Medieval Movies have become more popular with time. Everyone loves seeing kings and knights on horses riding to battle, war horses, big ballrooms with women dressed in beautiful gowns, large courtrooms with the king or the queen sitting at the far end, and the forbidden love of a prince and a princess who meet in the secrecy of the night in a forest.
The movies are primarily set in the medieval period and make the best movies. Audiences want to be transported to those medieval times through the movies. So here is a list of the ’40 Best Medieval Movies’ of all time and where you can stream them.
50. Black Death (2010)
- Director: Christopher Smith
- Writer: Dario Poloni
- Cast: Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne, Carice van Houten, and John Lynch.
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Black Death is a film set in the times of the bubonic plague. The story follows a monk named Osmund, who, with Ulric, takes up the task of uncovering the mystery of the apparent resurrection of people. The medieval films on this list are some of the best movies of the genre and some of the good ones produced.
From great historical events that they cover, if one wishes to be transported to the days of sword fights and chivalry, this is the movie list to binge-watch without fail.
49. DragonHeart (1996)
- Director: Rob Cohen
- Writer: Charles Edward Pogue
- Cast: David Thewlis, Dennis Quaid, Dina Meyer, Pete Postlethwaite, Sean Connery, Julie Christie.
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
- Where to Watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Vudu, DirecTV, Google Play Movies, Redbox, Microsoft Store.
The movie is a fantasy adventure set in the medieval era where an injured King Einon is healed by a dragon named Draco. Years later, a dragonslayer named Bowen teams up with Draco to make a duo to earn revenue. The Draco protects various villages from the terror of other dragons, and in return, they offer them a reward.
But the tense situation arises when they are determined to save the kingdom as a whole from the clutches of an evil King named Einon, who was supposedly saved by Draco years ago, and now both have parts of each other in them.
48. Arn: The Knight Templar (2007)
- Director: Peter Flinth
- Writer: Jan Guillou, Hans Gunnarsson
- Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 61%
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Arn, the child of a high-positioning Swedish aristocrat, is taught in a religious community and shipped off to the Holy Land as a knight to do compensation for a taboo love.
The other addition concerning this film is the ensembles. The entertainers are made to look at the land. The people who walk the desert are canvassed in residue, soil, and built-up mud by means of sweat.
Also, the outfits seem to be of the period. Dissimilar to another film we checked on, “1066”, the shield in this film seems to be covering the period similar to the other outfits. Such validness helps offset a portion of the prominent absence of energy in the show. As a matter of fact, this movie’s craft bearing is maybe better than “Realm of Heaven”.
47. Robin Hood (2010)
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Writer: Brian Helgeland
- Cast: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Eileen Atkins, Oscar Isaac, Danny Huston, Mark Addy, and Max von Sydow.
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
- Where to Watch: Netflix
The movie is about King Richard’s crusade veteran named Robin Longstride. The film mainly focuses on the pre-greenwood days of Robin Hood and how he formed his band of Merry men. This medieval movie ends with them fleeing and taking shelter in the woods while fighting the usurper.
46. Valhalla Rising (2009)
- Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
- Writer: Nicolas Winding Refn, Roy Jacobsen
- Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Maarten Stevenson, Alexander Morton
- IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 70%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video and Hulu
It’s impossible to adequately convey the breathtaking cinematic experience that is Valhalla Rising. The protagonist of the film is “One Eye,” played by Mads Mikkelsen, a mute warrior-slave who escapes slavery and embarks on a mission to the Holy Land.
He quickly finds himself in a bizarre and enigmatic mythological world. Raw violence, gorgeous photography, menacing music, and riveting ensemble performances abound in the movie. This film is a must-see if you enjoy realistic, gritty medieval films.
45. The Vikings (1958)
- Director: Richard Fleischer
- Writer: Calder Willingham
- Cast: Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine, Janet Leigh
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 76%
- Where to Watch: Prime Video, Hulu
The Vikings (1958), a narrative of two brothers, is an exhilarating adventure that follows Einar and Eric, two half-brothers who are each competing for the crown of Northumbria in Britain. Both Einar and Eric have different reasons for seeking the throne because Einar is a famous warrior and Eric was formerly a slave.
