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Les Boys
Home video cover art
Directed byLouis Saia
Written byChristian Fournier
Louis Saïa
Produced byRichard Goudreau
Jeffrey Tinnell
Starring
CinematographySylvain Brault
Edited byYvann Thibaudeau
Music byNormand Corbeil
Distributed byCFP International
Release date
  • 1997 (1997)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageFrench
BudgetCAD3,300,000 (estimated)
Box office$10,602,341[1]

Les Boys is a 1997 Quebec-made comedy film directed by Louis Saia. It has spawned three sequels and by any measure (profit, box office or attendance) is the most successful Quebec made film series of all time, and one of the most successful Canadian-made film series of all time.

Plot

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The story follows the players on a hockey team ("Les Boys") that play in a low level amateur hockey league. They are made up of a wide variety of professions and personalities, including a police officer, a barely competent doctor, a mechanic, an unemployed hockey trivia buff who has lost his confidence as a goaltender, a shifty real estate salesman and a closeted gay lawyer. The team is sponsored by a pub owner, whose son desperately wants to play hockey with the older men. The film starts at the time of the league championship, at which time the team is soundly thrashed in the final.

Meanwhile, the pub owner is losing at poker to the head of the local organized crime syndicate, to the tune of $50,000. Given the opportunity to pay him back, the owner can only raise $25,000. After threatening to break his leg, the crime boss proposes another wager - a game between Les Boys and his own team. If Les Boys win, the debt is settled, but if they lose, the crime boss gets the pub.

In the week leading up to the big game, a number of sub plots emerge. Chief among them is the fact that most of the partners of the hockey players are starved for affection and intimacy, including the effeminate partner of the gay lawyer. Their primary complaint is that their men are either consumed by work or hockey to the exclusion of their relationships. Meanwhile, the doctor is attempting to get the pub's attractive waitress to notice him, but she only has eyes for the team's best player, the hunky, but married, mechanic.

When game day arrives, the waitress has waylaid the mechanic on the pretext that her car needs work. The rest of the players arrive (including the goalie, who had previously vowed retirement) to find they are up against a lineup of ringers, including players they recognize from various minor leagues. Bewildered by the competition and handicapped by the lack of their best player, they quickly fall behind until the pub owner finally discloses the wager, and the mechanic shows up when he learns from his teammates that his wife is looking for him at the rink. Naturally, they overcome all obstacles and triumph. The gay lawyer is publicly outed when he joyfully reunites with his lover. The waitress, seeing the doctor without his cheap toupee, realizes she is attracted to him after all.

English translation of title

[edit]

Translating "Les Boys" to English poses obvious difficulties as the word "Boys" is borrowed directly from English. As with most examples of English words borrowed into Quebec French, it is treated grammatically as a French noun, and given the proper plural, definite article. Literally, the title could be translated as "The 'Boys'", and this is the title used for English versions on videotape or DVD.

Film as part of Quebec culture

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Surprisingly, this is one of very few Quebec made feature films to deal with ice hockey, a near obsession for many in Quebec since the beginning of the 20th century. Outsiders often underestimate the importance of hockey to Canadian culture, and particularly to Quebec culture. A film about aging immature men pursuing their sport on a serious amateur level is not a new one (see The Longest Yard, Mystery, Alaska, etc.), but it struck a responsive chord with Quebec audiences, many of whom obviously saw a piece of themselves in the characters.[citation needed]

Box office success

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Les Boys cost about $3,300,000 (CAD) to make, and took in domestic box office of over $6,000,000 CAD and another $4,000,000 USD in the United States. Given the size of the Québec market (the film saw limited release in English Canada), a $6 million box office is the approximate equivalent of over $250 million for a domestic U.S. release, assuming a population ratio of about 1:40. Its three sequels were also the best performing films at the Québec box office in the years they were released.[citation needed]

Reception

[edit]

French audiences generally enjoy the film far more than English audiences. This is no doubt partially because most English versions of the film have a badly dubbed dialogue, whereas the French dialogue is far more realistic.[citation needed]

Sequels

[edit]

Due to the success of the movie at the Quebec box office, Louis Saïa directed two additional sequels, Les Boys II and Les Boys III. The third sequel, Les Boys IV, was directed by George Mihalka.

