7 great films and one series about figure skating

1. Christmas on ice

Christmas on Ice

• USA, 2020.
• Melodrama.
• Duration: 87 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.2.

Professional figure skater Courtney was forced to leave her career due to an injury and now teaches children to skate for free. But the mayor suddenly decides that the city no longer needs the skating rink, since it does not bring profit. Then the girl turns to former hockey player Noah Tremblay for help. Together they have to not only save their favorite vacation spot, but also find love.

Although the film has nothing to do with Hallmark, it is indistinguishable from the typical work of this studio: a simple plot, two little-known actors and a sweet holiday atmosphere. It will appeal to those who are looking for a light, kind and harmless melodrama for family viewing.

Watch on iTunes →

2. Blades of Glory: Stars on Ice

Blades of Glory

• USA, 2007.
• Comedy, sports.
• Duration: 93 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.3.

The modest Jimmy McElroy and the outrageous Chazz Michael Michaels are bitter rivals on the ice. One day they get one for two first place. Wounded athletes arrange a fight, and for this they are permanently suspended from single skating. Now, in order to get back to what they love, they need to put aside their feud and become the world's first male pair of skaters.

Silly comedy with Will Ferrell and John Heder does not pretend to be subtle, but it will definitely make you smile. And in the film there are many references to other famous paintings about figure skating.

Watch on iTunes →

3. ice castles

Ice Castles

• USA, Canada, 2010.
• Drama, melodrama, sports.
• Duration: 95 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.3.

Lexi Winston dreams of becoming a figure skating champion. One day, due to an injury received during an unsuccessful jump, she loses her sight, and at the same time the meaning of life. However, her friend, hockey player Nick, helps the girl to believe in herself again.

Director Donald Rye re-shot his 1978 film with the same plot. It is better to watch the new version, which will be closer and more understandable to modern viewers, but for comparison, you can then get acquainted with the original.

4. golden ice

The Cutting Edge

• USA, 1992.
• Melodrama, sports, drama, comedy.
• Duration: 101 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.9.

Rich and eccentric figure skater Kate Mosley can't find a partner for performances. Her coach, Anton Pamchenko, invites her to skate with former hockey player Doug Dorsey, because injury tied up with big sport. At first, the couple simply hate each other, but then tender feelings replace irritation.

"Golden Ice" was probably the most popular film of the 1990s about figure skating. Then came two more sequels and two TV movies - a total of four sequels with different characters.

Watch on iTunes →

5. Ice

• Russia, 2017.
• Melodrama, drama, sport.
• Duration: 113 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.9.

Young Nadya Lapshina wanted to become a figure skater from an early age. She achieves recognition, meets a promising young champion Vladimir Leonov and together with him dreams of winning the most prestigious award in figure skating - the Ice Cup.

However, Vova's negligence leads to the fact that during the next performance, his partner gets a spinal injury and remains paralyzed. In an attempt to make Nadya get back on the ice and believe in herself, her coach Irina Shatalina introduces the girl to the reckless hockey player Sasha, who was expelled from the team for fight.

Clip maker Oleg Trofim, in fact, filmed a classic story about the relationship between a “good” girl and a “bad” guy, but combined it with a competitive drama and added beautiful songs. But in the sequel, directed by Zhora Kryzhovnikov, the theme of skating faded into the background a little, giving way to the themes of education and growing up.

Watch Ice on iTunes →
Watch Ice-2 on iTunes →

6. Figure skater

Blades of Courage

• Canada, 1987
• Drama, family, sports.
• Duration: 98 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.5.

Young figure skater Laurie Laroche takes third place in her first important competition. They decide to send her to the World Championships and put her in the hands of coach Bruce Gainer, known for his tough attitude towards his wards.

The film is quite old and hard to find in good quality, but if you're interested in the inner workings of figure skating, it's worth watching. The film criticizes the controversial methods of training athletes and the harsh treatment they receive during training. and for the actress, Lynn Nightingale, one of the strongest figure skaters in Canada, performed tricks on ice. history.

7. Tonya vs everyone

I, Tonya

• USA, UK, Qatar, 2017.
• Biography, sports, comedy, drama.
• Duration: 119 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.5.

Talented figure skater Tonya Harding became the first American woman to land the triple Axel. Only now she became famous not only for her sporting achievements, but also for a grandiose scandal. The girl so wanted to get to the Olympics that she was ready to take any measures to eliminate her main competitor, Nancy Kerrigan.

Craig Gillespie ("Lars and the Real Girl", "Pam and Tommy”) successfully combined a crime thriller with a wild black comedy. And together with the killer rock soundtrack, it turned out to be a first-class spectacle.

The main role was played by the phenomenal Margot Robbie. By the way, the actress especially for the film learned to skate well. And in the most spectacular moments, she was replaced on the screen by understudies - professional figure skaters.

Watch on iTunes →
Watch on Google Play →

8. Clinging to the ice

spinning out

• USA, 2020.
• Drama, sports.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7.6.

Promising solo figure skater Kat Baker is experiencing fear of jumping due to a bad fall. She is already preparing to say goodbye to her career, but suddenly gets a chance to return to big sport. She just needs to pair up with the talented skater Justin. The problem is only in his nasty character and riotous lifestyle.

If you're looking for a deep dive into the kitchen of figure skating from a Netflix series, skip this one. There are very few episodes on ice here - at most five minutes in each episode. Instead, the authors relied on the psychological side of sports and the disclosure of the mental trauma of the characters. So "Clinging to the Ice" is more suitable for lovers of soap operas than fans of sports dramas.

Linda Zhuravleva