The best medieval movies showcase why films filled with knights, castles, swords, and (sometimes) sorcery remain popular with audiences. Good medieval movies require endless research to prevent them from becoming inaccurate, huge budgets to cater to the elaborate sets, costumes, and props required, and must often strike a balance between staying true to history and entertaining a modern audience, which isn’t easy. Despite the difficulties, the best medieval movies have been incredibly successful, both commercially and critically. From A Knight’s Tale to Henry V to The Name of the Rose, these are must-watches for any film fan.
The medieval period is fertile ground for epic tales of glory on the battlefield and romanticized reimaginings of historical events. High fantasy stories set in fictional worlds seem to be much more prevalent, but, as great as Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones may be, they shouldn’t be a complete replacement for the medieval setting. Still, from the pioneering years of cinema in the first half of the twentieth century to the huge blockbusters of the modern day, there are more than a few of the best medieval movies that are more than worthwhile.
30 King Arthur (2024)
A Grounded Blockbuster Take On Arthurian Legend
There have been plenty of King Arthur movies entered into the medieval genre over the years, but King Arthur is one of the more grounded takes on the iconic character. Clive Owen took on the starring role as the titular hero in a story of how he assembled his loyal knights of the roundtable to fight back the invading Saxon army. It also explores his romance with Guinevere (Keira Knightley).
Director Antoine Fuqua might be better known for his modern action movies like Training Day and The Equalizer movies, but he fits nicely into the medieval realm with some thrilling battle sequences. Owen makes for a great stoic take on the legendary character, while he is backed by a supporting cast of future stars, including Ray Winstone, Mads Mikkelsen, and Joel Edgerton. It is interesting to see the grounded take on the legends with Merlin (Stephen Dillane) shown to use advanced combat methods that simply appear to be magic.
29 Army Of Darkness (1993)
Ash Takes On The Deadites In A Medieval Story
While there are a lot of different approaches that can be taken with a medieval movie, Army of Darkness may be the only one to use the setting for a horror-comedy story. The third and final entry in the original Evil Dead trilogy, Army of Darkness, finds Bruce Campbell’s Ash being transported back in time to a medieval kingdom where he is accepted as a warrior with amazing abilities. However, he soon finds that the ancient evil he fought in the modern world is still around him.
However, some of the best aspects of the movie are all about a hero as modern as Ash playing the fish out of water in medieval times.
The Evil Dead movies gradually began to embrace the comedic aspects of their stories as they went along and Army of Darkness is the funniest of them all. Director Sam Raimi sometimes seems as though he is making a live-action cartoon with all the slapstick fun. However, some of the best aspects of the movie are all about a hero as modern as Ash playing the fish out of water in medieval times.
28 The Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938)
Erroll Flynn’s Swashbuckling Adventure
Robin Hood is another character who is synonymous with the medieval genre. Like King Arthur, there have been many Robin Hood movies that have ranged from great to forgettable to terrible. However, after close to 90 years since it was released, none of these films have been able to top the classic Hollywood adventure of 1938’s The Adventures of Robin Hood. Erroll Flynn makes for a definitive Robin, cementing himself as one of the greatest swashbuckling heroes of all time.
Despite how old the movie is, it is not hard to get swept up in the spectacle of it all and the action sequences still impress. It is clear the influence the movie had on many action and adventure movies that followed. The movie is further elevated by Flynn’s dashing performance, which is also very influential on action heroes who followed.
27 The Tragedy Of Macbeth (2021)
Joel Coen Directs Denzel Washington In A Shakespeare Adaptation
While the work of William Shakespeare certainly attracts a high level of talent, The Tragedy of Macbeth is a particularly exciting star-studded adaptation of one of his most famous works. For the first time, Joel Coen went out on his own as writer and director, revisiting the classic story of greed and murder, which fits in nicely with the kind of stories the Coen Brothers had always been known to tell.
As if Coen helming the project wasn’t enticing enough, Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star as an aged-up version of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The decision to focus on these characters as older is a bold and compelling one that adds new elements to the story. Washington, in particular, gives a commanding performance. Coen’s German expressionistic approach to the visuals of the movie is also fascinating and the result is one of the best movie versions of the play.
