The Middle Ages have inspired countless epic tales and legendary heroes, but not every medieval movie is destined for glory. Some films miss the mark so spectacularly that they’re more comedy than cinema, delivering unintentionally hilarious performances, absurd storylines, and laughable special effects. Whether it’s a knight with a questionable grasp of chivalry or dragons that look like they were conjured in a high school art class, these movies are guaranteed to leave you chuckling rather than cheering. Here are five medieval movies so bad, they’ve earned their place in the halls of hilarity.
1. In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007)
Starring: Jason Statham, Burt Reynolds, and Ray Liotta. Summary: A humble farmer embarks on a quest to rescue his kidnapped wife and avenge his son’s death in a fantastical medieval world.
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Why it’s bad: This medieval fantasy is notorious for its laughably incoherent plot, over-the-top performances, and special effects that look like they were created during the early days of computer graphics. Featuring a cast that includes Jason Statham and Burt Reynolds, the film is less epic and more “what was that?”
Why it’s funny: The pacing is as erratic as a knight trying to joust on a unicycle, and the dialogue is so wooden it makes you wonder if the actors are auditioning for a role as firewood. The CGI dragons look like they were made in a high school art class, and the sword fights are filled with wild swings and exaggerated grunts, sure to make even a battle-hardened warrior chuckle.
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2. Ironclad: Battle for Blood (2014)
Starring: Tom Austen, Michelle Fairley, and Roxanne McKee. Summary: A group of knights defends a besieged castle against ruthless attackers in this overly ambitious medieval sequel.
Why it’s bad: This sequel tries to continue the saga of medieval heroism but ends up looking like a poorly put together play with bad costumes and a thin plot as flimsy as parchment left out in the rain.
Why it’s funny: The over-the-top violence is so excessive that it becomes a dark comedy, with characters enduring injuries that seem to defy the laws of physics. The characters deliver their lines with the enthusiasm of a sleep-deprived bard, making you wonder if they were paid in stale bread and mead. Watching it feels like witnessing a medieval-themed school play gone wrong, featuring gratuitous action that leans more “whoops!” than “wow!”
3. The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
Starring: Lee Horsley, Kathleen Beller, and Simon MacCorkindale. Summary: A rogue warrior sets out to rescue a princess and overthrow a tyrant in this low-budget fantasy epic.
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Why it’s bad: This 80s cult classic attempts epic fantasy but ends up as a confused mashup of swords, sorcery, and an insane plot that leaps from one point to another with little sense.
Why it’s funny: The low-budget effects are so bad they’re almost charming in their absurdity. The costumes look like they were borrowed from a garage sale, and the dialogue is so melodramatic it feels like it warrants a “cue the eye roll” warning. If you want to see sword fights that look like people just randomly flailing around and a sorcerer who can barely cast a spell without sneezing, this movie is for you.
4. Season of the Witch (2011)
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, and Claire Foy. Summary: Two knights escort a suspected witch to a remote monastery during the Black Death in this muddled medieval fantasy.
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Why it’s bad: Nicolas Cage playing a knight escorting a suspected witch during the Black Death sounds intriguing, but the film falters with a weak storyline, laughable special effects, and Cage’s trademark overacting.
Why it’s funny: Nicolas Cage’s wildly intense performance verges on breaking the fourth wall—at times, you can almost hear him screaming, “I’m not even sure why I’m here!” The movie tries to straddle serious historical drama and supernatural horror but ends up being unintentionally hilarious. Every plot twist feels forced, with the “suspense” coming across as more “sigh-worthy” than spine-chilling, making it impossible not to laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of it all.
5. Robin Hood (2018)
Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx, and Ben Mendelsohn. Summary: Robin Hood leads a rebellion against the Sheriff of Nottingham in this modernised, action-heavy retelling of the classic tale.
Why it’s bad: This reboot is a modern take on the classic tale of Robin Hood, but with an anachronistic twist: think medieval knights with crossbows that feel suspiciously high-tech and a storyline that appears cobbled together on the spot.
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Why it’s funny: This movie is so committed to being “gritty” and “modern” that it forgets what made Robin Hood, well, Robin Hood. The attempts at blending medieval drama with 21st-century action tropes are laughable. Characters look as if they’ve stepped out of a futuristic fashion show and straight into a medieval battle, making every sword fight feel as though it’s accompanied by an EDM (electronic dance music) soundtrack. You’ll be laughing not at the jokes but at the sheer audacity of this film’s “bold” choices.
While these films may not win any awards for historical accuracy or cinematic excellence, they’ve certainly carved out a niche in the realm of so-bad-they’re-good entertainment. Whether it’s Nicolas Cage battling medieval demons or knights jousting with questionable CGI, these movies remind us that even the Middle Ages can have a sense of humour—intentional or not. So, if you’re in the mood for a laugh, grab some popcorn, embrace the absurdity, and enjoy the medieval mayhem. Who says history has to be serious?
