The Best Sword And Sandals Movies Ever Made
“What are the best Sword And Sandals Movies?” We looked at 102 of the top Sword And Sandals films, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!
The top 27 films, all appearing on 3 or more “Best Sword And Sandals” movie lists, are ranked below by how many times they appear. The remaining 75 movies, as well as the sources we used, are in alphabetical order on the bottom of the page.
Happy Scrolling!
Top 27 Best Sword And Sandals Movies Ever Made
27 .) 300: Rise of an Empire (2014) directed by Noam Murro
Lists It Appears On:
- Flick Chart
- IMDB
- Ranker
Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. Themistokles faces the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god, Xerxes and Artemesia, the vengeful commander of the Persian navy.
26 .) Alexander (2004) directed by Oliver Stone
Lists It Appears On:
- Flick Chart
- IMDB
- MRQE
The epic story of Alexander the Great, the King of Macedonia, who over an eight year period managed to conquer 90% of the known world of his time by age 25.
25 .) Cabiria (1914) directed by Giovanni Pastrone
Lists It Appears On:
- List Challenges
- Quora
- Rolling Stone
Three centuries before Christus. Young Cabiria is kidnapped by some pirates during one eruption of the Etna. She is sold as a slave in Carthage, and as she is just going to be sacrificed to god Moloch, Cabiria is rescued by both Fulvio Axilla, a Roman noble, and his giant slave Maciste. Maciste is captured just after having confided Cabiria to Sophinisbe’s safe keeping, while Fulvio Axilla manages to escape from Carthage. Ten years went away with Punic wars before he is able to come back to Carthage… ×
24 .) Caligula (1979) directed by Tinto Brass
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- Inverse
- Love Belfast
The perversion behind imperial Rome, the epic story of Rome’s mad Emporer. All the details of his cruel, bizarre reign are revealed right here: His unholy sexual passion for his sister, his marriage to Rome’s most infamous prostitute, his fiendishly inventive means of disposing those who would oppose him, and more.
23 .) Conan the Barbarian (2011) directed by Marcus Nispel
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- MRQE
- Ranker
A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan (Jason Momoa) realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.
22 .) Conan the Destroyer (1984) directed by Richard Fleischer
Lists It Appears On:
- IMDB
- MRQE
- Ranker
Based on a character created by Robert E. Howard, this fast-paced, occasionally humorous sequel to Conan the Barbarian features the hero (Arnold Schwarzenegger) as he is commissioned by the evil queen Taramis (Sarah Douglas) to safely escort a teen princess (Olivia D’Abo) and her powerful bodyguard (Wilt Chamberlain) to a far away castle to retrieve the magic Horn of Dagon. Unknown to Conan, the queen plans to sacrifice the princess when she returns and inherit her kingdom after the bodyguard kills Conan. The queen’s plans fail to take into consideration Conan’s strength and cunning and the abilities of his sidekicks: the eccentric wizard Akiro (Mako), the wild woman Zula (Grace Jones), and the inept Malak (Tracey Walter). Together the hero and his allies must defeat both mortal and supernatural foes in this voyage to sword-and-sorcery land. ×
21 .) Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) directed by Mike Newell
Lists It Appears On:
- Flick Chart
- IMDB
- MRQE
A rogue prince reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious princess 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.
20 .) The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) directed by Anthony Mann
Lists It Appears On:
- Flick Chart
- List Challenges
- MRQE
Drawn from the same events that later inspired Gladiator, the film charts the power-hungry greed and father-son betrayal that led to Rome’s collapse at the bloody hands of the Barbarians.
19 .) The Robe (1953) directed by Henry Koster
Lists It Appears On:
- List Challenges
- MRQE
- Quora
Marcellus is a tribune in the time of Christ. He is in charge of the group that is assigned to crucify Jesus. Drunk, he wins Jesus’ homespun robe after the crucifixion. He is tormented by nightmares and delusions after the event. Hoping to find a way to live with Jesus, he returns to Palestine to try and learn what he has done.
18 .) The Ten Commandments (1956) directed by Cecil B. DeMille
Lists It Appears On:
- MRQE
- Quora
- Ranker
Escaping death, a Hebrew infant is raised in a royal household to become a prince. Upon discovery of his true heritage, Moses embarks on a personal quest to reclaim his destiny as the leader and liberator of the Hebrew people.
17 .) Clash of the Titans (2010) directed by Louis Leterrier
Lists It Appears On:
- EW
- IMDB
- MRQE
- Ranker
Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus is helpless to save his family from Hades, vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus and unleash hell on earth. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, Perseus and his warriors will only survive if Perseus accepts his power as a god, defies fate and creates his own destiny.