26 Brave (2012)
A Disney Princess In The Scottish Highlands
Brave marked an interesting example of Pixar attempting to make a story that would be more often seen from Disney Studios itself. The movie is set in the Scottish Highlands and follows the adventures of a princess named Merida. Like many of the modern Disney Princesses, she is a defiant and independent soul who bucks against traditions when she chooses not to be betrothed. This causes conflict in her home, especially with her mother who tries to curb Merida’s rebellious tendencies.
While the film does introduce magical elements eventually in the story, it is a surprisingly grounded look at the medieval way of life. While there are not many movies in the genre that touch on the role of women at this time, Brave addresses these aspects cleverly and profoundly, with Merida not only becoming a beloved Disney Princess, but also a Disney hero at the same time.
25 Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991)
Robin Hood Stands As One Of The Most Renowned Legends From The Medieval Period
When it comes to recurring historical figures who’ve featured in multiple medieval movies, few names stand out more than Robin Hood, the folklore hero from the UK who was known as a highly skilled archer. Robin Hood first appeared in stories in the 13th and 14th centuries and continues to be an incredibly iconic character. There are a lot of movies based on the man who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but one of the most popular version is the 1991 Kevin Costner movie, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
The film retells Robin’s story as he returns home from the Third Crusade and finds his father dead at the hands of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, who has plans to take the throne for himself. This movie has a lot going for it, including a wonderful villain turn from Alan Rickman and the Sherrif. It also won a Grammy for Best Song.
24 Outlaw King (2018)
Robert Initiates His Rebellion Following The Death Of William Wallace
The Netflix original medieval movie Outlaw King is almost a spiritual sequel to Braveheart. Both sit among the best medieval movies, with Chris Pine starring in Outlaw King as Robert the Bruce. While not exactly historically accurate, Outlaw King shows Robert starting his rebellion immediately after William Wallace’s death. The cast of Outlaw King is especially noteworthy too, with Chrise Pine joined by the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Florence Pugh, among others.
In reality, the rebellion started a year later, but this was still a good follow-up, although not quite up to the level of Braveheart. The ending of Outlaw King has also left plenty of viewers talking about it long after the credits rolled. Critics highlighted the quality of its many battle scenes, and so Outlaw King will definitely appeal to fans of the genre who enjoy medieval movies for the clash and clangs of steel-on-steel and armored warriors.
23 The Virgin Spring (1960)
An Exploration Of The Hardships Of Life In The Dark Ages
Not all movies set in medieval times are about wars and battles. Often, movies are set in the medieval era to show the living conditions and atmosphere of the dark ages. In the case of The Virgin Spring, this Ingmar Bergman movie was set in Medieval Sweden and showed the hardships that ordinary people faced when living during the 13th century.
The plot of The Virgin Spring is also a thrilling tale of revenge. Christian Per Töre sent his daughter to take candles to the church. However, on her way there, she comes across three men who then sexually assault and murder her. These three then take shelter at her father’s home and when he realizes what they did, he exacts his own revenge. The movie won an Oscar and Wes Craven remade it as The Last House on the Left.
22 Alexander Nevsky (1938)
Regarded As One Of The Finest Russian War Films Ever Produced
Released in 1938, the great Sergei Eisenstein directed Alexander Nevsky, his first movie in the sound era and his first release in nine years. He received this opportunity when the Soviet film star Boris Shumyatsky offered up the biopic subject, who was a 13th-century warrior-saint who defeated the German knights of the Teutonic Order.
Given the era the film was made, this medieval movie is definitely a release that’s more suited for diehard fans of the genre. However, it is still considered one of the best Russian war movies ever made, with an incredible look at devastated cities and battlefields, all while Nevsky led his troops to defend his country from foreign invaders. The movie remains highly praised and even has a Criterion Collection release. While not known to a lot of modern viewers, it is a classic that is well-worth seeking out for fans of the medieval movie genre.
21 The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023)
A Follow-Up Film Inspired By The Netflix Television Series
A sequel movie based on the Netflix TV series, which itself was based on the medieval Viking novels by Bernard Cornwell, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die provided a suitable end-point for the narrative in the perfect way. The show was extremely popular and when Netflix ended it, so the addition of a feature film to round off the story was welcomed by fans. However, Seven Kings Must Die also stands as a solid medieval movie in its own right.