This timeless film, starring Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis, will captivate audiences with its riveting action sequences, fearless acting, and intriguing plot.
44. Alexander (2004)
- Director: Oliver Stone
- Writer: Oliver Stone, Christopher Kyle, Laeta Kalogridis
- Cast: Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, Rosario Dawson
- IMDb Rating: 5.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 16%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
The compelling story of one of the most famous people in the world is told in Alexander (2004). The film presents a fascinating and engrossing narrative of the man himself and his conquest of a significant portion of the known world.
As he attempts to complete his objective, Alexander encounters various challenges, conquers a number of nations, and battles with his army
43. The 13th Warrior (1999)
- Director: John McTiernan
- Writer: Michael Crichton
- Cast:Antonio Banderas,Diane Venora, Dennis Storhøi, Vladimir Kulich, Omar Sharif
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 33%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
The star-studded cast of the dramatic historical epic The 13th Warrior delivers standout performances. Ibn Fadlan (Antonio Banderas), who was initially captured by the Viking warriors, is welcomed into their society and fights alongside them against an unforeseen attack in the film, which is fundamentally a tale of friendship, devotion, and bravery
. For fans of historical epics and action movies, this picture is a must-see because it has a distinctive blend of action, drama, and history.
42. King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword (2017)
- Director: Guy Ritchie
- Writer: Joby Harold, Guy Ritchie, and Lionel Wigram
- Cast:Charlie Hunnam, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Jude Law, Djimon Hounsou, Aidan Gillen, Eric Bana
- IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 30%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Netflix
The well-known tale of King Arthur’s discovery from the Arthurian legend is retold in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. The movie takes place before the southern Saxon invasion. The myths of wizards, mages, and warlocks permeate the narrative. With the aid of Merlin’s sword, King Uther Pendragon sets out to defeat the terrible warlock Mordred. Uther and his wife perished together with Mordred, despite his success in killing him. His brother Vortigern, who wants the throne, betrays them.
After escaping, Arthur moves into a brothel in London and lives among the prostitutes. Despite this, Arthur is unable to avoid his fate, and as he removes the sword from the stone, Vortigern realizes the true heir has returned to claim the throne. The movie received mixed reviews from the critics.
They believed that the way Arthur was portrayed—as a “death metal warrior-king” rather than the mythical wise warrior king who saved Britain—was a departure from the myth. Additionally, the viewers did not enjoy this Arthur, and the movie did poorly at the box office.
41. Mulan: Rise of a Warrior (2009)
- Director: Jingle Ma
- Writer: Zhang Ting
- Cast: Wei Zhao, Jaycee Chan, Kun Chen
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: NA%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Mulan: Rise of a Warrior is an intriguing retelling of the well-known folktale that places a strong emphasis on the conflict and Mulan’s development as a leader. While there are many action scenes in this movie, Mulan’s character growth as she develops into a brave and strong leader is the main subject.
The film explores devotion, bravery, and honor, and viewers will enjoy the dramatic performances by Wei Zhao, Kun Chen, and Jaycee Chan
40. Heaven And Earth (1990)
- Director: Haruki Kadokawa
- Writer(s): Haruki Kadokawa, Chogoro Keynji, Toshio Kamata, Isao Yoshiwara.
- Cast: Takaaki Enoki, Naomi Zaizen, Masahiko Tsugawa, Hironobu Nomura, Atsuko Asano, Masatō Ibu, Morio Kazama, Kyōko Kishida.
- IMDb Rating: 7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
- Where to Watch: N/A
The movie shows a powerful warlord named Takeda who desires to expand his rule to great lengths. In contrast, another equally passionate warlord Kagetora wants to rule his kingdom with utmost bravery. While Takeda’s people spread their presence across feudal Japan, they reached the province of Kagetora and eye to capture it.
But the province’s ruler must now think like a warrior to protect its land and people from the invaders. Thus, then ensues the clash between feudal lords and their two big armies that will eventually decide the entire country’s fate.
39. Highlander (1986)
- Director: Russell Mulcahy
- Writer(s): Gregory Widen, Larry Ferguson, Peter Bellwood
- Cast: Christopher Lambert, Clancy Brown, Roxanne Hart, Sean Connery.
