The Top 10 Legendary Swords from Sword-and-Sorcery Films

The sword-and-sorcery genre has given us some unforgettable weapons over the years, with blades so iconic they almost feel like characters themselves. This film style, which draws from the literary roots laid by Robert E. Howard in the early 1900s, mixes fantasy and adventure with loads of mythology and folklore. While high fantasy often focuses on saving worlds, sword-and-sorcery is all about personal battles. It features morally complex heroes who depend as much on their trusty swords as their quick wits. Although this look at swords skips The Lord of the Rings, typically considered high fantasy, it still celebrates a range of legendary blades. From ancient settings to medieval landscapes, these weapons have become symbols that linger long after the credits roll and decades pass.

10The Glaive from Krull

Okay, this one is cheating a bit. The 1983 cult favorite Krull features the Glaive, which isn’t technically a sword but it is way too cool to leave off this list. This five-bladed throwing weapon is what Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall) digs out of a mountain cave to battle the Beast and his creepy Slayers. The Glaive is basically an extension of Colwyn’s will, he throws it and it comes right back like a deadly boomerang, slicing through enemies like they’re made of butter. With its star shape and metallic gleam, it’s instantly recognizable to fantasy fans. Krull might have gotten mixed reviews when it came out, but that Glaive has stuck around in our collective imagination as one of the most visually striking weapons ever put on film.

9The Sword from The Scorpion King

When Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson burst onto the scene as Mathayus in 2002’s The Scorpion King, he came packing a wickedly curved blade that perfectly fit the film’s ancient desert setting. This scimitar-style weapon, with its distinctive curved edge and fancy hilt, follows the assassin-turned-hero throughout his quest to take down the tyrannical Memnon. Director Chuck Russell wisely focused on practical swordplay, giving Johnson plenty of opportunities to show off some impressive moves that highlighted the weapon’s slashing style. What’s cool about this sword is that it actually draws inspiration from real historical weapons from the region, giving this Mummy franchise spin-off a touch of authenticity amid all the fantasy elements.

8The Triple Sword from The Sword and the Sorcerer

If you’re into weapons with gimmicks, it doesn’t get much better than the triple-bladed monstrosity from Albert Pyun’s 1982 flick The Sword and the Sorcerer. Lee Horsley’s mercenary hero Talon wields this beast of a weapon, which hides a pretty awesome trick, the blades can actually shoot out like missiles at enemies. Talk about bringing a gun to a sword fight. This triple-bladed contraption let Talon take on multiple bad guys at once, making for some wild fight scenes that helped this movie stand out from the crowd of sword-and-sorcery flicks flooding theaters in the early ’80s. With its three parallel blades and over-the-top design, this sword perfectly captures the film’s “more is more” approach to fantasy. It might not be the most famous movie on this list, but that triple sword definitely deserves its spot in the fantasy weapons hall of fame.

7The Kurgan’s Sword from Highlander

The Kurgan wields a sword that’s as brutal and chaotic as he is. It’s a big, menacing weapon that contrasts sharply with Connor MacLeod’s sleek katana. Designed with jagged edges and heavy weight, it emphasizes The Kurgan’s raw power and intimidation. This sword isn’t just a tool; it mirrors The Kurgan’s barbaric and imposing nature, adding to the film’s gritty atmosphere. The memorable scene where he assembles the sword in the motel showcases his methodical yet savage persona. When The Kurgan swings it in battle, you can feel the force behind each strike, making every fight unforgettable and highlighting his role as the ultimate antagonist.

6The Sword of Grayskull from Masters of the Universe

Sure, serious film buffs might roll their eyes, but the 1987 live-action Masters of the Universe movie gave us one of the most recognizable fantasy swords ever. He-Man’s Power Sword (or Sword of Grayskull) isn’t just for clobbering bad guys, it’s the key that transforms skinny Prince Adam into the buff, bowl-cut sporting hero played by Dolph Lundgren. The movie version keeps the straight, symmetrical blade and distinctive crossguard that fans knew from the cartoon. What makes this sword stand out is how it pulls double duty as both a regular weapon and a magical conduit. Director Gary Goddard made sure we knew this wasn’t your average blade by giving it the full special effects treatment, glowing and shooting energy whenever He-Man transforms or battles Skeletor’s minions. The movie might have flopped at the box office, but the Power Sword remains an iconic piece of fantasy weaponry that bridges Saturday morning cartoons and live-action adventure.