The only thing that really hurts this medieval movie is that it is almost like the final season of The Last Kingdom but condensed to two hours. With that said, it has the same amazing battles, a nice budget for effects, and a satisfying ending for all the characters from the series. Critics especially noted the cinematography of Seven Kings Must Die, as well as the performances of the cast — in particular Pekka Strang as the warrior-king of the Dane, King Anlaf.
20 The Green Knight (2021)
Dev Patel Leads The Cast Of One Of The Most Stylish Medieval Movies
A young and ambitious knight who finds himself on a quest to prove his nobleness when he is challenged by the mysterious Green Knight
Though it was somewhat overlooked when it was released, 2021’s The Green Knight will likely become a beloved favorite of fans of medieval movies in years to come. The movie stars Dev Patel as Gawain, a young and ambitious knight who finds himself on a quest to prove his nobleness when he is challenged by the mysterious Green Knight. The Green Knight received several accolades and nominations, including a Critics Choice Super Award win for Dev Patel.
The Green Knight adapts the poem “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and includes fantasy elements just as the source material did. However, it is also a medieval tale that deconstructs tales of heroes and holds an impressive 89% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Much of the praise from critics for The Green Knight focuses on how it adapted the source material, with many reviewers celebrating how it takes the original poem and turns it into an incredibly modern narrative format.
Related
The 20 Best Medieval TV Shows, Ranked
Medieval settings can make for interesting stories whether it’s Viking Europe or Kublai Khan’s Asia. Here are the best medieval TV shows available.
19 The King (2019)
Timothée Chalamet Stars In This Netflix Adaptation Of Shakespeare
One of the more recent medieval movies came in 2019, and Netflix’s The King proved there was still interest in the genre. Though based on several plays by William Shakespeare, the film takes its own approach to chronicle the life of Henry V (Timothée Chalamet) after becoming the King of England in the 15th century. Chalamet proved he could carry his own movie outside the indie movie world and appeal to a larger audience.
He delivers a layered performance as a brave warrior who is perhaps not as wise of a politician as he likes to pretend he is. The 2019 medieval movie also features an impressive supporting cast, including Robert Pattinson with an amusing French accent. The King was directed by David Michôd, with the movie earning him a nomination for best direction at the AACTA Awards, and Brad Pitt served as a producer.
18 El Cid (1961)
One Of The Final Films Of The Old Hollywood Era Was An Epic Medieval Tale
The 1961 film El Cid starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren highlights one of the last movies made in the era of old Hollywood when such studio epics were common. The film chronicles the life of the Spanish legendary figure Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar, also known as El Cid. The film is set in the 11th century against a backdrop of Christian Spain that is being overrun by the Moors.
The charismatic knight El Cid tries to unify his divided country and rally his people against foreign invaders. The star power of the movie is one of the selling points as Heston and Loren received plenty of praise, while the musical score and art direction are also standouts, earning several Oscar nominations in technical categories. It is the kind of sweeping epic from Old Hollywood that can still thrill audiences decades after its release.
17 Valhalla Rising (2009)
Mads Mikkelsen Delivers One Of His Most Intense Performances
The Viking movie genre is not a very prevalent one, but Valhalla Rising is one of the examples of why this particular period of history makes for some incredible medieval movies. This Nicolas Winding Refn film features Mads Mikkelsen in one of his most visceral performances. The movie received a mix response from critics, with some feeling it took itself too seriously, with others giving it nothing but praise. However, these criticisms do demonstrate that it will more than likely appeal to dedicated fans of medieval movies more than it will casual viewers.
Buoyed by the gorgeous Scotland landscape on which it was shot, Valhalla Rising is a worthy screening for both Mikkelsen fans and anyone who can get on Refn’s wavelength and comfortably stay there. Far from the director’s Drive, the film follows a Norse Warrior called One-Eye and a young boy as they travel with Christian Crusaders in 1096 AD.
16 The Northman (2022)
A Visually Breathtaking Adventure
Famed for his brooding and unrelentingly strange horror-adjacent efforts, director Robert Eggers knows how to establish drama, build tension, and cultivate a bizarre climax that makes the film’s heroes seem no more well-intentioned than its villains. That’s very much on display in one of 2022’s best action movies, The Northman. Much like Valhalla Rising, The Northman is a perfect medieval movie for viewers specifically interested in the Viking age.