16 .) Immortals (2011) directed by Tarsem Singh
Lists It Appears On:
- Flick Chart
- IMDB
- Love Belfast
- MRQE
Theseus is a mortal man chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity.
15 .) The 300 Spartans (1962) directed by Rudolph Maté
Lists It Appears On:
- Flick Chart
- List Challenges
- MRQE
- Ranker
Essentially true story of how Spartan king Leonidas led an extremely small army of Greek Soldiers (300 of his personal body guards from Sparta) to hold off an invading Persian army now thought to have numbered 250,000.
14 .) The Scorpion King (2002) directed by Chuck Russell
Lists It Appears On:
- Flick Chart
- IMDB
- MRQE
- Ranker
In ancient Egypt, peasant Mathayus is hired to exact revenge on the powerful Memnon and the sorceress Cassandra, who are ready to overtake Balthazar’s village. Amid betrayals, thieves, abductions and more, Mathayus strives to bring justice to his complicated world.
13 .) Ulysses (1954) directed by Mario Camerini
Lists It Appears On:
- Flick Chart
- List Challenges
- Love Belfast
- Ranker
A movie adaptation of Homer’s second epic, that talks about Ulysses’ efforts to return to his home after the end of ten years of war.
12 .) Centurion (2010) directed by Neil Marshall
Lists It Appears On:
- Flick Chart
- Flick Chart 2
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Matts Movie Reviews
Britain, A.D. 117. Quintus Dias, the sole survivor of a Pictish raid on a Roman frontier fort, marches north with General Virilus’ legendary Ninth Legion, under orders to wipe the Picts from the face of the Earth and destroy their leader, Gorlacon.
11 .) Cleopatra (1963) directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Lists It Appears On:
- EW
- IMDB
- Love Belfast
- MRQE
- Quora
- Ranker
Determined to hold on to the throne, Cleopatra seduces the Roman emperor Julius Caesar. When Caesar is murdered, she redirects her attentions to his general, Marc Antony, who vows to take power—but Caesar’s successor has other plans.
10 .) Conan the Barbarian (1982) directed by John Milius
Lists It Appears On:
- Geek Hard Show
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Matts Movie Reviews
- MRQE
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
A film adaptation of the classic sword and sorcery hero, Conan the Barbarian. 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 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, the man responsible for killing his family. In the wilderness, Conan takes up with the thieves Valeria and Subotai. The group comes upon King Osric, who wants the trio of warriors to help rescue his daughter who has joined Doom in the hills. ×
9 .) Jason and the Argonauts (1963) directed by Don Chaffey
Lists It Appears On:
- EW
- Geek Hard Show
- Inverse
- List Challenges
- MRQE
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
Jason, a fearless sailor and explorer, returns to his home land of Thessaly after a long voyage to claim his rightful throne. He learns, however, that he must first find the magical Golden Fleece. To do so, he must embark on an epic quest fraught with fantastic monsters and terrible perils.
8 .) Quo Vadis (1951) directed by Mervyn LeRoy
Lists It Appears On:
- EW
- Flick Chart
- Flick Chart 2
- Inverse
- List Challenges
- MRQE
- Rolling Stone
Set against the back drop of Rome in crisis, General Marcus Vinicius returns to the city from the battle fields and falls in love with a Christian woman, Lygia. Caught in the grip of insanity, Nero’s atrocities become more extreme and he burns Rome, laying the blame on the Christians. Vinicius races to save Lygia from the wrath of Nero as the empire of Rome collapses around them.
7 .) Clash of the Titans (1981) directed by Desmond Davis
Lists It Appears On:
- EW
- Flick Chart
- Flick Chart 2
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- MRQE
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
To win the right to marry his love, the beautiful princess Andromeda, and fulfil his destiny, Perseus must complete various tasks including taming Pegasus, capturing Medusa’s head, and battling the Kraken monster.
