The best Dungeons and Dragons movies, ranked

Given the source material’s vast world and endless adventures, it’s unsurprising that several Dungeons and Dragons movies have hit the silver screen. But while you’ve probably heard of Honor Among Thieves, you may be less familiar with older D&D movies in the series, which date back as far as the year 2000. We can tell you all about them – and whether they’re worth the watch.

Below you’ll find a ranked list of the official DnD movies. And, because there are only four to choose from, we’ve also recommended a huge selection of titles to watch that feel like a DnD campaign. Popcorn and DnD character sheets at the ready – let’s talk cinema.

These are the best official Dungeons and Dragons movies, ranked from worst to best:

• 4. Dungeons and Dragons
• 3. Dungeons and Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God
• 2. Dungeons and Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness
• 1. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

And here are our favorite movies that feel like a Dungeons and Dragons game:

• 1. Stardust
• 2. The Princess Bride
• 3. Thor Ragnarok
• 4. Serenity
• 5. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
• 6. Warcraft
• 7. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
• 8. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 

4. Dungeons and Dragons

The Dungeons and Dragons 2000 movie doesn’t look like a movie that cost $21 million to make, and the years haven’t been kind to its CGI Beholders and Dragons. Some would argue that, with its sloppy script and clunky jokes, this is barely a movie at all.

Objectively, it might be the worst Dungeons and Dragons movie ever. But if you delight in trashy cinema (and we do, reader), this is a joyous, camp-y watch.

If this Dungeons and Dragons movie were any cheesier, it would literally become a slab of brie. The story follows a group of young adventurers who become embroiled in a plot to overthrow the Empress of Izmir by stealing her power over the Gold Dragons.

Jeremy Irons steals the show, however, as power-hungry mage Profion. Despite this film’s unquestionable status as a B-movie, it’s clear that Irons is having a blast every second he’s on screen. Frankly, it’s worth watching for his performance alone. 

3. Dungeons and Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God

The second D&D movie in the series, Dungeons and Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God, learned a lot about what not to do from the first film. Namely, it realized that a Dungeons and Dragons movie needs to actually resemble the tabletop game. So expect plenty of nods to spells, monsters, and more that’ll tickle your nerd brain.

One hundred years after the original movie, the DnD Wizard Damodar returns, seeking revenge on the kingdom of Izmir. His plan? Awaken a big old dragon god and wreak some havoc. A group of heroes – each representing one of the classic DnD classes – is sent to infiltrate Dadomar’s lair and thwart the plot.

Considering its low budget and limited release, this is a perfectly reasonable movie. The characters are likeable (if a little one-dimensional), the actors are acceptable, and even the special effects aren’t so bad for a straight-to-video movie from the mid-2000s.

Perhaps our biggest issue is that Wrath of the Dragon God takes itself a bit too seriously – a little cheese from the original movie’s recipe may have made this more watchable. 

2. Dungeons and Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness

If you want a D&D movie of unironic quality, Dungeons and Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness is a far better shout. It’s still not perfect – largely being dragged down by a predictable plot and middle-of-the-road acting performances – but if you’re a fan of the tabletop game, you’ll find a lot to love here.

The story follows a group of anti-heroes – a DnD Barbarian, an assassin, a 5e Sorcerer, and a Vermin Lord, as well as a troubled DnD Paladin. Everyone has their own motivations, but they’re united in a chase to find the missing pages of the titular Book of Vile Darkness. This could unleash untold miseries onto the world.

If you couldn’t tell, this is a D&D movie with a darker tone – though the acting and writing still end up feeling cheesy in places. Overall, this movie is a lot more fun than the ratings let on. Just don’t expect Hollywood levels of production value. 

1. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

The latest Dungeons and Dragons movie hit cinemas in March 2023, and the hotly-anticipated title stars big names like Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and Hugh Grant. In case the ratings above weren’t an obvious clue, and in case you haven’t read our Honor Among Thieves review, let us spell it out – this is an excellent D&D movie, and the best one by a country mile.

The story follows Chris Pine as a Bard called Edgin as he puts together a team of heroes to recover a lost relic. Expect undead hordes, traps, and plenty of eye-rolling, self-aware humor.

However, in true Dungeons and Dragons fashion, Edgin and the gang run into a snag when they come across the nefarious Red Wizards of Thay. Fans of the setting will be familiar with these villainous do-badders.

These malefic demonologists make for promising villains, and seeing them clash with Edgin and co. is a real treat. Rules lawyers may spot a few DnD movie mistakes, but Honor Among Thieves has a loving, lighthearted, and authentic feel that will satisfy most D&D fans. 

