Movies & Shows Like Heated Rivalry
If you’ve been on social media in the past week, then you’ve likely seen people collectively losing their minds over the new Canadian hockey romance series, Heated Rivalry. The series, which premiered on November 28 on Crave in Canada, and was picked up internationally by HBO Max in the US and Australia, is based on the massively popular book series, Game Changers by Rachel Reid.
The electric, steamy chemistry between its two leads, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, is just one of the reasons why the series became an instant hit after just two episodes. The hockey romance follows Major League superstars Shane Hollander (Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) who are fierce rivals on ice, but off ice, they begin a secret relationship.
With new episodes dropping Fridays through December 26, the wait between installments can feel agonizing. Here are 5 shows and movies like Heated Rivalry to watch in the meantime.
Fellow Travelers (2023 miniseries)
How it’s similar to Heated Rivalry: It follows a decades-long forbidden romance between two men, a love they’ve kept secret for years, and features several steamy, emotionally charged encounters.
Cast: Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey, Jelani Alladin, Linus Roache, Allison Williams, Christine Horne, Will Brill, Chris Bauer
Synopsis: “Based on the 2007 fictional novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon, “Fellow Travelers” follows the paths of political staffers Hawkins Fuller and Tim Laughlin, whose paths converge at the height of the Lavender Scare of the 1950s. Despite the constant threat of getting caught, their searing love for each other only intensifies in the tumultuous decades that follow.”
Where to stream: Paramount+
In From the Side (2022)
How it’s similar to Heated Rivalry: Centers on the professional sports world as two male athletes enter a secret relationship and face their growing feelings for each other.
Cast: Alexander Lincoln, Alexander King, William Hearle, Christopher Sherwood
Synopsis: “Following a drunken encounter, two equally attached men from a cash strapped and divided gay rugby club unwittingly sleepwalk into an adulterous affair but must conceal their growing feelings or risk destroying the club they love.”
Where to stream: ABC iview (Australia), Apple TV (Canada), Kanopy (US), BFI Player, Prime Video, Rakuten TV (UK)
The Pass (2016)
How it’s similar to Heated Rivalry: Also centers on a relationship between two professional male athletes and explores how such a secret shapes their lives and careers.
Cast: Russell Tovey, Arinze Kene, Lisa McGrillis, Nico Mirallegro
Synopsis: “The night before their debut game, two professional soccer players share a kiss. In a sporting world where image is everything, this surprising ‘pass’ sets the men up for a contrasting decade of fame and failure, full of secrets and denial.”
Where to stream: Apple TV, Amazon Video (UK), Dekkoo (Canada, U.S.), Plex, The Roku Channel (US)
Punch (2022)
How it’s similar to Heated Rivalry: Like Heated Rivalry, it explores themes of discovering one’s sexuality, offers intimate moments, and highlights the homophobia that sports cultures very often encourage.
Cast: Tim Roth, Jordan Oosterhof, Conan Hayes, Abigail Laurent, Connor Johnston
Synopsis: “Jim is a promising teenage boxer who’s training under the watchful eye of his demanding and alcoholic father. When Jim develops a relationship with a male classmate, they must navigate isolation, homophobia, and the brutality of small-town life. As Jim discovers what it means to be gay, he soon realizes how little strength has to do with heroism.”
Where to stream: Dekkoo (Canada, US), Rakuten TV (UK), SBS On Demand (Australia)
Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)
A sequel is on the way!
How it’s similar to Heated Rivalry: It shares a similar theme of rivals-to-lovers, with the two connecting through texting and sharing plenty of sweet, intimate moments.
Cast: Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, Rachel Hilson, Sarah Shahi, Uma Thurman, Clifton Collins Jr., Ellie Bamber, Stephen Fry
Synopsis: “Based on the New York Times bestseller, Red, White & Royal Blue centers around Alex, the president’s son, and Britain’s Prince Henry whose long-running feud threatens to drive a wedge in U.S./British relations. When the rivals are forced into a staged truce, their icy relationship begins to thaw and the friction between them sparks something deeper than they ever expected.”
Where to stream: Prime Video
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Movies & Shows Like Heated Rivalry