6 Best King Arthur Movies That You Need Watching Update 04/2024

Best King Arthur Movies

According to Rotten Tomatoes, these are the six best (and eight worst) King Arthur movies.

As a historical character, King Arthur has been depicted in a variety of ways. Here are some of the best and worst movies based on him, in that order of preference.

Fantasy films are some of the best out there, especially if they exploit the epic aspect to their advantage. A few poor fantasy films have appeared during the past decade and throughout film history. Is the genre either too predictable and uninteresting for everyone, or does it daringly or subversively by the writers?

When it comes to King Arthur-themed fantasy films, there have been both good and bad productions. According to Rotten Tomatoes, these are the best and worst King Arthur movies. For those who don’t care about the opinions of critics, there are plenty of options.

1. Best: The Sword in the Stone (1963) – 66%

The Sword in the Stone (1963)

A lot of kids were introduced to both Arthurian legend and literary adaption through this animated picture. When Arthur was a young squire for his larger brother Kay, the tale of how he came to be king of England is told in this book.

The Sword in the Stone and Excalibur are two distinct swords in this version of the narrative. In spite of Arthur’s tender age, there is an intriguing scenario in the film that foreshadows this disaster later in life, involving a squirrel. However, despite the fact that the film is aimed at a younger audience, it is still one of the most widely regarded interpretations of the ancient mythology.

2. Best: Knights of the Round Table (1953) – 67%

Knights of the Round Table (1953)

Knights of the Round Table is MGM’s first CinemaScope film, but that’s not all it’s known for. King Arthur, his wife Guinevere, and his best friend Sir Lancelot are all featured in this black-and-white film.

Because the film was made by director Richard Thorpe and producer Pandro S. Berman, it is considered one of three unofficial parts of the trilogy. Ivanhoe (1952) and The Adventures of Quentin Durward (1955) were the other two.

3. Best: Army of Darkness (1992) – 73%

Army of Darkness (1992)

A modern twist on the Arthurian legend is one of the reasons viewers and critics alike enjoy this film since it’s part-parody and part-horror. If you like Monty Python’s take of the legend in terms of writing style and tone, you’ll like this film, too.

With a larger budget and a devoted fan base, Army of Darkness is one of the most popular horror films ever made. Ash is tasked with protecting an early medieval named Lord Arthur from the army of the undead in this third edition of the Evil Dead franchise. It’s as crazy and amazing as you’d expect it to be.

4. Best: Excalibur (1981) – 80%

Excalibur (1981)

Among the many accolades Excalibur has received is its significance to the Irish cinema industry. Since it helped begin the careers of actors like Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson, Ciaran Hinds, and Gabriel Byrne, it’s worth noting.

In addition to its impressive visuals, this film has a stellar ensemble that elevates the tale. Among other honors, the picture was nominated for Best Cinematography at the Oscars, and it also won a Cannes Film Festival award.

5. Best: Lancelot of the Lake (1974) – 95%

Lancelot of the Lake (1974)

Lancelot of the Lake, originally known as Lancelot du Lac, is a French film by Robert Bresson. Even though most of the actors are amateurs who have never been in a previous film, that was always Bresson’s primary goal in making this film.

As opposed to simply focusing on the fantastical storyline, this representation of Arthurian legends emphasized the harsh aspects like blood and dirt. If you were to compare it to today’s Game of Thrones, you’d be correct.

6. Best: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) – 97%

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is unquestionably the greatest Arthurian legends film ever filmed. For all its success, it doesn’t take itself too seriously and instead makes fun of it in a typical British manner.

During the break between the third and fourth seasons of their comedy show Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the Monty Python troupe came up with the concept for a movie. The film is frequently cited as one of cinema’s all-time best comedy.