25 of the best movies with medieval settings

via Getty Images, Sunset Boulevard/Corbis

25 of the best movies with medieval settings

In the movie “Excalibur,” Nigel Terry and Cherie Lunghi portray King Arthur and Queen Guenevere.

We’ve always been able to travel through time with movies. Films provide us the opportunity to explore worlds that are very different from the one we presently live in, from thousands of years in the future to thousands of years in the past. And the Middle Ages provide the setting for some of the best historical fiction. Shakespearean adaptations, biopics, historical dramas, and fantasy movies all thrive in the medieval era. The cartoon “Hunchback of Notre Dame” from Disney, as well as tense epics like “Braveheart” and silly parodies like “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” have all benefited from their use.

There are many movies to watch with a medieval setting. The story of Joan of Arc is one of the most often told Middle Ages tales, although there are no notable Middle Ages-set films produced by women. Similarly, there haven’t been many, if any, films with a Middle Ages setting. However, if you’re looking for a place to start, we can help.

Stacker looked at movies with medieval settings and singled out 25 films having at least a 7.0 on IMDb or a 75 on Metacritic. Therefore, before blowing too much money at your neighborhood Renaissance fair to satisfy your medieval itch, sit back, unwind, and watch these fantastic period movies.

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Studio Walt Disney Animation

The movie “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)

Hunchback of Notre Dame from the animated film is depicted in an animated still.

• Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, directors
• 7.0 IMDb user rating
  74 for the metascore
• 91 minutes in length

Quasimodo, a hunchback who works as a bell ringer for Notre Dame in Paris alone and yearns to leave his father figure, Claude Frollo, behind, is the tragic protagonist of this beloved Disney animated picture, which tells his tragic tale. The musical score of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” which is loosely based on Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel of the same name, was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.

EMI Screen Entertainment Thorn

‘Highlander’ (1986) (1986)

Scene from “Highlander” starring Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert

• Russell Mulcahy, director
• 7.1 IMDb user reviews
  24-point Metascore
• 116 minutes in length

The long-running conflict between two immortal warriors comes to a head on the streets of New York City as it has for centuries, from the Scottish Highlands of the sixteenth century to twentieth-century America. Due to its architecture and proximity to the actual Middle Ages, “Highlander,” which is set a century after the Middle Ages, yet functions as a medieval movie (within 100 years). Henry Cavill has been signed on to star in the upcoming “Highlander” reboot, which will be directed by “John Wick” director Chad Stahelski even though it doesn’t seem like filming has begun yet.

Studio Walt Disney Animation

Watch “The Sword in the Stone” (1963)

Shot still of a little child holding a stone sword in the foreground

• Directors: David Hand, Clyde Geronimi, and Wolfgang Reitherman
• 7.1 IMDb user reviews
  61 for the metascore
• 79 minutes in length

From his early years as an orphan known only as “Wart,” King Arthur is followed in Disney’s animated version of the Arthurian story as he establishes his legend and establishes himself as England’s legitimate king. In 2018, Disney revealed plans for a live-action version, with “Game of Thrones” writer Bryan Cogman writing the script and “28 Weeks Later” director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo set to helm. But since 2018, there have been no project updates.

International Films in Europe

Brothers Sun and Moon (1972)

In a scene from “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” Valentina Cortese, Graham Faulkner, Lee Montague, and others can be seen.

• Franco Zeffirelli, director
• 7.1 IMDb user reviews
• Metascore: No data found
• 121 minutes in length

In this movie, Saint Francis of Assisi, who disavows his wealthy upbringing in favor of working with the poor and preparing to repair an old church, returns from battle and recounts his life. Although the movie was originally released in Italian, the songs in the English-language version were composed and performed by renowned Scottish musician Donovan.

A24

The tragic tale “Macbeth” (2021)

In a scene from “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” Denzel Washington

• Joel Coen, the filmmaker
• 7.1 IMDb user reviews
  87 for Metascore
• 105 minutes in length

Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand play the tragic Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Joel Coen’s highly stylized adaptation of the famous Shakespearean drama. They are persuaded by witches that the Scottish lord will rise to power and would do anything to get it. The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards in 2022—Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Actor for Washington—but none of them were awarded.

