Best Ice Skating Movies, Ranked
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What do you get when you combine ballet, gymnastics and knife shoes? Competitive figure skating, that's what. The sport is built on a mix of artistry, elegance and intensity that's practically a playground for screenwriters.
Over the years, they've come up with a number of skating movie hits. "Blades of Glory" is an obvious one, but there are over two dozen more that are worth a watch.
These are the best ice skating movies of all time. Which one is your favorite?
27. Ronnie and Julie
*Note: This article discusses plot details. We also excluded primarily hockey movies, so you won't see "Mighty Ducks" and the like make our list. (Don't hate us.)
Year released: 1997
Our rating: 4.5 (out of 10)
Bottom line: "Ronnie and Julie" is highly, highly cringeworthy (if you can't guess from the preview). It's a remake of Shakespeare's classic "Romeo and Juliet," minus Italy, plus a figure skating vs. hockey feud.
The adults in the family are bickering in a more civil fashion during an election for city mayor, and young Ronnie and Julie are the forbidden lovers from opposite sides of the tracks. He's a hockey player, and she's a figure skater.
The entire movie is as melodramatic as humanly possible, but what else would you expect from a movie combining Shakespeare and one of the world's most dramatic sports? It's so bad it's good.
26. Silver Skates
Year released: 2020
Our rating: 5
Bottom line: If fantasy movies are more up your alley, "Silver Skates" is perfection. Acquired by Netflix in 2020, "Silver Skates" follows a poor, ice skating delivery boy whose prize possession is a pair of silver skates. So much cooler than delivering papers on a bike.
After he loses his job, he becomes a skating pickpocket instead. Eventually, he crosses paths with the rebellious daughter of a high-ranking government official. Skating isn't the main focus, but it's a whimsical, wintery theme throughout the film.
25. Zero Chill
Year released: 2021
Our rating: 5
Bottom line: This ice skating show isn't technically a movie, but we figured a skating streaming series was fair game. A teenage figure skater named Kayla puts her own training on pause when her family moves to let her twin brother attend an elite hockey academy in Canada.
The show isn't remotely close to accurate, but that's not the point. It's lighthearted and positive, albeit painfully corny, and it's G rating makes it one of the better candidates for family movie night.
24. Thin Ice
Year released: 1937
Our rating: 5
Bottom line: Here's the deal. "Thin Ice" is the first on our list featuring the world-renowned Sonja Henie. She was an Olympic figure skating champion who was in her first Winter Olympic events at just 11.
After winning a record number of medals, including three gold medals, she went into professional performance skating, moving to California. She ended up becoming a film actress with international appeal, and most of her movies featured at least a scene or two of skating.
"Thin Ice" is about Lili, a skating instructor at a hotel in the Alps. She meets a prince who visits the hotel to ski, and their connection lands her an ice skating show of her own. The musical rom-com doesn't have the strongest plot, but Hennie's skating makes it worth watching.
23. It's a Pleasure
Year released: 1945
Our rating: 5.5
Bottom line: Another Sonja Henie classic, "It's a Pleasure" includes a mix of both hockey and figure skating in the ultimate figure skating movie love story.
Henie's character, Chris Linden, helps a fallen-from-grace former star hockey player get a job in a novelty ice show. He's a hit and the pair fall in love, but alcoholism and a devious temptress get in the way of their happily ever after.
22. One in a Million
Year released: 1936
Our rating: 6
Bottom line: This was Sonja Henie's American film debut. It was made in the 1930s, so don't expect any special effects or complex, layered events. Instead, "One in a Million" offers timeless acting, vintage skating technique and unbelievable talent.
Henie plays herself, discovered as a talented young skater prepping for the Olympics. Her new manager takes her to Madison Square Garden to perform, which isn't so far off from her real story.
21. Sun Valley Serenade
Year released: 1941
Our rating: 7
Bottom line: If black and white films aren't your thing, don't worry. This is the last vintage Sonja Henie skating film on the list, but if you're only going to watch one, it should be "Sun Valley Serenade."
Henie plays a Norwegian refugee who's being sponsored by a pianist who is, obviously, madly in love with her. When his soloist with the band quits, Henie's character saves the day with a spontaneous ice show.
20. Sonja the White Swan
Year released: 2018
Our rating: 6.5
Bottom line: Sonja Henie, if you haven't noticed, was an absolute legend. This 2018 version of her story paints an over-the-top, highly dramatized picture. It's very one-sided, but its illustration of the dark side of stardom instantly pulls you in.
It portrays Henie as a rich, egotistical star who doesn't know when to call it quits. We're not sure how much of it is true, but who can say for sure?