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 70%
- Where to Watch: fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Peacock, Peacock Premium, DirecTV, Tubi TV, Max Go, Plex, Popcornflix, Cinemax Amazon Channel.
The story revolves around a present-day urban man named Russell Edwin Nash, who, following a clash with a man named Iman Fasil, goes to the prison as the former beheaded the latter with his sword. Russell then recalls his life as Connor MacLeod, an immortal king in the 16th century, when after recovering from a fatal injury, he gets expelled from his clan.
But when he learns about his immortality from Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez and gets told that he loses his powers only when he is beheaded, and in the battle of immortals, whoever stays alive till the end, gets the powers of other immortals.
In the present day, Russell gets released but is followed by Brenda J. Wyatt, a forensic agent who gets intrigued by Russell’s case. Also, another immortal named Kurgan is for the hunt of MacLeod in order to kill him and get his powers.
38. Brave (2012)
- Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
- Writer: Brenda Chapman, Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell
- Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
- Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video
Daring is an energized Pixar film about a middle-aged Scottish princess who will not adjust to customs and longs to clear her own fate. The story is composed by Brenda Chapman joining Scottish legends of Will o’ Wisps and that’s just the beginning.
Princess Merida is more OK with a bow and bolts. However, her mom wishes she were a legitimate woman. As the ideal opportunity for her marriage approaches, the contention among Merida and her mom increments.
In a rash and imprudent choice, Merida utilizes a witch to put a savage revile on her mom. Presently, she has just three days to save her mom from staying a bear. Daring was generally welcomed by the fans and the pundits.
They gave positive audits for the film. They concurred that Brave offers something for dream darlings, fantasy fans, and knowing young ladies about confidence and correspondence.
37. Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Writer: William Monahan
- Cast: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson, David Thewlis, and Marton Csokas.
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 39%
- Where to Watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video.
Starring Orlando Bloom and other iconic actors, the movie Kingdom of Heaven is about a 12th-century blacksmith, Baliam, who becomes a warrior and helps protect the city and its people after traveling to the war-torn Jerusalem.
36. El Cid (1961)
- Director: Anthony Mann
- Writers: Philip Yordan, Fredrick M. Frank, and Ben Barzman.
- Cast: Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, Raf Vallone, Genevieve Page, John Fraser, Gary Raymond, Herbert Lom, and Douglas Wilmer.
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
- Where to Watch: NA
Set in medieval Europe, the film revolves around the hero knight, El Cid, who, despite being exiled by the treacherous ruler of his homeland, fights to help the people of Spain and at the same time tries to reconcile with his wife.
35. Mongol: The Rise Of Genghis Khan (2007)
- Director: Sergei Bodrov
- Writer(s): Sergei Bodrov, Arif Aliyev
- Cast: Tadanobu Asano, Chuluuny Khulan, Sun Honglei.
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
- Where to Watch: Google Play Movies, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, and iTunes.
The story follows the early life of Genghis Khan and how the events lead him to become the greatest conqueror. Young boy Temüjin goes along with his father to choose a prospective girl as his future wife. He then meets Börte, who wishes her desire to be chosen and gets selected by him. The boy then makes a promise to return after five years to wed her.
But during their trip back, Temüjin’s father gets killed by poison, leaving the boy alone and starving. But with the aid of Börte, he manages to overcome the challenges and sets on the journey which takes him to be one of the greatest conquerors the world has ever witnessed.
34. Pathfinder (1987)
- Director: Nils Gaup
- Writer: Nils Gaup
- Cast: Nils Utsi, Mikkel Gaup, Sara Harit Gaup, Helgi Skúlason.
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
- Where to Watch: Criterion Channel
The movie follows a young boy named Aigin who manages to escape their presence after witnessing his family slaughtered by tjudes and reaches out to other Lapps in the camp. But the fellow members, afraid of the murderous people, leave for the coast while the boy stays behind to seek revenge for his family’s death.
But before the boy could do anything, they caught him and forced him to tell them the way to other Lapps. So he directs them towards the camp but plans to kill the warlike people before reaching there.
