In 1980, at the height of the Cold War, Herb Brooks, an innovative and determined hockey coach, takes on the formidable challenge of leading the United States men's ice hockey team to Olympic glory. With a team composed mostly of young, inexperienced college players, Brooks must employ unconventional and rigorous training methods to transform this disparate group into a cohesive and competitive unit. His unconventional coaching style and tactics are met with skepticism and resistance from both the players and the broader hockey community. Despite the odds, Brooks’ ultimate goal is to forge a team capable of challenging the dominant Soviet Union team, which has not lost the Olympic gold medal in two decades.

As the team progresses, internal conflicts and the immense pressure of representing their country on an international stage test the players' resilience and dedication. Brooks pushes them to their limits, both physically and emotionally, instilling in them a strong sense of teamwork, discipline, and a belief in the impossible. The buildup to the Olympics sees the young team facing various challenges and adversities, both on and off the ice, as they strive to internalize their coach's lessons about the spirit of competition, sacrifice, and the true value of representing their country. With the Olympic Games as their backdrop, they must overcome their individual differences and unite with a common goal, proving to themselves and the world that they can compete with the era's most formidable hockey powerhouse.