Don’t Trust A Millennial That Hasn’t Seen ‘Space Jam’

There are those films that your friends will happily let out a gasp for when they hear you haven’t seen them. The Godfather, Star Wars, 27 Dresses (oh wait, maybe that’s just me), will all be met with an, “Oh my god, how have you not seen that?” But when it comes to Space Jam, there’s no gasp necessary. Instead, all good friends should employ a sturdy side eye and impenetrable judgement.

Now, this is primarily aimed at millennials because HOW, how could you possibly miss Space Jam? It was the most exciting event of 1996. Michael Jordan AND Bugs Bunny!? If the “name a more iconic duo, I’ll wait” meme had existed then, this would’ve been the pinnacle and we’d all STILL be waiting for a more iconic duo to be named.

I was in sixth grade which was admittedly the perfect age to view this movie. The NBA was super hot, Looney Tunes were still appropriate viewing, and a mashup of the two made this movie a must-see. It was one of the first movies I remember my classmates discussing with such enthusiasm that it was impossible not to march home and beg your parents to take your FOMO-ridden ass to see it.

If for whatever reason yours declined (and I hope they are still paying your therapy bills for doing so) then later in the year you had another chance: VHS! Blockbuster! There were ways to watch this movie right in your own home before the invention of Hulu, where it is currently streaming now.

Space Jam is a movie that feels truly engineered to appeal to you as a millennial child in 1996. It looks cool, it had what were arguably the biggest celebs of the moment, not just MJ and BB, but fellow NBA stars Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Muggsy Bogues, Larry Johnson and Shawn Bradley, and from the comedy realm, Billy Murray (!) and Wayne Knight (at the peak of Seinfeld!). This is a cast that both parents and children would have fun watching, and it packs what is not just a classic sports story, but a defining entertainment moment of so many childhoods. It was essentially the definition of an, ahem, slam dunk.

And if it still wasn’t your cup of tea then surely peer pressure figured into your screening of this film, no? Did you not have a sibling who wanted to see it? A friend who wanted to pop in the VHS tape after school? At a sleepover? Or a pal who wanted to mimic the cool dunk moves on the playground? How could you, as a child, contain that dangerous cocktail of envy, curiosity, and entertainment and possibly resist seeing this movie?

Because it wasn’t just the film that permeated pop culture: it was that incredibly dope soundtrack as well, which featured the Quad City DJ’s with the title track “Space Jam,” and even Monica’s “For You I Will,” a staple of slow dances at middle schools all across the country.

Space Jam was not just a movie, it was a moment, and one that if you didn’t participate in, well, I’m sure you have your reasons, but when it comes to fiercely judging you, well I clearly have mine.

Where to stream Space Jam