33. Troy (2004)
Source: Vanity Fair
- Director: Wolfgang Petersen
- Writer: David Benioff
- Cast: Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, Brian Cox, Diane Kruger, Peter O’Toole, Sean Bean, Stephen Buttigieg, Brendan Gleeson.
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 54%
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Vudu, Google Play, Amazon Instant Video, iTunes.
Starring Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt, and other iconic actors, the movie follows the epic battle between Troy and Sparta. When a Trojan prince named Paris falls for the wife of Spartan King Menelaus and takes her to Troy, the brother of Menelaus King Agamemnon uses this pretext to declare war with Troy.
Hoping for his chance to conquer the Aegean Sea by defeating Troy, King Agamemnon clashes with Paris in an epic battle.
32. Willow (1988)
Source: Empire
- Director: Ron Howard
- Writer: Bob Dolman
- Cast: Warwick Davis, Joanne Whalley, Val Kilmer, Jean Marsh, Billy Barty.
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 52%
- Where to Watch: Disney Plus
When a devious Queen Bavmorda learns about her destined downfall by the hands of a princess, she seeks to find the newly born named Elora Danan in order to finish her. But the princess is found by a timid farmer and aspiring sorcerer named Willow, who then tries his best to save the royal infant from the evil.
31. Ladyhawke (1985)
- Director: Richard Donner
- Writer: Edward Khmara, Michael Thomas, Tom Mankiewicz, David Webb Peoples
- Cast: Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer
- IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 67%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Disney+
The fantasy adventure Ladyhawke is set in medieval Italy, where the corrupt bishop of Aquila rules. Edward Khmara wrote the screenplay, while Richard Donner directed the film. The Bishop of Aquila jailed juvenile thief Gaston and accused him of stealing. After breaking out of jail, he encounters an eccentric pair.
Gaston is freed from the guards by Etienne of Navarre and his hawk, who then ask him to assist in killing the Bishop. When Gaston learns that the hawk is actually Lady Isabeau, he changes his mind about offering assistance. The Bishop curses Navarre and Isabeau to transform into animals because he is envious of their love for one another.
Navarre is a wolf at night, and Isabeau is a hawk during the day. Finally, the three decided to try to break the curse. The movie did poorly at the box office. The narrative’s erratic pacing was cited by critics as the reason for the failure.
30. Excalibur (1981)
- Director: John Boorman
- Writers: John Boorman and Rospo Pallenberg
- Cast: Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi, Paul Geoffrey, Nicol Williamson, Liam Neeson, Corin Redgrave, and Patrick Stewart.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 74%
- Where to Watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video.
This is a middle ages drama based on the 15th century Arthurian legend of the mythical sword Excalibur. The movie focuses on the accession of the throne of King Arthur and forming the Knights of the Round Table.
29. The Last Duel (2021)
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Writer: Ben Affleck, Nicole Holofcener, Matt Damon.
- Cast: Matt Damon, Jodie Comer, Adam Driver, Ben Affleck.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
- Where to Watch: HBO Max, Spectrum on Demand, HBO Now.
The film chronicles through true events in France’s history of trial by combat during medieval times. The premise tells the story of an infamous feud between Knight Jean de Carrouges and his mate Jacques Le Griswho. Carrouges happens to challenge his mate for a duel when the former’s wife named Jean, accuses the latter for sexual assault.
The story is inspired from the novel titled The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager.
28. Richard III (1955)
- Director: Laurence Olivier
- Writer: Laurence Olivier
- Cast: Laurence Olivier, Claire Bloom, Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, Cedric Hardwicke, Laurence Naismith, Norman Wooland.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
- Where to Watch: Kanopy, HBO Max, Criterion Channel.
The movie focused on medieval England when Richard aided his brother Edward to be on the throne of England by using his military skills. But soon, his jealousy to possess the crown pushes him to strategize a well-calculated plan using manipulation, deception, and ultimately a heinous murder that has not only direct consequences for himself but also on England.
27. Elizabeth (1998)
- Director: Shekhar Kapur
- Writer: Michael Hirst
- Cast: Cate Blanchett, Christopher Eccleston, Geoffrey Rush, Richard Attenborough, Joseph Fiennes.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
- Where to Watch: Kanopy, Amazon Prime Video. iTunes, DirecTV, YouTube, Google Play Movies.