19. Sonja Henie: Queen of the Ice
Year released: 2007
Our rating: 7
Bottom line: For more of a documentary-style version of Henie's tale, "Queen of the Ice" is the one to watch. She really was a queen, one of the most popular stars of the early 1900s.
Her record at the 1928 Olympics as the youngest skating champion (15 years, 10 months) stood for seven decades, and she may very well be the most famous Norwegian woman of the 20th century.
It's obviously not a perfect retelling, but "Queen of the Ice" offers an intriguing contrast from the cold, calculated version of her show in "White Swan."
18. Ice Girls
Year released: 2016
Our rating: 6
Bottom line: Moving past Henie's early monopoly on skating movies, most modern skating movies are packed with stereotypes. Injuries and financial obstacles are a recurrent theme, but we get why. Figure skating is both a dangerous and expensive sport, so a traumatic injury makes an easy plot point.
In "Ice Girls," a young skater is torn away from the rink thanks to an injury and her family's struggle to make ends meet. A local ice rink owner helps her get back on the ice.
The acting isn't stellar, but the fact that the actors were real skaters more than makes up for it.
17. Go Figure
Year released: 2005
Our rating: 6.5
Bottom line: "Go Figure" was Disney's first attempt at an ice skating movie, and they did a decent job. In the film, a teenage girl dreams of being a competitive figure skater. A serious coach works at a local private school, but the only way the young skater can attend is on a scholarship: a hockey scholarship, to be exact.
It's so cheesy you could make an entire lasagna with it. It plays up the "figure skating is girly, hockey is for tomboys" stereotype, but overall, it's a watchable, feel-good family skating movie.
16. Kiss and Cry
Year released: 2017
Our rating: 6.5
Bottom line: The best part about "Kiss and Cry" is that it's based on a true story. It's also the worst part, however, since it tells the story of Carley Allison, a competitive figure skater battling an extremely rare type of cancer.
The romantic drama is touching and painful to watch, but Carley's passion and perseverance might inspire you to take up ice skating yourself.
15. Go Figure: The Randy Gardner Story
Year released: 2022
Our rating: 6.5
Bottom line: "Go Figure: The Randy Gardner Story" is a world away from Disney's "Go Figure." It's a documentary about the real life of Randy Gardner, a two-time Olympian and world champion.
He skated with his partner, Tai Babilonia, for over 50 years, and it's fascinating to see their lives unfold out of the harsh glare of the spotlight.
14. Christmas on Ice
Year released: 2020
Our rating: 6.5
Bottom line: Ever notice how people flock to ice rinks right when December hits? It's a thing. What can we say? Skating is festive. For actual figure skaters, the holiday crowds are massively annoying. For rom-com writers, holiday ice is like bread and butter.
More like fully made French toast, really. The plot of "Christmas on Ice" practically wrote itself. A former figure skater teams up with a former hockey player to keep the local ice rink open.
Do they save Christmas? Naturally. Do they fall in love? Duh.
13. Meddling
Year released: 2022
Our rating: 6.5
Bottom line: "Meddling," a docuseries on Peacock, explores the lives of Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada and Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze of Russia, two pairs skating teams that were at the center of Olympic controversy in 2002.
The mix of legacy footage from decades ago and interviews with everyone involved in the scandal shed light on how the culture within the sport allows these calamities to occur. It's a timely watch given the recent doping scandal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
12. On Edge
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Year released: 2001
Our rating: 7
Bottom line: This is a skating movie that probably should never have been made, but we're so, so glad that it was. "On Edge" is a hilarious, satirical slap in the face to figure skaters.
The characters, three skaters who miss the pristine ice princess mark by a country mile, poke fun at the not-so-far-off figure skating stereotypes.
We're not sure whether it's funnier to people who have never skated before, or to those of us familiar with the inner workings of ice rinks. But it's only available on DVD.
11. Ice Castles (New)
Year released: 2010
Our rating: 6.5
Bottom line: The original "Ice Castles" is the best, and we will gladly fight you on that. The 2010 version is a modern take on an already great story.
In the new version, Lexi, a promising young skater with fiery red hair, hits her head on the ice and is rendered blind. Rather than quitting entirely, she is convinced to get back on the ice by her adorable love interest.
The original is a classic, but we appreciate that the older version might feel too dated for kids in the 2020s to appreciate.
10. Ice: The Movie
Year released: 2018
Our rating: 7
Bottom line: As we've gone over, figure skating is ridiculously expensive to pursue seriously. In "Ice: The Movie," a pint-sized skater named Bailey couldn't afford to continue training until a famous Russian coach offers to train her free as a practice partner for another student of his, Peyton.