The second movie is about the team playing in a tournament in Chamonix, France. During the movie, the team's equipment is stolen in Chamonix. They manage to get their equipment back and to win the tournament in a shootout. Daniel Russo join the cast of the movie. It grossed $6 million in the United States and Canada, including $3.8 million in Canada.[2][3]

The third one is more complex, as Stan's team members are demoted to a team managed by one of Stan's friends. During a matchup between the remaining Boys members and former Boys members, it is revealed that Stan's friend wants to use land around Stan's bar to build condos. The former Boys turn against their new team and Stan takes over his friend's bar. In this movie, the Boys play a game against the Canada women's Olympic team consisting mainly of players from Quebec (Kim St-Pierre, Caroline Ouellette, Danielle Goyette, Gina Kingsbury and others). The Boys are easily defeated by the girls.

The fourth movie is again a tournament in which the Boys' team ends up in a game against the French Legends Team (les Légendes du Hockey). Some of the legends in the movie include Guy Lafleur, Mike Bossy, Ray Bourque and Martin Brodeur. Also during the movie, after a bad game, Stan takes his Boys into a wooded location and nearly gets them lost in the area.

Television series

[edit]

A spin-off TV series titled Les Boys: La série debuted on October 1, 2007 on Télévision de Radio-Canada. Most of the regulars have returned to reprise their original roles, including Rémy Girard, Marc Messier, Paul Houde, Michel Charette, Yvan Ponton, Patrick Labbé and Pierre Lebeau.

A second season debuted in January 2009. Pierre Verville and Patrice Belanger joined Les Boys as new players. Paul Houde will not be back as the Boys goalie Fernand Rivest, as he is killed off in the season premiere.

The show ran a total of 5 seasons and ended its run in 2012.

Prequel

[edit]

There was also the prequel to the saga called il était une fois les Boys released in 2013.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Les Boys

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Les Boys is a Quebecois franchise that follows the antics and camaraderie of an amateur beer-league hockey team, known as Les Boys, as they navigate personal challenges, rivalries, and games while bonding over their shared passion for the sport. The series began with the 1997 film Les Boys, directed by Louis Saïa and produced by Melenny Productions, which centers on coach Stan Beaulieu (played by ), who owns a local bar and bets it in a high-stakes game against a mafioso's team to settle his debts. The film features a including Marc Messier, , and , and was shot in French with a runtime of 107 minutes on 35mm film. It achieved unprecedented commercial success, grossing nearly C$7 million in alone, making it one of the highest-grossing Canadian films at the time and earning the Golden Reel Award for top box-office earner. The franchise expanded with three sequels—Les Boys II (1998) and Les Boys III (2001), both directed by Saïa, and Les Boys IV (2005), directed by George Mihalka—each continuing the team's adventures, from international tournaments in France to competitions against NHL legends, while maintaining themes of male friendship, humor, and Québécois identity. A prequel, Il était une fois les Boys (When We Were Boys, 2013), directed by Richard Goudreau, explores the characters' teenage years in 1967 during a holiday tournament. Collectively, the five films have grossed over C$20 million, primarily in Quebec, solidifying Les Boys as the province's most successful film series and a cultural touchstone for its portrayal of everyday life, hockey culture, and regional pride. Beyond cinema, the franchise's influence extends to television with a 2007–2013 series adaptation and a live stage show announced for 2026, further embedding it in entertainment. In July 2025, the Les Boys cast and creators were inducted as the inaugural members of the Hall of Fame, recognizing the series' enduring role in Quebec's comedic and cultural landscape.

Original Film (1997)