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Associated European Products (PEA)

In “The Decameron” (1971)

In a scene from “The Decameron,” Vincenzo Amato and the cast

• Pier Paolo Pasolini, director
• 7.1 IMDb user reviews
• Metascore: No data found
• 111 minutes in length

This film, which was directed by renowned Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini, is based on the same-titled allegory by Giovanni Boccaccio, written in the 14th century. The Decameron by Pasolini is one of three movies in a trilogy that are based on other well-known pieces of medieval literature. Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” and “The Thousand and One Nights,” which were derived from the collection of Middle Eastern folktales “One Thousand and One Nights,” are also included in the trilogy, which is known as the “Trilogy of Life.”

Benston Productions, Samuel

‘El Cid’ (1961)

Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren in a scene from “El Cid”

• Anthony Mann, director
• 7.2 IMDb user ratings
  79 on the metascore
• 183 minutes in length

The 11th-century Castilian hero Don Rodrigo Dáz de Vivar (commonly known as El Cid), who successfully expelled the Moors from Spain, is the subject of this epic film. Sophia Loren and Charlton Heston both appear in the movie as its main characters. Best Art Direction – Color, Best Song, and Best Music Score in a Dramatic or Comedy Picture were all nominations for the 1962 Academy Awards.

20th Century Fox

the “Kingdom of Heaven” (2005)

Orlando Bloom and Jeremy Irons in “Kingdom of Heaven”

• Ridley Scott, director
• 7.2 IMDb user ratings
  63 for Metascore
• 144 minutes in length

“Kingdom of Heaven,” which is set during the Crusades, depicts a bereaved blacksmith who travels with his father to Jerusalem, where he becomes embroiled in conflict and political intrigue. The 194-minute director’s cut of Ridley Scott’s epic historical fiction movie, which was released seven months after the theatrical version, has garnered more praise than the original film’s mixed reception.

via Getty Images, Sunset Boulevard/Corbis

‘Excalibur’ (1981) (1981)

In the movie “Excalibur,” Nigel Terry and Cherie Lunghi portray King Arthur and Queen Guenevere.

• John Boorman, the filmmaker
• 7.3 IMDb user ratings
  56 for the Metascore
• 140 minutes in length

The legendary Arthur Pendragon’s story, including his quest for the Holy Grail with his Knights of the Round Table, is detailed in this epic work of medieval fiction. John Boorman’s movie, starring Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, and Nicholas Clay, is partially based on Thomas Malory’s “Le Morte d’Arthur,” an Arthurian romance written in the 15th century.

Cineriz

The song “The Flowers of St. Francis” (1950)

In a scene from “The Flowers of St. Francis,” Nazario Gerardi and Arabella Lemaitre

• Roberto Rossellini, director
• 7.3 IMDb user ratings
• Metascore: No data found
• 85 minute running time

Roberto Rossellini’s film, which was co-written by director Federico Fellini and is based on the books “Fioretti Di San Francesco” and “La Vita di Frate Ginepro,” loosely depicts the life of Saint Francis of Assisi through a number of vignettes. Rossellini used actual Franciscan monks to play the friars and Saint Francis in the movie. Nazario Gerardi, who played Saint Francis, received no recognition.

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Universal Studios 20th

The Final Duel (2021)

In a scene from “The Last Duel,” Matt Damon

• Ridley Scott, director
• 7.4 IMDb user reviews
  67 for Metascore
• 152 minutes in length

Former friends Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques le Gris (Adam Driver) must settle the matter once and for all in France’s last known duel to the death after the wife of a respected knight accuses the squire of King Charles VI of forcing himself on her. Damon, Ben Affleck, and Nicole Holofcener turned Eric Jager’s book “The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France” into a three-chapter screenplay.

