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IMDbPro

Queen of the Ring

  • 2024
  • PG-13
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,132
556
Emily Bett Rickards in Queen of the Ring (2024)
Trailer 1
Play trailer2:33
1 Video
34 Photos
DocudramaPeriod DramaBiographyDramaSport

In 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 industr... Read allIn 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.In 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.

  • Director
    • Ash Avildsen
  • Writers
    • Ash Avildsen
    • Alston Ramsay
    • Jeff Leen
  • Stars
    • Emily Bett Rickards
    • Josh Lucas
    • Tyler Posey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    2.2K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,132
    556
    • Director
      • Ash Avildsen
    • Writers
      • Ash Avildsen
      • Alston Ramsay
      • Jeff Leen
    • Stars
      • Emily Bett Rickards
      • Josh Lucas
      • Tyler Posey
    • 35User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins total

    Videos1

    Queen of the Ring
    Trailer 2:33
    Queen of the Ring

    Photos34

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    + 28
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Emily Bett Rickards
    Emily Bett Rickards
    • Mildred 'Millie' Burke
    Josh Lucas
    Josh Lucas
    • Billy Wolfe
    Tyler Posey
    Tyler Posey
    • G. Bill
    Walton Goggins
    Walton Goggins
    • Jack Pfefer
    Francesca Eastwood
    Francesca Eastwood
    • Mae Young
    Marie Avgeropoulos
    Marie Avgeropoulos
    • Elvira Snodgrass
    Kailey Farmer
    Kailey Farmer
    • June Byers
    • (as Kailey Latimer)
    Cara Buono
    Cara Buono
    • Bertha
    Gavin Casalegno
    Gavin Casalegno
    • Joe Jr.
    Adam Demos
    Adam Demos
    • Gorgeous George Wagner
    Deborah Ann Woll
    Deborah Ann Woll
    • Gladys Gillem
    Kelli Berglund
    Kelli Berglund
    • Nell Stewart
    Damaris Lewis
    Damaris Lewis
    • Babs Wingo
    Martin Kove
    Martin Kove
    • Al Haft
    James E. Cornette
    James E. Cornette
    • NWA Commissioner
    • (as James M. Cornette)
    Dean Hill
    • Atlanta Ring Announcer
    Jett Jansen
    Jett Jansen
    • Atlanta Referee
    Angela Bell
    • Jack Area Fan
    • Director
      • Ash Avildsen
    • Writers
      • Ash Avildsen
      • Alston Ramsay
      • Jeff Leen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews35

    6.32.2K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Queen of the Ring' is an inspiring film about Mildred Burke, a pioneering female wrestler. Emily Bett Rickards and Josh Lucas deliver strong performances. The movie is lauded for its authentic wrestling portrayal, detailed sets, and period costumes. Themes of perseverance, breaking barriers, and female empowerment are central. Despite minor pacing issues and budget constraints noted by some, the film is generally well-received for its historical significance and emotional impact.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    6arungeorge13

    A fascinating real-life story told in broad strokes. [+63%]

    Queen of the Ring does deal with a fascinating real-life personality and story, and though all of it is well-performed and shot, the film has a "there's a lot going on" feel to it.. which is true, no doubt. Even at 2h 19m, the film can't put all of its weight behind its storytelling. There were several issues faced by women in (professional?) wrestling, and most of those is put across through one easy-to-hate, misogynistic bully named Billy Wolfe (Josh Lucas does a very decent job). The film, however, will be remembered for Emily Bett Rickards -- what a showstopper she is, bringing so much grit and heart to the titular character!

    Mildred Burke's story is brushed over in broad strokes, covering her greatest hits and misses. The more you read about Burke, the less those frequent dissolve transitions start to make sense. This can't be told in a couple of hours, but at least the director's heart is in the right place. It was good to see some actual wrestling personalities in the film -- "Timeless" Toni Storm, Jim Cornette, Naomi, and Kamille play important characters, while legendary names like Gladys Gillem, Mae Young, Jack Pfefer, and Gorgeous George are played by more seasoned actors.

    You'll also hear a lot of wrestling terminology and a few celebrated quotes. The film, with its limited budget, succeeds in taking us back to a bygone era with its lighting and aesthetics. The wrestling attire and the actual moves? I'm not so sure. They look a lot more contemporary than they're meant to be. But it's CINEMA after all. And a film about wrestling? I'll always be all eyes and ears!
    7ferguson-6

    a pioneer of women's wrestling

    Greetings again from the darkness. Even among sports fans and women's activists, Mildred Burke is not a household name. Writer-director Ash Avildsen and co-writer Alston Ramsay set out to correct this by adapting Ms. Burke's own writing and the 2010 book "The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds and the Making of an American Legend" by Jeff Leen. Avildsen is the son of Oscar winning director John Avildsen (ROCKY, 1976; THE KARATE KID, 1982).

    Mildred Burke was a three-time World Champion in Women's Wrestling, and the first million dollar female athlete. Her career spanned the 1930's into the 1950's, and the film opens in the ring during the brutal 1954 Women's World Championship match. Rather than finish that match, filmmaker Avildsen holds that until the finale and instead flashes back to Burke's early obsession with her desire to wrestle. Emily Bett Rickards ("Arrow") stars as Mildred, and she possesses the physicality and charm to pull off what we'd expect from a pioneer in women's sports. She displays toughness, determination, and talent in the ring - plus the savvy needed for marketing herself and the sport.

