Hockey movies and TV shows occupy a unique corner of the entertainment world. They’re a mix of adrenaline-pumping action, heartfelt camaraderie, and, let’s be honest, a lot of people getting slammed into the boards. While hockey might not have the cinematic dominance of football or baseball, it’s carved out a niche with stories that range from inspiring underdog tales to laugh-out-loud comedies. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the sport or someone who just enjoys a good story, hockey on screen has something for everyone. From the icy rinks of Minnesota to the Soviet Union’s Red Army, these films and shows capture the spirit of the game—and the occasional flying tooth.
1. Miracle (2004)
Some sports stories are so good they sound like they were written for Hollywood. The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's victory is one of them, and the 2004 film Miracle brings that incredible moment to life. The movie stars Kurt Russell as Herb Brooks, the determined and often abrasive coach tasked with leading a team of college kids against the seemingly unbeatable Soviet Union powerhouse. Released in 2004, the film captures the Cold War tension that made the "Miracle on Ice" more than just a hockey game.
Miracle scored well with both audiences and critics, earning an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing nearly $65 million worldwide. What makes the film a classic is Russell's fantastic performance. He perfectly embodies Brooks's tough-love coaching style, pushing his players to their absolute limit with punishing drills and motivational speeches that could make a statue want to skate. The film is a masterclass in building tension, turning a historical event that everyone knows the ending to into a nail-biting experience. It’s an inspirational sports drama that earns its goosebumps.
2. Heated Rivalry (2025)
If you thought hockey was all about body checks, Heated Rivalry is here to prove you wrong. This 2026 TV sensation combines the high-stakes world of professional hockey with a steamy romance between two rival players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. With a 98% Tomatometer score and a 95% audience rating, it’s clear that this show has scored a major goal with viewers. Starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, Heated Rivalry explores themes of love, competition, and what happens when you mix passion with penalty minutes.
The show’s strength lies in its ability to balance on-ice action with off-ice drama. The hockey scenes are intense, but it’s the chemistry between the leads that keeps you hooked. Think of it as Romeo and Juliet on skates, but with fewer poison vials and more slap shots. Whether you’re here for the romance or the rink-side brawls, Heated Rivalry delivers. Just be prepared to explain to your friends why you’re suddenly so invested in hockey.
3. Slap Shot (1977)
Long before sports movies got polished and sentimental, there was Slap Shot. Released in 1977, this film is the foul-mouthed, black-eyed grandfather of hockey comedies. It stars the legendary Paul Newman as Reggie Dunlop, the aging player-coach of the Charlestown Chiefs, a pathetic minor-league team in a town facing economic collapse. With the team on the verge of folding, Dunlop decides the only way to fill seats and win games is to embrace pure, unadulterated violence on the ice, much to the delight of the local fans.
Slap Shot is celebrated for its raw, raunchy humor and its surprisingly accurate depiction of 1970s minor-league hockey. With an 87% Tomatometer score, it's a cult classic that trades inspirational speeches for locker room brawls and bench-clearing chaos. The introduction of the Hanson brothers—three spectacled, toy-car-loving goons—unleashes a level of mayhem that changes the team's fortunes. It’s a film that’s less about the glory of the sport and more about the absurdity of it all. This movie put on the foil, and the genre was never quite the same.
4. The Mighty Ducks (1992)
If you grew up in the 90s, you likely associate hockey less with missing teeth and more with the "Flying V." Released in 1992, The Mighty Ducks introduced a generation to the sport through a decidedly Disney lens. The plot centers on Gordon Bombay, played by Emilio Estevez, a high-powered lawyer whose arrogance lands him a DUI and a community service sentence. His punishment? Coaching a ragtag pee-wee hockey team that has no gear, no skill, and absolutely no business being on the ice. While critics weren't exactly tossing roses—it holds a meager 27% on Rotten Tomatoes—the film skated away with over $50 million at the box office and spawned a franchise that included two sequels and an actual NHL team.
The movie follows the classic underdog formula perfectly, almost to a fault. Bombay transforms from a selfish jerk into a beloved mentor, while the kids learn that teamwork matters more than individual glory. It’s predictable stuff, but it works because it doesn't take itself too seriously. You have a goalie afraid of the puck, a figure skater who needs to learn to check, and the iconic "quack" chant that echoes in school hallways to this day. It’s cheesy, sentimental, and completely divorced from the reality of youth sports, yet it remains a cornerstone of hockey pop culture. Just don't expect a masterclass in actual hockey strategy.
5. Mystery, Alaska (1999)
Every small town has its quirks, but in the fictional town of Mystery, Alaska, life revolves around one thing: the Saturday hockey game. Released in 1999, this film explores what happens when this remote, hockey-obsessed community gets an unbelievable opportunity. Thanks to a Sports Illustrated article, the New York Rangers agree to travel to Mystery for an exhibition game against the local pond hockey heroes. The film boasts a stacked cast, including Russell Crowe as the town sheriff and team captain, alongside Hank Azaria and Burt Reynolds.
