Air Bud poster

Air Bud

Strong Contender Wins well above average
1997 · Comedy, Family · Charles Martin Smith

Air Bud doesn't dominate, but it wins consistently. 56% across 77 head-to-head matchups is a strong bracket record — well above the 50% that means winning as often as losing. A dog plays basketball, and that absurd premise has kept the film alive in cultural memory far longer than its craft warrants. In brackets, it competes on charm and meme value — a combination that's surprisingly durable until it isn't. 1.8s avg decision time (platform avg: 3.5s). No deliberation needed.

Synopsis

A lonely boy befriends a stray dog who has a natural talent for basketball and together they experience the highs and lows of life as their friendship remains solid through a series of escapades.

Round 1
57.1%
24/42
Semifinals
45.8%
Finals
72.7%
Where it thrives

The 27-point spread between best and worst round is notable, but the floor is high enough that it barely matters. Air Bud competes from a position of strength at every stage.

Against Blue Chips, Air Bud wins 71%. Not much of a contest. The 6th Man at 67% is another comfortable win.

Dominates

Air Bud owns Basketball Movie Madness Part II - The Snubs. Blue Chips is the usual final opponent, and at 71% it's not much of a contest.

BingeBracket Record
56%
Win Rate
#14 of 56 in Comedy #15 of 46 from the 1990s
Scores based on real fan votes in head-to-head brackets. 50% = wins as often as it loses — perfectly average.
Featured Tournament

#2 of 8 in Basketball Movie Madness Part II - The Snubs.

Think it deserves the gold? Cast your vote now.

Above the Rim #1
Air Bud #2
Blue Chips #3
The Basketball Diaries #4
Semi-Pro #5
Inside Moves #6
Love & Basketball #7
The 6th Man #8
Vote Now
About These Rankings

BingeBracket ranks films through head-to-head matchups in 8-film brackets — no star ratings, no reviews, just direct comparison. Browse tournaments, try Discovery mode, or explore the leaderboards. You can also .

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