Films about hockey delve into the action-packed world of one of the most challenging team sports. They often explore themes of teamwork, perseverance, ambition, and the ups and downs of competitive sports. These movies can range from inspiring sports dramas and suspenseful underdog stories to comedies that celebrate the quirks of hockey culture. Regardless of the approach, hockey films capture the spirit and passion that fans and players alike have for the game.
“Slap Shot”, 1977
Director: George Roy Hill
This comedy classic stars Paul Newman as the coach of a struggling minor league hockey team who decides to play dirty to win games, endearing the team to a local fanbase yearning for success and entertainment. “Slap Shot” is known for its raucous humor and memorable characters, making it a beloved hockey film.
Starring: Paul Newman, Strother Martin, Michael Ontkean, Jennifer Warren, Lindsay Crouse, Jerry Houser, Andrew Duncan, Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson, David Hanson;
Production year: 1977;
Genre: drama, comedy, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 123 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Slap Shot” on the website imdb.com
“Miracle”, 2004
Director: Gavin O'Connor
Based on the true story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, “Miracle” follows coach Herb Brooks, played by Kurt Russell, as he leads a young, inexperienced team against the seemingly unbeatable Soviet Union team. The film is an inspiring account of one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
Starring: Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Noah Emmerich, Sean McCann, Kenneth Welsh, Eddie Cahill, Patrick O'Brien Demsey, Michael Mantenuto, Nathan West, Kenneth Mitchell;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: history, sport, drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Miracle” on the website imdb.com
“The Mighty Ducks”, 1992
Director: Stephen Herek
This family comedy-drama focuses on a self-centered lawyer, played by Emilio Estevez, who's sentenced to community service coaching a ragtag youth hockey team. The film is beloved for its heartwarming story about sportsmanship, teamwork, and finding joy in the game.
Starring: Emilio Estevez, Joss Ackland, Lane Smith, Heidi Kling, Josef Sommer, Joshua Jackson, Elden Henson, Shaun Weiss, M.C. Gainey, Matt Doherty;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: family, sport, drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “The Mighty Ducks” on the website imdb.com
“Goon”, 2011
Director: Michael Dowse
A comedy that leans into the physical side of hockey, “Goon” stars Seann William Scott as Doug Glatt, a bouncer turned hockey enforcer who finds a sense of purpose protecting his teammates on the ice. Despite its violent premise, the film explores themes of loyalty and finding one's place in the world.
Starring: Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel, Liev Schreiber, Alison Pill, Marc-André Grondin, Kim Coates, Richard Clarkin, David Paetkau, Eugene Levy, Ellen David;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, comedy, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Goon” on the website imdb.com
“Mystery, Alaska”, 1999
Director: Jay Roach
This film blends comedy and drama in telling the story of a small Alaska town's amateur hockey team that gets a chance to play against the New York Rangers. The movie explores the community and individual challenges faced by the team members as they prepare for the biggest game of their lives.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, Mary McCormack, Burt Reynolds, Colm Meaney, Lolita Davidovich, Maury Chaykin, Ron Eldard, Ryan Northcott, Michael Buie;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: drama, comedy, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Mystery, Alaska” on the website imdb.com
“Youngblood”, 1986
Director: Peter Markle
A sports drama featuring Rob Lowe as Dean Youngblood, a talented American player trying to make it in the brutal world of Canadian junior hockey. The film focuses on his challenges on and off the ice, including coping with violence in the sport and proving his worth to teammates and himself.
Starring: Rob Lowe, Cynthia Gibb, Patrick Swayze, Ed Lauter, Jim Youngs, Eric Nesterenko, George J. Finn, Fionnula Flanagan, Ken James, Peter Faussett;
Production year: 1986;
Genre: drama, melodrama, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Youngblood” on the website imdb.com
These films, each in their own way, capture the essence of hockey, from the on-ice action to the off-ice drama, making them cherished by fans of the sport and cinema alike.
In dissecting the multifaceted world of hockey through cinema, we grasp not just the adrenaline-pumping excitement of the sport, but also the layers of humanity, resilience, and community that underscore it. Films such as “Slap Shot,” with its raw portrayal of minor league hockey's underbelly, “Miracle,” which captures the euphoria of the U.S. team's unlikely Olympic triumph, and “Mighty Ducks,” that encapsulates youth sports' power in shaping character, collectively offer a panoramic view of hockey's impact both on and off the ice. These narratives, while diverse in their approach, underscore a universal truth about sports being more than just games; they are poignant reflections of the human spirit. As the celluloid depictions of hockey continue to evolve, they consistently remind us of the sport's ability to craft stories of determination, unity, and the relentless pursuit of greatness, thereby ensuring its revered place not just in sports history, but in the history of storytelling itself.