Film Productions in London

King Richard III (1955)

Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier in a scene from “Richard III”

• Laurence Olivier as the director
• 7.4 IMDb user reviews
  88 for Metascore
• 161 minutes long

The 15th-century story is transferred to an alternate history in 1930s England, where Richard is a deranged fascist attempting to usurp the British crown. This adaptation is based on the famous Shakespeare play of the same name. At the 68th Academy Awards, “Richard III” was nominated for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. A tank from the movie is still on permanent exhibition in London.

Company Dino De Laurentiis

Assault on Darkness (1992)

Bruce Campbell and Ian Abercrombie in a scene from “Army of Darkness”

• Sam Raimi, director
• 7.4 IMDb user reviews
  59 for Metascore
• 81 minutes in length

Following the events of “Demonic Dead II,” the evil Necronomicon sent Ash Williams and his chainsaw arm hurtling back in time, where they discovered a graver menace from the Deadites. The fourth episode of Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” trilogy, “Evil Dead Rise,” is slated to hit theaters in April 2023.

Studio Walt Disney Animation

Robert Hood (1973)

In a shot from the movie “Robin Hood,” animated bear and fox creatures may be seen.

• Directors: David Hand and Wolfgang Reitherman
• 7.5 IMDb user ratings
  57 for Metascore
• 83 minutes in length

The noble hero is portrayed as an anthropomorphic fox in Disney’s animated adaptation of the Robin Hood legend, and Little John is a cuddly bear. The unusual pair teams up with other woodland creatures to fight the avaricious Prince John. The picture stands out for its extensive use of reused animation from other Disney productions.

American Broadcasting Company (BBC)

A. Henry V (1989)

Henry V cast members and director Kenneth Branagh in a scene from the movie

• Kenneth Branagh, director
• 7.5 IMDb user ratings
  83 for Metascore
• 137 minutes in length

This adaptation of the well-known Shakespeare play, by Kenneth Branagh, follows the life of King Henry V of England, particularly the occasions leading up to and following the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. At the 62nd Academy Awards, Branagh’s debut film garnered three nominations: Best Director, Best Actor (for Branagh), and Best Costume Design, the latter of which it won.

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Film by Constantin

The title of the rose (1986)

From “The Name of the Rose,” Sean Connery and Christian Slater appear in a scene.

• Jean-Jacques Annaud, director
• 7.7 IMDb user reviews
• Metascore of 54.
• 130 minutes in length

The Franciscan monk William of Baskerville, played by Sean Connery, journeys to an abbey where a death has occurred under mysterious circumstances with the help of his pupil in “The Name of the Rose,” which is based on Umberto Eco’s novel of the same name. Connery won the Best Actor BAFTA for his portrayal of William of Baskerville.

Films International

Songs at Midnight (1965)

A scene from the movie “Chimes at Midnight” starring Orson Welles and Keith Baxter

• Orson Welles as the director
• 7.7 IMDb user reviews
  94 on the metascore
• 115 minutes in length

Orson Welles’ “Chimes at Midnight” combines several Shakespeare plays, including “Richard II,” “Henry V,” “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” and both “Henry IV” plays; it is based on William Shakespeare’s recurring character of John Falstaff and follows the father-son relationship between Falstaff and Prince Hal, the latter of whom finds his loyalty tested between his father figure and that of King Henry IV.

Universal Pictures

‘Becket’ (1964) (1964)

In “Becket,” Peter O’Toole and Richard Burton

• Peter Glenville, director
• 7.8 IMDb user reviews
  68 for Metascore
• 148 minutes in length

This historical film, starring Peter O’Toole as King Henry II of England, explores the friendship between Henry and Thomas Becket, who was chosen to be Archbishop of Canterbury by Henry under the mistaken belief that he would be obedient. At the 37th Academy Awards, the movie got an astounding 11 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (for O’Toole and Richard Burton), and Best Director (for Peter Glenville). It was awarded Best Adapted Screenplay.

Barrandov’s film studio

Named “Marketa Lazarová” (1967)

‘Marketa Lazarová’s’ Magda Vasaryova and others in a scenario.

