Ice hockey is one of the greatest North American sports and its influence has spread around the world. One of the main ways it has achieved this global interest is through some exceptional hockey movies that showcase the excitement, brutality, and sometimes humor of the sport. This high-paced action is the perfect base for a film, so here we will explore the best hockey movies and where you can start streaming them.
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10. Youngblood (1986)
Youngblood is a hockey drama from 1986 starring Rob Lowe, Cynthia Gibb, and Patrick Swayze. When a young amateur ice hockey player named Dean Youngblood (Rob Lowe) tries to play in the National Hockey League, he leaves his home in upstate New York to play for the Hamilton Mustangs in Canada. He struggles to adjust to the intense lifestyle, but with great determination and support, he is able to improve his performance. In his personal life, Youngblood falls in love with Jessie Chadwick, the daughter of the Mustangs’ owner. He must navigate their relationship alongside his hockey dreams. Along the way, he becomes a man, so this is a true coming of age, heart warming sports story.
9. Red Army (2014)
Red Army follows the story of the hockey captain, Slava Fetisove, as he forms an almost unbeatable team known as the Russian Five. After their coach enforces a brutal regime on the players, they ultimately defect from the Soviet Union and go from national heroes to enemies of the state.
8. Slap Shot (1977)
Another absolute classic in the hockey movie genre is Slap Shot. Starring the legendary actor Paul Newman, Slap Shot is set in a small New England Town where the local mill is about to lay off 10,000 workers. The local hockey team, the Charlestown Chiefs, are not faring any better as they are suffering from years of failure. With one last season, the exhausted coach lets two thuggish brothers play for the team. Their violent play style begins to draw bigger crowds, which revitalizes the team and brings some excitement to the town.
7. The Father of Hockey (2015)
If you are an avid fan of the sport, you may be interested in the history of the game. This documentary follows a hockey pioneer, Captain James Sutherland, who attempted to establish Kinston, Ontario as the home of hockey. This resulted in a conflict over the actual origins of the sport and led to a battle over where to open a hockey hall of fame. Two halls of fame were eventually opened (one in Toronto and one in Ontario) and this film explores the actual origins of the game.
6. The Last Gladiators (2011)
Here we have another documentary called The Last Gladiators where filmmaker Alex Gibney explores the history of the ice hockey “goons.” These are players who get hired to act almost exclusively as enforcers. With violent play styles, they can protect the true star players of the team. This film includes interviews from some of hockey’s toughest players like Chris “Knuckles” Nilan who had an interesting career in the sport.
5. Goon (2011)
If you’d rather watch hockey from the perspective of an all out comedy, then you should stream the hilarious Goon. The word “goon” takes much of the same meaning in this movie as it did in The Last Gladiators. As the reject from his intelligent family, Doug Glatt, played by Seann William Scott, finds himself working as a bouncer. He dreams of becoming a successful hockey player and after he knocks out a thug on the ice, the coach of the Halifax Highlanders notices him. Even though Doug is terrible at hockey, he is utilized as a brutal enforcer for the Highlanders and soon rises to fame.
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4. Breakfast with Scot (2007)
A sports announcer and former hockey player named Eric finds himself getting custody of an 11-year-old boy through a series of bizarre events involving the disappearance of Eric’s brother. This boy, named Scot, is incredibly confident and loud, which creates a challenge to Eric and his partner who are expected to take care of him. When circumstances change and the new guardians might not be able to keep Scot, they realize that they have formed a bond with the boy and do not want to lose him.
3. Indian Horse (2017)
Taking a slightly different approach to the hockey movie formula, Indian Horse focuses on a young boy who is growing up in Canada’s Indian residential school system. Saul Indian Horse is passionate about hockey and endures some challenges of childhood to go on to become a star player. This movie is one of the best hockey movies out there in terms of its sentimental portrayal of the sport and it was based on a novel by Richard Wagamese.
2. The Mighty Ducks (1992)
When you think of the best hockey movies to stream, your mind probably makes the leap to The Mighty Ducks. This classic family movie follows a lawyer named Gordon Bombay who is arrested for drunk driving and sentenced to community service. To fulfill this, he must coach a children’s hockey team and is reluctant to do so. Of course, he grows to love the team and attempts to lead them to victory in this heartwarming hockey movie. This is a great option to watch with younger children, but can be enjoyed by adults as well.
1. Miracle (2004)
Perhaps the most well-known and most inspirational hockey movie of all time is Miracle. Starring Kurt Russell, this movie centers on a college hockey coach named Herb Brooks who is hired by the U.S. Olympic team. Bringing an aggressive style to the game, Herb must coach his team to victory against their intimidating Soviet rivals. With heavy themes of patriotism, this is one of the most triumphant hockey movies you can stream.
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Hockey Movies Are for Everyone
There have been many hockey-centric movies released over the years. This list we have put together highlights the best hockey movies available to stream on the most popular platforms right now including Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney Plus. These selections encompass a wide variety of genres including comedy, action, family, and documentary. It can be a great way to learn more about the sport if you’re not a huge follower at the moment. There is truly something for everyone and die hard fans will certainly appreciate the spirit in these films.