Forget the witty one-liners and clever escapes—sometimes you just need a towering Austrian warrior with a massive sword, a skimpy loincloth, and a single-minded mission to avenge his family's murder. Add an evil snake cult and one of the most iconic fantasy scores ever composed, and you've got 129 minutes of pure, unadulterated 1980s fantasy. That's exactly what Conan the Barbarian delivers, and now it's available to stream on Netflix in the United States.
Forty-four years after its original release, John Milius's R-rated sword-and-sorcery epic hit Netflix on September 1. The film, which helped launch Arnold Schwarzenegger into superstardom, is back in the spotlight for a new generation of viewers. If you're in the mood for a classic, you might also want to check out top Netflix thrillers or explore other films leaving Netflix soon.
The story follows Conan, whose parents are brutally killed by the forces of Thulsa Doom. The young survivor is enslaved for years, first enduring the brutal Wheel of Pain before becoming a formidable fighter. Once free, Conan embarks on a quest across the Hyborian Age to find Doom, solve the "riddle of steel," and exact his revenge. It's a simple, brutal tale that defined the genre.
The cast is led by Schwarzenegger as Conan, alongside James Earl Jones as the villainous Thulsa Doom, Sandahl Bergman as Valeria, Gerry Lopez as Subotai, Mako as the Wizard, Max von Sydow as King Osric, Ben Davidson as Rexor, and Sven-Ole Thorsen as Thorgrim. Their performances, combined with Milius's gritty direction, make this a must-watch for fantasy fans.
How Good Is 'Conan the Barbarian'?
Upon its release in 1982, the film didn't receive universal praise, but time has been kind to it. Currently, it holds a 68% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences slightly more enthusiastic at 74%. The consensus highlights its gritty action and Schwarzenegger's quotable performance, even if the movie occasionally takes itself a bit too seriously. Commercially, it was a success, earning roughly $69 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. More importantly, it established Schwarzenegger as a viable movie star two years before The Terminator changed his career forever.
If you're a fan of fantasy epics, you might also enjoy HBO's His Dark Materials or dive into top science fantasy books. But for now, Conan the Barbarian is streaming on Netflix in the US, ready to deliver its brutal, iconic adventure to your screen.
