The Basketball Diaries
Directed by Scott Kalvert · 1995 ·
Is The Basketball Diaries worth watching?
Yes. The Basketball Diaries (1995) earns a 60% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audiences (74%) responded more warmly than critics (47%). See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as Diario de un Rebelde Basketball Diaries Jim Carroll - In den Straßen von New York Diário de um Adolescente バスケットボール・ダイアリーズ 바스켓볼 다이어리 边缘日记 赤子本色
Theatrical release Where to watch
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Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is reserved (47/100).
- General viewers mostly liked it (74%).
- Celluloid Score 60% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.
Best for
- Short runtime — easy weeknight watch
- Crowd-pleaser seekers — audiences liked it more than critics
Not ideal for
- Viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is The Basketball Diaries worth watching?
Yes — The Basketball Diaries earns a 60% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits short runtime — easy weeknight watch, but viewers who only watch top-tier, 90%+ rated films may want to skip it.
Celluloid verdict
DiCaprio as Jim Carroll — a raw addiction drama that cemented his ’90s serious-actor credentials.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Audiences (74%) responded more warmly than critics (47%).
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.
Watch the Trailer
The Basketball Diaries stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
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The Basketball Diaries: frequently asked questions
Is The Basketball Diaries worth watching?
Yes. The Basketball Diaries (1995) has a Celluloid Score of 60%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
How long is The Basketball Diaries?
The Basketball Diaries runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
What is The Basketball Diaries rated?
The Basketball Diaries is rated R in the United States, 18 in the UK and 18 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in The Basketball Diaries?
The Basketball Diaries is directed by Scott Kalvert and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruno Kirby, Lorraine Bracco, Ernie Hudson, Patrick McGaw.
What is the Metascore for The Basketball Diaries?
Metacritic's Metascore for The Basketball Diaries is 53 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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