While some elements of their training are exaggerated, much of the storyline is on par with what real figure skaters go through. The two grow up juggling friendship, competitive rivalries and teenage romance in a sweet, relatable sports drama fit for families.
9. Ice Dreams
Year released: 2009
Our rating: 7.5
Bottom line: Tragic accidents happen a lot in skating movies. In "Ice Dreams," viewers don't find out what exactly happened to Amy Clayton, a former elite figure skater, until nearly the end of the film.
All we know is that she was a serious skater, and now she's waiting tables and sneaking into an old ice rink late at night for free ice time. The rest is just as one might expect.
A cute hockey player with a rink to save? Check. A lovable old rink manager? Check. A rising star in need of a coach? Check. A Hail Mary jump to win it all? Check. Oh, and there's romance. Because, of course, there is.
8. The Cutting Edge 2
Year released: 2006
Our rating: 7
Bottom line: There are four "Cutting Edge" movies, but the first two are the good ones. We don't want to spoil the first one too much if you haven't seen it, but we'll leave it at this: a promising skater's singles skating career is derailed due to an injury, so she moves over to pairs.
The only partner in sight is a rebellious hockey player who's never jumped in his life. Their love-hate relationship is entertaining to say the least.
It's not realistic in the slightest, but how many skating movies are?
7. Yuri on Ice
Year released: 2016
Our rating: 8.5
Bottom line: Fans of anime probably already know about "Yuri on Ice." It's the animated skating series we didn't know we needed. When Yuri Katsuki suffers a frustrating loss, he considers calling it quits.
After he makes a video mocking Russian figure skating legend Victor Nikiforov, however, it goes viral. In an unexpected twist, Nikiforov takes Yuri on as a student.
"Yuri on Ice" is definitely worth a watch, but do ice skaters a favor. No matter how much you love the show, don't show up to the rink in full cosplay.
6. Spinning Out
Year released: 2010
Our rating: 8.5
Bottom line: We're not going to lie. "Spinning Out" is seriously dark. It follows Kat Baker, a skater trying desperately to make a comeback while battling a family history of mental illness.
While the melodramatic plot is extreme at times, "Spinning Out" features some genuinely beautiful skating, lovable characters and some of the tougher realities of life as a competitive skater.
We're just mad they didn't make a second season.
5. The Cutting Edge
Year released: 1992
Our rating: 9
Bottom line: The first "Cutting Edge" movie is indisputably the best. A figure skater with a bad attitude and a rough around the edges hockey player have both lost their shot at going to the Olympics. Unless they team up, that is.
The unlikely duo become pairs skaters, despite bickering all the way up to competition day.
Can they win gold? Watch and find out.
4. I, Tonya
Year released: 2018
Our rating: 9.5
Bottom line: Tonya Harding's story is impossible to forget. She was a dark, but extremely talented horse battling rival Nancy Kerrigan at the 1994 Olympic games.
Harding's ex-husband, Jeff, led an attack on Kerrigan that earned Harding a lifetime ban from U.S. figure skating. But was it really her fault?
"I, Tonya" explores her complicated backstory, generating newfound sympathy for the powerful, yet troubled, skater.
3. Ice Castles (Original)
Year released: 1978
Our rating: 9.5
Bottom line: The original "Ice Castles" is a must-watch skating movie. It depicts a gifted, yet untrained, skater making a remarkable competitive debut, before her dreams crash to a halt thanks to a catastrophic freak accident.
It's equal parts dramatic, romantic and inspirational, and any figure skating fan will love it.
2. Blades of Glory
Year released: 2007
Our rating: 10
Bottom line: Approaching the top of our list, we have the biggest box-office skating movie of all time, "Blades of Glory." Starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder, "Blades of Glory" begins when figure skaters Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy MacElroy start a fight on the podium and get banned from men's singles skating for life.
The two are opposite in every way, aside from one: They both love skating. They love it enough to become an unconventional skate pairs team, the first-ever team with two men.
This takes us back to our DVD blu ray days (remember those?), and we still think it's the funniest skating movie ever. You don't have to even like figure skating or ice dancing to appreciate it.
1. Ice Princess
Year released: 2005
Our rating: 10
Bottom line: "Ice Princess" and "Blades of Glory" were tough contenders for the top spot, but if we had to pick just one skating movie to watch, it would be "Ice Princess." This Disney classic from 2005 follows Casey Carlisle, a bright, bookish teen who loves to skate. What starts out as a physics project ignites a passion for skating that she didn't know she had.
Is it likely for a 17-year-old with virtually no experience to become a national competitor in a matter of months? Nope. But we don't care.
It's uplifting, light and the perfect movie to inspire skaters of all ages to lace up and have some fun.