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Give Me the Ball!

Play trailer Give Me the Ball! 2026 1h 41m Documentary Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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World champion tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King has had a game-changing impact on culture and sports. Rare archive and candid interviews with Billie Jean and those closest to her reveal how one woman put changing the world ahead of saving herself.

Critics Reviews

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Peyton Robinson RogerEbert.com 3d
With a dedicated vigor only fitting to match its subject, 'Give Me The Ball!’ surveys more history and impact than I can outline with any semblance of brevity, and does so with an ecstatic, enduring thrill. Go to Full Review
David Rooney The Hollywood Reporter Jan 29
A nonfiction feature with the propulsive excitement of a great narrative, the film weaves a wealth of archival material around a captivating present-day sit-down interview with the octogenarian subject, who is candid, funny and unfailingly down-to-earth. Go to Full Review
Owen Gleiberman Variety Jan 28
Garbus and Wolff take us through her life in a way that’s both propulsive and reflective, mirroring King’s energy on the court. The drama never lets up. Go to Full Review
Christopher Campbell Nonfics (Substack) 3d
Garbus and Wolff do something with Give Me the Ball! that breaks from the celebrity biography norm: they hold the applause to the end. Go to Full Review
Cody Dericks Next Best Picture 6d
7/10
While the manner in which her story unspools is pretty standard for films of its type, it’s impossible to deny that King makes for an exciting subject, bringing enthusiasm and passion to the movie. Go to Full Review
Alex Billington FirstShowing.net Jan 28
9/10
One of the most rousing and exciting documentaries playing at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival is called Give Me the Ball! - a biopic profile of the life and achievements of one Billie Jean King. Go to Full Review
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Movie Info

Synopsis World champion tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King has had a game-changing impact on culture and sports. Rare archive and candid interviews with Billie Jean and those closest to her reveal how one woman put changing the world ahead of saving herself.
Director
Liz Garbus, Elizabeth Wolff
Producer
Liz Garbus, Elizabeth Wolff, Dominic Crossley-Holland, Dan Cogan, Chris James, Gentry Kirby
Production Co
Story Syndicate
Genre
Documentary, Sports
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 41m