Plot Summary

"Les Boys" centers on Stan, the owner of the blue-collar tavern Chez Stan in , who also serves as the coach for an amateur hockey team of the same name competing in a local garage league. The team consists of a ragtag group of middle-aged friends, each embodying stereotypical male traits: Bob, a promiscuous director; Ti-Guy, a fast-talking ; Boisvert, an obnoxious ; , a handsome young ; Julien, a laid-back ; and Jean-Charles, a gay , among others like Lecavalier, Rénard, and Giguère. The central conflict arises from Stan's gambling addiction, which has left him deeply in to the local mob boss, Méo, to the tune of $50,000. Desperate to settle the score and avoid severe consequences, Stan agrees to a high-stakes wager: he bets ownership of Chez Stan against a single hockey game between Les Boys and Méo's team of tough enforcers. Throughout the film, the team grapples with internal conflicts and personal struggles that mirror blue-collar Quebec life, including marital tensions, financial hardships, and interpersonal rivalries, all while preparing for the pivotal amid comedic mishaps during practices and . Stan's arc revolves around confronting his issues and rallying his friends, whose individual woes—such as Bob's womanizing leading to complications and Ti-Guy's scheming causing friction—threaten team unity but ultimately strengthen their bonds through hockey. The serves as a communal anchor, highlighting themes of male camaraderie and redemption in a working-class setting. In the climax, Les Boys face off against Méo's superior squad in a chaotic, high-tension game filled with rough play, lucky breaks, and underhanded tactics. Despite being heavy underdogs, the team pulls together with heart and determination, securing an improbable victory that saves Chez Stan and allows the players to reaffirm their friendships and personal growth.

Production and Development

The original concept for Les Boys originated from producer Richard Goudreau, who envisioned a centered on the antics and of an hockey team in a garage league, reflecting the province's deep-rooted hockey culture. The , written by Christian based on Goudreau's idea, was developed in the mid-1990s, emphasizing character-driven humor over intricate plotting to capture authentic everyday experiences. Production commenced in 1996 under Melenny Productions, Goudreau's independent Montreal-based company, with financial support from , Super Écran, and the government, avoiding major studio involvement to maintain creative control. Louis Saïa directed the film, marking his second feature after his 1995 debut Le Sphinx, and brought a focus on relatable Quebecois identity through simple, crowd-pleasing storytelling. The estimated budget of CAD 3.3 million supported a modest independent production, prioritizing practical locations and a strong local soundtrack of Quebec rock 'n' roll to ground the narrative in regional . Filming occurred primarily in the area, including rinks and pubs in Montréal, , and , with cinematographer Sylvain Brault handling the on-ice sequences to ensure dynamic authenticity. Key creative decisions included casting established Quebec comedians for everyman roles to enhance relatability without relying on non-professional athletes.

Cast and Characters

The original Les Boys features an portraying a group of middle-aged, blue-collar men united by their passion for amateur hockey, capturing the camaraderie, flaws, and humor of everyday friendships forged on the . These characters embody relatable archetypes of working-class life in , including tavern owners, salesmen, and tradesmen, whose to each other and the highlights themes of resilience amid personal vices like and financial woes. The initial portrayals establish core traits—such as boisterous humor and unwavering —that define the group's dynamic and resonate as foundational to the franchise's appeal. Leading the cast is as Stan Ouellet, the team's coach and owner of the local tavern Chez Stan, depicted as a well-meaning but beleaguered gambler struggling with debts to a local mobster. , an established known for dramatic roles in films like Les bons débarras (1978), brings authenticity to Stan's role as the group's anchor, blending warmth with vulnerability. Marc Messier plays Bob, a charismatic but promiscuous and aspiring filmmaker desperate for cash, channeling the archetype of the optimistic dreamer within the team's rough-and-tumble circle; Messier, a veteran of television including , adds comedic flair drawn from his comedic background. Patrick Huard portrays Ti-Guy, a fast-talking, lonely salesman known for peddling rundown properties, representing archetype with his sharp wit and underlying isolation. As a relative newcomer to feature films at the time, coming from , Huard infuses Ti-Guy with energetic, relatable everyman charm that underscores the film's focus on flawed yet endearing bonds. Yvan Ponton stars as Jean-Charles Taillefert, the team's openly gay lawyer and defenseman, who brings sophistication and quiet strength to the group while navigating personal relationships. Ponton, experienced in portraying hockey figures from roles in (1977), enhances the realism of on-ice scenes with his familiarity with the sport's dynamics. Other key team members include Paul Houde as Fernand "Fern" Rivest, the veteran goalie and enforcer whose tough exterior masks deep loyalty, played by the and Houde for added local flavor. appears as , a steadfast player embodying quiet reliability, while Michel Barrette plays Roger, adding friction through his brashness. Dominic Philie portrays Boisvert, the obnoxious police officer. Luc Guérin rounds out the core ensemble as Marcel, contributing to the group's blue-collar humor. The casting blends established talents like Girard and Messier with performers like Huard and Ponton, prioritizing those with ties to comedy and sports culture to ensure authentic portrayals of hockey camaraderie. Notable cameos feature Quebec hockey legends appearing as themselves, including , whose powerful on-ice shot during a scene nearly injured goalie Fernand, amplifying the film's celebration of the sport's icons. Other NHL figures like Mike Bossy, , and also make brief appearances, lending star power and grounding the narrative in Quebec's hockey heritage.

