The 6th Man (1997)

The 6th Man has a sweet, crowd-pleasing hook: it turns a sports movie’s most familiar wish—“If only he were still here to help”—into a heartfelt, funny fantasy with real emotional stakes. Marlon Wayans brings buoyant charm and surprising sincerity, while Kadeem Hardison gives the story its grounding, letting the laughs and the grief sit side by side without feeling forced. Director Randall Miller keeps the vibe light and energetic, mixing underdog basketball momentum with a gently supernatural twist that plays like a warm late-’90s studio comfort watch. It’s not for everyone if you want hard-edged realism or subtle comedy, but if you’re in the mood for a spirited blend of hoops, brotherhood, and a little movie-magic catharsis, it’s an easy recommendation.

The 6th Man wants to be a heartfelt, crowd-pleasing mix of sports underdog story and supernatural brotherly bond, with jokes and a little tear-jerking on the side. The problem is it plays like a paint-by-numbers 90s comedy-drama, where the ghost gimmick is handled in a pretty obvious, “sure, why not” way that asks you not to think too hard about anything. If you’re allergic to formula, implausible rules, and big emotional beats that feel pre-packaged, this will likely test your patience. Still, the Wayans/Hardison chemistry and the feel-good team energy can be charming if you just want a light, sentimental basketball fantasy and don’t mind the movie doing the heavy lifting for you.