Rez Ball, Netflix’s new sports movie with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, debuts on the streamer’s Global Top 10. Based on the nonfiction novel Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation by The New York Times journalist Michael Powell, the film follows a Native American high school basketball team from Chuska, New Mexico who lose their star player while competing for the state championship. LeBron James served as one of the film’s producers, with Rez Ball‘s cast featuring Kauchani Bratt, Jessica Matten, Julia Jones, Amber Midthunder, and Kiowa Gordon.
Now, shortly after its release on September 27, Netflix’s new sports movie has debuted on the streaming service’s Global Top 10. Rez Ball ranks sixth on Netflix’s Global Top 10 films (English) for the week of September 30 to October 6 with 3.9 million views and 7.4 million hours viewed. It ranked below Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Jailbreak: Love on the Run, Sing, Rebel Ridge, and The Garfield movie in the top five, and ahead of Uglies, IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and Sing 2 in the bottom half.
Why You Should Watch Rez Ball On Netflix
It’s A Rousing Underdog Story Deeply Rooted In Native American Culture
In addition to debuting on Netflix’s Global Top 10, Rez Ball has debuted to a strong 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and an 85% audience score. Rez Ball reviews praise the film as a rousing underdog story filled with emotional warmth and engaging basketball sequences. Though Rez Ball might not be a game changer in its genre, as it largely sticks to a familiar sports movie formula and can be predictable, it features an inspiring underdog story, the backbone of any great sports movie like Rudy, Hoosiers, or Miracle.
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Rez Ball Ending Explained: What Happens To Heather & The Chuska Warriors
The end of Rez Ball brought up some complicated but important issues, themes, and topics, and understanding them is key to getting the film’s message.
In addition to its rousing underdog story, Rez Ball is also deeply rooted in Native American culture. It follows the Chuska Warriors, a high school basketball team rich in Native American heritage. The movie was also made by Native American voices, as it was directed by Sydney Freeland, a Native American (Navajo) filmmaker, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sterlin Harjo, an American Seminole who co-created FX’s Reservation Dogs. Additionally, Rez Ball was partially filmed in the Navajo Nation with the approval and support of the local sovereign tribal nations.
Our Take On Rez Ball’s Netflix Success
Who Doesn’t Love A Good Underdog Story?
Rez Ball may have arrived on Netflix with little fanfare or promotion, though just like the underdog story it depicts, it has defied the odds and debuted on the streamer’s Global Top 10. Perhaps it has gotten there on the back of producer LeBron James’ name recognition, or perhaps rousing underdog stories are easily marketable and remain evergreen for audiences. Rez Ball is not just about basketball, it’s a powerful tale of perseverance and unity, grounded in Native American culture and the spirit of the underdog.
Source: Netflix
After losing their star player, the Chuska Warriors, a Native American high school basketball team from New Mexico, must come together to keep their dream of winning a state championship alive. Directed by Sydney Freeland and produced by LeBron James, this underdog sports drama highlights the power of community and resilience.
- Director
- Sydney Freeland
- Release Date
- September 27, 2024
- Writers
- Sydney Freeland , Sterlin Harjo , Michael Powell
- Cast
- Jessica Matten , Kauchani Bratt , Amber Midthunder , Julia Jones , Kiowa Gordon , Dallas Goldtooth , Cody Lightning , Ernest Tsosie III , Devin Sampson-Craig , River Rayne Thomas , Jojo Jackson , Hunter Redhorse Arthur , Jaren K. Robledo , Kusem Goodwind , Zoey Reyes
- Character(s)
- Heather Hobbs , Jimmy Holiday , Dezbah Weaver , Gloria Holiday , Antonio Freeman , Henry Tso , Micah Tso , Benny Begay , Bryson Badonie
- Runtime
- 113 Minutes