Release and Commercial Performance

Box Office Results

The original Les Boys (1997) achieved remarkable commercial success in , grossing nearly CAD 7 million at the domestic , making it the highest-grossing French-language Canadian upon its release. In the United States, the film earned approximately USD 4.6 million following its limited release. This performance was driven by strong word-of-mouth among hockey enthusiasts and its timely December holiday release, which aligned with the NHL season and boosted attendance in French-speaking communities. The franchise's sequels continued this dominance in the Quebec market, with each entry claiming the Golden Reel Award for the highest-grossing Canadian film of its respective year. Les Boys II (1998) earned CAD 6.2 million, while Les Boys III (2001) grossed CAD 6.1 million, including a record-breaking opening weekend of over CAD 1 million for a French-language production across 121 screens. Les Boys IV (2005) followed with CAD 4.3 million, maintaining the series' stronghold despite increasing competition. Collectively, the four theatrical installments amassed over CAD 23 million in alone, underscoring their unparalleled impact on local cinema by consistently topping annual charts and setting benchmarks for audience turnout in the province. International distribution remained limited primarily to French-speaking territories, where the films resonated through cultural affinity for hockey-themed narratives, though earnings outside were modest compared to domestic figures. The series' success factors, including strategic holiday timing and grassroots promotion within hockey circles, contributed to sustained viewership without heavy reliance on international markets.

Distribution and Home Media

The original Les Boys film premiered in theaters across Quebec on December 12, 1997, marking a significant within that contributed to its status as a cultural phenomenon. Distribution in was managed by Lions Gate Films, which handled both theatrical rollout and subsequent international outreach, including a theatrical release in the United States the same year. The U.S. run was limited in scope, primarily targeting art-house and select mainstream theaters with English subtitles to appeal to non-French-speaking audiences. International distribution remained modest for the original film, with confirmed theatrical releases in countries like in 2004, while broader sales to European markets such as and occurred more prominently with the sequels. Home media releases began with the DVD edition on April 25, 2003, offering bilingual audio tracks in French and English along with English , which broadened accessibility beyond . This was followed by a high-definition Blu-ray edition in on December 13, 2011, featuring enhanced audio-visual quality but no confirmed variants for the original . By the , the franchise saw expanded options, including individual Blu-ray/DVD combo packs for sequels like Les Boys III (2012) and Les Boys IV (2012), though no comprehensive Blu-ray encompassing all films was produced; a DVD collection for the first four films is available, and collectors often acquire them separately or through bundled digital collections. Streaming availability has evolved significantly, with the original film intermittently appearing on platforms like in the early before shifting to more stable options. As of 2025, it is accessible on ICI Tou.tv in , providing on-demand viewing with French audio and English subtitles. The 2013 prequel, Il était une fois les Boys, further spurred digital rights expansions, leading to its availability on Crave and reinforcing the franchise's presence across Canadian streaming services like Apple TV for rental or purchase. These developments have ensured ongoing accessibility for the series, particularly in , without relying on physical media.

