Space Jam (1996)
65%RT Audience Score: 63%
Awards & Nominations: 6 wins & 4 nominations
While it’s no slam dunk, Space Jam’s silly, Looney Toons-laden slapstick and vivid animation will leave younger viewers satisfied — though accompanying adults may be more annoyed than entertained
Space Jam is the ultimate basketball movie that combines the best of both worlds: live-action and animation. Critics may say it’s a product made for selling toys, but who cares when you have Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes teaming up to save the world from aliens? Plus, Bill Murray makes a hilarious cameo that’s worth the watch alone. It may not be a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s a cult classic that defines a generation. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
Production Company(ies)
Columbia Pictures, Pascal Pictures, Marvel Studios,
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Los Angeles, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for some cartoon violence and some language
Year of Release
1996
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital SDDS Datasat Dolby Atmos IMAX 6-Track
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 27m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 1996 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 21, 2003
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
Space Jam, Michael Jordan, Looney Tunes, basketball, comedy, PG, Joe Pytka, Ivan Reitman, Joe Medjuck, Dan Goldberg, Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick, Warner Bros., $90.4M, box office, Danny DeVito, Bill Murray, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, critic reviews, Ryan Gilbey, Jay Boyar, Richard Corliss, Michael Wilmington, Gene Siskel, Bruce Smith, Tony Cervone, Duane Byrge, Sheila Reid, David Gonzalez, Cory Woodroof, Matt Brunson, Peter Canavese, Jana Monji, audience reviews, Drake T, EpicLadySponge t, Dann M, Matthew Samuel M
Worldwide gross: $162,892,228
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $177,162,682
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 763
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 19,319,813
US/Canada gross: $70,592,228
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $76,776,582
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 877
US/Canada opening weekend: $31,053,362
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $33,773,845
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 389
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $150,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $163,141,008
Production budget ranking: 192
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $87,851,433
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$73,829,759
ROI to date (est.): -29%
ROI ranking: 1,562
Wayne Knight – Stan Podolak
Theresa Randle – Juanita Jordan
Larry Bird – Self
Bill Murray – Self
Danny DeVito – Mr. Swackhammer (Voice)
Director(s)
Joe Pytka
Writer(s)
Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick
Producer(s)
Ivan Reitman, Joe Medjuck, Dan Goldberg
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
6 wins & 4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (85) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (37) | Rotten (48)
Space Jam is nothing if not a product made by men who gauge a film’s success by how many soft toys it spawns.
March 22, 2019
Ryan Gilbey
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
This isn’t Looney Tunes, it’s Sloppy Tunes.
March 22, 2019
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
The movie could have been a gleaming showcase for cartoon wit. Instead it’s an 87-minute commercial peddling sainthood for Michael Jordan.
March 22, 2019
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Its timing is blessed. Its audience is guaranteed. Its technique is spectacular. And it has two co-superstars almost universally admired and liked.
March 22, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Space Jam is, at times, a hoot, especially when it has fun with Michael’s less-than-stellar baseball career.
August 23, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/4
Gene Siskel
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Space Jam is a seamless marvel as Jordan slams and jams in the Looney Tune world. Animation co-directors Bruce Smith and Tony Cervone have orchestrated a dazzingly visual treat.
November 15, 2016
Duane Byrge
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
Imagine a movie with Michael Jordan acting alongside Tweety, Bugs… and a few other Warner Brothers characters. Then imagine paying seven dollars to watch them play basketball. If you can’t imagine it, consider yourself blessed and skip this one.
May 16, 2022
Sheila Reid
Women in the Life
On November 15, 1996, not much could top Space Jam in my eyes. 20 years later, on November 15, 2016, Space Jam has become nothing more than a nostalgic guilty pleasure and thats not always a bad thing.
February 14, 2022 | Rating: 2/4
David Gonzalez
Reel Talk Inc.
Space Jam is the defining cult film of Generation VHS.
December 4, 2021
Cory Woodroof
Nashville Scene
This disappointment amounts to the most expensive piece of fan mail ever produced.
August 7, 2021 | Rating: 1.5/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Based on a sneaker commercial, it’s aliens vs. earthlings on the basketball court. Bill Murray makes it watchable. (4K HD Warner Home Video blu-ray review).
July 18, 2021 | Rating: 2/4
Peter Canavese
Celluloid Dreams
You had to be there to understand the excitement: Michael Jordan left the NBA for baseball and then came back. That was looney and so is this mix of animation and live action.
July 17, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Jana Monji
Age of the Geek…
Plot
A algorithm named Al G Rhythm captures famed basketball player LeBron James and his son Dom. Al G challenges LeBron to a basketball game against Al’s digitized champions. LeBron gets the help of Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes to win the basketball game and get his son back.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Bill Murray steals every scene he’s in.
Joe-Pytka.jpg
