DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story (2004)
The rubber-ball comedy classic where a ragtag gym crew takes on a fitness empire — one dodgeball at a time.
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story - Movie Information
- Original Title: DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
- Release Year: 2004
- Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, German
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 18, 2004 (United States - PG-13), August 27, 2004 (United Kingdom - 12A), September 30, 2004 (Germany - 6), September 22, 2004 (France - U), September 9, 2004 (Australia - M), October 22, 2004 (Brazil), August 27, 2004 (Mexico), November 5, 2004 (Italy), September 10, 2004 (Spain), November 12, 2004 (South Korea)
- Alternative Titles: Vyshybayly (UA), Dodgeball (SE), Dodgeball (US), Com a Bola Toda (BR), Vyšibaly (RU), Pelotas en juego (CL), Dodgeball - Voll auf die Nüsse (DE), Piguwi jewang (KR)
- Production Companies: 20th Century Fox, Red Hour, Mediastream Vierte Film
- Production Countries: United States of America, Germany
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story - Plot
When megalomaniacal White Goodman, the owner of a trendy, high-end fitness center, makes a move to take over the struggling local gym run by happy-go-lucky Pete La Fleur, there's only one way for La Fleur to fight back: dodgeball. Aided by a dodgeball guru and Goodman's attorney, La Fleur and his rag-tag team of underdogs launch a knock-down, drag-out battle in which the winner takes all.
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the chaos unfold on the dodgeball court:
Grab life by the ball.
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DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Rawson Marshall Thurber
Main Cast
- Vince Vaughn
- Christine Taylor
- Ben Stiller
- Rip Torn
- Justin Long
- Stephen Root
- Joel David Moore
- Chris Williams
- Alan Tudyk
- Missi Pyle
Writers
- Rawson Marshall Thurber
Producers
- Stuart Cornfeld
- Ben Stiller
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story - FAQs
What is DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story about?
DodgeBall follows lovable slacker Pete La Fleur, whose scrappy local gym is threatened by the obnoxious owner of a corporate fitness empire. To save Average Joe's Gymnasium, Pete and his misfit crew enter a dodgeball tournament in Las Vegas — and the laughs fly as fast as the rubber balls.
Is there a secret ending after the credits in DodgeBall?
Yes! Stick around after the credits for a hilarious bonus scene featuring Ben Stiller's White Goodman that perfectly caps off the film's absurdist humor. It's a brief but very funny payoff that fans of the movie definitely don't want to miss.
Where can you stream DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story?
You can stream DodgeBall on Hulu, fuboTV, or FXNow at no extra cost. If you prefer to own or rent it, it's available on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
Who are the main actors in DodgeBall?
Vince Vaughn leads the cast as the easygoing Pete La Fleur, with Ben Stiller stealing scenes as the villainous White Goodman. The ensemble also includes Christine Taylor, Rip Torn as the gruff coach Patches O'Houlihan, Justin Long, Stephen Root, and Alan Tudyk as the scene-stealing Steve the Pirate.
What famous cameos appear in DodgeBall?
DodgeBall is packed with memorable cameos. Gary Cole and Jason Bateman are brilliantly funny as the deadpan sports commentators Cotton McKnight and Pepper Brooks. There's also a legendary surprise appearance by a major Hollywood star during the tournament that audiences consistently rank among the film's best moments.
Was DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story a box office hit?
Absolutely. Made on a $20 million budget, DodgeBall earned over $168 million worldwide — a massive return that cemented it as one of the standout comedies of the mid-2000s. Strong word of mouth and quotable humor helped it become a genuine crowd-pleaser well beyond its opening weekend.
How was DodgeBall received by critics and audiences?
Critics gave DodgeBall a warm reception, praising its sharp comic timing, Stiller's gleefully over-the-top villain, and Vaughn's effortless charm. Audiences embraced it even more enthusiastically. It holds a strong approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and remains a beloved comedy staple nearly two decades after its release.
Who directed DodgeBall and what else has he made?
DodgeBall was directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, who also wrote the screenplay. It was his feature directorial debut. He went on to direct We're the Millers (2013) and the action-comedy trilogy with Dwayne Johnson — Central Intelligence (2016), Skyscraper (2018), and Red Notice (2021).
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