Bad News Bears

Bad News Bears is currently streaming in the US on Netflix and fuboTV, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Billy Bob Thornton's performance alone is worth the time investment. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Bad News Bears is worth clearing space for. The jokes in Bad News Bears land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Morris Buttermaker is a burned-out minor league baseball player who loves to drink and can't keep his hands to himself. His long-suffering lawyer arranges for him to manage a local Little League team, and Buttermaker soon finds himself the head of a rag-tag group of misfit players. Through unconventional team-building exercises and his offbeat coaching style, Buttermaker helps his hapless Bears prepare to meet their rivals, the Yankees. Between them, Billy Bob Thornton and Greg Kinnear carry the comedy without ever forcing it. Bad News Bears came out in 2005. What keeps Bad News Bears from feeling disposable is a cast that clearly understands the material better than the format usually demands. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Bad News Bears is a strong candidate. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Billy Bob Thornton's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.