JuicyTalk
The 2026 Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 6 in Milan, Italy, available to watch in the U.S. on NBC and streaming on Peacock. For anyone looking for thematically relevant adjacent programming, there are a number of TV shows and movies about the Olympics that capture the drama and the danger of the Winter Games.
The Olympics are the pinnacle of athletic achievement, so it makes sense that some of the best sports movies take place at the Games. Whether a dramatization of real events or just inspired by the world of sports, these are the 10 best movies and TV shows to watch to get in the spirit of the Winter Olympics.
Spinning Out (2020)
Skating TV Series
Capturing the pressure, politics, and personal toll behind elite figure skating, Spinning Out is a short-lived series that follows Kat Baker, a young ice skater who suffers a serious injury and is given the opportunity to restart her career as a pairs skater while hiding her family’s history of mental illness.
Spinning Out mirrors the emotional intensity of Olympic coverage while dramatizing what happens off the ice — injuries, mental health struggles, and fractured family relationships. Its focus on the fragile line between peak performance and self-destruction makes every routine feel consequential.
Watching Spinning Out alongside the Olympics deepens the experience, offering a fictional but emotionally grounded look at the cost of chasing perfection on ice.
The Cutting Edge (1992)
Skating Movie
The Cutting Edge also looks at the world of elite figure skating, tapping directly into its intensity and spectacle. The film centers on the uneasy partnership between a former hockey player and a disciplined competitive skater, capturing the grind of training, the pressure of international competition, and the razor-thin margins between failure and victory.
Its focus on chemistry, trust, and performance under scrutiny mirrors the stakes athletes face on the Olympic stage. Released in 1992, it is one of the best ice skating movies ever because it treats skating as both art and athleticism. The Cutting Edge enhances the Olympics viewing experience by highlighting the human drama behind every flawless routine and daring lift.
Yuri On Ice (2016)
Skating TV Series
Yuri on Ice embodies the emotional and competitive reality of elite figure skating while using animation to elevate the sport in ways live action cannot. The series follows Yuri Katsuki, a Japanese skater whose career stalls after a crushing defeat, until his idol, five-time world champion Victor Nikiforov, unexpectedly becomes his coach and pushes him toward an international comeback.
Animation allows for freedom of movement that lets jumps linger, spins accelerate, and transitions flow without relying on doubles, editing tricks, or camera cheats. Combined with an international roster of competitors, Olympic-level pressure, and storylines about burnout, confidence, and comebacks, the series mirrors the intensity of the Games themselves.
Watching Yuri on Ice alongside the Winter Olympics deepens the experience, turning each routine into a reminder of the artistry, athleticism, and vulnerability behind the pursuit of perfection. Yuri on Ice‘s LGBTQ romance set the stage for the success of Heated Rivalry.
Downhill Racer (1969)
Skiing Movie
Downhill Racer presents alpine skiing at its most uncompromising and psychologically intense. The film follows American skier David Chappellet (Robert Redford) as he single-mindedly pursues Olympic gold, often at the expense of teamwork and personal connection.
A passion project for Redford, who both starred and pushed for the film’s authenticity, Downhill Racer is one of Redford’s most underrated movies. Rather than offering an inspirational fantasy, Downhill Racer examines ambition, ego, and the isolating cost of elite competition.
Its realistic race sequences emphasize speed, danger, and technical precision, mirroring the tension of Olympic downhill events. Watching Downhill Racer during the Games provides a sobering, thoughtful counterpoint to the pageantry, highlighting the darker truths behind athletic greatness.
I, Tonya (2017)
Skating Movie
I, Tonya covers one of the most shocking real-world events in competitive figure skating history: Tonya Harding’s involvement in the 1994 physical attack on her rival, Nancy Carrigan. The film is a difficult watch because it refuses to soften the chaos, abuse, and self-destruction surrounding the scandal, but that honesty is exactly what makes it so compelling.
Much more than a simple villain narrative, I, Tonya examines class, media exploitation, and how Harding was both responsible for her actions and shaped by her circumstances. The filmmaking elevates the story, blending dark comedy with raw drama and unreliable narration.
