Morfydd Clark as Galadriel in Prime Video's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.'

Morfydd Clark as Galadriel in Prime Video's 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.' Photo: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon Studios.

Sword and sorcery is a sub-genre of fantasy stories characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent adventures, with elements of romance, magic, and the supernatural.

With a prequel to 'Prime Video, it is clear that the sword and sorcery genre is more popular now than ever.

In honor of the release of 'The Rings of Power,' Moviefone counts down the twenty greatest sword and sorcery movies of all time.

To be included on this list, the film in question must feature at least one character wielding a sword, and some element of magic introduced in the plot.

Without further ado, let's begin!


King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

When the child Arthur’s father is murdered, Vortigern (Charlie Hunnam) comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword Excalibur from the stone, his life is turned upside down and he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy... whether he likes it or not.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

"From nothing comes a King"
66
PG-132 hr 6 min May 12th, 2017
Showtimes & Tickets


DragonHeart (1996)

In an ancient time when majestic fire-breathers soared through the skies, a knight named Bowen (Sean Connery). Taking up arms to suppress a tyrant king, Bowen soon realizes his task will be harder than he'd imagined: If he kills the king, Draco will die as well.

DragonHeart

DragonHeart

"You will believe."
65
PG-131 hr 43 min May 31st, 1996


The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Bilbo Baggins (Ian McKellen) and thirteen dwarves who seek to reclaim their mountain home from Smaug, the dragon.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

"From the smallest beginnings come the greatest legends."
74
PG-132 hr 49 min Dec 14th, 2012
Showtimes & Tickets


Conan the Destroyer (1984)

Conan (Tracey Walter). Together the hero and his allies must defeat both mortal and supernatural foes in this voyage to sword-and-sorcery land.

Conan the Destroyer

Conan the Destroyer

"The most powerful legend of all is back in a new adventure."
61
PG1 hr 43 min Jun 29th, 1984


Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

A rogue prince (Gemma Arterton) and together, they race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time – gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

"Defy the Future"
63
PG-131 hr 56 min May 27th, 2010


Eragon (2006)

In his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy (Ed Speleers) happens upon a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realized he's the one person who can defend his home against an evil king.

Eragon

"As darkness falls, the last dragon will choose its rider."
51
PG1 hr 44 min Dec 15th, 2006


Legend (1986)

Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

Set in a timeless mythical forest inhabited by fairies, goblins, unicorns and mortals, this fantastic story follows a mystical forest dweller (Tim Curry), or the world will be plunged into a never-ending ice age.

Legend

Legend

"There may never be another dawn."
62
PG1 hr 34 min Apr 18th, 1986
Showtimes & Tickets


Red Sonja (1985)

The tyrant Gedren (Brigitte Nielsen), sister of the keeper, sets out with her magic sword to overthrow Gedren.

Red Sonja

Red Sonja

"A woman and a warrior that became a legend."
53
PG-131 hr 29 min Jul 3rd, 1985


Krull (1983)

A prince (Lysette Anthony) from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet.

Krull

Krull

"A world light-years beyond your imagination."
61
PG2 hr 1 min Jul 29th, 1983


The Scorpion King (2002)

In ancient Egypt, peasant Mathayus (Kelly Hu), who are ready to overtake Balthazar's village. Amid betrayals, thieves, abductions and more, Mathayus strives to bring justice to his complicated world.

The Scorpion King

The Scorpion King

"Warrior. Legend. King."
56
PG-131 hr 32 min Apr 19th, 2002


The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Frodo (Christopher Lee) awaits the Fellowship at the Orthanc Tower in Isengard.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

"The fellowship is broken. The power of darkness grows..."
84
PG-132 hr 59 min Dec 18th, 2002
Showtimes & Tickets


Highlander (1986)

He fought his first battle on the Scottish Highlands in 1536. He will fight his greatest battle on the streets of New York City in 1986. His name is Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert). He is immortal.

Highlander

Highlander

"There can be only one."
69
R1 hr 56 min Mar 7th, 1986


Ladyhawke (1985)

Warner Bros.

Warner Bros.

Captain Etienne Navarre (John Wood ) and in doing so break the spell.

Ladyhawke

Ladyhawke

"No force in Heaven will release them. No power on Earth can save them."
70
PG-132 hr 1 min Apr 11th, 1985


Willow (1988)

The evil Queen Bavmorda (Val Kilmer also star.

Willow

"A world where heroes come in all sizes and adventure is the greatest magic of all."
70
PG2 hr 6 min May 20th, 1988
Showtimes & Tickets


Clash of the Titans (1981)

To win the right to marry his love, the beautiful princess Andromeda (Harry Hamlin) must complete various tasks including taming Pegasus, capturing Medusa's head, and battling the Kraken monster.

Clash of the Titans

Clash of the Titans

"Experience the fantastic"
69
PG1 hr 58 min Jun 12th, 1981


The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Young hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo (Ian Holm), must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make sure that the ring arrives at its final destination: Mt. Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed.


The Princess Bride (1987)

In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup (Carol Kane), and rodents of unusual size. But even death can't stop these true lovebirds from triumphing.

The Princess Bride

"It's as real as the feelings you feel."
77
PG1 hr 39 min Oct 9th, 1987
Showtimes & Tickets


Conan the Barbarian (1982)

A horde of rampaging warriors massacre the parents of young Conan and enslave the young child for years on The Wheel of Pain. As the sole survivor of the childhood massacre, Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is released from slavery and taught the ancient arts of fighting. Transforming himself into a killing machine, Conan travels into the wilderness to seek vengeance on Thulsa Doom (Max von Sydow), who wants the trio of warriors to help rescue his daughter who has ed Doom in the hills.

Conan the Barbarian

Conan the Barbarian

"Thief. Warrior. Gladiator. King."
68
R2 hr 9 min May 14th, 1982
Showtimes & Tickets


Excalibur (1981)

A surreal adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur,' chronicling Arthur's (Ciarán Hinds as King Lot.

Excalibur

Excalibur

"Forged by a god. Foretold by a wizard. Found by a king."
70
R2 hr 21 min Apr 10th, 1981
Showtimes & Tickets


The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

New Line Cinema

New Line Cinema

Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) is revealed as the heir to the ancient kings as he, Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and the other of the broken fellowship struggle to save Gondor from Sauron's (Christopher Lee) forces. Meanwhile, Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) take the ring closer to the heart of Mordor, the dark lord's realm.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

"There can be no triumph without loss. No victory without suffering. No freedom without sacrifice."
85
PG-133 hr 21 min Dec 17th, 2003
Showtimes & Tickets