Fantasy movies offer limitless ways to settle disputes. We have everything from magic and sorcery to legendary weapons and mythical beasts. Despite all the weird and wonderful ways you can fight in a fantasy world, a good old-fashioned sword is always more personal. Melee combat is more intense and exciting than a gunfight and takes far more skill than simply pulling a trigger.
With this in mind, here are some of the best sword fights in fantasy movies. We’re diving into spoiler territory for this list, but if you’re in the mood for some stylish swordplay, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve tried to keep this list as varied as possible, but if you’re a fan of the classics, you might already have a good idea what movie takes the top spot.
10
Conan Vs Togra – Conan the Destroyer (1984)
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan from official trailer on Youtube
We’re starting the list off with a fantasy classic starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in one of his earliest movie roles.
Schwarzenegger plays Conan in Conan the Destroyer, and he’s perfect for the role thanks to his impossibly chiseled physique. His battle against Togra is unlike many other battles on the list because both warriors wield mighty great swords.
Elegant and delicate techniques take a back seat to raw power and mighty blows. The duo begins their battle on horseback before finishing off on the ground. Sword swings are slow but powerful, and you can feel the force in every hit.
Conan the Destroyer may feel a little dated compared to other movies on this list, but the combat still hits its mark.
9
Red Sonja Vs Queen Gedren – Red Sonja (1985)
An image Red Sonja from original 1985 trailer on YouTube
We have another 80s fantasy classic on the list, with a grand set-piece between the titular character of Red Sonja, played by Brigitte Nielsen, and Queen Gedren, played by Sandahl Bergman.
Similar to the Conan fight, Red Sonja wields a huge sword, so the actual combat is quite slow. That said, it’s still impressive, and the battle takes place in the Chamber of Lights, which is falling apart as the fight rages on.
The location adds to the gravitas, as the pair end up in a sealed-off room lit with hundreds of candles. Some of the special effects have not aged well, but the fight is such a spectacle that you hardly notice.
8
Blade Vs Deacon Frost – Blade (1998)
Wesley Snipes as Blade from the official trailer for the 4K release on YouTube
Wesley Snipes made superheroes cool years before Marvel movies became popular. His starring turn in Blade is legendary, as were his fight scenes.
The climax of the first movie pits Blade against Deacon Frost, played by Stephen Dorff. He’s no ordinary vampire, and the pair square off in a circular arena with a flashy sword fight.
Blade is clearly the superior swordsman, but Frost has supernatural powers on his side. As you may expect from a Blade movie, the conflict ends in a bloody climax. It also gave us the brilliant one-liner, “Some mother******s are always trying to ice skate up hill.”
7
Jen Vs Shu Lien – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Michelle Yeoh from Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon rerelease trailer on YouTube
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is technically a Wuxia movie, and one of the most famous in the genre. However, it’s still a fantasy film, with some of the most incredible fight scenes on the silver screen.
Many fights from Ang Lee’s masterpiece could have made the list, but Jen’s duel with Shu Lien is so good that I had to include it.
Shu Lien, played by Michelle Yeoh, is our heroine in this scene. She takes on Jen, played by Ziyi Zhang, who is the superior fighter. The issue is that Jen wields the Green Destiny, a legendary sword by all counts, capable of shattering and breaking any other weapon.
The duel is masterfully choreographed. Shu Lien is forced to swap weapons multiple times, and it remains an intense, fast-paced battle from start to finish. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has a tragic story, but battles like this are worth enduring the film’s heartache.
6
Aragorn Vs Lurtz – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Lord of the Rings movies still hold up, despite being released more than two decades ago. Each film has its fair share of high-fantasy combat, but Aragorn’s battle towards the end of The Fellowship of the Ring is among the best.
Aragorn, played by Viggo Mortensen, witnesses Boromir (Sean Bean) get fatally injured by Uruk-hai fighter Lurtz before diving headfirst into the fight. The battle doesn’t start as a sword fight, and it’s a surprisingly visceral brawl where our hero fights an opponent of superior strength.