The movie is a classic underdog story, but with a unique twist. It's less about winning the big game and more about how this sudden spotlight affects the lives and relationships of the town's eccentric residents. While critics weren't overly impressed—it sits at a chilly 36% on Rotten Tomatoes—the film has found a soft spot with audiences who appreciate its heart and humor. It captures the charm of small-town life and the purity of playing hockey for the love of the game. It’s a feel-good story where the journey is more important than the final score.
6. Shoresy (2022)
For years, he was just a faceless, foul-mouthed pest from the cult-hit Canadian series Letterkenny. In 2022, the world finally got to see the man behind the chirps in Shoresy. This spinoff series follows the titular character, also played by creator Jared Keeso, as he joins the Sudbury Bulldogs, a struggling senior AAA hockey team on the brink of collapse. In a last-ditch effort to save the club, Shoresy makes a bet that the team will never lose again, assembling a squad of old-timers and misfits to help him make good on his promise.
Shoresy takes the rapid-fire, ridiculously clever dialogue of Letterkenny and builds a surprisingly heartfelt story around it. The show is about more than just hockey; it’s a love letter to the game, to Canada, and to the absurd camaraderie that forms in a locker room full of broken-down players. It’s hilarious, vulgar, and unexpectedly wholesome. The show has been a massive critical success, proving that even the biggest trash-talker can have a heart of gold and a story worth telling. Give your balls a tug, tit-fucker, and watch it.
7. Goon (2011)
Released in 2011, Goon punches well above its weight class in the sports comedy genre. Seann William Scott plays Doug Glatt, a polite but dim-witted bouncer who discovers he has a very specific talent: beating people up on ice skates. Directed by Michael Dowse and co-written by Jay Baruchel, the film follows Doug as he joins the Halifax Highlanders, a struggling minor league team that desperately needs a spark. Unlike many sports movies that focus on the goal-scorers, this one celebrates the enforcers—the guys whose job is to protect the stars by any means necessary.
The film is a bloody, profane, and surprisingly sweet ode to minor league hockey. It holds a solid 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, proving critics enjoyed the violence much more than they expected. Liev Schreiber steals scenes as Ross "The Boss" Rhea, an aging enforcer on his farewell tour, setting up an inevitable and brutal clash with Doug. While it didn't smash box office records, earning just over $6 million, it found a massive second life on streaming services as a cult classic. It’s a movie that understands that sometimes, the most important play isn't a slap shot, but a well-timed right hook to the jaw.
8. The Cutting Edge (1992)
Before rom-coms became entirely formulaic, 1992 gave us The Cutting Edge, a movie that dared to ask: what if hockey and figure skating had a baby? D.B. Sweeney stars as Doug Dorsey, a rugged U.S. hockey captain sidelined by an eye injury, while Moira Kelly plays Kate Moseley, a prickly, spoiled figure skater who has terrified every partner she's ever had. Desperate for Olympic gold, their coaches force them together, betting that Doug's hockey toughness can handle Kate's diva antics. It’s the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, but set on an ice rink with significantly more spandex and toe picks involved.
While critics were lukewarm—giving it a 57% on Rotten Tomatoes—audiences embraced the undeniable chemistry between the leads. The film grossed $25 million domestically, a respectable haul for a sports romance in the early 90s. It works because it doesn't shy away from the absurdity of its premise. Watching a blue-collar hockey player try to understand the artistic nuances of figure skating provides plenty of laughs, and the "toe pick" catchphrase became an instant, enduring quote. It’s charming, lighter than air, and perfect for anyone who thinks hockey could use a little more romance and a lot more sequins.
9. Youngblood (1986)
Long before hockey movies were defined by either gritty realism or family-friendly antics, there was Youngblood. Released in 1986, this film is a pure, unapologetic 80s sports drama, complete with a killer soundtrack and some truly impressive hair. Rob Lowe stars as Dean Youngblood, a speedy, skilled farm boy from New York who heads to Canada to chase his dream of playing junior hockey. He soon discovers that talent isn't enough; to survive in this league, he'll need to learn how to fight. The film also features Patrick Swayze as the team's veteran leader, Derek Sutton, and a pre-Dirty Dancing Cynthia Gibb as the coach's daughter.
Youngblood is the quintessential coming-of-age story set on ice. It follows a predictable path: the hero arrives, struggles with the more brutal aspects of the game, falls for a girl, faces a rival, and must ultimately prove his toughness. Critics of the era weren't exactly sold, and its box office take was a modest $15 million. However, the film became a staple of cable TV and video rentals, earning a special place in the hearts of hockey fans. It’s a movie that balances on-ice action with off-ice romance and delivers a healthy dose of 80s cheese. For many, it was their first introduction to the idea that hockey is as much about grit as it is about goals.