• Frantisek Vlácil, director
• 7.9 IMDb user reviews
• Metascore: No data found
• 162 minutes long

“Marketa Lazarová,” which takes place in the middle of the thirteenth century, depicts the kidnapping of a feudal lord’s daughter by pillagers, her position as their mistress, and the decisive struggle that frees her. The same-named 1931 novel by Vladislav Vanura served as the basis for the movie.

Inc. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios

With “The Lion in Winter” (1968)

“The Lion in Winter,” starring Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn

Anthony Harvey, director

• 7.9 IMDb user reviews
• Metascore: No data found
• 134 minutes in length

King Henry II of England intends to make the announcement of his heir to the throne over Christmas in 1183. However, since each member of Henry’s family has a different opinion about who should succeed him as King of England, interpersonal conflict and political unrest pose a threat to muddle matters further. Peter O’Toole received yet another Academy Award nomination for his second depiction of King Henry II (his first was in “Becket”), albeit he did not succeed this time either.

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The Swedish Film Industry (SF)

From “The Seventh Seal” (1957)

Bengt Ekerot and Max von Sydow in “The Seventh Seal”

• Ingmar Bergman, the filmmaker
• 8.1 IMDb user reviews
  88 for Metascore
• 96 minutes in length

When Swedish knight Antonius Block returns home from a Crusade battle to discover his house overrun with the Black Death, he resolves to play chess with Death to extend his life. At the same time, he sets out on a trip to carry out one more act of atonement and rescue his soul. In “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey,” Ingmar Bergman’s drab personification of Death, which has come to symbolize death in film, was famously praised.

Incorporated Pictures

‘Andrei Rublev’ (1966) (1966)

An image of Anatoly Solonitsyn from the film “Andrei Rublev”

• Andrei Tarkovsky, director
• 8.1 IMDb user reviews
• Metascore: No data found
• 205 minutes in length

Andrei Tarkovsky’s arthouse bio-drama “Andrei Rublev” loosely follows the life of 15th-century Russian religious painter Andrei Rublev as he moves from place to place and eventually gains fame for his art. “Andrei Rublev” was banned by Soviet authorities upon completion in 1966, only to be released unexpectedly and covertly five years later in 1971. The movie’s Criterion Collection disc consists of both Tarkovsky’s preferred director’s cut and the original version that was censored.

Monkey (Python) Images

the Holy Grail, a Monty Python film (1975)

A scene from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” featuring the Monty Python cast

• Directors: Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam
• 8.2 IMDb user reviews
  91 for Metascore
• 91 minutes in length

Sir Arthur Pendragon forms his renowned Knights of the Round table in the classic Arthurian farce by the British comedy group Monty Python. They embarked on their quest for the Holy Grail together, engaging in a number of adventures and misfortunes along the way. Python member Eric Idle transformed “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” into the Broadway musical “Spamalot,” which has won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, thirty years after the movie’s debut.

The general cinema society

“Joan of Arc: The Passion” (1928)

In a scene from “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” Maria Falconetti

• Carl Theodor Dreyer, the filmmaker
• 8.2 IMDb user reviews
• Metascore: No data found
• 114 minutes in length

The trial of Joan of Arc, a French warrior who was executed (and later martyred) for claiming she had spoken to God in the 15th century, is the subject of a silent classic by Carl Theodor Dreyer. The original movie was banned and burned to death in a Berlin storage facility. The original version was then miraculously found in a Norwegian psychiatric hospital in 1981.

Universal Pictures

‘Braveheart’ (1995) (1995)

David O’Hara, Brendan Gleeson, and Mel Gibson in “Braveheart”

• Mel Gibson, the director
• 8.4 IMDb user reviews
  68 for Metascore
• 178 minutes in length

William Wallace, a medieval Scottish patriot, seeks vengeance on the English forces that killed his beloved, inspiring Scotland as a whole to rise up in rebellion against English authority. Despite receiving an amazing 10 Academy Award nominations in 1996 (winning five of them, including Best Picture), “Braveheart” has gained a bad reputation for its numerous historical errors.

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