Coach Carter

PG-13

Released Jan 14, 2005

2h 16m

Drama

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Coach Carter: Trailer 1

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64%

Tomatometer

149 Reviews

85%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

In 1999, Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) returns to his old high school in Richmond, California, to get the basketball team into shape. With tough rules and academic discipline, he succeeds in setting the players on a winning streak. But when their grades start to suffer, Carter locks them out of the gym and shuts down their championship season. When he is criticized by the players and their parents, he sticks to his guns, determined that they excel in class as well as on the court.

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Critics Consensus

Even though it's based on a true story, Coach Carter is pretty formulaic stuff, but it's effective and energetic, thanks to a strong central performance from Samuel L. Jackson.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Engaging film with a terrific message.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

This is supposed to be about setting high standards, yet it's full of fudged ultimatums; in the end I couldn't be sure whether its morality was complex or just confused.

Mar 25, 2008

Full Review

Nathan Rabin

AV Club

Samuel L. Jackson shouts, yells, bellows, and screams his way through the fact-inspired film

Oct 6, 2006

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a decent-enough inspirational sports drama...

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 18, 2023

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

The List

Despite the attraction of fluently filmed basketball sequences, director Thomas Carter's simplistic approach to the social and educational issues involved makes this vacuous MTV-produced movie fall well short of the basket.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 23, 2019

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

A quality sports drama.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 27, 2018

Full Review

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Kauã M

Watching this film so many years later may give the impression that it is a cliche, because it is. However, the direction and the good plot manage to disguise this, even if the social criticism doesn't work as much, the film is engaging and the characters are captivating.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/09/24

Full Review

Rebecca K

Such an inspirational and accurate movie. The acting and storyline was perfect and I finished the movie with high expectations. Samuel L Jackson was amazing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/24

Full Review

Johannes S

Beautiful story and great acting by the students as well as Jackson as the coach. It's inspiring and eye-opening.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/27/24

Full Review

Dionisis T

An amazing basketball movie with one of the most beautiful casting and performances that no one expects to see..The plot and screenplay of the movie is simply a masterpiece and the movie definitely evokes strong emotions that push you and motivate you to keep moving!!Really, Samuel Leroy Jackson's performance was for an Oscar...

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

Full Review

Hargie M

The film's message about the transformative power of education and mentorship resonated with me on a personal level, reminding me of the importance of perseverance and believing in the potential of every individual. Coach Carter isn't just a sports movie – it's a testament to the impact that one person can have on the lives of others.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

Xavier

Inspirational and funny how there is no reason for the dudes to turn up in suits for basketball but we still support Coach either way.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

Full Review

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Thomas Carter

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Coach Ken Carter

Robert Ri'chard

Damien Carter

Rob Brown

Kenyon Stone

Ashanti

Kyra

Debbi Morgan

Tonya

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Coach Carter: Official Clip - The Final Shot