Queen of the Ring
Directed by Ash AvildsenIn a time when pro wrestling for women was illegal all over the United States, a small town single mother embraces the danger as she dominates a peculiar American niche entertainment industry & becomes the first millionaire female athlete.
Where to Watch Queen of the Ring
Cast of Queen of the Ring
Queen of the Ring Ratings & Reviews
- JarheadJune 21, 2025As a long time fan of both amateur and professional wrestling, this docudrama was very well done. It was refreshing to see a movie about women in a sport that had always been dominated by men. Although slow at times it was a good watch.
- Rob Logan | The Geek GenerationJune 17, 2025As a former pro wrestler, I'm a lock for enjoying a movie that celebrates a wrestling icon and glorifies the art form. It's clear how dedicated Emily Bett Rickards is to this role as she embodies Mildred Burke both in and out of the ring. Despite Rickards serving as a strong backbone for the movie, it suffers from pacing issues and lacks proper character development for far too many of the peripheral characters, resulting in a sense of apathy when they randomly surface to impact the plot in major ways.
- Mr. DJune 1, 2025It was a good movie although it was drawn out. It could have been better.
- Hipster ZOMBIEMay 17, 2025Queen of the Ring is a heartfelt tribute that is weighed down by a sloppy script and poor editing despite having an amazing cast. The film sets out to tell the trailblazing story of female wrestling pioneer Mildred Burke and in some ways, it succeeds. Anchored by a deeply committed cast and a hard-hitting reverence for pro wrestling history, the film captures the grit, pain, and triumph that defined Burke’s journey in a male-dominated world. Unfortunately, these strengths often wrestle against a weak script and clunky editing choices that keep the movie from reaching main-event status. At times the way the film is shot is reminiscent of the movie of the week Lifetime movies. the cast is nothing short of phenomenal. The lead actress,Emily Bett Rickards (From CW’s Arrow) brings strength and vulnerability to Burke, portraying her with a raw physicality in the ring and an emotional depth outside it. Supporting performances are equally compelling, especially from the actors portraying wrestling legends and promoters—there’s a sense that everyone involved truly cares about this story and what it represents. The wrestling sequences are surprisingly authentic, choreographed with a mix of brutal realism and vintage flair that honors the sport’s golden era without feeling outdated. Notable active wrestlers from AEW, Toni Storm, Britt Baker, Kailey Farmer, Mickie James and Trinity Fatu from WWE, and even controversial and very outspoken legendary Jim Cornette lend their talents to add authenticity to the film. But it’s Francesca Eastwood’s performance as Mae Young that almost steals the movie. And then there’s the soundtrack—what a knockout. A plethora of cover songs, from gritty blues renditions to soulful reinterpretations of classic rock, gives the film a sonic identity. Corey Taylor’s “Dust in the Wind” cover is beautifully haunting. Highly recommended streaming. But for all its passion in certain areas, Queen of the Ring too often feels undermined by some weak links. The script is riddled with clunky dialogue, predictable character arcs, long exposition that drags the story of Burke’s life. What could have been a complex portrait becomes, at times, a Lifetime Channel movie. Even more frustrating is the editing, which frequently breaks immersion with jarring cuts, mismatched transitions, and odd pacing. In another more seasoned director’s hands this film had the potential to be something truly special. There’s a great film somewhere inside Queen of the Ring one that honors a true icon of women’s wrestling with the respect she’s long deserved. But sloppy execution behind the camera keeps this tribute from claiming the championship its fighting for.
- Jason LaytonMay 10, 2025It was mildly entertaining for about 30 minutes. I was high though I think.
- Tony BrownMay 15, 2025Love it boss got to watch
- abarre339May 14, 2025Good movie though could be better. As it does consist of historical inaccuracies.
- RyezooMarch 15, 2025Felt like a Hallmark sports movie. It’s an interesting story and will make suffice as background noise as you scroll on your phone. The storytelling here was lacking a bit and it did feel like it dragged a bit. For people that are really into wrestling they might enjoy this more than me.
