Memes & Nightmares dives into the digital world of the NBA, focusing on the fandom and platforms that helped transform the league into a 24/7 cultural phenomenon. In the satirical film, Jamel Johnson attempts to get to the bottom of what happened to the J.R. Smith squinting meme, also recognized in the official trailer as “the most beloved meme of all time.”
Andscape, the Black content studio from Disney & ESPN, acquired the film after its 2024 premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Now, audiences can look forward to watching the narrative film, directed by Charles Todd and Matt Mitchener Hulu on Feb. 20, 2025.
According to the official description, Memes & Nightmares “reveals how social media has forever transformed the way the NBA is experienced and celebrated. Whether you’re a die-hard NBA fan, a lover of memes, or someone who thrives on the chaos and creativity of the internet, this film offers a unique look at the intersection of sports and digital culture.”
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Memes & Nightmares is guided by Josiah Johnson (aka King Josiah) and Jamel Johnson (no relation) and also features J.R. Smith, Flavor Flav, Jalen Rose, Metta World Peace, Gilbert Arenas, Matt Barnes, Jemele Hill, Darius Miles, The Kid Mero, and Ros Gold.
“Andscape was founded at the intersection of sports and Black culture, and while our storytelling has expanded beyond that, sports culturalism remains our bloodline and the space we love to play in most. Memes & Nightmares is a brilliant and humorous dive into the world of sports memes, making it a perfect addition to our slate. We are thrilled to bring this project under the Andscape banner and to the Hulu audience,” expressed VP and head of Andscape, Jason Aidoo in a statement.
The comedy is produced by UNINTERRUPTED, STARRY, Scheme Engine, and PepsiCo Content Studio. LeBron James and Maverick Carter are executive producers of the film. Watch the trailer for Memes & Nightmares above.
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