The movie follows the coming into the power and early rule by Queen Elizabeth the First and how she dealt with the Catholic hatred of her, her council trying their best to marry her off and her supposed romance with Lord Robert Dudley.
26. The Northman (2022)
- Director: Robert Eggers
- Writer: Sjón, Robert Eggers
- Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
- Where to watch: HBO Max
From visionary chief Robert Eggers comes The Northman, an activity-filled legendary that follows a youthful Viking ruler on his mission to vindicate his dad’s homicide.
Outwardly then “The Northman” was fascinating, as it most certainly felt like a period suitable film. We loved the props, ensembles, sets, landscape, and so on, in light of the fact that it most certainly closely resembled what is generally connected with the Vikings period.
25. The Return of Martin Guerre (1982)
- Director: Daniel Vigne
- Writer: Jean-Claude Carrière, Janet Lewis, Daniel Vigne
- Cast: Gérard Depardieu, Nathalie Baye, Maurice Barrier
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
During the center of the sixteenth hundred years, Martin Guerre gets back to his town in southwestern France, subsequent to being ceaselessly in the battle for very nearly 10 years. The locals who knew him as a young fellow suspect he isn’t Martin, however he appears to have a ton of familiarity with his companions, his family and his better half, even the most surprising things.
24. Henry V (1989)
- Director: Kenneth Branagh
- Writer: Kenneth Branagh
- Cast: Paul Scofield, Kenneth Branagh, Ian Holm, Derek Jacobi, Alec McCowen, Emma Thompson, Brian Blessed, Judi Dench, Robbie Coltrane, Christian Bale.
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
- Where to watch: Hoopla, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Kanopy, BroadwayHD, The Roku Channel.
When King Henry V of England gets insulted by King Charles VI of France, he gets agitated and directs his army to set out on the war against France. But during the battle, the young king deals with his inner doubts and struggles with his troop’s dropping morale. The fight ultimately ends into the Battle of Agincourt.
23. Macbeth (1948)
- Director: Orson Welles
- Writer: Orson Welles
- Cast: Orson Welles, Dan O’Herlihy, Jeanette Nolan, Edgar Barrier, Peggy Webber, Alan Napier, Roddy McDowall.
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
- Where to Watch: N/A
When the Thane of Glamis, Macbeth learns about his future as a king of Scotland by a prophecy from witches, he gets lured by greed, and on his wife’s advice, he murders his king and ultimately takes the throne.
22. Hamlet (1948)
- Director: Laurence Olivier
- Writer: Laurence Olivier
- Cast: Laurence Olivier, Basil Sydney, Norman Wooland, Eileen Herlie, Felix Aylmer, Jean Simmons, Terence Morgan.
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
- Where to Watch: HBO Max, Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Vudu.
The film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play of the same name follows Prince Hamlet of Denmark returning to attend his father’s funeral only to learn that the murderers of his father are his mother Gertrude and his uncle Claudius. But, of course, he did all this for the throne.
To seek revenge for the killing of his father, Hamlet decides to poison the culprits but accidentally kills Polonius, who is the father of his love Ophelia. Thus, then begins the chain of reactions leading to the tragic ending.
Read More: The 25 Best Studio Ghibli Movies You Can Watch Right Now
21. Romeo And Juliet (1968)
- Director: Franco Zeffirelli
- Writer: William Shakespeare, Franco Brusati, Masolino D’Amico
- Cast: Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey, John McEnery
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Romeo and Juliet are one of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays. This archaic misfortune is set in the Italian town of Verona between the fighting honorable groups of Montague and Capulet.
This variant of the play is the best creation around then by Franco Zeffirelli. Two of Verona’s top honorable families, Montague and Capulet, are quarreling with one another while their kids, Romeo and Juliet, are experiencing passionate feelings.
Notwithstanding the firm resistance from everybody around them, Romeo and Juliet proceed to meet and stay committed. However, in an unusual story of disarray, the two of them wind up kicking the bucket, believing that the other is dead. Laurence Olivier was so dazzled by crafted by Franco Zeffirelli that he consented to work in this film, uncredited.
