Skip to content
MovieCove
Air

Air

Some icons are meant to fly.

2023111 minRMidcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Director
Ben Affleck
Starring
Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Chris Messina

Discover the game-changing partnership between a then undiscovered Michael Jordan and Nike's fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and culture with the Air Jordan brand.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Air?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Air streaming on Prime Video and The Roku Channel (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Rent / Buy

Buy · $14.99

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Air?

Air earns 9 badges, led by Universally Loved and Top 5% in Drama.

Show 1 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Air worth watching?

Air's Midcredits score is the 94th percentile of all films, from 780K ratings across 6 sources. 85% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

94th percentile

Better received than 94% of films

95th percentile among Drama94th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)89th
Approval (how many liked it)95th

74 /100

89th percentile of all films

91st percentile among Drama87th percentile among 2020s

Critics 73 · Audience 74

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A tight consensus around 7.5 — people broadly agree on this one.

85% liked it

95th percentile of all films

95th percentile among Drama94th percentile among 2020s
85% rated it 7–1015% rated it 1–6

Critics 93% · Audience 97%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 4 wins / 49 noms overall

  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
  • NominatedGolden Globes· Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

99th percentile

779K ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Drama99th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 19% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$90M
Opening weekend$14M
Domestic gross$52M
Worldwide gross$90M

Returned 1.0× its budget — 97th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A well-acted, competently directed film about how Nike's deal with Michael Jordan came together, but its corporate focus and lack of Jordan's presence divide viewers on whether that makes for a compelling story or a shallow commercial.

Fans praised

  • Smart screenplay crafts suspense out of a known outcome
  • Ensemble cast delivers sharp chemistry and natural performances
  • Affleck's direction brings energy and visual interest to dialogue scenes

Detractors panned

  • Thin story stretched to feature length
  • Overbearing 80s nostalgia used as a crutch
  • Centering a corporation as underdog feels disingenuous

What stands out

Acting82

Strong ensemble with standout Viola Davis, Matt Damon's committed performance

DialogueDivisive78

Witty, naturalistic banter that some find clichéd or over-written

Atmosphere75

Immersive 1980s period detail and music

Humor75

Surprisingly funny with strong comic relief from Bateman and Tucker

PacingDivisive72

Brisk momentum from editing but occasional lulls in talk-heavy scenes

Plot and storyDivisive68

Engaging underdog business story that lacks stakes for non-enthusiasts

Characters68

Some supporting roles feel two-dimensional, especially Jordan's absence

Originality40

Familiar corporate biopic formula reminiscent of Moneyball and The Founder

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 8 points apart
  • US vs non-US even

Watch experience

What is Air like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

No single mood: browse every movie of this kindNo one kind of watch fits it, so it is described by how heavy it is.

Watch this when you want something serious but easy to take.

It has a few laughs and leaves you fired up.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Moods
HopefulTenseTriumphant
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its story straight with earnest emotion, treating the corporate drama with sincerity and occasional warm humor.
The rideA steady build of possibility and pressure, with the biggest emotional payoff near the end.
StructureThe film tells the story chronologically from Nike's struggles to the successful signing of Michael Jordan.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Fired up.

Rousing · 10% of filmsHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you with the triumphant feeling of a bold bet paying off and a transformative partnership that redefined sports marketing.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rags
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3% (this title): Underdog triumph 2% (this title) · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rags to riches: A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition. · Underdog triumph: Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).

3% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe story follows Nike's underdog rise by pursuing Michael Jordan, turning a failing basketball division into a global brand through a bold, risky strategy.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfAmbitionSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4% (this title)
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4% (this title)
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Ambition · 7% of filmsLoyalty · 4% of filmsLegacy · 4% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe story centers on the relentless drive to make a bold bet succeed, balanced against the personal stakes of that gamble.
StanceThe film celebrates the boldness and hustle of the underdog pursuit, framing it as admirable and rewarding.

The world

Late 20th centuryInstitutionalUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · hybrid
SettingNike headquarters and basketball world of the mid-1980s

Content guide

Is Air okay for kids?

R

Air is rated R: “Rated R for language throughout” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (8/100), sexual content at mild (19/100), language at intense (80/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (16/100) and frightening material at minimal (5/100). Overall it is heavier than 13% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 26 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada18A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany6
  • France12
  • Ireland15A
  • South Korea15
  • Belgium16
  • Czechia12+
  • FinlandS
  • GreeceK12
  • Hong KongIIB
  • IsraelAll
  • Italy6+
  • LTN-16
  • MexicoC
  • NetherlandsAL
  • Norway9
  • PRR
  • RO12
  • SingaporeNC16
  • Spain7
  • SwedenBtl
  • Taiwan6+
  • THG
  • Türkiye16+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 39% of all filmsHeavier than 13% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 2%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 12%
Profanity
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 72%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 5%
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 1%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is language. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Air have?

MovieCove's classifier found 1 depicted content warning in Air: Sexual harassment or grooming (mild). Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

MildSexual harassment or grooming

Cast and crew

Who is in Air?

Cast

4 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Matt Damon
as Sonny Vaccaro
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jason Bateman
as Rob Strasser
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ben Affleck
as Phil Knight
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Chris Messina
as David Falk
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Viola Davis
as Deloris Jordan
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Julius Tennon
as James Jordan
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Damian Delano Young
as Michael Jordan
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Chris Tucker
as Howard White
Matthew Maher
as Peter Moore
Gustaf Skarsgård
as Horst Dassler

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Air?

Movies like Air include Without Limits (1998), M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) and Big George Foreman (2023). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films that feel triumphant, and most are sports films.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its subject: ambition. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Air?

8.5K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: period drama. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.