Champions

"When winning isn't everything"

2018 2h 4m ES

🙌

7.5

BANGER

★7.5TMDB · 794

ComedyFamilyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A disgraced basketball coach is given the chance to coach Los Amigos, a team of players who are intellectually disabled, and soon realizes they just might have what it takes to make it to the national championships.

“When winning isn't everything”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Javier Gutiérrez
Marco
Athenea Mata
Sonia
Juan Margallo
Julio
José de Luna
Juanma
Sergio Olmo
Sergio
Jesús Vidal
Marin
Gloria Ramos
Collantes
Alberto Nieto Fernández
Benito

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Javier Fesser
Writers: David Marqués
Languages: Spanish
Countries: Spain

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Shot for just $4.9M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Made its money back 4.1× over at the box office.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 8 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Champions - Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Javier Gutiérrez and Athenea Mata and Juan Margallo carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "When winning isn't everything".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt6793580 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Javier Fesser directs. Made its budget back several times over at the box office. Produced in Spain. Dialogue in Spanish.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Shot for just $4.9M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
2Made its money back 4.1× over at the box office.
3Released 8 years ago.
4Part of the "Champions - Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
5Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
6Javier Gutiérrez and Athenea Mata and Juan Margallo carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "When winning isn't everything".
8IMDB entry: tt6793580 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Runtime: 124 min · 2h 4m
Status: Released
Budget: $4,920,975
Box office: $20,121,318
Return: 409% of budget
Original language: ES
IMDB: Champions (2018)

Part of

Champions - Collection

The Champions movie saga directed by Javier Fesser.

Also by

Javier Fesser

Community reviews

What people are saying

badelf2024-12-30
★ 9/10
"Campeones": A Heart-Warming Spanish Gem That Scores Big You know those films that come out of nowhere and just knock your socks off? "Campeones" (Champions) is exactly that kind of delightful surprise. This 2018 Spanish comedy had me grinning from ear to ear throughout its entire runtime. The story follows Marco, played brilliantly by Javier Gutiérrez, a second-tier basketball coach with a chip on his shoulder and some clearly unresolved issues. After a meltdown where he shoves the head coach during a game, our hot-headed protagonist finds himself in hot water with the law. The judge's creative sentence? Three months coaching a basketball team of players with intellectual disabilities. What could have been a recipe for cheap laughs or condescending storytelling turns into something truly special, thanks to screenwriter David Marqués and director Javier Fesser's thoughtful approach. Their masterstroke was casting actual people with intellectual disabilities as the team members – none of whom had acted before. And wow, does it pay off! The authenticity they bring to their roles is impossible to fake, creating an ensemble that feels genuinely real and incredibly endearing. There's also a romantic subplot weaving through the main story, giving the film that rom-com feel without overwhelming the central narrative. But the real romance here is watching Marco's transformation from a self-centered hothead into someone who genuinely cares about his team and their development – both on and off the court. Gutiérrez deserves special mention for his performance. His character arc from jerk to mensch is beautifully nuanced, never feeling forced or sudden. He manages to make Marco's growth feel earned and authentic, which is no small feat. While there have been remakes of this film, do yourself a favor and watch the original. The magic created by this unique cast simply can't be replicated. It's the real deal – a warm, funny, and genuinely touching film that earns every laugh and tear honestly. Sometimes the best comedies are the ones that make you feel something while you're laughing. "Campeones" hits that sweet spot perfectly.

Production companies