmad Abdul Rahim
  • Gary Lee CavagnaroEndelberg