1. Stardust

Stardust is so full of classic fantasy that it’s basically one of the D&D movies already. A young Charlie Cox plays an idealistic adventurer who finds himself on a quest through a fantasy world to find a fallen star. The gorgeous, cheesy visuals give even Dungeons and Dragons 2000 a run for its money.

It’s got airships, cannibalistic witches, pirates, and swashbuckling galore. It’s a proper rollicking adventure, worthy of any high-fantasy D&D campaign. Though it’s sappy as heck, it’s a proper old-school quest which, like any D&D game, quickly becomes complicated by drama and hidden twists. 

2. The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride is one of the most quotable fantasy films ever made, and it might be one of the best fantasy movies of all time. This fantasy adventure comedy could be ripped right out of the core DnD books. It’s the story of a swashbuckling farmhand named Westley (who embodies the Folk Hero DnD background) and his quest to rescue his true love from the clutches of an evil prince.

It’s derivative and by the numbers, but, unlike lesser films, it revels in its tropes. Wallace Shawn (known for voicing Rex in Toy Story) plays a sardonic mastermind whose one-liners are so good that they remain burnt into my brain to this day. The Princes Bride is an iconic fantasy film and more than earns its place on our list of Dungeons and Dragons movies. 

3. Thor Ragnarok

Sometimes, you have to sit back and laugh at the more absurd elements of D&D. Thor Ragnarok takes the Marvel Cinematic Universe and gives it that exact treatment. Taika Watiti brings his idiosyncratic brand of humor into the mix.

The film follows the eponymous Thor in his quest to prevent the prophesied destruction of his home at the hand of Hela, played by Cate Blanchett. On his adventure, he attempts to reconcile with his brother: Loki the trickster god. The two of them adventure through the Nine Realms in what turns out to be a well-paced and enjoyable fantasy tale that doesn’t take itself too seriously. 

4. Serenity

You might be wondering what a sci-fi film is doing on our list of Dungeons and Dragons movies. Serenity breaks the mold in many ways, especially when it comes to its ensemble storytelling and tight narrative pacing. Following the outlaws and renegades of the spaceship Serenity, the broad ensemble cast enthrall with their internal drama and chemistry.

Long story short: the crew have to solve a mystery, save innocent lives and foil a dark government conspiracy. Starring Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, Serenity will take you on a powerful, yet emotional ride through its gritty sci-fi setting. 

5. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Any prospective Dungeons and Dragons movie has to have a high-stakes quest. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, the stakes couldn’t be any higher as Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones has to recover an ancient relic from the clutches of the Nazi war machine.

It’s the middle of World War 2, and both sides are looking for an edge. It just so happens that rumors have surfaced of the lost Ark of the Covenant, a relic of biblical antiquity.

The movie is full of quick one-liners and pulpy action scenes. It’s hardly the most sophisticated thing out there, but, if you’re looking for an adventure to get you in the D&D mood, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than George Lucas’ legendary action-adventure film. You can also watch all the Indiana Jones movies in order if this really floats your boat. 

6. Warcraft

Like D&D itself, Warcraft is much more than the sum of its parts. On the surface, it looks like a classic story of good vs evil, but the truth is far more complex. Rather than being portrayed as 2D invaders, the Orcs of Warcraft are portrayed as displaced refugees, looking for a place to call home.

Warcraft approaches difficult themes with surprising nuance while also serving out an over-the-top fantasy adventure. Fans of the video game will also enjoy seeing their favorite locations given the silver-screen treatment. 

7. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

This movie quite possibly defined the niche but glorious genre of fantasy comedy, and many a chaotic D&D campaign has been compared to it. Follow the absurdist adventures of King Arthur and his knights as they quest to find the holy grail. Not only is Arthurian myth one of the best sources of fantasy epics; Monty Python adds its unique brand of timeless humor to proceedings.

As D&D movies go, this one is long in the tooth and has, like most Monty Python vehicles, been quoted to death. However, if you can divorce yourself from the pop culture baggage, and enjoy the film for what it is, you’ll be treated to a laugh-a-minute fantasy comedy. 

8. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

No list of Dungeons and Dragons movies would be complete without an entry from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We ultimately went with the first of the films, because we feel it best embodies the spirit of D&D. A group of diverse but sympathetic heroes go on a dangerous journey together, united by circumstances beyond their control in the hope that they might defeat an ultimate evil – classic stuff.

(Of course, once you’re done, we highly recommend watching the Lord of the Rings movies in order.)

Just as important, however, is how Lord of the Rings is in no small part responsible for how D&D looks and feels. It seems very likely that Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves takes its fair share of aesthetic inspiration from Lord of the Rings, too.

If you’re keen to play D&D rather than just watch it, here are the DnD races to consider for your next DnD character build.