‘Heated Rivalry’ Fans Can Now Feel Every Moment as the Final Episodes Hit 4DX Theaters

‘Heated Rivalry’ has spent the past year proving that a small Canadian series can become a worldwide phenomenon. The queer hockey romance premiered on Crave and HBO Max on November 28, 2025, and quickly became one of the buzziest shows on TV, earning a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes and turning its leads into rising stars.

Created, written, and directed by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid’s ‘Game Changers’ novels, the series follows the secret, years-long romance between rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). This month, fans got a new way to relive it, as Regal brought all 6 episodes to more than 650 U.S. theaters for a limited run from November 6 to 30.

Now, the big-screen event is getting an upgrade. Variety reports that the show’s final 2 episodes, ‘I’ll Believe in Anything’ and ‘The Cottage’, will screen in 4DX at Regal theaters nationwide starting November 16, complete with motion-enabled seating and synchronized atmospheric effects.

The 4DX screenings will play across all 59 of Regal’s 4DX auditoriums, along with other participating locations. Brooks LeBoeuf, Regal’s senior vice president of U.S. content, explained that the decision came after fans made it clear they wanted even more ‘Heated Rivalry’ on the big screen.

He added that the closing episodes bring years of tension between Shane and Ilya to a boiling point, and said the 4DX format takes that experience to another level. For a series built on charged glances and dramatic moments on and off the ice, the immersive format feels like a fitting choice.

‘Heated Rivalry’ Final Episodes to Release in 4DX at Regal Theaters https://t.co/rYyfAOhcvV

— Variety (@Variety) November 9, 2026

The theatrical release is being led by Regal in partnership with Sphere Abacus, with AMC, Cinemark and other exhibitors also taking part. Fans can watch the season in order across 3 paired screenings, with each pairing priced at $9.99.

The first pairing covers ‘Rookies’ and ‘Olympians’, the second features ‘Hunter’ and ‘Rose’, and the third wraps things up with the finale episodes. Regal screenings also include welcome content from the cast and director.

Regal is leaning into the fan-event atmosphere as well. Participating locations are serving 2 themed cocktails, Summer in Montreal and Russians Don’t Blush, while select theaters also offer collectible combos.

"We will be seeing each other a lot." Here’s the official trailer for the new Crave Original series #HeatedRivalry! Watch the two-episode premiere November 28, only on Crave. https://t.co/EwYXkPIu4j

— Crave (@CraveCanada) October 9, 2025

The theatrical run comes almost exactly a year after the show’s debut. Crave originally planned to release the series in February 2026 but moved it up to November 2025, and the first season quickly became a breakout hit on both sides of the border.

Its success has pushed Williams and Storrie into the spotlight. The pair presented at the Golden Globes in January, and Storrie went on to host ‘Saturday Night Live’ in February. HBO boss Casey Bloys has also praised the series, calling it one of the greatest acquisitions in TV history. HBO Max holds the U.S. rights, and the show has since rolled out internationally, including on Sky in the UK.

The big-screen screenings also give fans something to enjoy while they wait for more episodes. ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 began filming in August and is currently expected to premiere around April 2027.

The new season will draw from Reid’s novel ‘The Long Game’, which returns to Shane and Ilya’s relationship as they continue to keep it out of the public eye. Williams and Storrie will be back, along with François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. as Scott Hunter and Kip Grady, and Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry.

Tierney is returning to direct, though he will be working with a co-writer this time. Until the new season arrives, the 4DX screenings offer fans one more chance to experience the first season’s finale together.

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