Hockey is perhaps the toughest of popular team sports, which is why this game of ice, pucks, and sticks has often been celebrated in cinema. Known for its association with masculinity, a fierce will to win, and brutal clashes, this winter sport has inspired many films and series. Among the films in the selection, you’ll find both funny comedies, where half the runtime is taken up by brawls on the ice, and serious statements on the themes of violence and masculinity.
Content
- The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers
- Zero Chill
- Smečka
- Red Penguins
- Goon: Last of the Enforcers
- Hello Destroyer
- Benders
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers
IMDb: 7.3/10
2021, Comedy, Drama, Sport
USA, TV-PG
Director: Steven Brill, Josh Goldsmith, Cathy Yuspa
Top cast: Lauren Graham, Brady Noon, Maxwell Simkins
The Mighty Ducks is a simple and straightforward film, but it’s precisely that fairy-tale charm and guaranteed happy ending that make Disney movies so beloved. The story follows Evan, a teenager who loses his spot on the legendary hockey team and is left with nothing. Left with nothing, his mom Alex decides to form an alternative team of misfits to go up against the “Mighty Ducks”. Evan, who starts off as an unlikable character, grows into a better person as he discovers his true passion, reminding viewers of the importance of believing in yourself. It’s a story everyone loves because it offers hope for a brighter future. The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers continues the legacy with short, lighthearted episodes.
Zero Chill
IMDb: 5.8/10
2021, Comedy, Drama, Family, Sport
UK, TV-G
Director: Kirstie Falkous, John Regier
Top cast: Grace Beedie, Dakota Taylor, Jeremias Amoore
As is often the case, you have to set aside your passion when your family moves somewhere new. That’s exactly what happens to the main character of the film Zero Chill. This sports drama weaves together both hockey and figure skating. Kayla is a talented figure skater, excelling in her sport, but her brother achieves even greater success in hockey and gets accepted into a prestigious hockey academy. As a result, Kayla is forced to leave behind her dreams and former life to move with her family. Will she be able to continue doing what she loves and face the challenges that lie ahead?
Smečka
IMDb: 6.1/10
2020, Drama, Sport
UK, USA, R
Director: Tomas Polensky
Top cast: Tomás Dalecký, Tomás Mrvík, Michal Dluhos
Sixteen-year-old David moves with his family to Zlín, Czech Republic, and joins the local hockey team, the “Wolves”, as a goalkeeper. But the team already has a starting goalie, Miki, who isn’t about to give up his spot. The rest of the team isn’t welcoming either. To make matters worse, David has diabetes, and instead of earning him sympathy, it’s seen as a sign of weakness. As a result, he becomes an outcast, and his teammates grow increasingly hostile. Despite his efforts to cope with the bullying, it only intensifies. The film is more complex than it might initially seem. In his debut feature film, Tomáš Polenský addresses several important topics related to youth sports: the struggles on the path to victory, bullying, and the toxic masculinity often present in the hockey world — where showing vulnerability is unacceptable, yet escaping the label of “weak” is nearly impossible.
Red Penguins
IMDb: 6.8/10
2019, Documentary, Sport
USA, Germany, PG-13
Director: Gabe Polsky
Top cast: Howard Baldwin, Alexander Baranovsky, George Bush
Red Penguins takes us back to the early '90s. Enterprising American marketer Steve Warshaw ventures into the heart of the “Wild East' — the newly formed Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. His aim is to make his fortune and become the king of the post-Soviet entertainment industry. To create that “wow factor”, he teams up with the country’s most popular sports team — the hockey players of Moscow’s CSKA — and enlists top Hollywood stars for the project. Red Penguins is a daring film, offering an unfiltered portrayal of life in the post-Soviet '90s. The depiction of this turbulent era is so raw and striking that it’s unlikely to reach a wide theatrical release.
Goon: Last of the Enforcers
IMDb: 5.8/10
2016, Crime, Drama, Sport, War
Canada, R
Director: Jay Baruchel
Top cast: Seann William Scott, Alison Pill, Marc-André Grondin
Goon: Last of the Enforcers is the sequel to the Canadian hockey comedy Goon. The film tells the story of a man with limited talent who struggles to accept the success of his rivals. Despite his lack of hockey talent, Doug is a force to be reckoned with thanks to his powerful punches. However, after injuring his dominant right hand, he’s forced to leave the game. Doug can't stand working a regular office job, and to make matters worse, the captain of his former team is now an arrogant brute. So Doug must team up with his arch-enemy to get back on the ice and defeat his opponents — this time using his left hand. Fun fact: the rival team includes famous NHL players, defenseman Michael Del Zotto from the Philadelphia Flyers and forward Tyler Seguin from the Dallas Stars.
Hello Destroyer
IMDb: 6.2/10
2016, Crime, Drama, Sport, War
Canada, R
Director: Kevan Funk
Top cast: Ian Tracey, Sara Canning, Ben Cotton
Tyson Burr makes his debut on a junior hockey team, where, as the youngest player, he goes through a hazing ritual—his older teammates shave his head. What seems like a harmless prank soon takes a darker turn, as violence breeds violence. After a series of losses, a frustrated Burr knocks out an opponent, causing a severe injury. This incident leads to a long investigation, and his teammates and the team management quickly turn their backs on him. Left alone, the young hockey player struggles to cope with the tragedy. Tyson faces a long and painful ordeal, as he comes to realize that no one cares about him. Hello Destroyer is a powerful sports drama that examines the aftermath of causing harm, both physical and emotional. Director Kevan Funk offers a fresh perspective on the brutality of hockey, raising questions about accountability for impulsive actions. The camera stays tightly focused on the protagonist, capturing his anguish in the wake of the tragedy. While most films about hockey, basketball, or football center on victories and heroes, Hello Destroyer reveals the darker side of competitive sports.
Benders
IMDb: 6.4/10
2015, Comedy
USA, TV-MA
Director: Tom Sellitti, Jim Serpico
Top cast: Andrew Schulz, Lindsey Broad, Chris Distefano
Benders is an American sitcom created by Tom Sellitti and Jim Serpico, centered around a group of friends living out their youth in Queens, New York. The guys are hockey-obsessed, and while their skills may still need refining, their passion for playing in the local men's amateur hockey league more than makes up for it. Amid their love for the game, they navigate a series of everyday challenges, some of which could jeopardize their spot on their team, “The Chubbys”.
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