The movie, which is scheduled for worldwide release on July 18, 2025, is already creating a lot of interest in the entertainment and sports industries. “The Underdog,” which is directed by Academy Award-nominated Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard, Monsters and Men) and produced by LeBron James’ SpringHill Company, promises a very personal look at one of basketball’s most improbable success stories.
From Obscurity to Icon
The 2-hour feature documentary dives deep into Giannis’ upbringing as the son of Nigerian immigrants in Greece, his battle with poverty, statelessness, and racism, and the personal sacrifices made by his tight-knit family to survive.
Told through a mix of never-before-seen footage, interviews with family, teammates, and coaches, and Giannis’ own narration, the film traces his journey from playing basketball on cracked courts in Athens to becoming a two-time NBA MVP, 2021 NBA Champion, and Finals MVP with the Milwaukee Bucks.There were times I didn’t think we’d make it,” Giannis says in the documentary’s opening scene. “We were selling CDs on the street just to eat. And somehow, basketball gave me a way out.”
The film’s title, “The Underdog,” is drawn from Giannis’ own words—he has long embraced the label, even as he rose to global superstardom.
Family, Loyalty, and Faith at the Core
While basketball is central to Giannis’ life, the documentary focuses heavily on his family—particularly the role of his late father, Charles, and the bond with his brothers, especially Thanasis, who also plays for the Bucks.
The film includes emotional interviews with his mother Veronica and brothers Alex, Kostas, and Francis, all of whom offer rare insight into the tight family dynamic that has defined Giannis’ life and grounded him despite fame and fortune.We didn’t have much,” Veronica says in a tearful segment. “But we had each other, and that was everything.”
It also revisits the death of his father in 2017, a moment that nearly broke Giannis and, according to the film, reshaped his view on fame, money, and purpose.
“I play for him. Every time I step on the court, it’s for my dad. That’s why I give everything,” Giannis says.
Inside the NBA Journey
“The Underdog” takes viewers inside some of Giannis’ most iconic NBA moments:
- His shocking 15th overall selection by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 NBA Draft.
- His rapid physical transformation from a lanky teenager to a 6-foot-11 athletic marvel.
- The 2021 NBA Finals performance, where he scored 50 points in Game 6 to clinch the Bucks’ first championship in 50 years.
- His decision to re-sign with Milwaukee, choosing loyalty over joining a superteam, a move that won hearts across the league.
NBA legends such as LeBron James, Steph Curry, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appear throughout the film, offering commentary on Giannis’ impact on the game.
“He didn’t just win—he won his way,” says Abdul-Jabbar. “That’s rare in today’s league.”
The documentary also explores his off-court contributions, including his philanthropic work through the AntetokounBros Foundation, which supports underprivileged youth in Greece, Nigeria, and the U.S.
Cinematic Approach with Global Impact
Filmed over three years and across four continents, “The Underdog” blends sports documentary with dramatic storytelling, using stylized re-enactments, archival family footage, and behind-the-scenes access to NBA games and private moments.
Director Reinaldo Marcus Green, known for blending biographical storytelling with emotional depth, said he wanted the film to inspire more than just basketball fans.Giannis’ life is about hope. It’s about being overlooked, being underestimated—and proving everyone wrong with grace,” Green said. “It’s the kind of story the world needs right now.”
Early Reviews and Expectations
Though the documentary hasn’t yet been released to the public, early screenings for critics and industry insiders have already drawn enthusiastic praise.
Variety called it “a powerful and intimate portrait of one of modern sports’ greatest figures,” while The Ringer said the film “rewrites the blueprint for the modern athlete documentary.”
Many expect it to garner Emmy nominations, and Netflix executives have hinted it could even be a launchpad for an expanded docuseries focused on Giannis’ continued legacy, especially if he remains with the Bucks or transitions into ownership or philanthropy after retirement.