Aragorn eventually emerges victorious when he gets a sword in his hands. The fight is short, but Lurtz goes down swinging. Aragorn impales him with his steel, but the Uruk-Hai warrior responds by pushing further onto the blade.
Despite the brief duel, the Aragorn vs Lurtz fight is dramatic and impactful. A fitting scene before a tear-jerking exchange with a fallen comrade.
5
Connor MacLeod Vs The Kurgan – Highlander (1986)
A still image from the Highlander 4k rerelease trailer on YouTube official.
Highlander is a cult classic fantasy film set in a dark, gritty, contemporary world. The movie introduces us to ‘immortals’ who can heal from almost any wound. The only way to defeat them is by decapitating them, making swords their weapon of choice.
MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) takes on the fearsome Kurgan (Clancy Brown) toward the end of the movie against a moody, dark backdrop in an abandoned building.
The battle is a brutal and violent spectacle, and it’s clear how much fun Brown is having as Kurgan. He’s an intimidating villain and a fitting opponent for MacLeod as they trade blows.
4
Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi Vs Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Qui-Gon-Jinn,-Darth-Maul,-and-Obi-Wan-Kenobi’s-lightsaber-battle-in-The-Phantom-Menace resized to 1920×1080
Say what you like about the Star Wars prequels, but they contain some epic fights. They aren’t traditional fantasy flicks, but the inclusion of the Force lands them firmly in ‘space fantasy’ territory.
The Phantom Menace introduces us to Darth Maul, played by Ray Park. He’s remained a fan-favorite Star Wars villain, largely thanks to his epic duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson).
To square off against a pair of Jedi, Maul uses a double-bladed lightsaber as they battle around a grand generator complex. The combat is flashy and fast-paced, and made so much more dramatic thanks to John Williams’ epic score in the background.
The battle is intense, and the stakes could not be higher as The Phantom Menace reaches its crescendo.
3
Jack Sparrow Vs Will Turner – Pirates Of The Caribbean (2003)
pirates of the caribbean fight from official YouTube trailer
The Pirates of the Caribbean movies are overflowing with swashbuckling goodness, but Captain Jack Sparrow’s first encounter with Will Turner is arguably the best fight in the first film.
Johnny Depp‘s portrayal of Jack Sparrow is legendary. He meets Will Turner, played by Orlando Bloom, as he tries to flee the port.
Turner refuses to let Sparrow escape, and a mighty battle ensues. The sword fight is delicate, with obstacles around the mill playing a massive part in the fight. In fact, the busy arena forces the pair to fight everywhere, from around machinery to the rafters above.
Both fighters are evenly matched, and the duel is ultimately decided when one party decides to “cheat.”
2
Elena Vs Zorro – The Mask Of Zorro (1998)
Elena and Zorro fight from the Mask of Zorro official trailer on YouTube.
Antonio Banderas plays a brilliant Zorro. Swashbuckling combat is always entertaining to watch, and the hardest part is picking a single fight for this list.
I rewatched The Mask of Zorro recently and believe Zorro’s tussle with Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is the most memorable. Elena is no slouch with a sword and keeps Zorro on his toes despite his extensive training.
Both fighters are elegant and playful, and their quips and chemistry make you wish the battle lasted longer.
1
Inigo Montoya Vs Westley – The Princess Bride (1988)
Princess Bride duel between Inigo and Westley
I’m sure many fantasy movie fans saw this one coming a mile away. The Princess Bride is a masterpiece, and the battle between Inigo and Westley is arguably one of the finest sword duels in cinema history.
Inigo, played by Mandy Patinkin, and Westley, played by Cary Elwes, both ooze charm and charisma throughout their entire duel. A witty battle of words ensues between the two skilled warriors who appear to be evenly matched.
The battle takes a sudden turn when Inigo comments on Westley being left-handed, as that’s how he holds his weapon. It turns out that Westley was handicapping himself the entire time, and it’s such a brilliant revelation when the audience realizes how great a swordsman he truly is.