Cultural and Linguistic Aspects

Significance in Quebec Culture

The Les Boys franchise has become a cornerstone of Quebec's , encapsulating the province's profound obsession with hockey as its . The series portrays the antics of an amateur "garage league" team, serving as modern that resonates with everyday Quebecers who participate in recreational hockey, a activity deeply embedded in social life and . This reflection of hockey's centrality—often likened to a in —fills a void in local cinema, where few films prior had explored the sport's level with such authenticity and humor. The franchise's social impact extends to fostering regional and permeating daily discourse, with references appearing in media, political commentary, and community events. For instance, "Les Boys nights" at local rinks have become a staple, where fans gather to celebrate the team's spirit through themed games and viewings, reinforcing camaraderie among players and spectators. In 2025, the franchise's cultural stature was further affirmed when it was inducted as the inaugural member of the Juste Pour Rire Hall of Fame, honoring its enduring influence on Quebec comedy and hockey lore, with tributes from figures like executive Chantal Machabée. This recognition underscores how Les Boys has boosted collective by championing quintessentially ois themes of and resilience. Beyond immediate acclaim, Les Boys exerted broader influence by inspiring amateur hockey communities and contributing to the revival of cinema during the and . The films prompted tributes such as junior league teams adopting homage jerseys and staging special matches, embedding the franchise into sports culture. Its unprecedented success—setting opening-weekend records for Quebec-produced films—signaled a commercial renaissance for the industry, encouraging investment in local storytelling amid a historically underfunded scene. The title itself, evoking for tight-knit groups of "guys," ties into this by symbolizing informal male bonds central to social norms. As of 2025, the legacy of Les Boys endures through television reruns, which continue to draw strong viewership—such as the 2023 25th-anniversary special achieving a 16.69% rating—and viral memes on platforms like that recirculate iconic lines and characters. A live stage adaptation touring in 2025-2026 further sustains its popularity, even as dated elements like traditional gender roles prompt contemporary reflection. This ongoing relevance highlights the franchise's role in evolving Quebec cultural narratives around sport and community.

Title and Translations

The title Les Boys originates from Quebec French slang, where "les boys" refers to a close-knit group of male friends or teammates, often evoking the camaraderie of hockey buddies in informal, working-class settings. This colloquial expression borrows "boys" directly from English, reflecting the bilingual influences in Quebec's linguistic landscape, where Anglo terms are integrated into everyday French speech to convey a playful, fraternal tone that a literal translation like "The Boys" fails to capture fully. The hybrid structure—"les" in French paired with the anglicized "boys"—underscores Quebec's cultural duality, blending European roots with North American informality. In English-speaking markets such as the US and English Canada, the film is typically presented with the original title Les Boys but often subtitled or referenced as The Boys to approximate the slang's informal vibe, while English dubs and subtitles are available for accessibility. French-language markets, including France and francophone Canada, retain the original Les Boys without alteration, preserving its regional authenticity. There are no official alternate titles beyond these adaptations, though fans commonly refer to the series as the "Les Boys saga" in online discussions and media coverage. The franchise maintains consistent branding across its entries, with all sequels and related works titled Les Boys followed by (e.g., Les Boys II, Les Boys III), ensuring recognition tied to the original slang's evocation of enduring male bonds. This uniformity reinforces the title's role in encapsulating themes of hockey-fueled friendship without deviating from its colloquial roots.

Critical Reception

Reviews and Awards

The original Les Boys (1997) received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its relatable humor and authentic portrayal of working-class life but criticized its crude elements and uneven pacing. Variety described it as a "highly entertaining, mostly very funny pic" that captures the camaraderie of amateur hockey players, highlighting its appeal as a lighthearted ensemble . However, a review in the Canadian Screens blog noted similarities to but concluded that while enjoyable, it lacks the satirical edge of its American counterpart, positioning it as a solid but unremarkable hockey . On aggregate sites, it holds an 86% Tomatometer score on based on 71 reviews and a 6.7/10 rating on from over 2,300 users. Reviews of the franchise sequels generally viewed them as formulaic extensions of the original's blueprint, maintaining commercial viability through familiar characters and hockey-centric humor but diminishing in originality and direction over time. Les Boys II (1998) was seen as adhering closely to the established template, with Variety noting it "does not tamper with the magic formula" that drove the first film's success, though some critics found it repetitive despite improved production values. Les Boys III (2001) and Les Boys IV (2005) faced more pointed criticism for weaker storytelling; for instance, Les Boys IV was faulted for its episodic structure and lackluster soundtrack, earning a 5.1/10 on . Aggregate critic scores on for the sequels range from 69% to 79%, reflecting a franchise-wide average in the 70% range, underscoring their enduring but not critically acclaimed appeal. The franchise garnered several and Canadian honors, primarily for box-office achievements and ensemble performances, though it received no major international accolades such as Oscar nominations. The original film earned a Genie Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for and a Golden Reel Award for producer Richard Goudreau, recognizing its sound editing and commercial impact. At the Jutra Awards, it won the Golden Ticket for highest attendance, while Les Boys II secured Jutra nominations for (Marc Messier) and Best Supporting Actor (), along with a Golden Reel at the Genies and the Billet d'Or for top box-office gross. Subsequent entries like Les Boys III also claimed the Billet d'Or and a Genie Golden Reel, emphasizing the series' provincial success in honoring popular cinema over artistic innovation. In July 2025, the Les Boys cast and creators were inducted as the inaugural members of the Hall of Fame. Common themes in professional critiques balance the films' authenticity in depicting Quebecois and friendship against criticisms of dated, stereotypical humor that can feel crude or predictable. A 2020 review praised the original for its grounded realism and in popularizing local , despite not being a cinematic , noting its pioneering influence on Quebec humor amid evolving cultural tastes.

