As many of us have probably experienced during this lockdown, there is only so much Netflix binging and deep YouTube rabbit-holes we can go down before we’ve seemingly watched everything worth watching. There is also the unfortunate lack of live sports to keep us entertained with old game reruns, only giving us some satisfaction of the real thing. With the NVA season on hold, Southern Exposure thought to put together a care package of volleyball movies and tv shows to help keep your spirits alive at this time.
Leap (October 1st, 2020) – With five consecutive championships since the 1980s, the Women’s National Volleyball Team of China had transcended the conventional definition of sports in the hearts of Chinese people. The Chinese team is now pitted against the US team led by Lang Ping, their very own 1984 MVP at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. How will the Chinese Women’s National team rebuild itself after such a monumental moment in their history?
Girls with Balls (2018) – After their van breaks down in the middle of nowhere, the women of a volleyball team must fight for their lives against a group of degenerate hunters.
The Miracle Season (2018) – Based on the inspiring true story of the West High School girl’s volleyball team. After the tragic loss of their star player, the remaining team players must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach, in hopes of winning the state championship.
Miles (2017) – High school senior Miles Walton, whose mother is left broke after his father passes away, causes an uproar in his small Illinois town when he discovers an unusual college scholarship loophole that allows him to join the girls’ volleyball team
Optimisterne (2013) – A documentary about an unusual volleyball team in Hamar, Norway, with ladies aged from 66 to 98. Now they are up for their first match, after 30 years of training.
Green Flash (2008) – A California beauty inspires a former basketball star to pursue a career at beach volleyball.
Air Bud: Spikes Back (2003) – Buddy, a golden retriever with the uncanny ability to play volleyball, plays matches on the beach while helping to solve a series of crimes with his parrot friend.
The Iron Ladies (2000) – A triumph over adversity. Based on the true story of the 1996 Thailand National Champion Volleyball Team.
Side Out (1990) – A law student comes to California to work, but he spends most of his time at the beach, chasing waitresses. His luck changes for the better when he meets an ex-King of the Beach, leading him towards professional beach volleyball.
Spiker (1986) – Superstar college athletes train hard to be accepted onto the U.S. Men’s Olympic Volleyball team with the help of their ‘tough as nails’ coach.
Haikyu!! – Inspired after watching a volleyball ace nicknamed “Little Giant” in action, small-statured Shouyou Hinata revives the volleyball club at his middle school. An animated series filled with realistic and dramatized action scenes on and off the court.