20. 300 (2006)
- Director: Zack Snyder
- Writer: Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad, Michael B. Gordon
- Cast: LGerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
- Where to Watch: Apple iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, and Vudu.
n the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC a coalition of Greek city-states battled the attacking Persian armed force in the mountain pass of Thermopylae.
Boundlessly dwarfed, the Greeks kept down the adversary in one of the most popular final turning points of history. Persian King Xerxes drove an Army of well north of 100,000 (Persian lord Xerxes before war has around 170,000 armed force) men to Greece and was faced by 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, and 400 Thebans.
Xerxes sat tight for 10 days for King Leonidas to give up or pull out yet left without any choices he pushed forward. Following 3 days of fight, every one of the Greeks was killed.
The Spartan loss was not the one expected, as a neighborhood shepherd, named Ephialtes, surrendered to the Persians and informed Xerxes that the different way through Thermopylae, which the Persians could use to outmaneuver the Greeks, was not quite so vigorously watched as they suspected.
19. Warrior’s End (2009)
- Director: Bjorn Anderson
- Writer: Bjorn Anderson
- Cast: Zach Maurer, Paul Eenhoorn, John Symonds.
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
- Where to Watch: N/A
The story focuses on a prince named Midea who one day is out on a tour of his northwestern border. But soon, he and his companions realize the incoming armies set to conquer their land from neighboring Kilea. But before he can make any significant arrangements, he is left with no time and ultimately has to decide himself about the entire situation.
18. The Name of The Rose (1986)
- Director: Jean Jacques Annaud
- Writers: Andrew Birkin, Howard Franklin, Gerard Brach, and Alain Godard.
- Cast: Sean Connery, Christian Slater, F. Murray Abraham, Ron Perlman, Feodor Chaliapin Jr., Michael Lonsdale, William Hickey, and Valentina Vargas.
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 74%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
The Name of The Rose is a mystery and one of the best medieval films. The film follows a renowned monk William of Baskerville, and his apprentice traveling to an abbey to investigate some suspicious deaths. But William has to work along with his nemesis Bernardo Gui there.
17. Becket (1964)
- Director: Peter Glenville
- Writer: Edward Anhalt
- Cast: Richard Burton, Peter O’Toole, John Gielgud, and Donald Wolfit.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 76%
- Where to Watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
The movie tells the story of King Henry II and Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket’s friendship. King Henry wants to use their friendship to strengthen his reign and get a grip over the church, whereas Becket does not want to serve any political cause.
16. Northern Crusades (1972)
- Director: Marijonas Giedrys
- Writer: Saulius Šaltenis
- Cast: Antanas Šurna, Eugenija Pleškytė.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
- Where to Watch: N/A
One of the famous medieval movies, Northern Crusades, focuses on the wars of Teutonic Crusaders and Old Prussians. The film is the biography of Hercus Monte, one of the famous leaders of the Old Prussians at the time of the Northern Crusades.
15. Marketa Lazarová (1967)
- Director: František Vláčil
- Writer: František Pavlíček, František Vláčil
- Cast: Josef Kemr, Magda Vášáryová, František Velecký, Jaroslav Moučka, Naďa Hejná.
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
- Where to Watch: Criterion Channel, iTunes, Amazon Prime Video.
The story follows Mikolás, who indulges in robbing the travelers with his brother Adam on the say of their father, Kozlík. But one day, when one of their victims manages to escape and reach the king with the news, Kozlik prepares to face the aftermath.
He asks Mikolás to force their neighbor Lazar to help them in the war. But when his attempts to persuade Lazar fail, Mikolás abducts Lazar’s daughter Marketa in vengeance. Thus ensues a monumental fight and unexpected romance.
14. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
- Directors: Michael Curtiz and William Keighley
- Writers: Norman Reilly Raine, Seton I. Miller, and Rowland Leigh
- Cast: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Patrick Knowles, Eugene Pallette, and Una O’Connor
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube
The movie is based on the legend of Robin Hood from the Middle Ages when King Richard the Lionheart was taken captive by the Austrian usurper Leopold V. The story follows a young Robin who gathers a bunch of men to help the poor. However, he finds himself helping King Richard when his lover Marion is taken captive by the usurper’s men.
