Space Jam (1996)

Call it what it is: an 88-minute sneaker commercial that somehow turned into a childhood landmark. Michael Jordan plays himself, which should be the easiest role in Hollywood, and he still reads his lines like he’d rather be back on the golf course. The plot is held together with tape: tiny aliens, a theme park in outer space, a basketball game for freedom. But the bits around it hold up. The Monstars draining the skills of real NBA players leads to the funniest stretch, with grown pro athletes baffled that they suddenly can’t dribble. Danny DeVito voices Swackhammer like a boss who has never once said thank you. Bugs is in top form, and the blend of live action and animation still looks slick. It made $230.6 million worldwide on a reported $80M. A 5.4 because the Tunes are a blast and the star seems to be counting the minutes until his next tee time. $553 says the opening drums of the theme song play in a store this year and you start nodding before you know why.

What works: NBA players baffled by their missing skills, Bugs in top form, and live action blended with cartoons more smoothly than you’d expect.

What doesn’t: Jordan is stiff even playing himself, and the alien theme park plot exists only to get everyone onto a court.

Who it’s for: Kids, nostalgic grown-ups and anyone who wants Looney Tunes slapstick with a basketball attached.