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Slap Shot

Play trailer Poster for Slap Shot R 1977 2h 3m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In the small New England town of Charlestown, the local mill is about to lay off 10,000 workers. The town's minor league hockey team, the Charlestown Chiefs, is doing no better. After years of failure, this will be the team's last season. Exasperated player and coach Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman) lets the club's recent acquisitions, the Hanson Brothers, play. The brothers' actively violent and thuggish style of play excites the fans. Dunlop retools the team, using violence to draw big crowds.
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Slap Shot

Slap Shot

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Critics Consensus

Raunchy, violent, and very funny, Slap Shot is ultimately set apart by a wonderful comic performance by Paul Newman.

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Critics Reviews

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Stephanie Zacharek TIME Magazine Newman often cited the role of Dunlop as one of his favorites; the performance, in all its wicked, foul-mouthed glory, is freeing to watch. No wonder Newman loved the experience. Aug 1, 2024 Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker What holds the picture together is the warmth supplied by Paul Newman. As Reggie, the player-coach of the Chiefs, a minor-league ice-hockey team, he gives the performance of his life -- to date. Sep 13, 2023 Full Review Dan Epstein Rolling Stone Slap Shot remains the greatest sports flick of the 1970s. Sep 21, 2017 Full Review Sean Burns Crooked Marquee Newman’s breeziest, most waggishly charming role. Jul 23, 2023 Full Review Steve Warren The Barb (Atlanta) Believe it or not, this leads to a moral ending, and provides a lot of laughs along the way, mostly involving foul play or foul language. May 9, 2023 Full Review Stephen Silver Tilt Magazine Its the best movie ever made about its sport; you can have your Miracle. (45th anniversary) Rated: B+ Mar 4, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dave S In George Roy Hill’s Slap Shot, the minor league hockey Charlestown Chiefs are having a rough season. On the ice, they can’t seem to rise above mediocrity. Off the ice, there is talk of the team being sold or folded. However, the team’s fortunes change when the enthusiastic and aggressive Hanson Brothers, always willing to drop their gloves, join the team, proving that violence sells tickets. The movie has a lot going for it – Paul Newman, as charming as usual, is solid as the player/coach Reggie Dunlop, the hockey action feels pretty realistic, the Hanson Brothers never fail to entertain, and there are more than a handful of decent laughs. Where it falters is the repetitiveness as it consistently alternates between gametime action and off-ice personal matters; too much of a good thing eventually gets a little boring. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/19/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 2 hours and 3 minutes!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language and Graphic Sequences of Hockey Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review RICHARD S Way to raunchy to hold our attention. Language uncharactistically foul for a Paul Newman movie, we were extremely disappointed and shut it off midway. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/06/25 Full Review stephen b Ahead of its time. Had to the inspiration for Major League. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/23/24 Full Review isa e outrageous , audacious, irreverent, off colour and awesome. Dated in the clothes but the movie was hilarious from beginning to end, Well acted and paced. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/05/24 Full Review Michael L It takes this comedy a while to build up to the actual laugh-out-loud comedy, but when it does, it's some of the funniest 3-5 minutes of comedy I've ever seen. Sadly after that, the film is back into first gear for the remainder of the film. If you like a juicy center and are patient enough to wait for it, the film is probably worth your time. Otherwise, skip this one and watch the Youtube videos of Hansen's first hockey game. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/25/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Slap Shot

Slap Shot: Official Clip - Fashion Show Slap Shot: Official Clip - Fashion Show 2:18 Slap Shot: Official Clip - Braden's Striptease Slap Shot: Official Clip - Braden's Striptease 2:58 Slap Shot: Official Clip - Old-Time Hockey Slap Shot: Official Clip - Old-Time Hockey 2:17 Slap Shot: Official Clip - Reg Taunts the Goalie Slap Shot: Official Clip - Reg Taunts the Goalie 2:53 Slap Shot: Official Clip - Reggie vs. The Owner Slap Shot: Official Clip - Reggie vs. The Owner 2:08 Slap Shot: Official Clip - The Hansons Play Dirty Slap Shot: Official Clip - The Hansons Play Dirty 2:59 Slap Shot: Official Clip - The Hanson Brothers Slap Shot: Official Clip - The Hanson Brothers 2:23 Slap Shot: Official Clip - Pre-Game Brawl Slap Shot: Official Clip - Pre-Game Brawl 1:48 Slap Shot: Official Clip - The Hansons Are Pumped Slap Shot: Official Clip - The Hansons Are Pumped 0:57 Slap Shot: Official Clip - The Finer Points of Hockey Slap Shot: Official Clip - The Finer Points of Hockey 1:58 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis In the small New England town of Charlestown, the local mill is about to lay off 10,000 workers. The town's minor league hockey team, the Charlestown Chiefs, is doing no better. After years of failure, this will be the team's last season. Exasperated player and coach Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman) lets the club's recent acquisitions, the Hanson Brothers, play. The brothers' actively violent and thuggish style of play excites the fans. Dunlop retools the team, using violence to draw big crowds.
Director
George Roy Hill
Producer
Stephen Friedman, Robert J. Wunsch
Screenwriter
Nancy Dowd
Distributor
MCA, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Kings Road Entertainment, Pan Arts Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 25, 1977, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 19, 2015
Runtime
2h 3m
Sound Mix
Mono
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