# The Basketball Diaries (1995) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-basketball-diaries-1995/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 60% |
| Editorial Rating | 47/100 |
| Audience Snapshot | 74% (excluded from composite) |
| Metascore | 53/100 |
| Letterboxd | 3.4/5 |
| IMDb | 7.3/10 |
| Director | Scott Kalvert |
| Genres | Drama, Crime |
| Runtime | 102 min |

## Quick answer

The Basketball Diaries (1995) earns a 60% Celluloid Score — Recommended. DiCaprio as Jim Carroll — a raw addiction drama that cemented his ’90s serious-actor credentials. Critics and audiences diverge (47% critic vs 74% audience). Metascore 53/100. Directed by Scott Kalvert.

## Celluloid verdict

DiCaprio as Jim Carroll — a raw addiction drama that cemented his ’90s serious-actor credentials.

## Synopsis

A high school basketball player’s life turns upside down after free-falling into the harrowing world of drug addiction.

## Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruno Kirby, Lorraine Bracco, Ernie Hudson, Patrick McGaw, James Madio, Mark Wahlberg, Barton Heyman, Roy Cooper, Michael Imperioli

## Common questions

**Is The Basketball Diaries worth watching?**
The Basketball Diaries holds a 60% Celluloid Score. DiCaprio as Jim Carroll — a raw addiction drama that cemented his ’90s serious-actor credentials.

**What is The Basketball Diaries about?**
A high school basketball player’s life turns upside down after free-falling into the harrowing world of drug addiction.

**Who directed The Basketball Diaries?**
The Basketball Diaries (1995) was directed by Scott Kalvert.

**What is the Celluloid Score of The Basketball Diaries?**
60% — calculated from available Celluloid editorial (47/100), Metascore (53/100), Letterboxd (3.4/5), and IMDb (7.3/10) inputs. Audience sentiment is excluded.

**Where can I watch The Basketball Diaries?**
Streaming availability varies by region — see the The Basketball Diaries page for current options.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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