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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

300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

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

Alexander (2004)

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

Cabiria (1914)

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

Caligula (1979)

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

Conan the Barbarian (2011)

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

Conan the Destroyer (1984)

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

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

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

The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)

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

The Robe (1953)

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

The Ten Commandments (1956)

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

Clash of the Titans (2010)

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

Immortals (2011)

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

The 300 Spartans (1962)

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

The Scorpion King (2002)

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

Ulysses (1954)

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

Centurion (2010)

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

Cleopatra (1963)

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

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

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

Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

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

Quo Vadis (1951)

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

Clash of the Titans (1981)

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

Hercules (1958)

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

Troy (2004)

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

Ben-Hur (1959)

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

300 (2006)

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

Gladiator (2000)

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

Spartacus (1960)

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