These films will kindle a winter sports movie-marathon in the spirit of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
By Ilke Gunay
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy’s Milano Cortina has revealed some potential movie plots. From a Norwegian biathlete tearfully admitting to the world in an interview after receiving his bronze medal that he cheated on his girlfriend to Ukrainian skeleton racer getting disqualified from the Olympics for wearing a “helmet of remembrance” for athletes killed in the war, these moments remind us all that the Olympics are stories of human drama and sometimes sociopolitical realities.
Many movies have explored the Winter Olympics by fictionalizing these stories and realities. Whether you are just tuning into the 2026 Games and are completely new to watching winter sports (like me) or are a longtime fan who watches every time the torch is lit, you can continue your obsession long after they’re finished on Feb. 22. Just revisit some iconic big-screen productions about the games. Here are four movies to get you started.
- Downhill Racer (1969)
Photo credits: iMDb
Robert Redford plays David Chappellet, an overly ambitious and cocky alpine skier who makes it into the Games, but his coaches and teammates don’t think he has what it takes to become a champion. There are lots of beautiful shots and needledrops (such as “Moon River”) in this movie, which emphasize how lonesome and isolating being a solo professional athlete can be. Although the plot doesn’t completely focus on the hardships of going to the Olympics, the issues with government funding and sponsorships still hold true, with some European athletes having to fund themselves to attend the Milano Cortina Games.
- The Cutting Edge (1992)
Photo credits: iMDb
A hockey player from Duluth, Minnesota, forced to retire after receiving permanent damage to his eye, and a grumpy figure skater, who wears out all her partners, become a team to compete at the 1992 Winter Olympics. Hockey and figure skating books have been a recent fan favorite among romance readers, and it is safe to say that this movie was a trailblazer to inspire those stories. The Cutting Edge is for those who like a side of “will they, won’t they” with their professional sports movies.
- Cool Runnings (1993)
Photo credits: iMDb
Inspired by the story of a real team, Cool Runnings features the forming of the first Jamaican bobsleigh team with a humorous twist. The movie centers on dedicated athletes who feel proud of where they come from and follow their dreams, despite the risk of being viewed as different. Catch the real life Jamaican teams competing at the Milano Cortina Games to witness a historic first after they have earned quota places in three sliding events, including bobsleigh.
- Miracle (2004)
Photo credits: iMDb
Ice hockey has been living under a popular culture spotlight for the past few months, with the release of the hit gay hockey show Heated Rivalry. Organically, it was inevitable not to find a few connections between the show and the cult-classic hockey movie Miracle, such as the biggest competition being the Soviet/Russian teams in both stories. On the other hand, this movie is about being able to form a team regardless of personal problems and rivalries, as well as amid global social and political issues that might become pressing in times. The global events in this movie might feel a bit too familiar to today’s audience, but the team’s relentless joint fight to reach their dreams is like a warm hug of hope for a better existence together.