6 .) Hercules (1958) directed by Pietro Francisci
Lists It Appears On:
- Flick Chart
- Flick Chart 2
- Forces Of Geek
- List Challenges
- MRQE
- Quora
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
In this melange of characters and events from separate mythological stories, Hercules, demigod and superman, arrives in the ancient Greek kingdom of Iolcus to tutor Iphitus, son of king Pelias; immediately on arrival, he falls in love with the king’s delectable, briefly clad daughter Iole. Before he can win her, he must succeed in a series of quests, in the course of which he teams up with Jason, true heir of Iolcus, whom he accompanies on the famous voyage of the Argonauts. ×
5 .) Troy (2004) directed by Wolfgang Petersen
Lists It Appears On:
- EW
- Flick Chart
- Flick Chart 2
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Love Belfast
- MRQE
- Ranker
In year 1250 B.C. during the late Bronze age, two emerging nations begin to clash. Paris, the Trojan prince, convinces Helen, Queen of Sparta, to leave her husband Menelaus, and sail with him back to Troy. After Menelaus finds out that his wife was taken by the Trojans, he asks his brother Agamemnom to help him get her back. Agamemnon sees this as an opportunity for power. So they set off with 1,000 ships holding 50,000 Greeks to Troy. With the help of Achilles, the Greeks are able to fight the never before defeated Trojans. ×
4 .) Ben-Hur (1959) directed by William Wyler
Lists It Appears On:
- EW
- Flick Chart
- Flick Chart 2
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Love Belfast
- MRQE
- Quora
- Ranker
Judah Ben-Hur, a Palestinian Jew, is battling the Roman empire at the time of Christ. His actions send him and his family into slavery, but an inspirational encounter with Jesus changes everything. He finally meets his rival in a justly famous chariot race and rescues his suffering family.
3 .) 300 (2006) directed by Zack Snyder
Lists It Appears On:
- EW
- Flick Chart
- Flick Chart 2
- Geek Hard Show
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Love Belfast
- MRQE
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel, “300” is very loosely based the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, where the King of Sparta led his army against the advancing Persians; the battle is said to have inspired all of Greece to band together against the Persians, and helped usher in the world’s first democracy.
2 .) Gladiator (2000) directed by Ridley Scott
Lists It Appears On:
- EW
- Flick Chart
- Flick Chart 2
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Love Belfast
- Matts Movie Reviews
- MRQE
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus is one of the Roman army’s most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus’ devious son Commodus ascends to the throne, Maximus is set to be executed. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Renamed Spaniard and forced to become a gladiator, Maximus must battle to the death with other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
1 .) Spartacus (1960) directed by Stanley Kubrick
Lists It Appears On:
- EW
- Flick Chart
- Flick Chart 2
- IMDB
- List Challenges
- Love Belfast
- Matts Movie Reviews
- MRQE
- Quora
- Ranker
- Rolling Stone
The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.
The 75 Additional Best Sword And Sandals Films
| # | Movies | Directors | Lists |
| 28 | Barabbas (1961) | Flick Chart | |
| – | – | – | List Challenges |
| 29 | Braveheart (1995) | Mel Gibson | IMDB |
| – | – | – |
Matts Movie Reviews
|
| 30 | Hercules (1997) | Ron Clements | IMDB |
| – | – | – | MRQE |
| 31 | Hercules (2014) | Brett Ratner | IMDB |
| – | – | – | List Challenges |
| 32 | Hercules in the Haunted World (1961) | Forces Of Geek | |
| – | – | – | List Challenges |
| 33 | Hercules Unchained (1959) | List Challenges | |
| – | – | – | Ranker |
| 34 | I, Claudius | Flick Chart | |
| – | – | – | Flick Chart 2 |
| 35 | Julius Caesar (1953) | Flick Chart | |
| – | – | – | MRQE |
| 36 | Red Sonja (1985) | MRQE | |
| – | – | – | Ranker |
| 37 | Samson (2018) | Bruce Macdonald | IMDB |
| – | – | – | Ranker |
| 38 | The Colossus of Rhodes (1961) | Forces Of Geek | |
| – | – | – | List Challenges |
| 39 | The Last Legion (2007) | MRQE | |
| – | – | – | Ranker |
| 40 | Aladdin (1994–1995) | Scott Weinger | IMDB |
| 41 | Aladdin (2019) | Guy Ritchie | IMDB |
