Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- mythic
- brooding
- visceral
- fantasy movie night
- cult action marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a commercially successful but uneven sword-and-sorcery spectacle whose striking atmosphere and action were offset by polarized responses to its writing and adaptation choices.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Conan's journey is driven by the massacre of his family and village by Thulsa Doom's followers.
Thulsa Doom serves the serpent-god Set through a coercive religious movement and Snake Cult Temple.
Conan grows from an enslaved child on the Wheel of Pain into a trained gladiator and warrior.
The film emphasizes vast wilderness, imposing temples, ancient ruins, and the Wheel of Pain as dominant visual landmarks.
Films like Conan the Barbarian, and why
The Beastmaster
shared sword-and-sorcery adventure, mythic heroism, brutal combat, and heightened fantasy worldbuilding
Red Sonja
shared sword-and-sandal spectacle, muscular protagonists, revenge themes, and heightened violence
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
shared mythic fantasy quest, dark magic, imposing visual design, and heroic combat
Gladiator
shared ancient-world adventure, gladiatorial combat, tyrannical power, and revenge-driven drama
Movie Details
- Director
- John Milius
- Release Date
- 1982-03-16
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (2943)
Cast
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- James Earl Jones
- Sandahl Bergman
- Ben Davidson
- Cassandra Gava
- Gerry Lopez
- Mako
- Valérie Quennessen
- William Smith
- Max von Sydow
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, YouTube TV, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Conan the Barbarian about?
- A hardened Cimmerian warrior assembles unlikely allies to confront the sorcerous cult leader responsible for destroying his family.
- What is Conan the Barbarian like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Conan the Barbarian as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Conan the Barbarian violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Conan the Barbarian as brutal.
- What did critics think of Conan the Barbarian?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a commercially successful but uneven sword-and-sorcery spectacle whose striking atmosphere and action were offset by polarized responses to its writing and adaptation choices.
- Which films are like Conan the Barbarian?
- Films with a similar feel include The Beastmaster, Red Sonja, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and Gladiator.
- How long is Conan the Barbarian?
- Conan the Barbarian runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch Conan the Barbarian?
- In United States, Conan the Barbarian streams on Netflix, YouTube TV, Netflix Standard with Ads.
