Air Bud poster

Air Bud

Closer Strong film that finishes even stronger
1997 · Comedy, Family · Charles Martin Smith

A strong film that's strongest when the bracket is deepest. Air Bud at 57% across 62 matchups is already above average — and the late-round numbers push it higher. 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. 1.9s 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
55.9%
19/34
Semifinals
47.4%
Finals
77.8%
Where it thrives

The 30-point climb from opening round to final tells the story. Air Bud doesn't just hold up as the bracket deepens — it accelerates, peaking when the opposition is at its strongest.

The 6th Man at 50% is as close to a dead heat as the platform produces. Every vote matters in this one. Against Blue Chips, Air Bud wins 83%. Not much of a contest.

Closest Rival
Dominates

Air Bud owns Basketball Movie Madness Part II - The Snubs. Blue Chips is the usual final opponent, and at 83% it's not much of a contest.

BingeBracket Record
57%
Win Rate
#10 of 48 in Comedy #12 of 45 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

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

Think it deserves the gold? Cast your vote now.

Above the Rim #1
The Basketball Diaries #2
Air Bud #3
Blue Chips #4
Semi-Pro #5
Inside Moves #6
The 6th Man #7
Love & Basketball #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 .