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. 64% across 119 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.

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
63.8%
37/58
Semifinals
52.6%
Finals
82.6%
Where it thrives

The 30-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.

Above the Rim is the nearest thing to a true rival at 47%. The margin is slim and the outcome still feels unsettled. Against Semi-Pro, Air Bud wins 86%. Not much of a contest. Blue Chips at 83% is another comfortable win.

Closest Rival

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
64%
Win Rate
#9 of 71 in Comedy #5 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

Ranked #1 in Basketball Movie Madness Part II - The Snubs.

Deserved? Vote to keep it there.

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