Champions (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Champions is a 2023 comedy drama directed by Bobby Farrelly, starring Woody Harrelson as Marcus, Ernie Hudson and Kevin Iannucci. It earned $21.9 million worldwide. Critics gave it 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Director
- Bobby Farrelly
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Focus Features
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Champions About?
The premise of Champions without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A former basketball coach, played by Woody Harrelson, reluctantly agrees to mentor a team of players with intellectual disabilities. Initially hesitant, he finds himself connecting with the players and embracing a newfound sense of purpose as he guides them toward an inspiring journey of personal growth and competition. The film is a heartwarming and comedic exploration of acceptance, friendship, and the pursuit of victory against the odds.
Champions Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- singing in a car
- basketball
- basketball coach
- basketball team
- remake
- based on film
- remake of spanish film
- disabled athlete
- reference to the special olympics
- dislocated finger
- reference to the nba
- one word title
+38 more Show fewer
- losing a job
- brother sister relationship
- bare chested male
- singing on a bus
- singing in an rv
- title spoken by character
- american remake
- american remake of spanish film
- remake of european film
- american remake of european film
- foreign language adaptation
- reference to william shakespeare
- reference to matthew mcconaughey
- scene during end credits
- scene after end credits
- reference to steph curry
- community service
- drunk driving
- reference to allen iverson
- basketball game
- reference to uber
- reference to lyft
- des moines iowa
- giving the middle finger
- reference to ohio state university
- reference to the wwe
- reference to abilene christian university
- bar
- crashing into police car
- mug shot
- jail
- bailed out of jail
- driving under the influence
- courtroom
- judge
- rv
- reference to the los angeles lakers
- fired from a job
Champions Cast & Characters
Woody Harrelson leads the cast as Marcus, with Ernie Hudson as Coach Phil Perretti and Kevin Iannucci as Johnny. Directed by Bobby Farrelly; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Bobby Farrelly
-
Woody Harrelson as Marcus -
Ernie Hudson as Coach Phil Perretti - Kevin Iannucci as Johnny
- Kaitlin Olson as Alex
Also Starring in Champions
· 6 more- Joshua Felder Darius
- Madison Tevlin Cosentino
- Matt Cook Sonny
- Cheech Marin Julio
- Ashton Gunning Cody
- Matthew Von Der Ahe Craig
More from Bobby Farrelly
More films directed by Bobby Farrelly, best-rated first: Dumb and Dumber, Stuck on You, Osmosis Jones and Kingpin.
Champions Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Champions 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in character & emotion (58) and weakest in story & flow (45).
Champions Echo Score Breakdown
Champions attempts a heartfelt underdog tale but is held back by a formulaic script and uneven humor. Critics note the film’s warm intentions and occasional strong comic moments from supporting actors, yet they criticize its predictable plot and shallow execution. Audience reactions echo this split, praising the inclusive cast and moments of warmth while finding the narrative draggy and the jokes inconsistent. In sum, the movie offers modest feel‑good appeal but falls short of a fully engaging experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 50
In terms of art and craft, the direction leans on Bobby Farrelly’s late‑1990s comedic style, delivering a conventional visual palette and straightforward editing. Critics acknowledge occasional well‑timed set pieces, yet note the lack of inventive cinematography or production design. The overall craftsmanship feels serviceable but unremarkable, contributing little beyond the film’s formulaic framework.
- Character & Emotion 58
When evaluating character and emotion, the ensemble receives mixed feedback. Supporting performers such as Madison Tevlin and Iannucci are praised for comic timing and nuanced presence, while Woody Harrelson’s coach is seen as lacking depth. Some viewers appreciate the authentic portrayals of disabled athletes, yet others argue the characters serve the feel‑good message more than genuine development. Overall, performances are competent but uneven.
- Story & Flow 45
The story and flow suffer from predictability and a shallow script. Critics label the plot as formulaic, dragging at times and offering few original beats beyond the standard underdog redemption arc. While a few reviewers acknowledge occasional engaging moments, the consensus points to a narrative that moves sluggishly and relies heavily on cliché tropes. Consequently, the film’s storytelling is viewed as its weakest element.
- Sensory Experience 55
Sensory experience receives limited commentary, with few references to soundtrack or visual flair. The film’s aesthetic reflects a modest, late‑1990s comedy tone, offering competent but unremarkable sound design and color palette. Reviewers do not highlight any standout musical cues or striking cinematography, suggesting the sensory elements serve the narrative without elevating it. Overall, the sensory layer is serviceable yet forgettable.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Rewatch factor is mixed; some viewers enjoy the warm, inclusive spirit and occasional comic set‑pieces, finding the film pleasant for a second viewing. Others note the formulaic plot and uneven humor diminish repeat appeal. While the cast’s chemistry and feel‑good moments may reward fans of sports comedies, the overall predictability and drag limit lasting replay value. Thus, the film offers modest rewatch potential.
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Rotten Tomatoes 59% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 94%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 50 Metascore
User score 5.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
66261 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Champions Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Champions from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Marcus Marokovich, a fiery yet talented assistant coach for a minor league basketball team in Iowa, experiences a meltdown during a game, leading him to shove the head coach, Phil Perretti. This incident results in his arrest after a night of drinking and driving, where he accidentally crashes into a police car. The following day, Phil bails him out, but an argument ensues, with Marcus insisting he was right in his actions. Phil tries to explain the importance of understanding players’ personal lives and, unfortunately, informs Marcus that he’s been let go by the team owners.
Full summary
The whole story of Champions, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Champions Box Office
Champions grossed $21.9 million worldwide. $16.4 million came from the US and Canada and $5.5 million (25%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$21.9M
- US & Canada
- $16.4M
- International
- $5.5M
Champions Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 clips.
- Clip Skiing
- Clip Kicking Ass
- Clip Marcus is Ordered Community Service - Extended Preview
- Clip The Friends Play in the Championship Game
How Well Do You Know Champions?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What leads Marcus to be sentenced to community service?
Champions Also Known As
16 alternative titles, including “Šampióni” and “Los campeones”.
- Also known as
-
- Šampióni
- Los campeones
- Campioni
- Campeões
- 챔피언스
- Bajnokok
- 冠军
- Чемпіони
- Prvaci
- Şampiyonlar
- Чемпионы
- Čempionai
+4 more Show fewer
- 冠籃之路
- אלופים
- Шампиони
- แชมเปี้ยนส์
Seen Champions?
Movies Like Champions
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Championext, We Are the Champions and That Championship Season.
Champions FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Release Date
Release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Champions, each answered in a sentence.
When was Champions released?
Champions was released on March 10, 2023.
Who directed Champions?
Champions was directed by Bobby Farrelly.
More films by Bobby Farrelly Who is in the cast of Champions?
Champions stars Woody Harrelson as Marcus, Ernie Hudson as Coach Phil Perretti and Kevin Iannucci as Johnny, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Champions make at the box office?
Champions grossed $21.9 million worldwide ($16.4 million domestic, $5.5 million international).
How is Champions rated?
Champions has 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic, 67% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Champions have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Champions has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
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