Audience Response

The Les Boys franchise has cultivated a devoted fanbase primarily among hockey enthusiasts and men aged 25 to 50 in , drawn to its portrayal of amateur players navigating camaraderie and competition in a relatable, blue-collar setting. The original 1997 resonated deeply with this demographic, inspiring high repeat viewings and becoming a cultural touchstone for through rowdy humor and everyday antics, ultimately grossing nearly $7 million in and marking the biggest domestic hit in Canadian cinema history at the time. Fans appreciated its lighthearted take on national pastime hockey, with many citing the film's ability to poke fun at familiar character archetypes from their own lives. The series' cult following has endured through fan events and adaptations, including a 2025-2026 stage production touring theaters like Théâtre Saint-Denis, where audiences relive the team's misadventures in live performances. The 2007 television series Les Boys, la série further solidified loyalty, often attracting around one million viewers per episode by extending the franchise's earthy humor and team dynamics into episodic storytelling. This expansion tapped into 's strong cultural affinity for hockey, fostering communal engagement among fans who view the Boys as symbols of resilience and friendship. While praised for its relatability and laughs, audience feedback has also highlighted drawbacks, such as crude elements and formulaic repetition in later installments, with some noting misogynistic undertones in the portrayal of gender dynamics. By 2025, the franchise maintains relevance through high streaming rewatch rates and nostalgic , like the 2023 25th-anniversary broadcast that achieved a 16.69% rating among viewers, underscoring its lasting appeal as comfort viewing.

Franchise Expansions

Sequels

The Les Boys franchise continued with three sequels, each expanding on the amateur hockey team's misadventures while maintaining the core ensemble and comedic tone centered on camaraderie and rink-side antics. These films escalated the stakes from local rivalries to international and high-profile challenges, introducing new subplots that explored interpersonal dynamics and life transitions among the aging players. Directed primarily by Louis Saïa for the first two sequels before a shift in the fourth, the series retained key cast members like as coach Stan Ouellet, ensuring continuity in character development. Les Boys II, released in 1998 and directed by Louis Saïa, follows the team as they travel to , , for an international hockey tournament, marking a departure from the original's local setting to a global stage. The plot introduces a romance subplot, with players like Stan and others navigating flirtations amid the competition, adding emotional depth to the group's usual banter and on-ice chaos. This installment grossed approximately CAD $6.1 million at the , solidifying the franchise's commercial appeal through its blend of humor and heartfelt moments. In Les Boys III (2001), also helmed by Saïa, the narrative shifts to internal conflict as the team's unity fractures due to egos and external influences, particularly after a wealthy businessman's involvement tempts players with professional opportunities. The story builds to a climactic against the Canadian women's Olympic hockey team, highlighting themes of loyalty and redemption while preserving the series' comedy. It achieved a record-breaking opening weekend in , exceeding CAD $1 million in its first week, and ultimately earned around CAD $5.3 million domestically. Les Boys IV (2005), directed by George Mihalka, introduces a four-year time jump, with the team reuniting for an amateur tournament after a period of separation, emphasizing themes of aging, retirement, and the passage of time as the players confront their advancing years. The plot centers on their preparation for a showdown against a squad of NHL legends, blending with the franchise's signature humor about and unfulfilled dreams. This entry marked a production shift with a new director, yet it upheld the recurring cast's chemistry and the escalating competitive elements that defined the series.