| 42 | Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) | S.S. Rajamouli | IMDB |
| 43 | Ben-Hur (2016) | Timur Bekmambetov | IMDB |
| 44 | CONQUEROR OF ATLANTIS (1965) | Forces Of Geek | |
| 45 | Eragon (2006) | Stefen Fangmeier | IMDB |
| 46 | Excalibur |
Matts Movie Reviews
|
|
| 47 | Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) | Ridley Scott | IMDB |
| 48 | Fury of Achilles (1962) | List Challenges | |
| 49 | Gods of Egypt (2016) | Alex Proyas | IMDB |
| 50 | Goliath and the Barbarians | Ranker | |
| 51 | GOLIATH AND THE DRAGON (1960) | Forces Of Geek | |
| 52 | GOLIATH AND THE VAMPIRES (1961) | Forces Of Geek | |
| 53 | Hannibal (1959) | Quora | |
| 54 | Hercules (1983) | Luigi Cozzi | IMDB |
| 55 | Hercules vs. Whoever | Inverse | |
| 56 | Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995–1999) | Kevin Sorbo | IMDB |
| 57 | Highlander |
Matts Movie Reviews
|
|
| 58 | History of the World: Part I (1981) | MRQE | |
| 59 |
Il Magnifico Gladiatore (The Magnificent Gladiator) (1964)
|
List Challenges | |
| 60 | In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007) | Uwe Boll | IMDB |
| 61 | Khartoum | Inverse | |
| 62 | King Arthur (2004) | Antoine Fuqua | IMDB |
| 63 | Kingdom of Heaven (2005) | Ridley Scott | IMDB |
| 64 | Land of the Pharaohs (1955) | List Challenges | |
| 65 | Legend (1985) | Ridley Scott | IMDB |
| 66 | LOTR |
Matts Movie Reviews
|
|
| 67 | Meet the Spartans (2008) | Jason Friedberg | IMDB |
| 68 |
MOLE MEN AGAINST THE SON OF HERCULES (1961)
|
Forces Of Geek | |
| 69 | Noah (2014) | Darren Aronofsky | IMDB |
| 70 | Outlander (2008) | Howard McCain | IMDB |
| 71 | Pathfinder (2007) | MRQE | |
| 72 | Pompeii (I) (2014) | Paul W.S. Anderson | IMDB |
| 73 | Risen (2016) | Kevin Reynolds | IMDB |
| 74 | Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) | Kevin Reynolds | IMDB |
| 75 | Salome (1953) | Quora | |
| 76 | Season of the Witch (2011) | Dominic Sena | IMDB |
| 77 | Son of Samson (1960) | Rolling Stone | |
| 78 | Spartacus (2010–2013) | Andy Whitfield | IMDB |
| 79 | The 13th Warrior (1999) | John McTiernan | IMDB |
| 80 | The Eagle (2011) | List Challenges | |
| 81 | THE GIANT OF MARATHON (1959) | Forces Of Geek | |
| 82 | THE GIANT OF METROPOLIS (1961) | Forces Of Geek | |
| 83 | THE GIANTS OF ROME (1964) | Forces Of Geek | |
| 84 | The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) | MRQE | |
| 85 | The Hobbit |
Matts Movie Reviews
|
|
| 86 | The Indian Tomb (1959) | Quora | |
| 87 | The Last Days of Pompeii (1935) | MRQE | |
| 88 | The Legend of Hercules (2014) | Renny Harlin | IMDB |
| 89 | The Lord of the Rings |
Matts Movie Reviews
|
|
| 90 | The Prince of Egypt (1998) | Brenda Chapman | IMDB |
| 91 | The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption (2012 Video) | Roel Reiné | IMDB |
| 92 | The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power (2015 Video) | Mike Elliott | IMDB |
| 93 | The Scorpion King: Book of Souls (2018) | Don Michael Paul | IMDB |
| 94 | The Sword of Doom (1966) | Geek Hard Show | |
| 95 | The Thief of Baghdad (1940) | Quora | |
| 96 | The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962) | Geek Hard Show | |
| 97 | THE TROJAN HORSE (1961) | Forces Of Geek | |
| 98 | Titus (1999) | Love Belfast | |
| 99 | WAR GODS OF BABYLON (1962) | Forces Of Geek | |
| 100 | Willow |
Matts Movie Reviews
|
|
| 101 | Wrath of the Titans | Ranker | |
| 102 | Xena: Warrior Princess (1995–2001) | Lucy Lawless | IMDB |
14 Best Sword And Sandals Film Sources/Lists
| Source | Article |
| EW | 10 Sword-and-Sandal Classics |
| Flick Chart | The Best Sword-and-Sandal Movies of All Time |
| Flick Chart 2 | The Top 10 Sword-and-Sandal Movies of All Time |
| Forces Of Geek | Swords & Sandals: The Golden Age of Italian Fantasy Film |
| Geek Hard Show | Mr. Green’s Top 5: Swords & Sandals Movies |
| IMDB | Most Popular “Sword And Sandal” Titles |
| Inverse | 5 Sword-and-Sandal Remakes We Need Way More Than ‘Ben-Hur |
| List Challenges | 25 Top “Sword & Sandal” Movies – How many have you seen? |
| Love Belfast | Top 10 Sword & Sandals Epics |
| Matts Movie Reviews | Top Ten / Swords, Sandals & Sorcery Movies |
| MRQE | MRQE Ranks: Cinema’s Best Swords & Sandals Movies |
| Quora | What are the greatest sword and sandals movies of all time? |
| Ranker | Sword and Sandal Movies |
| Rolling Stone | Toga Party: 10 Sword-and-Sandal Films to See |
