Sword fights are a mainstay of fantasy movies, especially the more action-oriented swashbucklers and sword-and-sorcery films. They allow filmmakers to create intense, well-choreographed action sequences that can be drawn out for maximum effect, and there’s just something so very fun about seeing characters dance around with deadly weapons at each other’s throats. It’s no wonder so many of the best fantasy films of all time have featured great sword fights, but the question we’re tackling here is which of those fights is the best.
Over the years, different fantasy movies have taken wildly different approaches to swordfighting, some focusing on brutality and power, while others favor fluidity and rhythm. And then there are those films that use their duels as a beautiful encapsulation of the philosophy and energy behind their stories, using the clash of blades as a potent metaphor for the personalities and ideologies of the characters behind them. Without further ado, here’s our ranked selection of the best sword fights in fantasy movies, including epic battles of every kind.
10
Red Sonja vs Queen Gedren in ‘Red Sonja’ (1985)
Based on Robert E. Howard‘s character Red Sonya of Rogatino, Red Sonja is a sword-and-sorcery film directed by Richard Fleischer that stars Brigitte Nielsen as the titular character. The movie follows Sonja on a quest to stop her arch-enemy Queen Gedren (Sandahl Bergman) from destroying the world using an unstable magical relic, with some help from the heroic Lord Kalidor (Arnold Schwarzenegger), the young Prince Tarn (Ernie Reyes, Jr.), and Tarn’s bodyguard Falkon (Paul Smith).
Red Sonja was a critical and commercial disappointment when it first hit theaters in 1985, to the point where even its stars admit that it’s a terrible movie. However, the climactic showdown between Sonja and Queen Gedren is one of the film’s few great moments, an epic battle that takes place in a volatile environment and brings the conflict between the two characters to a satisfying crescendo. The scene is arguably the most important moment of the film, and the rest of the story is basically just there to get the characters to that point.
9
Conan vs Togra in ‘Conan the Destroyer’ (1984)
Directed by Richard Fleischer and based on Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian stories, Conan the Destroyer is a sequel to the 1982 sword-and-sorcery movie Conan the Barbarian. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan, the film follows the warrior on a quest to retrieve a magical gem from the stronghold of a powerful wizard. The movie also stars Grace Jones, Wilt Chamberlain, Mako, Tracey Walter, Sarah Douglas, Olivia d’Abo, and more in supporting roles.
A far campier film than its predecessor, Conan the Destroyer isn’t necessarily a good movie, but it is an entertaining watch for fans of the sword-and-sorcery genre, and it features a number of notable action sequences. The duel between Conan and Togra (Sven-Ole Thorsen) is a particular highlight, with the two evenly matched warriors first clashing on horseback and then transitioning to a heavy ground battle, both displaying great strength and raw power with their massive greatswords.
8
Aragorn vs Lurtz in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)
Adapted from J. R. R. Tolkien‘s novel, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a high fantasy adventure film directed, co-written, and produced by Peter Jackson. Set in the world of Middle-earth, the film follows the young hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and his eight companions as they set out to destroy the One Ring, a powerful, corruptive artifact that belongs to the Dark Lord Sauron. The ensemble cast includes Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Sean Bean, and more.
It’s impossible to discuss the fantasy genre without mentioning The Lord of the Rings movies, and while the saga is better known for its massive all-out battle scenes than close-quarters combat, the first film features one of the most impressive duels ever seen in the genre, with Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn on one side and the orc leader Lurtz (Lawrence Makoare) on the other. The fight begins as a physical brawl, then transforms into a no-holds-barred battle of blades with the iconic (and unscripted) knife parry when Aragorn deflects a thrown knife with his sword. It’s a raw and epic battle between two formidable opponents, and easily one of the best action scenes in the whole franchise.
7
Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi vs Darth Maul in ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’ (1999)
Written and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is a landmark space opera film, the first in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Set 32 years before the original trilogy, the movie follows Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) as they attempt to protect Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) while negotiating a treacherous trade dispute, encountering the young Force-sensitive Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) along the way. The film also features Ahmed Best, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Pernilla August, Frank Oz, and more in supporting roles.
The “Duel of the Fates” scene, a pivotal two-on-one lightsaber battle in which Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan take on Ray Park’s Darth Maul, is one of the most memorable moments of The Phantom Menace, a film that infamously struggles to hold viewers’ attention for significant portions of the narrative. Ending with Qui-Gon mortally wounded and Maul cut in half by a vengeful Obi-Wan, it’s a key moment in the film, with important consequences for the greater story of the saga. The Star Wars prequel has a lot of flaws, but its action is not one of them, and this scene is arguably one of the single most entertaining sequences in the franchise’s decades-long history.
6
Captain Jack Sparrow vs Will Turner in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ (2003)
The first movie of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a swashbuckling dark fantasy adventure film directed by Gore Verbinski and inspired by the Disney theme park attraction. Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom star as the pirate Jack Sparrow and young blacksmith Will Turner, who attempt a daring rescue after Will’s childhood friend and secret love, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), is kidnapped by a cursed crew of pirates, led by the cunning Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush).
