5 of Zone28’s Favorite Bowling Movies

The health and safety of everyone in the Pittsburgh area should be everyone’s first priority right now. However, spending day after day shut in at home can make anyone a little stir crazy. If social distancing is starting to take its toll and you’ve binged watched everything out there, might we make a few recommendations? Believe us, we wish you were here with us at Zone 28, too, but in the meantime, we can still enjoy bowling through some of our favorite movies!

This cult classic directed by the Cohen Brothers is full of some of the most memorable characters in modern cinema. The Big Lebowski follows the story of Jeff Lebowski, aka “The Dude,” who loves nothing more than bowling with his buddies Walter and Donny. However, due to a case of mistaken identity, The Dude and his buddies find themselves right in the middle of a kidnapping scheme gone horribly wrong and hilarity ensues. (Rated R)

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Starz

Perhaps the greatest bowling movie of all time (in our slightly biased opinion), Kingpin follows the story of a once-great bowler named Roy whose career was literally cut short. Unable to continue bowling, Roy eventually meets a prodigy, an Amish man named Ishmael and convinces him to secretly learn how to be the champion Roy could never be. (Rated PG-13)

Where to Watch: Netflix

For 90’s kids, there was nothing better than DCOMs (if you know you know). One of our favorites is Alley Cats Strike (for obvious reasons). This story follows a group of teens who love all things retro, including spending their time at the town’s bowling alley. Roped into a rivalry with another school’s bowling team, the gang must rally with the help of a reluctant outsider to win the big tournament. (Rated TV-G)

Where to Watch: Disney+

Ok, not a bowling movie per se, but this campy comedy about real-life superheroes who seek to rescue their town’s legit hero from the clutches of the evil Casanova Frankenstein. They’re “powers,” while not great are pretty inventive. Our favorite superhero in the bunch? Obviously Janene Garofalo’s performance as “The Bowler.” (Rated PG-13)

Where to Watch: Starz

For you documentary fans, League of Ordinary Gentlemen is a great story of regular people enjoying the great sport of bowling. The movie follows the lives of four professional bowlers as they attempt to breathe new life into the sport and get the public interested in it again. (Rated R)

Where to Watch: Amazon, Vudu

We’re definitely looking forward to seeing you all again, but we hope these movies help you get excited about bowling and all of the other great activities Zone 28 has to offer. Check out everything we offer here. See you soon!