Shubhabrata Dutta
It is interesting to think about the fact that sports movies can easily be divided into two parts: one involving a single-player game, for which movies like ‘Pawn Sacrifice‘ (2006) are made, and the other for multiplayer games, like the ones we are about to discuss here. These two different kinds of sports also give birth to movies of various types. In a multi-player sport, the conflicts become more external. There are teammates to deal with, members of the opposite side, the coach, and other exterior factors that can be used to build a conflict around the central character.
However, in single-player games, the conflict is more internal. There are personal demons that haunt our protagonist, and that seems to be the drive of the movie. That being said, let us concentrate on ice hockey for a moment here. It is Canada’s national winter sport and is extremely popular in countries with snow all year. The Czech Republic, USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Russia are nations that have ruled this sport. The sport’s huge popularity has made it an important part of North American culture, and thus, many great movies have been made using ice hockey as the main theme. That said, here’s the list of really good ice hockey movies on Netflix that are available to stream right now.
8. Open Heart (2023)
Directed by Jonathan Hock, ‘Open Heart’ covers the career of New York Rangers goalie (ice hockey) Henrik Lundqvist, including his heart surgery, return to the field, and retirement. We hear from him and his teammates and peers about their opinions on him, including those of Carl Hagelin, Dan Girardi, and Mike Richter. His mother, Eva, and twin brother, Joel, share their feelings and memories, which adds another layer to the documentary film’s intimate nature. You can watch it here.
7. The Grizzlies (2018)
While this Canadian film doesn’t deal with hockey, it does so with lacrosse, a contact team sport that goes hand-in-hand with hockey. The players use their lacrosse sticks to catch, pass, receive, or shoot the ball into the goal. Directed by Miranda de Pencier, this film is based on the true story of how Russ Sheppard (Ben Schnetzer), a history teacher, brought together a group of Inuit (indigenous people of the Arctic and subarctic North America) students in the small town of Kugluktuk, in Nunavut, Canada, by introducing them to lacrosse, North America’s oldest organized sport.
His endeavor was aimed at bringing the youngsters and the community out of the trauma of teen suicides, which were among the highest in the world in Kugluktuk. Things took time, but the students slowly embraced the game and formed The Grizzlies, who would go on to play in the National Lacrosse Championships in Toronto. Alongside Schnetzer, the cast includes Paul Nutarariaq, Emerald MacDonald, Booboo Stewart, Ricky Marty-Pahtaykan, and Anna Lambe. You can stream the film here.
6. Goon: Last Of The Enforcers (2017)
This movie is a direct sequel to ‘Goon’ (2011) and was made after the initial movie performed well with the critics and the audience. In the film, we see Doug (Seann William Scott) as a successful enforcer, but he realizes his best days will soon be over and retires. But the new job he takes is boring, and Doug decides that he needs to get back to hockey. He goes on and trains with his earlier competitor, Ross “The Boss” Rhea (Liev Schreiber), and thus begins his journey back into the game. Meanwhile, the Highlanders have signed their owner’s son, Anders (Wyatt Russell), as their new enforcer. But Anders is too aggressive and gets suspended most of the time. Seeing this, Doug is brought back into the team. Meanwhile, his wife is about to have a baby, and she does not want her husband to get into fights again. This movie did not do too well with the critics as some thought it used the same formula as the last film. You can check it out here.
5. Zero Chill (2021)
Created by Kirstie Falkous and John Regier, ‘Zero Chill’ is a teen drama streaming series that stars Grace Beedie, Dakota Benjamin Taylor, Jeremias Amoore, and Anastasia Chocholat. The story revolves around Kayla, a young adult who goes through one of the most challenging periods of her life after her family decides to move to England. The MacBentleys make such a life-changing choice as Kayla’s twin, Mac, manages to get an offer from a prestigious ice hockey team. Unfortunately, Kayla is separated from her figure skating partner and faces uncertainty about her future. The show focuses on the protagonist’s life as she tries to make things work in her circumstances and her twin brother, who gives his best to fulfill the family’s expectations that has sacrificed so much for him. You can watch the series here.
4. Untold: Crimes & Penalties (2021)
Directed by Chapman Way and Maclain Way, ‘Untold: Crimes & Penalties’ is an autobiographical documentary that stars James Galante, AJ Galante, and Richard Brosal. The fourth installment of Untold: documentary film series follows the Danbury Trashers, an ice hockey team in the now-defunct United Hockey League that was bought by an associate of the Genovese crime family named James Galante. After the huge deal, the responsibility of looking after the team was transferred to Galante’s teenage son, A.J., who became the general manager and the president. In the following months, Danbury Trashers became notorious for being violent and faced many controversies. You can check out the film here.
3. The Hockey Girls (2019 -)
Created by Laura Azemar Sánchez, Natàlia Boadas Prats, Marta Vivet, and Ona Anglada Pujol, ‘The Hockey Girls’ (‘Les de l’hoquei’) is a Catalan-language Spanish sports drama show that centers upon the life of players belonging to Club Patí Minerva women’s hockey team, which faces an uncertain future after their coach abandons them. While it seems that the dismantling of the club is imminent, Anna Ricou, the Spanish and European Championships winner, is asked to coach the team when she is going through one of the most uncertain periods in her sporting career. The show focuses on the ladies’ roller hockey team members as they fight for their team and deal with ordinary romantic and familial problems. The series stars Laia Fontàn, Mireia Oriol, Asia Ortega, Natàlia Barrientos, and Claudia Riera. You can watch ‘The Hockey Girls’ here.
2. Slap Shot (1977)
Directed by George Roy Hill, ‘Slap Shot’ is a sports comedy that follows the Charlestown Chiefs, the minor league ice hockey team of the fictional English town of Charlestown, who are facing extinction, thanks to the lay-off of over 10,000 mill workers. For the team’s potential last season, coach Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman) decides to go no-holds-barred, recruiting a trio of violent players, the Hanson Brothers, thereby turning the matches into brawls, much to the delight of the spectators and the viewers. While the film received mixed reviews after its release, it stands tall today as a cult classic comedy. The three Hanson brothers were played by real-life hockey players Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson, and David Hanson. You can watch ‘Slap Shot’ here.
1. Soorma (2018)
Granted, this is not an ice hockey movie, but it is still hockey. Starring Diljit Dosanjh, Taapsee Pannu, and Angad Bedi, ‘Soorma’ is an autobiographical drama movie written by Suyash Trivedi, Shaad Ali, and Siva Ananth. The Shaad Ali directorial recounts the inspiring story of Sandeep Singh (played by Dosanjh), a hockey player who was accidentally hit by a gunshot and is paralyzed by the incident. While the doctors believe that he will never manage to make a return, Sandeep vows not only to overcome his disability but also to return to the national team and help it achieve success. You can stream the film here.
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