Prequel

Il était une fois les Boys (English: When We Were Boys), released on December 6, 2013, serves as a to the Les Boys franchise, exploring the origins of the central characters during their teenage years. Directed and written by Richard Goudreau, who had produced the previous installments, the film is set in the winter of in a working-class parish, where a group of 14- to 16-year-old boys form an amateur hockey team called the As to compete in a tournament against a rival English-speaking squad from Madison. The narrative centers on their struggles with limited skills, personal family hardships, and budding friendships, culminating in a high-stakes match that tests their resilience and foreshadows the camaraderie seen in the adult stories. It grossed approximately CAD $1.3 million at the . The young cast features emerging actors portraying the adolescent versions of the iconic characters, including Simon Pigeon as Stan Ouellet, Samuel Gauthier as Robert "Bob" Chicoine, Derek Poissant as Marcel Bilodeau, Jassen Charron as Fernand "Fern" Rivest, and Maxime Desjardins-Tremblay as Roméo "Méo" Levasseur, with additional roles filled by Maxime Gibault as Ben Bouchard and others selected through an open online casting call. Original franchise stars appear in cameo roles as adults, such as Rémy Girard as coach Fred, Marc Messier as Denis Chicoine, and Pierre Lebeau as Jimmy, providing narrative bridges to the main series by depicting parental figures and community mentors who influence the boys' development. These portrayals retroactively enrich the backstory, highlighting early traits like Stan's leadership and Bob's loyalty that persist into adulthood. Produced with a budget of approximately CA$8.5 million, the film was shot over seven weeks from February to March 2013 in locations evoking 1960s , aiming to introduce the Les Boys universe to younger audiences while evoking nostalgia for the cultural role of hockey in the province. As the fifth entry marking the franchise's 15th anniversary, it shifts from the comedic adult antics to a more dramatic coming-of-age tale, emphasizing themes of , , and personal growth during a pivotal era in history. Critical reception was mixed, with the film earning a 6.3/10 rating on from over 400 user votes and a 45% approval score on based on limited reviews. Praise focused on its nostalgic evocation of Quebec's hockey-centric and emotional depth in depicting adolescent challenges, but critics noted an uneven tone blending drama and humor, overly sentimental scripting, and occasional reliance on franchise tropes that diluted originality. Despite this, it succeeded in expanding the series' appeal to new generations by grounding the characters' enduring bonds in their formative experiences.

Television Series

Les Boys: La série is a Canadian series that aired on Télévision de Radio-Canada from October 1, 2007, to April 2, 2012, spanning five seasons and a total of 73 episodes, each approximately 23 minutes in length. The series was created and directed by Louis Saïa, who had previously helmed the original Les Boys films, adapting the franchise into an episodic format centered on the ongoing lives of the amateur hockey team. Set in the timeline following the events of the films, the series shifts focus from high-stakes tournaments to the everyday off-ice experiences of the team members, primarily unfolding at Stan's pub where the players gather to navigate personal relationships, work challenges, and the realities of aging. Hockey games serve as recurring subplots, providing and opportunities for team bonding, while the narrative explores themes of , dynamics, and mid-life transitions among the middle-aged characters. This structure allows for serialized storytelling, with humorous misadventures highlighting the group's camaraderie in a Quebec working-class context. The cast features returning core members from the films, including Rémy Girard reprising his role as the team's coach and pub owner Stan, Marc Messier as Bob, and others like Paul Houde, Michel Charette, Yvan Ponton, and Patrick Labbé in their established characters. New supporting roles were introduced to expand the ensemble, such as Michel Charette as Léopold, Patrick Labbé as Mario, Réal Béland as Martin, and Roc Lafortune as Julien, all appearing across the full run of 73 episodes. The series also incorporated guest appearances from prominent Quebecois entertainers, enhancing its cultural ties to the local entertainment scene. Produced as a spin-off to capitalize on the films' popularity, Les Boys: La série extended the franchise by delving into the characters' post-film continuity, emphasizing serialized pub-centric narratives distinct from the movies' tournament-driven plots. It concluded after five seasons, with the final episode airing in 2012, allowing the series to maintain the essence of the original while broadening the universe through episodic depth. As of 2025, episodes are accessible via select Canadian streaming platforms associated with Radio-Canada.

Stage Adaptation

Les Boys, le spectacle is a live stage adaptation of the franchise, announced in August 2025 and scheduled to tour starting in 2026. Directed by Guillaume Corbeil and written by Marc St-Martin, the show features the characters in new comedic scenarios emphasizing friendship and hockey culture, performed by a cast including Emmanuel Bilodeau and Louis Champagne. It aims to bring the series' humor to theaters for the first time.