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon
By Lorris Chevalier
The Middle Ages have inspired countless epic tales and legendary heroes, but not every medieval movie is destined for glory. Some films miss the mark so spectacularly that they’re more comedy than cinema, delivering unintentionally hilarious performances, absurd storylines, and laughable special effects. Whether it’s a knight with a questionable grasp of chivalry or dragons that look like they were conjured in a high school art class, these movies are guaranteed to leave you chuckling rather than cheering. Here are five medieval movies so bad, they’ve earned their place in the halls of hilarity.
1. In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007)
Starring: Jason Statham, Burt Reynolds, and Ray Liotta.
Summary: A humble farmer embarks on a quest to rescue his kidnapped wife and avenge his son’s death in a fantastical medieval world.
Why it’s bad: This medieval fantasy is notorious for its laughably incoherent plot, over-the-top performances, and special effects that look like they were created during the early days of computer graphics. Featuring a cast that includes Jason Statham and Burt Reynolds, the film is less epic and more “what was that?”
Why it’s funny: The pacing is as erratic as a knight trying to joust on a unicycle, and the dialogue is so wooden it makes you wonder if the actors are auditioning for a role as firewood. The CGI dragons look like they were made in a high school art class, and the sword fights are filled with wild swings and exaggerated grunts, sure to make even a battle-hardened warrior chuckle.
2. Ironclad: Battle for Blood (2014)
Starring: Tom Austen, Michelle Fairley, and Roxanne McKee.
Summary: A group of knights defends a besieged castle against ruthless attackers in this overly ambitious medieval sequel.
Why it’s bad: This sequel tries to continue the saga of medieval heroism but ends up looking like a poorly put together play with bad costumes and a thin plot as flimsy as parchment left out in the rain.
Why it’s funny: The over-the-top violence is so excessive that it becomes a dark comedy, with characters enduring injuries that seem to defy the laws of physics. The characters deliver their lines with the enthusiasm of a sleep-deprived bard, making you wonder if they were paid in stale bread and mead. Watching it feels like witnessing a medieval-themed school play gone wrong, featuring gratuitous action that leans more “whoops!” than “wow!”
3. The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
Starring: Lee Horsley, Kathleen Beller, and Simon MacCorkindale.
Summary: A rogue warrior sets out to rescue a princess and overthrow a tyrant in this low-budget fantasy epic.
Why it’s bad: This 80s cult classic attempts epic fantasy but ends up as a confused mashup of swords, sorcery, and an insane plot that leaps from one point to another with little sense.
Why it’s funny: The low-budget effects are so bad they’re almost charming in their absurdity. The costumes look like they were borrowed from a garage sale, and the dialogue is so melodramatic it feels like it warrants a “cue the eye roll” warning. If you want to see sword fights that look like people just randomly flailing around and a sorcerer who can barely cast a spell without sneezing, this movie is for you.
4. Season of the Witch (2011)
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, and Claire Foy.
Summary: Two knights escort a suspected witch to a remote monastery during the Black Death in this muddled medieval fantasy.
Why it’s bad: Nicolas Cage playing a knight escorting a suspected witch during the Black Death sounds intriguing, but the film falters with a weak storyline, laughable special effects, and Cage’s trademark overacting.
Why it’s funny: Nicolas Cage’s wildly intense performance verges on breaking the fourth wall—at times, you can almost hear him screaming, “I’m not even sure why I’m here!” The movie tries to straddle serious historical drama and supernatural horror but ends up being unintentionally hilarious. Every plot twist feels forced, with the “suspense” coming across as more “sigh-worthy” than spine-chilling, making it impossible not to laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of it all.
5. Robin Hood (2018)
Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx, and Ben Mendelsohn.
Summary: Robin Hood leads a rebellion against the Sheriff of Nottingham in this modernised, action-heavy retelling of the classic tale.
Why it’s bad: This reboot is a modern take on the classic tale of Robin Hood, but with an anachronistic twist: think medieval knights with crossbows that feel suspiciously high-tech and a storyline that appears cobbled together on the spot.
Why it’s funny: This movie is so committed to being “gritty” and “modern” that it forgets what made Robin Hood, well, Robin Hood. The attempts at blending medieval drama with 21st-century action tropes are laughable. Characters look as if they’ve stepped out of a futuristic fashion show and straight into a medieval battle, making every sword fight feel as though it’s accompanied by an EDM (electronic dance music) soundtrack. You’ll be laughing not at the jokes but at the sheer audacity of this film’s “bold” choices.
While these films may not win any awards for historical accuracy or cinematic excellence, they’ve certainly carved out a niche in the realm of so-bad-they’re-good entertainment. Whether it’s Nicolas Cage battling medieval demons or knights jousting with questionable CGI, these movies remind us that even the Middle Ages can have a sense of humour—intentional or not. So, if you’re in the mood for a laugh, grab some popcorn, embrace the absurdity, and enjoy the medieval mayhem. Who says history has to be serious?
Dr Lorris Chevalier, who has a Ph.D. in medieval literature, is a historical advisor for movies, including The Last Duel and Napoleon
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