13. The Lion in Winter (1968)
- Director: Anthony Harvey
- Writer: James Goldman
- Cast: Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, John Castle, Nigel Terry, and Timothy Dalton.
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
- Where to Watch: NA
The movie is about King Henry II, and his wife’s quest to find a suitable heir from a list of potential candidates so that he can take on the responsibility of the kingdom after Henry II’s reign is over. It is one of the top-rated medieval movies on IMDb.
12. Kagemusha (1980)
- Director: Akira Kurosawa
- Writer: Masato Ide, Akira Kurosawa
- Cast: Tatsuya Nakadai, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ken’ichi Hagiwara
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, VUDU, Vudu Movie & TV Store or Apple TV
At the point when a strong warlord in middle age Japan bites the dust, an unfortunate hoodlum enlisted to mimic him finds trouble satisfying his job and conflicts with the soul of the warlord during fierce times in the realm.
We will constantly recollect this film, not so much for its intricacy or hostility, but rather for the least difficult minutes among Lord and subject, between the most noteworthy self and the most minimal self, and most especially, the genuine aggravation of a man trapped in the tight clamp of his own life and demise.
11. The Princess Bride (1987)
- Director: Rob Reiner
- Writer: William Goldman
- Cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Parkins, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Peter Falk, Christopher Guest, Andre the Giant, and Billy Crystal.
- IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
This romantic fairy tale film is set in medieval times. This is a typical classic in terms of the story where a boy, after being separated from his lover, goes on an adventure to find and rescue her from the villains.
10. Andrei Rublev (1966)
- Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
- Writer: Andrey Konchalovskiy, Andrei Tarkovsky
- Cast: Anatoliy Solonitsyn, Ivan Lapikov, Nikolay Grinko
- IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Andreiv Rublev traces the great symbol painter’s life through a turbulent period in fifteenth-century Russian history marked by continuous battles between competing Princes and Tatar incursions.
Andrei Rublev was a middle-aged Russian iconographer; the film narratives his battle to keep up with confidence and imaginativeness in a universe of unlimited brutality and languishing.
As opposed to giving us a crackerjack plotline with all the legitimate scene peaks and outlook changes, chief Tarkovsky gives us a world in which we should submerge ourselves; when we are inside, we are stood up to with thorough torment and significant victory.
The film is separated into sections; the last one, including a stranded ringer producer’s child, is a dazzling film-inside a-film that gives a microcosm of the entire film. That part, assuming it remained solitary, would be my record-breaking most loved film.
Be cautioned: “Andrei Rublev” is SLOW. You need to slide into it; it’s anything but a flick that stuns, it is a world that flabbergasts, and which requests to be possessed. Additionally, there are EXTREMELY troublesome scenes to watch- – torment and gore flourishes.
Watching the Tartar assault on a Russian town is the most over-the-top difficult experience I’ve at any point had- – in a film, however throughout everyday life.
9. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
- Director and Writer: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
- Cast: Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
- Where to Watch: Netflix
A comedic send-up of the grim circumstances of the Middle Ages as told through the story of King Arthur and framed by a modern-day murder investigation.
When the mythical king of the Britons leads his knights on a quest for the Holy Grail, they face a wide array of horrors, including a persistent Black Knight, a three-headed giant, a cadre of shrubbery-challenged knights, the perilous Castle Anthrax, a killer rabbit, a house of virgins, and a handful of rude Frenchmen.
8. Throne of Blood (1957)
- Director: Akira Kurosawa
- Writers: Shinobu Hashimoto, Ryuzo Kikushima and Hideo Oguni.
- Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Isuzu Yamada, Takashi Shimura, and Kira Kubo.
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
- Where to Watch: NA
The story of this movie is based on the famous tragedy Macbeth by William Shakespeare. The film begins with a spirited encounter by Samurai warrior, Washizu.
Based on this, after being instigated by his wife, Asaji, Washizu murders his lord and takes his place. But as the film progresses, he starts getting paranoid about what lies in the future.
7. The Seventh Seal (1957)
- Director: Ingmar Bergman
- Writer: Ingmar Bergman
- Cast: Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
A Knight and his assistant are home from the campaigns. Dark Death is clearing their country. As they approach home, Death appears to the knight and lets him know it is his time.