References

  1. https://cfe.tiff.net/canadianfilmencyclopedia/content/films/les-boys
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  4. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/LesBoys
  5. https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-chantal-machabee-inducts-les-boys
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  8. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/42832-les-boys
  9. https://variety.com/1997/film/news/les-boys-sets-quebec-record-111776539/
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  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118764/fullcredits/
  13. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0690698/
  14. https://dose.ca/2023/08/19/les-boys-guy-lafleurs-powerful-shot-nearly-injures-paul-houde/
  15. https://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/cinema-quebecois/201303/25/01-4634512-il-etait-une-fois-les-boys-les-boys-en-devenir.php
  16. https://www.screendaily.com/les-boys-iii-unseats-potter-in-quebec/407698.article
  17. https://playbackonline.ca/1998/02/09/20733-19980209/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118764/releaseinfo/
  19. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118764/companycredits/
  20. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Les-Boys-Blu-ray/25983/
  21. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Les-Boys-III-Blu-ray/41815/
  22. https://www.amazon.ca/les-boys-film-quebecois-dvd/s?k=les%2Bboys%2Bfilm%2Bquebecois%2Bdvd
  23. https://ici.tou.tv/les-boys-1
  24. https://www.crave.ca/en/movie/il-etait-une-fois-les-boys-50791
  25. https://utppublishing.com/doi/book/10.3138/9781442616196
  26. https://news.sportslogos.net/2024/11/02/qmjhls-quebec-remparts-pay-homage-to-beloved-quebecois-movie-with-special-jerseys/hockey/
  27. https://dialekta.com/en/2024-traditional-television-quebec-analysis/
  28. https://lesboys.com/spectacle/terrebonne-3-juil-2025-20h00/
  29. https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/images/2008-n137-images1106708/21394ac.pdf
  30. https://www.queensu.ca/strathy/apps/OP6v2.pdf
  31. https://reelcanada.ca/film/les-boys-the-boys/
  32. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/les-boys
  33. https://canadianscreens.wordpress.com/2018/02/20/canadian-film-review-les-boys/
  34. https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/les-boys-ii-1117787368/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308064/
  36. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/les-boys-2
  37. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/les-boys-3
  38. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/les-boys-iv
  39. https://www.christian-sauve.com/2020/08/les-boys-iv-2005/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118764/awards/
  41. https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0137401/awards/?ref_=tt_awd
  42. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/post-mortem-snares-top-jutra/article18421447/
  43. https://variety.com/2002/film/awards/soft-shell-sweeps-jutras-1117860912/
  44. https://www.the-numbers.com/news/198720830-Genie-Awards-Presented
  45. https://www.christian-sauve.com/2020/08/les-boys-1997/
  46. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/les-boys-scores-box-office-record-in-quebec-1.278610
  47. https://lesboys.com/
  48. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/why-is-quebecs-tv-success-getting-lost-in-translation/article568726/
  49. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137401/
  50. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186895/
  51. https://telefilm.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/telefilm-annualreport-1998-1999.pdf
  52. https://playbackonline.ca/2000/01/24/27848-20000124/
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  54. https://letterboxd.com/film/the-boys-iv/
  55. https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2024/11/18/les-boys-sen-vont-au-theatre-les-personnages-seront-bienveillants-pour-rendre-le-spectacle-regardable
  56. https://www.filmsquebec.com/films/il-etait-une-fois-les-boys-richard-goudreau/
  57. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2747786/
  58. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2747786/fullcredits/
  59. https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/12/02/iil-etait-une-fois-les-boysi-premiere-tapis-rouge
  60. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/220910-il-tait-une-fois-les-boys?language=en-US
  61. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/il_etait_une_fois_les_boys
  62. https://www.christian-sauve.com/2020/12/il-etait-une-fois-les-boys-when-we-were-boys-2013/
  63. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/LesBoys
  64. https://thetvdb.com/series/Les-Boys
  65. https://canfilmday.ca/film/les-boys-the-boys/
  66. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1102132/plotsummary/
  67. https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/101045-les-boys/cast
  68. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1102132/fullcredits/
  69. https://broadcasting-history.ca/les-boys/
  70. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/emissions/les_boys/
  71. https://www.instagram.com/p/DNTs3pLJcfU/
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