Indian Horse is a powerful and heartbreaking story about a young Indigenous boy whose love for hockey becomes his only escape from the trauma of Canada’s residential schools. The film doesn’t shy away from painful truths, showing both the cruelty and resilience that shaped his life. It’s beautifully made and deeply moving, a story that stays with you because it feels real. | © Elevation Pictures
Hockey Dreams follows a Korean-Canadian coach thrown into the unpredictable world of Korean ice hockey just years before the Olympics. With only a handful of players and endless political and cultural hurdles, he’s tasked with building a national team from scratch. It’s a fascinating mix of sports, culture clash, and underdog determination set against real Olympic pressure. | © Emerald Gate Industries
Odd Man Rush is a small, sincere hockey movie that hits closer to real life than most. It follows a player chasing his dream through the far reaches of Europe’s minor leagues, where the rinks are cold and the pay barely covers rent. The story feels honest, the performances are genuine, and anyone who’s ever refused to give up on a dream will see a bit of themselves in it. | © Hulu
Sudden Death is basically Die Hard set in a hockey arena, and that’s exactly what makes it fun. Jean-Claude Van Damme ends up fighting terrorists during the Stanley Cup Finals, delivering plenty of over-the-top action and a few head-scratching moments. Powers Boothe steals the show as the smooth-talking villain, giving this ‘90s thriller more personality than anyone expects going in. | © Universal Pictures
The Mighty Ducks might be predictable, but it’s still a feel-good favorite. Emilio Estevez is great as the slick lawyer forced to coach a hopeless kids’ team, slowly finding purpose in the process. It’s funny, easy to watch, and full of that scrappy spirit that made so many ‘90s sports movies memorable. | © Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Untold: Crime and Penalties tells the unbelievable true story of the Danbury Trashers, a minor-league hockey team run by a mob-connected family. It’s part sports documentary, part crime story, packed with jaw-dropping moments you couldn’t make up. The filmmakers let the chaos speak for itself, turning a bizarre chapter in hockey history into something you just can’t stop watching. | © Netflix
The Cutting Edge proves that opposites really can click, especially on ice. D.B. Sweeney and Moira Kelly light up the screen as a hockey player and a figure skater forced into an unlikely partnership. Their constant banter, sharp chemistry, and unforgettable “toe pick” moments make this romantic sports comedy a timeless fan favorite. | © MGM
The Rocket tells the powerful story of Maurice “Rocket” Richard, the man who became both a hockey legend and a symbol of pride for Quebec. It follows his journey from a struggling underdog to a national hero, fighting through prejudice, injuries, and relentless opposition. Gritty, emotional, and beautifully shot, it’s a film that captures what it really means to stand tall when the world pushes back. | © Palm Pictures
Miracle brings the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey triumph to life with grit and emotion. Kurt Russell delivers a standout performance as coach Herb Brooks, molding a team of college players into unlikely champions. The hockey scenes feel real, the energy is contagious, and the story still inspires long after the final buzzer. | © Buena Vista Pictures
Net Worth tells one of hockey’s most important stories, focusing on the fight for players’ rights in the early days of the NHL. Detroit Red Wings star Ted Lindsay teams up with Montreal’s Doug Harvey to form the league’s first players association, challenging powerful owners in the process. It’s a gripping, eye-opening look at how the business side of hockey can be just as tough as the game itself. | © CBC
Les Boys is a French-Canadian classic that feels like The Mighty Ducks all grown up – minus the Disney gloss and with a lot more beer. When a group of regular guys has to win a hockey game to save their local pub, chaos and camaraderie take over the ice. It’s funny, full of heart, and so beloved in Quebec that it spawned sequels and even its own TV series. | © CFP International
Youngblood is pure ’80s chaos on ice, part sports drama, part unintentional comedy. Rob Lowe stars as Dean Youngblood, a talented but soft farm kid who learns the rough side of junior hockey under the watchful eyes of Patrick Swayze and a young Keanu Reeves. It’s over the top, a little ridiculous, and somehow still one of those movies hockey fans can’t help but rewatch. | © MGM
Mystery, Alaska might’ve flopped at the box office, but it’s got the heart of a true underdog story. When a small-town pond hockey team gets the chance to face the mighty New York Rangers, the whole town rallies behind them. It’s funny, earnest, and surprisingly believable, helped by Russell Crowe’s scrappy charm and Burt Reynolds behind the bench. | © Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Goon hits that sweet spot between brutal and heartfelt, following Doug Glatt, a kind, slightly awkward bouncer who finds his calling as a hockey enforcer. He’s not the most skilled on the ice, but his loyalty and grit make him impossible not to root for. It’s rough, funny, and unexpectedly touching, a reminder that heart can matter more than talent in the game. | © Magnet Releasing
Slap Shot is the kind of sports movie that doesn’t sugarcoat anything – it’s loud, messy, and completely unforgettable. The Charlestown Chiefs are a struggling minor-league team that turns to chaos and bruises to stay alive, led by the wild antics of the Hanson brothers. Beneath all the fights and laughs, it’s really a story about hanging on, sticking together, and finding joy even when the game turns rough. | © Universal Pictures
Hockey has inspired some of the best underdog stories ever put on screen. From brutal fights and unlikely comebacks to real-life legends and emotional true stories, these films capture the sport’s spirit like nothing else. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just love a good story, these are the hockey movies you shouldn’t miss.