5Inigo Montoya’s Sword from The Princess Bride

While The Princess Bride (1987) lovingly pokes fun at fantasy tropes, Mandy Patinkin’s vengeful swordsman Inigo Montoya carries a blade that packs serious emotional punch. This elegant rapier, crafted by Inigo’s father before the six-fingered Count Rugen murdered him, isn’t just a weapon – it’s Inigo’s whole reason for living. Director Rob Reiner teamed up with legendary sword master Bob Anderson (who worked on everything from Star Wars to The Lord of the Rings) to showcase this rapier’s lightning-quick precision during what many fans consider one of the greatest swordfights ever filmed. The whole thing culminates in that insanely quotable moment when Inigo finally corners his father’s killer with the line we all know by heart: “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” With its fancy basket hilt and slender blade, this sword represents both swashbuckling adventure and the film’s surprisingly deep emotional core.

4Red Sonja’s Sword from Red Sonja

Brigitte Nielsen’s flame-haired warrior woman from the 1985 flick Red Sonja carries a blade that’s every bit as fierce as she is. Spun off from the Conan universe (and yes, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger as basically-Conan-but-legally-not-Conan), the film gives Sonja a no-nonsense sword that fits her vengeful personality perfectly. Unlike many fantasy weapons that go overboard with decoration, Sonja’s sword stands out for its practical design, single-edged blade, simple but decorated crossguard, and built for business. Director Richard Fleischer knew what he was working with and framed countless shots to showcase both the weapon and Nielsen’s towering presence, creating a visual package that would influence how female warriors were portrayed for decades to come. The sword becomes a symbol of Sonja’s famous oath, never to give herself to any man unless he can beat her in combat, representing her fierce independence in a world dominated by muscle-bound dudes. The movie might have gotten hammered by critics, but Red Sonja’s distinctive blade has earned its place as an symbol of power in fantasy cinema.

3The Katana from Highlander

Christopher Lambert’s immortal Connor MacLeod carries one of the coolest blades in movie history in 1986’s Highlander. This Japanese katana, a gift from his mentor Juan Ramírez (played by the incomparable Sean Connery), has supposedly been around since 592 B.C. Director Russell Mulcahy went all out with stylized fight scenes that show off just how deadly this elegant weapon can be. What makes this sword extra special is its connection to the whole immortality gimmick – it’s one of the few weapons that can actually take an immortal’s head, which is the only way they can truly die. With its distinctive T-shaped handguard and ancient Japanese craftsmanship, the katana cuts a striking figure against the Scottish highlands and modern city settings, visually hammering home the film’s “there can be only one” timelessness.

2Excalibur from Excalibur

John Boorman’s moody, mystical take on Arthurian legend in his 1981 film gave us perhaps the most memorable version of the legendary sword on screen. In Excalibur, the sword isn’t just a fancy weapon, it’s the physical embodiment of kingship itself, first appearing as the sword in the stone that only Arthur can pull, and later returning to him via the Lady of the Lake. You can’t miss this version of Excalibur with its golden hilt and that eerie green glow that seems to pulse with otherworldly power. Throughout the film, the sword’s journey: being stolen, broken, and eventually restored, mirrors Arthur’s own path of glory, downfall, and redemption. It still produces chills when Nicol Williamson’s Merlin describes it as “the sword of kings… forged when the world was young.”

1Atlantean Sword from Conan the Barbarian

You simply can’t talk about sword-and-sorcery without mentioning the behemoth blade Arnold Schwarzenegger swung around in 1982’s Conan the Barbarian. This massive two-handed broadsword, discovered in some forgotten tomb, perfectly captures Conan’s rise from slave to warrior-king. With its skull pommel and mysterious runes etched along the blade, this weapon is basically Conan in sword form – brutally efficient and impossible to ignore. Director John Milius knew exactly what he was doing when he made this sword the visual centerpiece of the film, especially during that goosebump-inducing prayer to Crom before Conan faces off against Thulsa Doom. No wonder it’s become the poster child for fantasy weapons everywhere.