12 Biggest Movies Referenced In The 2026 Olympic Figure Skating Competition

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are shaping up to be a visually exciting event for skaters, with many planning performances inspired by popular movies. The world’s top winter sports athletes are gathering to compete for gold medals.

Figure skating is one of the most popular winter sports, demanding both incredible physical strength and skill. But winning isn’t just about performing difficult jumps, spins, and lifts – skaters also need to express artistry and creativity.

The music skaters choose can significantly impact their performance, especially when facing pressure. This year, many figure skaters have drawn inspiration from popular blockbuster films, incorporating themes into their routines, costumes, and music. Here are some of the most memorable examples.

10. The Lion King

Released in 1994, Disney’s The Lion King has become a hugely successful series of films, games, and television shows. The original movie soundtrack remains popular with listeners even 32 years later. Composer Hans Zimmer is incredibly talented, and his music is made even better by the addition of songs from pop star Elton John.

Figure skating routines featuring songs with lyrics weren’t permitted at the Olympics until 2018. Since then, there have been three Olympic games where music from The Lion King could have been used. This year is the second time in a row that skaters have performed routines set to medleys of songs from the movie.

Canadian skater Madeline Schizas clearly enjoyed her Short Program performance at the Olympics, set to music from Disney’s The Lion King. Her costume, with its gold, orange, and red colors, beautifully echoed the iconic opening scene and served as a lovely tribute to the film.

9. Dune & Dune Part Two

The 2026 Olympics are shaping up to be a celebration of iconic movie and science fiction soundtracks. The film Dune will be featured prominently, with music from both films being used. Kazakhstani skater Mikhail Shaidorov performed his short program to music from the original Dune movie.

The performance wasn’t just about the music and dancing; the costumes and even the skater’s hair strongly resembled those of Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in the film Dune. It was a lovely tribute to the movie, which was made with a lot of care and based on Frank Herbert’s novels.

The soundtrack from Dune Part Two will be featured in a free dance performance on the 11th. Spanish ice dancers Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck will perform to music from the film. This is the second time music from the Dune franchise has been used in competition, highlighting the film’s popularity and generating excitement for the next installment.

8. Ghost

The movie Ghost is a classic 1990s love story, and its theme song, “Unchained Melody,” is instantly famous. The romance between Sam Wheat, a ghost, and Molly Jensen, portrayed wonderfully by Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, is both moving and heartbreaking.

The 2026 Olympics will feature references to the movie Ghost not once, but twice. The first is a medley from the Ghost Broadway musical. Representing George, Anastassia Gubanova skated the women’s free skate, powerfully conveying the story’s emotional intensity.

It was amazing to me – just days after seeing that performance, Latvia’s Deniss Vasijevs skated to “Unchained Melody” in his short program! Seeing these two skaters approach the same song, and essentially the same emotional core of Ghost, really hit home just how powerful and deeply felt that movie is. It proved the song isn’t just a tune, but a true reflection of the film’s heart.

7. Jaws

Since it came out in 1975, the movie Jaws has terrified audiences and created a lasting fear of sharks. While the film’s violent scenes are memorable, much of its power comes from the incredible score by John Williams – even just a couple of notes from it can be deeply unsettling.

Lara Naki, an Italian figure skater, is known for adding her own creative flair to her performances. At the 2025 FSU World University Games, she skated to music from the popular show Squid Game, and her costume featured the show’s iconic pink, black, and card game shapes.

In this year’s team free skate, she performed a captivating routine to the theme from Jaws. Her costume was designed to evoke the ocean and the shark itself, featuring blue and black to represent the water, gray and white for the shark’s skin, and cutouts resembling bite marks. Glittering red details added a dramatic touch, suggesting blood.

6. Interstellar

Many consider Interstellar to be a science fiction masterpiece, praising its realistic science and stunning visuals. But what truly makes the film special is its music, a beautiful score created by Hans Zimmer – the same composer behind many other memorable movie soundtracks.

As a movie fanatic, I was completely blown away when I saw Mateo Rizzo’s Olympic performance! He skated to music from one of my favorite films, and it was honestly breathtaking. Everything just worked – the choreography matched the score perfectly, and his costume, which transitioned from black to a light blue with starry details, was stunning. It was easily one of the most beautiful routines I’ve ever seen.

