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Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in ‘Heated Rivalry.’
Credit: Courtesy of HBO Max
It was the water bottle scene, wasn’t it? The moment you realized that Heated Rivalry was something special. Whether you were aware of Rachel Reid’s romance novels before the Canadian adaptation made its way to HBO last year or not, that electric moment of combined recognition, longing, and lust was when so many viewers realized the relationship between Shane Hollander (Hudson WIlliams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) was going to leave a mark.
If you’ve burned through the first season’s six episodes (and all the streamalike shows we’ve recommended) and you find you need still more sporty dude romance in your life, it’s time to widen your net to other forms of media. There are plenty of books, movies, games, and podcasts that can keep you in the game until Shane and Ilya’s story continues in season two.
The best books to read after watching ‘Heated Rivalry’
One aspect of Heated Rivalry that set it apart was how it conveys intimacy so effectively—the bond between Ilya and Shane is beautiful to watch as it develops from a hookup to a life-changing event. Nothing beats a good book for an intimate experience, so here are some reads that Rivalry fans will adore.
Game Changer, by Rachel Reid
It’s an obvious choice, but a necessary one. There are seven books in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, with one more due out next year. If you want to re-experience the rivalry, romance, and charming characters of show, start reading the series, staring with Game Changer; the first book in the series explores Scott and Kip’s relationship, from that first smoothie to that amazing moment on the ice where Scott comes out in the most dramatic and wonderful way possible. Then experience Shane and Ilya’s story on the page with Heated Rivalry, and get a preview of season two of the show in the direct sequel The Long Game.
Him, by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
If your favorite part of Heated Rivalry is the slow burn of Ilya and Shane’s relationship as they go from denying their emotions to helplessly sinking into each other, Him is just the ticket. It’s the story of Jamie and Ryan, best friends who have a drunken sexual encounter at hockey camp as teens that seemingly ends their friendship. When they face each other while playing college, they have a chance to set their records straight and maybe accept what they really mean to each other.
Two Left Feet, by Kallie Emblidge
If you want more Heated Rivalry with a dash of Ted Lasso, check out Two Left Feet. Oliver is a star player in the Premier League, until an injury cuts his season short. Leo is called up to take his place, and Oliver is charged with ensuring Leo fits in—but he worries that Leo is angling to take his roster spot permanently. But as they work together, something more complicated than a professional rivalry is kindled.
Red, White and Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston
This book offers perhaps the closest vibe to Heated Rivalry as it explores the relationship between Alex Claremont-Diaz, son of the U.S. President, and England’s Prince Henry. The young men initially hate each other, but when that tension turns into an embarrassing public relations fiasco, they’re forced to fake a truce and smile for the cameras. The ruse starts to turn into something real, however, as they’re forced to spend time together—but their public roles require that everything be kept secret.
Gravity, by Tal Bauer
If you want a deep dive back into the politics and dangers of being closeted in the macho world of professional hockey, Gravity is a good match. Bryce lives and breathes hockey, and his hard work has made him captain of the Montréal Étoiles, headed for the Stanley Cup. But when he meets mediocre player Hunter Lacey, he starts to lose the focus that made him a superstar. And then he starts to make decisions that put his image and his entire career at risk. But it just might be worth it.
The best movies like ‘Heated Rivalry’
Heated Rivalry isn’t just a thoughtful romance, it’s a visual treat. From those washboard abs to the kinetic hockey scenes, it’s just a lot of fun to watch. If you want to wallow in the visuals a little longer, here are some feature-length stories that will hit in similar ways.
All of Us Strangers (2023)
This part ghost story, part romance is a haunting exploration of missed chances and grief. When reclusive, depressed writer Adam (Andrew Scott) meets Harry (Paul Mescal) at his apartment building, he flees Harry’s flirtations. But as he begins having visions of his dead parents, whom he lost as a young boy, he begins to see Harry and slowly learn how to let go of his grief—until a final, gut-wrenching twist you won’t soon forget. Rent All of Us Strangers on Prime Video.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
If it was the deep storm of emotions that made Heated Rivalry sing for you, this movie is a must-watch. In the 18th century, Marianne is hired to travel to an isolated island to pose as a hired companion to a young noblewoman named Héloïse. Marianne’s true mission is to secretly paint a portrait of Héloïse to mark her engagement; Héloïse is unhappy about the wedding and refuses to pose. As the two women grow closer, they enjoy a few days of intense passion that hurtles toward a lyrical, doomed ending. Stream Portrait of a Lady on Fire on Hulu or HBO Max, or rent it from Prime Video.
