White Men Can’t Jump Is Great, But Wesley Snipes And Woody Harrelson’s ’80s Sports Comedy Is Just As Funny

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Everyone remembers Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson in the 1992 hit White Men Can’t Jump, but I think their 1986 comedy Wildcats is just as hilarious. And right now, you can actually watch it for free on YouTube! The movie stars Goldie Hawn as a high school football coach who faces sexism and ends up leading a team of underdogs—with Harrelson and Snipes playing key players—at a struggling school.

Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson Are So Young!

The movie Wildcats marked the very first credited film roles for both Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes, which is pretty remarkable considering how famous they both became. It was also an early role for Mykelti Williamson, who later gained widespread recognition as Bubba in Forrest Gump. Plus, you can spot Jan Hooks (before her Saturday Night Live fame) and a young LL Cool J making one of his first appearances. Looking back, everyone seems so young – even though Snipes and Harrelson were already in their mid-20s while playing high school students.

The film features a mix of fresh young actors and experienced comedy pros. Alongside Goldie Hawn, you’ll see Swoosie Kurtz playing her sister, Bruce McGill as her former boss and a competitive coach, and the wonderful Nipsey Russell as the talkative principal of the local school. Russell is particularly hilarious, and I still often find myself quoting his running gag about selling peanut brittle to raise money for the school, even now.

Goldie Hawn Is Wonderful

Goldie Hawn truly shines in this movie. She’s hilarious and wonderful as a gifted but overlooked football coach. Her character feels real because she perfectly balances strength with vulnerability, confidently wavering between self-assurance and doubt. As with all her best roles, it’s Hawn’s impeccable comedic timing that makes the film so funny.

Goldie Hawn’s career reached a new peak with Wildcats. She had been choosing roles carefully in the early 1980s while focusing on raising her children, Oliver and Kate Hudson. A year later, she starred in Overboard, a film that’s surprisingly often overlooked – it was a childhood favorite of mine! While some criticize Hawn’s character in Wildcats as a “white savior,” it doesn’t diminish the movie’s overall humor.

Most movies with a relatively unknown cast like Wildcats don’t get much buzz, but since it’s currently available to stream for free, it’s a great chance to check out this funny, often overlooked film. It might not be a classic of the 80s, but I think it deserves more recognition – you can be the judge!

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2025-10-30 23:08