    There are some issues with the movie. At times it's difficult to follow the timeline and it is uncomfortably choppy in its storytelling approach. However, the dynamics of this woman and her true story are such that we focus on the good stuff and appreciate her accomplishments. Additionally, there are some strong supporting performances. Josh Lucas plays wrestler Billy Wolfe, who recognizes Mildred's potential and becomes her promoter, her loving husband, her cheating husband, and her business partner. Walton Goggins plays legendary promoter Jack Pfefer, Tyler Posey plays Wolfe's son and Mildred love interest G Bill, Francesca Eastwood (yes, Clint's daughter) plays wrestler Mae Young, Adam Demos plays Mildred's friend and popular wrestler Gorgeous George, and Gavin Casalengo portrays Mildred's son.

    We learn her story dates back to a time when many laws prohibited women from wrestling, and Mildred's early opportunities took place at traveling carnivals. Her motivation led to her pledge to her toddler son that they would not live an ordinary life ... and wrestling got her out of the apron at her mom's café. There is an obligatory training montage, and there is even a moment when Mildred's impact is compared to Jackie Robinson breaking the race barrier in baseball. The terrific soundtrack (not quite to the level of AMERICAN GRAFFITTI) helps offset some of the cheesy posing and strutting, even though these were keys in Mildred gaining popularity. Filmmaker Avildsen ends the film with photos and bio profiles on each of the characters as the closing credits begin. It's a fitting end and tribute for those who drove the early days of Women's wrestling.

    The film opens in theaters on March 7, 2025.
    7A_Different_Drummer

    biopic with special sauce

    Ask any reviewer how many sports biopics they have seen and the answer will always be "too many." QUEEN is an ambitious little project, you can tell that by the over-two-hour runtime. The pacing, the script, the editing, everything is just slightly uneven and unpolished. However, to compensate, there is a legitimate sense of fun imbued in the film, something not common in these sorts of tales. Lots of hidden talent both in front of and behind the camera. Emily Bett Rickards will shock her fans from the Arrowverse as she digs into the lead role and gives it everything she has got. Behind the camera is the son of one of America's best-known directors, and playing the "heel" in the story is a young woman with sharply defined features not seen since the days of Clint Eastwood. His daughter, in fact. Entertaining. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
    9ace-46964

    Great movie!

    Fantastic movie! Incredibly moving and great to watch with the whole family! Highly recommend!

    Outstanding performances from the cast and an amazing script!

    Great for fans of wrestling and and history alike!

    Incredibly well produced as well. Is truly an inspiring performance and message.

    Incredible casting with Emily Bett Rickards as the leading role of Mildred Burke. Josh Lucas shines in this as well.

    As a wrestling fan, I would highly recommend learning about the queen of the ring herself. Amazing cinematic adaptation of the novel as well.

    Praise for cast and crew through the whole film!
    10xevkai-18480

    A movie that remembers how to entertain.

    Too many modern movies today dig right into the dark and gritty side of things for shock value. I feel this is a weak technique in the same way some modern wrestling companies go right for the shock value rather than story. Don't be fooled, Millie's story could have done that easily, but Ash and Alston dug into the heart of the inspiring side of Mildred's story and made it complete movie that can be enjoyed by an entire family without having to cover eyes or ears. Determination, hard work, and following your dream is what this story is about. It's about seeing your goals and realizing it without loosing yourself and your values in the process.

    With a period pieced setting which looks and feels authentic without being obvious I think the cinematography was done very well. Also with the writing and Ash's directorial style there is thus feeling like this could have been a long lost movie from the 80s that could stand side by side with his legendary father John Avildsen's movies, which I grew up on. I could see myself playing in the arcade then heading into watch a back to back matinee at my local mall theater.

    This movie was a breath of fresh air that made you think, invest, and ultimately feel good after watching it. First movie in a while I've wanted to watch multiple times because it does what movies are supposed to do. Take me out of my life's challenges for a second and inspire me to want to get right back into them swinging afterwards.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Charlotte Flair and Liv Morgan had to withdraw from their roles as June Byers and Clara Mortensen due to scheduling and injury issues, respectively, and were replaced by NWA Women's Champion Kamille and AEW Women's Champion Toni Storm. In June 2023, Trinity Fatu joined the cast. Kelli Berglund was cast in August 2023, having previously also played a wrestler on the television series Heels.
    • Goofs
      The Ritchie Valens song Lets Go from 1958 plays as the on screen text says the beginning of the 1950s.
    • Soundtracks
      Cool Water
      Written and Performed by Bob Nolan

      Courtesy of Toucan Cove Entertainment

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Queen of the Ring?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 25, 2024 (Brazil)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Королева ринга
    • Production companies
      • Intrinsic Value Films
      • SUMERIAN
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $657,661
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $380,000
      • Mar 9, 2025
    • Gross worldwide
      • $657,661
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 9 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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