Le Rêve américain is coming to Disney+. Anthony Marciano brings together Jean-Pascal Zadi and Raphaël Quenard in a drama-comedy inspired by the careers of two French NBA agents. Released in French cinemas on February 18, 2026, the film tells the story of a friendship built around a shared ambition: to find their place in professional basketball.
In Amiens, Jérémy spends his days behind the counter of a video rental store, far from the American courts he admires on VHS tapes. Meanwhile, Bouna is busy cleaning at Orly Airport, with no Wi-Fi or clear prospects in sight. Nothing indicates that they’re destined to break into the highly competitive world of professional basketball, let alone carve out a place for themselves there.
Driven by a shared passion for the NBA, the two friends nevertheless decide to take a chance. Amid spontaneous trips, missed opportunities, and cultural misunderstandings, they navigate a world where each setback risks derailing their dream. Their friendship, tested by financial struggles and doubts, ultimately becomes their greatest source of motivation to persevere.
Le Rêve américain is loosely inspired by the real-life story of Bouna Ndiaye and Jérémy Medjana, two French agents who are now major figures in the NBA, known for representing players such as Nicolas Batum, Evan Fournier, and Victor Wembanyama.
Anthony Marciano had already explored coming-of-age stories and duos in Play, Miskina, la pauvre and Les Gamins.
Our review of Le Rêve américain
Le Rêve américain, directed by Anthony Marciano, opened in theaters on February 18, 2026, with the clear ambition of telling an inspiring story without slipping into hagiography. Led by the close-knit duo of Jean-Pascal Zadi and Raphaël Quenard, the film follows the chaotic journey of two agents working in the world of basketball, navigating their way through resourcefulness, instinct and risky bets. More than a sports movie, it is above all the story of a friendship and perseverance in the face of obstacles.
From the outset, the tone is clear: an energetic, fast-paced feel-good movie that favors momentum over gravitas. Marciano is less interested in dissecting the industry’s economic workings than in capturing the human dynamic that binds his characters. The film’s success rests largely on the obvious chemistry between Zadi and Quenard. Their rapport, fueled by a palpable closeness, gives the film a spontaneity that makes up for the relative linearity of the story. Every exchange feels infused with a sincerity that goes beyond mere role-playing.
Basketball plays an important role, but it is never the film’s true focus. The game sequences, especially the streetball scenes, are polished and energetic, sometimes even exhilarating. They give the film its visual energy and pace. Yet Le Rêve américain never tries to become a sports competition movie: it is a biopic about the careers of two agents, and about how two men try to make a place for themselves in a demanding, sometimes ruthless world.
The soundtrack contributes fully to this momentum. The selected tracks accompany each stage of the journey with an almost narrative precision, reinforcing the sense of ascent and collective drive. The music underscores both the victories and the setbacks, giving the film a constant, contagious pulse.
Beyond its energy, the film finds its most affecting moments in its quieter, human interludes. The respect shown to Bouna’s wife, an unwavering source of support in difficult times, adds welcome depth to the story. Some scenes, such as the one in which a player’s mother negotiates a contract with Bouna’s own mother, perfectly capture the balance between humor and emotion, ambition and family roots.
Still, while the film is undeniably enjoyable and driven by genuine generosity, it lacks that little something that turns a likeable success into a truly memorable cinematic experience. We’re won over, we smile, we go along for the ride—but the emotion remains restrained. The journey, though sincere, follows a fairly predictable success-story arc and never quite manages to move us profoundly. We leave feeling warmed, but rarely moved to the point of shedding that famous little tear.
Le Rêve américain is therefore aimed at audiences drawn to stories of friendship and perseverance, and viewers looking for an optimistic, uplifting film. Fans of pure basketball movies or technical sports dramas, however, may be surprised: here, the real playing field is human relationships and shared ambitions. In this respect, the film fulfills its mission with generosity and genuine warmth.
For more, also check out our roundup of November’s new arrivals on Disney+, our guide to new streaming releases across all platforms, and today’s picks in What to Watch on Streaming Today.
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Dates and Opening Time
Starts November 20, 2026
Official website
www.disneyplus.com
