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Uncle Drew

Uncle Drew is a 2018 American sports comedy film directed by Charles Stone III and written by Jay Longino.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Uncle Drew is a 2018 American sports comedy film directed by Charles Stone III and written by Jay Longino. It stars Kyrie Irving as the title character, a role that originated in Pepsi Max advertisements that began in 2012, alongside several former NBA and WNBA players. The film follows a team entering the Rucker Classic streetball tournament in Harlem.

Premise

The story follows Dax, a basketball-obsessed sneaker salesman whose team problems lead him to recruit Uncle Drew and his former teammates for a streetball tournament in Harlem.

Development

Uncle Drew began as a recurring Pepsi Max advertising character portrayed by Kyrie Irving. The feature film expanded the character and brought several retired professional basketball players into the cast.

Cast

The principal cast includes Kyrie Irving and Lil Rel Howery, with supporting roles for Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, Lisa Leslie, Erica Ash, J. B. Smoove, Mike Epps, Nick Kroll, Tiffany Haddish, and Aaron Gordon.

Release

The film was released in the United States on June 29, 2018. It is rated PG-13 and has a runtime reported as 103 or 104 minutes in major listings.

Key facts

  • The film is based on the Uncle Drew character created for Pepsi Max advertisements that began in 2012.
  • Kyrie Irving reprises the title role in feature-film form.
  • The cast includes former NBA players Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, and Nate Robinson, plus former WNBA player Lisa Leslie.
  • The plot centres on Dax, who tries to win the Rucker Classic streetball tournament in Harlem.
  • The film was released theatrically in the United States on June 29, 2018.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally and is available through major home-viewing platforms that include Canadian audiences, but the provided sources do not identify a uniquely Canadian production or setting connection.

Frequently asked questions

What is Uncle Drew?
Uncle Drew is a 2018 American sports comedy film about a streetball tournament in Harlem.
Who plays Uncle Drew?
Kyrie Irving plays the title character.
Is the film based on something else?
Yes. It is based on Pepsi Max advertisements that introduced the Uncle Drew character in 2012.
Who directed Uncle Drew?
Charles Stone III directed the film.
When was Uncle Drew released?
It was released theatrically in the United States on June 29, 2018.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Drew
    Supports: Basic identification of the film, release year, director, writer, and principal cast.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7334528/
    Supports: Runtime, rating, release date, and premise.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/uncle_drew
    Supports: Synopsis, director, writer, distributor, rating, genre, and release information.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/uncle-drew-2018
    Supports: Connection to the original Uncle Drew character and the film's basketball-focused premise.
  5. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80198644
    Supports: Cast list, genre, and short plot description.