It's been three years since Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves hit theaters, and we're still waiting for a sequel to what many consider the best fantasy movie of the 2020s. The film, which perfectly captured the spirit of the beloved tabletop game, was a rare blend of critical acclaim and box-office disappointment. But its legacy has only grown, and the call for a follow-up is louder than ever.
Directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, Honor Among Thieves is a heist adventure set in the Forgotten Realms. The story follows a ragtag group of misfits—including the charismatic bard Edgin (Chris Pine), the fierce barbarian Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), the insecure sorcerer Simon (Justice Smith), and the shape-shifting druid Doric (Sophia Lillis)—as they attempt to rob the treacherous Lord Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant). What starts as a simple heist quickly escalates into a battle to save the city of Neverwinter from the sinister Red Wizard Sofia (Daisy Head).
The film masterfully balances humor, heart, and action. One standout sequence involves the party venturing into the Underdark with the noble paladin Xenk (Regé-Jean Page) to retrieve a magical artifact, only to encounter a surprisingly overweight dragon named Themberchaud. But the movie also delivers genuine emotional weight: Edgin's quest to reunite with his daughter and resurrect his wife, Simon's struggle with self-doubt, and Doric's fight to protect her people from greed. These layers make the adventure feel grounded and relatable, even in a world of magic and monsters.
Goldstein and Daley, who previously worked on Spider-Man: Homecoming, packed the film with Easter eggs for longtime D&D fans—from mimics to the dreaded sorcerer Szass Tam to a cameo from the classic animated series cast. Yet they ensured newcomers never felt lost. As Goldstein told Den of Geek, 'We wanted to create a film that would be entertaining and appealing to all audiences, whether you knew D&D or not. For that to work, we needed a sort of scaffolding and infrastructure for the movie that would be enjoyable and engaging. We’ve always wanted to do a heist movie.'
Critics agreed: Honor Among Thieves holds a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising it as one of the few modern blockbusters that recaptures the magic of early Marvel Studios films. Unfortunately, its release in March 2023—alongside The Super Mario Bros. Movie and John Wick: Chapter 4—led to a disappointing box office haul. But the film found a massive second life on streaming, becoming a hit on Netflix.
Now, with fantasy experiencing a major resurgence on TV and streaming, the timing for a sequel couldn't be better. Netflix is developing Dungeons & Dragons: The Forgotten Realms, a TV series set in the same world as the movie. If that show succeeds, it could give Paramount the confidence to greenlight a proper sequel. In the meantime, fans can revisit Honor Among Thieves—a film that remains a shining example of how to adapt a beloved game into a thrilling, heartfelt adventure. For more underrated fantasy gems, check out our list of Hidden Fantasy Gems: 5 Underrated Shows You Probably Missed and explore Forgotten Gems: 7 Dark Fantasy Movies That Deserve More Love.