The knight moves Death to a chess game for his life. The Knight and Death play as the social unrest envelopes individuals around them as they attempt, in various ways, to manage the commotion the plague has caused.
6. How To Train Your Dragon (2010)
- Director: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
- Writer: Will Davies, Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
- Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
- Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Instructions to Train Your Dragon is an enlivened archaic dream experience in view of the kids’ book with a similar name, composed by Cressida Cowell.
The film was followed up by two additional continuations and was profoundly fruitful. The film is set in a legendary Viking settlement of Berk, where they train in hunting mythical serpents.
The town clan leader is Stoick and Hiccup is his child. While Stoick maintains that him should be a valiant Viking champion who battles winged serpents, Hiccup is a smart and delicate kid with a brain for mechanical gadgets.
Definitely, he has a faceoff with a Night Fury winged serpent in the field. In spite of the fact that he gets by, Hiccup sees that the Night Fury can’t fly because of an issue with its tail wing. He saves the winged serpent and makes a mechanical answer for its concern, subsequently winning its trust and dedication.
The two of them together alter the attitude of the town of Berk for eternity.
The film was a significant business and basic achievement. The most renowned scene where Toothless, the night rage, wonders whether or not to acknowledge the dash of Hiccup, was a liveliness misfire. It looked so amazing that they chose to keep it in the film.
5. Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975)
- Directors: Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam
- Writer: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle
- Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
- Where to Watch: Netflix
Based on the Arthurian legend of medieval times, Monty Python and The Holy Grail is about the holy grail crusades of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
Monty Python and The Holy Grail is a historical comedy set in the middle ages about the different obstacles like the dangerous Castle Anthrax, a chasing black knight, or a house of virgins that King Arthur and his crusaders faced during their conquest.
4. Ran (1985)
- Director: Akira Kurosawa
- Writers: Hideo Oguni and Masato Ide
- Cast: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu, Mieko Harada, Hisashi Igawa, Yoshiko Miyazaki, and Peter.
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
- Where to Watch: NA
Based on the play King Lear by William Shakespeare, the movie follows an old Japanese lord, Hidetora Ichimonji, who wishes to abdicate and divide his kingdom among his sons. But the brothers do not get along, which only increases the misery of the lord. This is one of the best medieval movies ever made.
3. The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
- Director: Cark Theodor Dreyer
- Writers: Joseph Delteil and Carl Theodore Dreyer
- Cast: Renee Jeanne Falconetti, Antonin Artaud, Eugene Silvain, Andrey Berley, and Maurice Schutz.
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
- Where to Watch: NA
Joan of Arc is a silent film that is set during the period of the Hundred Years War. The film revolves around Joan, who is captured and put to trial on false allegations, but she stands her ground strong to endure the trial. The film is one of the best movies made in middle ages history.
2. Braveheart (1995)
- Director: Mel Gibson
- Writer: Randall Wallace
- Cast: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfayden and Catherine McCormack.
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
- Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
The movie Braveheart is about a man named William Wallace who starts a rebel with the help of Robert- the Bruce, against the tyrannical ruler King Edward also known as Longshanks, after he kills Wallace’s wife.
Braveheart was not only critically acclaimed, but it also helped Mel Gibson bag the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director in the 68th Academy Awards, making it one of the best medieval movies ever made.
1. Seven Samurai (1954)
- Director: Akira Kurosawa
- Writer: Hideo Oguni, Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto.
- Cast: Takashi Shimura, Toshiro Mifune, Isao Kimura, Keiko Tsushima, Minoru Chiaki, Seiji Miyaguchi, Kamatari Fujiwara, Yoshio Inaba.
- IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
- Streaming Service: HBO Max, Criterion Channel
Seven Samurai is the movie based on the story of a well-known samurai who has faced challenging situations in his life, but upon the village’s request, people agree to protect to them from bandits. To execute the strategy, he gathers six more samurai with him, and together, they help villagers learn how to protect themselves.
In return, they offer the samurai food to eat. But the real challenge is faced by them when a group of forty bandits attacks the village, and they get ready to fight against them.