A Norse tale of revenge that reverts into a tale of questioned allegiances and misinterpreted memories, it’s a visually stunning adventure that’ll leave audiences wondering why more movies don’t opt for the troubled antihero storyline. Though a box office disappointment, the movie’s battle sequences and authentic feel stood out among modern action movies. In addition, the cast of The Northman includes many well-known names, including Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, and Anya Taylor-Joy.
15 Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)
The Director’s Cut Reinvigorated Medieval Movies For The Modern Era
Following Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning Gladiator, the idea of the filmmaker making another historical epic sounded like a great idea. Kingdom of Heaven follows a blacksmith (Orlando Bloom) who joins his father (Liam Neeson) as a crusader on the road to the Holy City. Years before fans started demanding the director’s cut of Justice League, the film Kingdom of Heaven showed how a director’s cut could save a movie.
The messy film that was released in theaters was recut in its intended form as a massive epic that showed off Scott’s talent for big battle sequences while also making the historical aspects of the movie more gripping and effective. The cast of Kingdom of Heaven is stacked with A-List names including Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson, Michael Sheen, and Edward Norton as King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem.
14 Excalibur (1981)
One Of The Greatest Medieval Movies Merges The Mythology Of Classic Tales
Some of the best medieval movies combine the mythology of classic tales while also setting themselves in a heightened historical world. Such is the case with the wonderful fantasy adventure Excalibur, the epic 1981 medieval movie from director John Boorman. As expected from the title, this is a story about King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table and still stands as an incredibly unique take on the traditional Arthurian mythos.
Excalibur
received an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography
The cast was heavily praised with Nigel Terry as Arthur, Patrick Stewart as Leondegrance, Liam Neeson as Gawain, and Helen Mirren as Morgana. Excalibur received an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography, while Boorman won an award at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival. While it’s now several decades old, Excalibur still stands strong when compared to many modern medieval movies and films about King Arthur.
13 The Last Duel (2021)
The True Story Of A Terrifying Incident That Set The Stage For A Deadly Confrontation
Though it was one of the biggest box office bombs of 2021, The Last Duel recounts a real-life story lost in history that has stunning relevancy to modern society. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film was written and features performances by both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck while also starring Adam Driver and Jodie Comer in an acclaimed leading role.
The Last Knight is told through the perspectives of two knights and a lady all surrounding a horrific incident that leads to a deadly confrontation. Despite the fact that it was overlooked and Affleck scored an undeserved Razzie nomination, the performances, the telling of the tale, and the epic final battle led to an 85% Rotten Tomatoes rating. It is also fascinating how this true story from medieval times can feel so relevant to the politics of today.
12 A Knight’s Tale (2001)
A Stand-Out Medieval Movie Starring Heath Ledger
2001’s A Knight’s Tale stands out as a medieval movie that managed to transcend genre limitations and appeal to a much wider fanbase than most. Though fans know Heath Ledger best as The Dark Knight’s Joker, A Knight’s Tale is one of the films that cemented the late star as a leading man. Ledger stars as William Thatcher, a man who impersonates a knight and rises up through the ranks by jousting in a series of tournaments.
The highly entertaining film centers around the idea that everyone can choose their own destinies and is much more comedic than most medieval movies. Instead of taking itself too seriously with historical facts and accuracy, the movie incorporated modern music in a fun and unexpected way. While it didn’t receive many accolades at the time, A Knight’s Tale was a success with audiences and still considered by many as a beloved and easy-watch medieval comedy.
11 Richard III (1955)
The Pinnacle Of Shakespearean Film Adaptations
Many of the best medieval movies were released in the mid-20th century, and many more still are adaptations of classic Shakespeare plays. Richard III is a perfect example of both. In Richard III, Laurence Olivier plays the titular nefarious character in the tale of his many plots and betrayals in order to seize the throne for himself, with Olivier showing why he’s a talent many consider to have been perfectly suited to playing larger-than-life characters of medieval dramas.
Olivier directed a number of movies based on Shakespeare’s plays, and while this was his only one not to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, Olivier’s performance was nominated. In the years since its release, many have called Richard III the best Shakespeare movie adaptation. Many established thespians appear in the cast alongside Olivia, including Cedric Hardwicke and John Gielgud.
