Amazon Prime Video Adding Beloved Sports Comedy Movie in 2026
When the calendar turns over to 2026 later this week, all streaming services will be updating their libraries, shifting dozens of titles on and off their platforms.
Last week, Amazon Prime Video announced it will be adding more than 40 movies on Jan. 1, with other titles joining the catalog throughout the month. On Jan. 31, 11 movies will make their Amazon Prime Video debuts, including several classic films from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
One of those movies is Slap Shot, the 1977 sports comedy starring the iconic Paul Newman and the Hanson brothers, which remains a beloved cult classic nearly 50 years later.
When will 'Slap Shot' be available on Amazon Prime Video?
Technically, you can access Slap Shot on Amazon now, but only to rent for 30 days at $3.79 or purchase for $14.99.
Once it hits Amazon Prime Video on Jan. 31, 2026, it will be available free of charge to all subscribers.
What is 'Slap Shot' about?
Written by Nancy Dowd and directed by George Roy Hill, Slap Shot portrays the story of the Charlestown Chiefs, a fictional minor league hockey team. Newman plays Reggie Dunlop, the team's player-coach, with the roles of Dave, Steve, and Jeff Hanson played by actual hockey-playing brothers Jeff and Steve Carlson, as well as their teammate David Hanson. All three eventually went on to play in the NHL.
Strother Martin, Michael Ontkean, Jennifer Warren, Lindsay Crouse, Jerry Houser and Paul D'Amato also have starring roles.
The movie eventually spawned two direct-to-video sequels: Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice (2002) and Slap Shot 3: The Junior League (2008).
What kind of reviews did 'Slap Shot' get?
At the time of its release, Slap Shot received mixed reviews, with some praising the film and others knocking it for its rampant violence and vulgarity.
Over time though, it became clear that Slap Shot had a lasting impact on the hockey world and was well-appreciated by its legions of fans. Currently, the movie has an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a 7.2/10 on IMDB and 61 ("Generally Favorable") on Metacritic.