Margot Robbie earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her ferocious, layered performance, while Allison Janney won Best Supporting Actress for her chilling turn as Harding’s mother, LaVona Golden. The result is an unsettling, unforgettable, and deeply effective complement to the Winter Olympics.
Heated Rivalry (2025-Present)
Hockey TV Series
Heated Rivalry is a great pairing with the Olympic Games because it combines high-stakes competition with a heartfelt queer love story, perfectly matching the drama and excitement of the Olympics. The show’s short first season spans many years, including Olympic events, giving viewers a sense of the long-term dedication, triumphs, and setbacks that define professional sports.
At the same time, the series balances intense competition with warmth, humor, and romance, creating a feel-good narrative that’s easy to watch. Its happy ending leaves viewers satisfied while teasing more to come, making it both inspiring and binge-worthy.
By blending athletic ambition with personal growth and romance, Heated Rivalry was a surprising success for HBO Max. It celebrates the joy of perseverance, connection, and love, echoing the uplifting spirit that makes the Winter Olympics such a captivating event.
Blades Of Glory (2007)
Skating Movie
Blades of Glory is an underrated sports movie because, despite its outrageous comedy, it never mocks figure skating itself. Will Ferrell and Jon Heder star as Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy MacElroy, rival skaters whose only path to Olympic glory is to team up as a pairs team.
The film celebrates the athleticism, precision, and artistry that skating demands, showing just how difficult and impressive the routines are, even through a comedic lens. Set largely at a fictional Winter Games, it captures the drama, rivalry, and spectacle of elite competition while delivering absurd humor and memorable performances set to the perfect Aerosmith needle drop.
Its love for the sport shines through every spin, lift, and jump, making Blades of Glory both a hilarious watch and a tribute to the dedication and creativity behind figure skating. A rewatch always lands.
Eddie The Eagle (2015)
Ski Jumping Movie
Eddie the Eagle celebrates the spirit of perseverance and underdog determination at the heart of the Games. The film tells the true story of Eddie Edwards, an unpolished and unconventional British skier who defies expectations and bureaucratic obstacles to compete in Olympic ski jumping.
Taron Egerton brings charm and humor to Eddie’s relentless optimism, while Hugh Jackman plays the coach who channels his talent into competitive success. Blending sports, comedy, and heartfelt drama, the movie captures both the physical challenge of ski jumping and the emotional stakes of chasing a dream against all odds.
Watching Eddie the Eagle during the Olympics inspires viewers with a reminder that the Games are about courage, individuality, and the joy of pushing beyond limits, not just winning medals.
Cool Runnings (1993)
Bobsled Movie
Cool Runnings is one of the best sports movies of all time because it turns an improbable true story into a feel-good celebration of teamwork, determination, and Olympic spirit. The film dramatizes Jamaica’s entry into the 1988 Winter Olympics with a bobsled team, exaggerating events for comedic and dramatic effect.
The heart of the story is about overcoming obstacles, defying expectations, and supporting one another. One of John Candy’s best movies, Cool Runnings‘ humor, memorable characters, and upbeat tone make it accessible to all audiences, while its sports sequences capture the thrill, risk, and precision of bobsledding.
Beyond the laughs, Cool Runnings embodies the ideals of the Games: courage, perseverance, and camaraderie. Watching it during the Winter Olympics reminds viewers that competition is not just about winning, but about the joy of striving together against the odds.
Miracle (2004)
Hockey Movie
Miracle is one of the best sports movies and the ultimate Olympic movie because it tells a true underdog story with heart, intensity, and unforgettable stakes. Inspired by the 1980 U.S. Men’s hockey team’s stunning victory over the heavily favored Soviet team at the height of the Cold War, the film is a classic Cinderella story based on a true story covered in Netflix’s documentary Miracle: The Boys of ’80.
Every pass, shot, and save is heightened to maximize tension, and while the filmmaking occasionally leans into clichés, they’re the kind that tug at the heartstrings and make audiences cheer.
Kurt Russell’s portrayal of coach Herb Brooks anchors the story, balancing discipline, strategy, and inspiration. Watching Miracle during the 2026 Winter Olympics captures the thrill of competition, the emotional payoff of teamwork, and the sheer possibility that even the underdog can rise to greatness when everything is on the line.
