The best sports films and TV series – Inspiration for your free time!

This time, we’re not inviting you to the stands or onto the ice, but to the cinema and your TV screens. In the series ‘Czech Republic on Film’, we explore the locations where famous films were made and the stories that prove sport is often more than just a game. If you enjoy football or horse riding, take a look at our selection of the best football films or the best films and series about horses.

Champion (2026)

The sports drama Champion, directed by Jakub Červenka, revisits the life story of one of the greatest icons of Czechoslovak sport – figure skater Ondrej Nepela. The plot centres on the 1973 World Figure Skating Championships in Bratislava, which marked the pinnacle of Nepela’s career. However, the film does not merely show the triumphant moments; on the contrary, it reveals the behind-the-scenes reality of elite sport – the pressure of the regime, public expectations and the protagonist’s personal insecurities.
Adama Kubala faced not only an acting challenge but also a physical one in the lead role – skating forms a key part of the film. The team worked with professional figure skaters, who helped ensure authentic movement and choreography. A prominent figure is the coach Hilda Múdrá, portrayed by Jana Nagyová. The filmmakers strove for period accuracy – the costumes were inspired by original garments loaned by the Múdrý family. An interesting detail is the character’s linguistic style, which naturally shifts between Czech and German in the film. Jana Nagyová has lived in Germany for over thirty years, so it is no problem for her to switch fluently to German during dialogues, much like Mrs Múdrá, who was from Vienna. You’ll also discover other brilliant actors here, such as Martina Jindrová, Miroslav Hanuš, Karel and Cyril Dobrý, Roman Luknár and Josef Vajda. The film’s atmosphere is complemented by Eva Pilarová’s song ‘Příběh nekončí’ – Nepela had a close friendship with Eva Pilarová and her music was part of the era in which he lived. A symbolic element is the horseshoe – a talisman that accompanied Nepela and his coach during competitions.
Where it was filmed: Key scenes were filmed at the ice rink in Beroun, one of the oldest rinks in the country.

Lajna (2017) and Lajna – Finally a Film! (2026)

The Lajna series is one of the most notable projects in Czech internet and television production in recent years. After several years, the story of coach Hrouzek, who offers a behind-the-scenes look at ice hockey with a generous dose of humour, is moving to the big screen. The feature-length comedy Lajna – finally a film! is scheduled to premiere in Czech cinemas in December 2026. The same team behind the series is involved in the project: director Vladimír Skórka, screenwriter Petr Kolečko and producer Daniel Strejc.

What started as an unassuming project has become a phenomenon in less than a decade. The first series was created with a small crew and minimal resources; today, Lajna has three series under its belt, a total of 24 episodes and millions of views on Stream.cz and Televize Seznam. It has achieved cult status thanks to its distinctive humour, catchphrases and the character of coach Luboš Hrouzek, played by Jiří Langmajer. The film will follow on from the familiar characters and their stories – alongside Hrouzek, Deniska (Hana Vagnerová) will also return, and new faces will appear, including personalities from the world of sport. The creators promise the typical “Kolečko-style” humour, but also a significantly more cinematic production.

Where it was filmed: The series was filmed at ice rinks across the country and also at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

The Last Race (2022)

The historical drama The Last Race, directed by Tomáš Hodan, recounts the tragic story of Bohumil Hanč and Václav Vrbata from 1913. The film does not focus solely on the race itself in the Krkonoše Mountains, but also explores the broader context – the sporting rivalry of the time, personal relationships, and the gradually worsening weather. The snowstorm, wind and exhaustion are not merely cinematic backdrops, but an integral part of the story. The narrative thus functions not only as a sporting drama, but also as a testament to courage and sacrifice.

Where it was filmed: Filming took place directly in the Krkonoše Mountains, particularly around Labská bouda and on the mountain ridges. As a result, the mountain scenes feel very authentic and inspire visitors to follow in the footsteps of the famous race.

Zátopek (2021)

The film Zátopek, directed by David Ondříček, offers a comprehensive portrait of the legendary runner Emil Zátopek. The story begins with an interview with the famous Australian runner Ron Clark and gradually reveals Zátopek’s journey from his beginnings to his Olympic successes. His relationship with his wife Dana Zátopková also plays an important role, adding a personal touch to the story. Václav Neužil prepared meticulously for the role over several months, during which he underwent intensive physical training to get as close as possible to the running style and fitness of the renowned athlete.

Where it was filmed: The film was shot at various locations in the Czech Republic and abroad. In the Czech Republic, for example, filming took place in Prague, Zlín and Brno. The football stadium behind Lužánky, where Zbrojovka once played, stood in for the stadiums at the Olympic Games in London and Helsinki, where Emil Zátopek won his Olympic medals.

National Handball (2022)

The series National Handball offers a light-hearted take on sport, this time from the perspective of an amateur team. We follow a group of former players trying to return to the sport, but facing various obstacles – age, physical fitness and personal problems. The series draws on typically Czech humour, everyday situations and the contrast between past glory and present-day life.
Where it was filmed: The series was shot on real pitches in smaller towns and villages. This lends the series authenticity whilst also highlighting a sport that has a long tradition in our country but is often overlooked in the media.

The Golden Betrayal (2018)

The film Zlatý podraz, directed by Radim Špaček, combines sports drama with a political thriller. The story is set after the Second World War and follows a Czechoslovakian basketball team preparing for an international tournament. The emerging communist regime plays a significant role in the story, influencing not only sport but also the players’ personal lives. The film explores themes of friendship, betrayal and moral dilemmas. Here, basketball is not merely a sport, but also a means of illustrating the transformation of society in the post-war period.
Where it was filmed: Filming took place in Prague and other Czech cities, often in historic interiors and sports halls, which helped to create the atmosphere of the 1940s.

Fair Play (2014)

The drama Fair Play, directed by Andrea Sedláčková, focuses on the issue of state-sponsored doping in the 1980s. The main character is a young athlete, Anna (Judit Bárdos), who finds herself caught up in a system focused on performance and success. The film depicts not only the physical effects of doping, but also the psychological pressure and moral dilemmas faced by the athletes and their loved ones. The supporting cast includes Aňa Geislerová, Roman Luknár, Eva Podzimková, Ondřej Novák and Roman Zach.
Where it was filmed: The film was shot in Prague and other cities, primarily at athletics stadiums and in period interiors, which provided an authentic setting for Czechoslovakia during the Normalisation era.

Fists in the Dark (1986)

The film Fists in the Dark, directed by Jaroslav Soukup, is one of the best-known Czech sports films. The plot follows the boxer Vilda, who is trying to make his mark in the professional ring and, in the tense year of 1936, must fight the German boxer Schaller. In addition to the sporting storyline, the film also depicts the Prague underworld and the social conditions of the time.
Where it was filmed: Fists in the Dark was filmed mainly in Prague. The boxing match scenes were shot on location at the Lucerna Palace, and the film also features the interior of the Hotel Evropa (now the W Prague Hotel) on Wenceslas Square.
Whether you’re into running, ice hockey, boxing or figure skating, Czech sports films prove that the most powerful stories often unfold off the pitch. Follow in their footsteps – you might find that the journey to discover these cinematic experiences is just as thrilling as the race itself.