The enthusiastic applause he received at the end was well-deserved. As a figure skating fan, I was captivated – it was truly one of the most beautiful performances I’ve ever witnessed. He did an incredible job interpreting the story of Interstellar through his skating and proudly representing his country in Milan.

5. The Minions

The popularity of Minions started with the movie Despicable Me in 2010 and has remained strong ever since. Interestingly, out of all the films celebrated at the 2026 Olympic Games, The Minions stands out as the most unusual and distinctive choice.

Spanish skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate worked hard to get permission to use music from the Minions and Despicable Me movies for his short program. He almost had to switch songs at the last second, but thankfully, the approval came through just in time.

As a film fan, I found it really interesting that Guarino Sabate chose The Minions as inspiration for his Olympic skating choreography. Unlike franchises like James Bond or Star Wars which are often referenced, The Minions is an animated, totally goofy series. And honestly, Sabate nailed it! He really captured that silliness in the skating, and while it might not have been the most serious performance, it was incredibly fun to watch. It felt like a breath of fresh air, and I was rooting for it the whole time.

4. James Bond

James Bond, first brought to life by Sean Connery, is arguably the most well-known spy in movie and TV history. This M16 agent is famous for his charm with women, stylish cars, a license to kill, and his signature dry martini – always “shaken, not stirred.” Throughout the years, six different actors have taken on the role, each offering their own take on the iconic character.

With the character’s widespread popularity, it’s no surprise the movie music will be featured at the 2026 Olympics. Slovakian skater Adam Hagara will be performing to the James Bond theme in his upcoming free skate.

While the next James Bond is still being chosen, Callum Turner is currently the most likely candidate. Regardless of who gets the part, Adam Hagara’s work will give fans a good idea of what to expect from the future of the franchise.

3. The Matrix

Since its release in 1999, The Matrix has had a lasting impact on pop culture. Ideas from the movie, like the red and blue pill choice and the concept of living in a simulated reality, are now common references, particularly online.

Don Davis’s music for the film is often overlooked, but it’s truly excellent. Its distinctive sound is instantly memorable, and the unusual arrangements make the movie even more impactful.

If you enjoyed the movie The Matrix, be sure to watch the ice dance free dance from Czechia on the 11th, featuring Natalie Taschlerova and Filip Taschler. They’ll be performing to music from the film.

2. Conclave

The 2024 thriller Conclave captivated audiences worldwide by offering a rare look inside the papal election process. Interest in the film grew even more after the death of Pope Francis, and it went on to dominate the 2024-2025 awards season, earning numerous nominations and wins.

The film received nominations for Best Original Score from both the Critics’ Choice Awards and the BAFTA Awards. Although it didn’t win either award, these nominations demonstrate that composer Volker Bertelmann created a truly memorable and effective score.

As a film score fan, I found it really interesting to learn that Italian skater Daniel Grassi is using the music from ‘Conclave’ for his free skate. It just feels extra special that an Italian athlete is performing to a score so closely tied to Rome and Vatican City – it adds a whole other layer of meaning to his performance, at least for me!

1. Gladiator & Gladiator 2

Universal Pictures

As a huge fan of epic films, I have to say that both Gladiator and Gladiator 2 are absolute masterpieces – stories packed with betrayal and a burning desire for revenge. What really gets me, though, is the music. Hans Zimmer’s score is incredible; it takes you on such an emotional journey, from feeling the bravery of the characters to really experiencing their losses. It’s no surprise he won a Golden Globe for the first film, and I was thrilled he returned for the sequel – the new score is just as powerful and moving.

The music from the movie Gladiator is a popular choice for figure skating routines. This year, both Georgia’s pair team, Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava, and the Japanese pair, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, used it in their team competition free skates. The Japanese team even combined music from the original Gladiator with themes from the upcoming Gladiator 2.

The fact that music from Hans Zimmer’s Gladiator films was featured twice in one day at the Olympics—and even twice within a single event—really highlights his incredible work and the lasting impact of those movies.

2026-02-11 06:42