Challengers (2024)
It’s got sports, steamy bisexual energy, and some really, really attractive people, so Challengers is a perfect substitute for Heated Rivalry. Swapping hockey for tennis, the film follows the careers and extremely horny throuple-ish relationship between tennis pros Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor), Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), and Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) as they deal with varying levels of professional success, injuries, and personal drama. While it’s not explicitly queer (Patrick and Art are rivals for Zendaya’s affections), the subtext is so close to the surface that fans of Heated Rivalry will love it. Stream Challengers on Hulu or rent it from Prime Video.
National Anthem (2023)
As far as we’ve come, there are still plenty of places and subcultures in this country where being out and queer isn’t exactly safe or easy. National Anthem is the story of Dylan (Charlie Plumber), a young man who takes a job as a ranch hand in New Mexico and encounters a happy queer community living their best lives. Entranced by Sky (Eve Lindley), a trans woman, he slowly learns to accept who he is and how he wants to live his life. Stream National Anthem on Hulu or rent it from Prime Video.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
In many ways, Ennis and Jack had to crawl so Shane and Ilya could skate. The classic “queer cowboy” film starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal isn’t just an iconic moment in queer film, it’s a truly remarkable work of art powered by two incredible performances. The story of two men who meet while doing seasonal ranch work in Wyoming in the 1960s and conduct an on-again, off-again love affair they must kep secret is still as emotionally powerful today as it was two decades ago. Rent Brokeback Mountain on Prime Video.
The best video games like ‘Heated Rivalry’
If you prefer to be part of your narratives, don’t worry: There are options for gamers who love Heated Rivalry, too.
Shoresy: Legends of the North
Heated Rivalry was created for Canadian television by Jacob Tierney, who you might recognize from his other series Letterkenny and Shoresy. The latter is a story about a hockey player who joins a struggling hockey team in dead last, and was adapted into the surprisingly enjoyable game Shoresy: Legends of the North. It’s a hockey game designed for folks who don’t spend their whole lives thinking hockey, and incorporates both a game-focused multiplayer and a more story-focused mode, with RPG elements where the tonal similarities to Heated Rivalry really show.
Platforms: Steam
What do you think so far?
Thirsty Suitors
This game is a vibe, and that vibe (a queer, South Asian Scott Pilgrim) lines up nicely with Heated Rivalry, despite a lack of hockey. You play as Jala, who returns home from an awful breakup only to be plunged into a series of knock-down, drag-out fights with her exes. Depending on your choices during the battles, you can realize several different outcomes for Jala and her former flames, which is where the Rivalry-like heart comes into play.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, Steam
NHL 26
If part of the reason you love Heated Rivalry is that you love hockey, why not play the latest version of the game that Ilya and Shane play against each other? NHL 26 is the classic pro-level hockey video game that’s been around for more than 25 years now, so if you want more hockey competition to keep you busy until the next season of the show, this is your chance.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Steam
The best podcasts like ‘Heated Rivalry’
There’s nothing like finding people just as obsessed with a show as you are, or finding a narrative that gives you the same feels. Here are some great podcasts for Heated Rivalry fans.
Long Game: a Heated Rivalry Podcast
Credit: Podcast logo
If you want to revisit each episode alongside a ton of analysis and excited discussion about the show’s themes, the characters’ arcs, and everything that makes itspecial, Long Game: a Heated Rivalry Podcast is one you should put some time into.
Puck It! A Penetrating Analysis of Heated Rivalry
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Puck It! A Penetrating Analysis of Heated Rivalry is another deep-dive podcast into the show if you don’t have enough people willing to have endless late-night discussions about it.
Big Gay Fiction Podcast
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If Heated Rivalry has opened your eyes to the world of queer romance and you’re actively seeking out more, the Big Gay Fiction Podcast is your guide to a world of books, films, and other media that celebrate queer love and the complexity of modern relationships.
Gay Pride and Prejudice
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You might not immediately think of Jane Austen in the context of Heated Rivalry, but romance is romance, and no one did “enemies to lovers” better than Austen in Pride and Prejudice. Gay Pride and Prejudice is a first-class production that retells the story through a modern, queer lens that will hit the same pleasure centers in your brain.
Roommates
Credit: Podcast logo
If you’re looking for more gentle queer romance involving boys who slowly learn how to love each other, Roommates is a great choice. During the pandemic lockdown, two sophomores are put together in a housing assignment, resulting in a relationship that starts off as intensely awkward, but then becomes simply intense.