Though the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has expanded into a mammoth multimedia entity, the first film of the series is still the most entertaining of the lot, and that’s largely thanks to the stellar action sequences and energetic narrative. Both are in full form in the duel between its two protagonists at their first meeting, an exciting, well-choreographed scene full of snappy dialogue and hilarious physical comedy. It’s certainly a highlight of the film, which was a massive success in its day and still holds up after more than 20 years.
5
Jen Yu vs Yu Shu Lien in ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)
One of the greatest wuxia films of all time, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was directed by Ang Lee and adapted from the eponymous serial novel by Wang Dulu. Set in 18th-century China, the film stars Chow Yun-fat and Michelle Yeoh as master warriors Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien, following their pursuit of a mysterious thief (Zhang Ziyi) who has stolen a treasured sword. The film blends a martial arts story with star-crossed romance and fantastical elements.
A brilliant, genre-bending film with compelling performances, impeccable art direction, and an intensely dramatic narrative, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a masterpiece martial arts movie that was universally acclaimed by critics and audiences in its day. Its emotionally charged story is perfectly balanced with stunning action and stuntwork, choreographed by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping. The duel between Yeoh’s Yu Shu Lien and Zhang’s Jen Yu is a major highlight, with the former putting her superior skills (and a variety of weapons) to the test against her opponent’s stolen sword.
4
Luke Skywalker vs Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)
Directed by Irvin Kershner, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back is the second film of George Lucas’s original Star Wars trilogy, set three years after the first movie. The story follows the continued conflict between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance, with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) setting out to train under Jedi Master Yoda (Frank Oz) to master the Force so he can finally face the evil Darth Vader (James Earl Jones and David Prowse). Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, and more star in supporting roles.
Arguably the best film of the Star Wars franchise, The Empire Strikes Back is packed with a ton of memorable moments, particularly its exciting action set pieces. However, the climactic battle between Luke and Darth Vader is so iconic that it blows everything else out of your mind, a well-choreographed lightsaber duel that ends with Vader (literally) disarming Luke and delivering the franchise’s most famous piece of dialogue: “No, I am your father.” Despite the franchise’s epic scale and numerous installments, that one scene is still the best moment in all of Star Wars.
3
Nameless vs Long Sky in ‘Hero’ (2002)
Directed, co-written, and produced by Zhang Yimou, Hero is an epic Chinese martial arts film starring Jet Li as Nameless, an anonymous warrior who claims to have defeated three dangerous assassins to protect the king. As he narrates the details of his battles to the king, the monarch questions the stories, suggesting that Nameless has ulterior motives. Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Donnie Yen, and Chen Daoming star in supporting roles.
Featuring incredible cinematography by Christopher Doyle and action choreography by Tony Ching Siu-Tung, Hero is a fascinating wuxia film with stylized action woven together with deep philosophy. And of all its beautiful action set pieces, the duel between Nameless and Donnie Yen’s Long Sky is arguably the greatest, presenting the two warriors facing off in a rain-soaked courtyard, waging a mental battle without moving a muscle before the climactic moment. The scene is a stunning balance of tension and serenity, and a masterpiece of action filmmaking.
2
Jack Sparrow vs Will Turner vs James Norrington in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ (2006)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is the second film of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, continuing the stories of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). Set a year after the first movie, the film sees Jack attempting to find a way out of a debt he owes to the monstrous Captain Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) while Will is forced to steal Jack’s magic compass for the cruel Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander). Stellan Skarsgård, Jack Davenport, Kevin McNally, Jonathan Pryce, and more star in supporting roles.
Dead Man’s Chest was an even bigger box office hit than the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, breaking multiple records and winning an Academy Award for its visual effects. Though it wasn’t as well-received by critics, the film maintains the high-quality action of its predecessor, and the three-way sword fight between Jack, Will, and James Norrington is one of its brightest moments. Weaving around the landscape, the three parties fight over Davy Jones’s heart, each embodying their character’s essence in the fluid, inventive fight choreography, and the result is one of the most mindblowing duels ever presented in a fantasy film.
1
Westley vs Inigo Montoya in ‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
Directed and co-produced by the late Rob Reiner and written by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is a cult classic fantasy adventure adapted from Goldman’s 1973 novel. The film stars Cary Elwes as farmhand-turned-swashbuckler Westley, following his quest to rescue his true love Buttercup (Robin Wright) from the clutches of the villainous Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Mandy Patinkin, André the Giant, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Peter Falk, Fred Savage, Billy Crystal, and Carol Kane star in supporting roles.
One of the most iconic movies of the 1980s, The Princess Bride features one of the greatest sword fights in cinematic history: the duel atop the Cliffs of Insanity between Mandy Patinkin’s Inigo Montoya and Cary Elwes’s Westley, disguised as the Man in Black. It’s an epic, entertaining fencing sequence that perfectly encapsulates the movie’s humor and energy, with witty banter, flamboyant flourishes, and passionate performances by the stars, who performed their own stunts. The scene is a big part of why The Princess Bride remains such a widely loved film, with a cult following that continues to grow with every passing year.
- Release Date
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September 25, 1987
- Runtime
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99 minutes