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Season 1 – Born to Bowl

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Born to Bowl Mar 2026 Documentary Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A look inside the colorful world of professional bowling, chronicling five stars of the sport - Kyle Troup, Anthony Simonsen, EJ Tackett, Cameron Crowe, and Jason Belmonte - as they chase glory, respect, and much-needed prize money on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.
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Born to Bowl — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times Mar 17
“Born to Bowl” can be a little hard to keep track of, as the bowlers win and lose, but it’s interesting all the way through, and the directors do a good job of communicating the drama of the game and its emotional consequences. Go to Full Review John Anderson Wall Street Journal Mar 13
An affectionately made five-part series that takes neither the sport nor itself too seriously. Go to Full Review Melissa Camacho Common Sense Media Mar 25
3/5
Each installment of the entertaining five-part docuseries offers viewers the chance to learn more about professional bowling and the top athletes in the sport. Go to Full Review Scott Hines Decider Mar 19
This whole “let’s pick an under-covered sport and see if we can Drive to Survive it” move doesn’t always work–trust me, I’ve seen ‘em all–but there’s an inherent charm to bowling. Born to Bowl capably channels that charm, and it’s a fun watch. Go to Full Review Christopher Campbell Nonfics (Substack) Mar 16
Not many documentaries strike the perfect balance of appealing to both fans and those unfamiliar with the subject, but this series manages that feat. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Travis B @RT53527793 May 20 I found it interesting because I went through a phase as a kid where I wanted to be a pro-bowler. Honestly glad that didn't last because I never realized how tough it is for the average PBA bowler in the professional circuit and how little it pays compared to other professional sports. Just a warning, don't watch this with little kids as many of the bowlers have quite a mouth. See more Drew M. @Stonehands211 Apr 15 Such a lovely and wholesome series. There’s a lot of frustration and swearing but I’d still argue it’s a wholesome series overall lol. So happy the league was picked up by another television company. These people really deserve the little attention and love they receive in their now niche field. Here’s to hoping for a S2! See more Cassandra L @RT89211679 Mar 31 A little biased because I am a bowler but I absolutely loved this and wish that we had more. It would be awesome to see this from the PWBA perspective and have the women share their story. WE NEED MORE EPISODES!! See more Peter M. @pdplowell Mar 25 You don’t need to like bowling to like this show. It’s excellent. Seriously. See more Dan C @cinemacriterion Mar 23 Off to a great start! Another excellent HBO/A24 project. See more Chuck L. @RT48712586 Mar 20 Boring and poorly produced. See more Read all reviews
Born to Bowl — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Liev Schreiber

Narrator

Cameron Crowe

Self

Jason Belmonte

Self

Kyle Troup

Self

Anthony Simonsen

Self

EJ Tackett

Self

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 17, 2026 Making the Cut At the U.S. Open, the first major tournament of the year in Indianapolis, Kyle Troup, AKA “The Pro with the ‘Fro,’” sets out to repeat as bowling’s “Green Jacket” winner. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 24, 2026 Hot Headed Vying for a spot in the U.S. Open finals, Anthony “Simo” Simonsen and Australia’s Jason “Belmo” Belmonte face off as tempers escalate and injuries flare. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 30, 2026 Who Do You Think You Are? At the Pete Weber Classic in Springfield, Missouri, named after one of the sports greats, bowler extraordinaire EJ Tackett must fend off Belmo and Simo to reclaim the top prize Details Episode 4 Aired Apr 6, 2026 The Real Kingpin 200 bowlers from 18 different countries descend upon Reno, Nevada to compete in the month-long World Series of Bowling. Details Episode 5 Aired Apr 13, 2026 The Tournament of Champions As the top bowlers arrive at The Tournament of Champions in Akron, Ohio, the future of the PBA Tour hangs in the balance. Details
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Born to Bowl — Season 1

Born to Bowl View more photos

Season Info

Director
James Lee Hernandez, Brian David Lazarte
Executive Producer
Ben Stiller, John Lesher, Michael Tollin, Jonathan Vogler, James Lee Hernandez, Brian David Lazarte, Lev Ekster, Carissa Del Bene, Jared Polin, Isaac Solotaroff, Jordan Bogdonavage, Amy Chaffin, Mason Gordon, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Bentley Weiner
Network
HBO
Genre
Documentary, Sports
Original Language
English
Release Date
Mar 17, 2026