Ranking Beowulf Movies: From Gerard Butler’s Best to Zemeckis’ Animated Disaster
"There’s like five movies about Beowulf. I like three of them. This one, there’s a Mad Max-style one with Christopher Lambert, and the 13th Warrior. But I hate the animated one—it’s terrible. Grendel looks like shit. Beowulf is svelte, but the voice acting disconnects you completely."
Adapting Beowulf for the screen is no small feat. The ancient epic is rife with larger-than-life battles, deep philosophical questions, and characters that blur the line between hero and villain. While some films rise to the challenge, others fall flat. Here’s my definitive ranking of Beowulf movies.
1. Beowulf & Grendel (2005) This gritty, grounded adaptation stars Gerard Butler as a brooding Beowulf. What makes this version stand out is its humanization of Grendel. The cinematography captures the raw beauty of the Icelandic landscape, and Butler’s performance is equal parts strength and vulnerability.
2. The 13th Warrior (1999) Though not a direct adaptation, this film reimagines Beowulf through the lens of a Norse adventure. Antonio Banderas leads a diverse cast in a tale that’s both action-packed and thought-provoking. Its exploration of cultural differences adds a modern twist to the ancient story.
3. Christopher Lambert’s Beowulf (1999) This futuristic take on Beowulf is undeniably campy, but it has its charm. Lambert delivers a memorable performance, and the film’s blend of sci-fi and medieval elements makes it a fun, if flawed, watch.
4. Robert Zemeckis’ Beowulf (2007) Oh, Zemeckis. Where do we start? The motion-capture animation feels uncanny, and the voice acting lacks the emotional depth needed to bring these characters to life. While the film deserves credit for its ambition, it ultimately fails to capture the heart of the story.
At its core, Beowulf is a tale of heroism, sacrifice, and the human condition. The best adaptations are those that stay true to these themes while bringing something fresh to the table. What’s your favorite Beowulf movie? Let me know in the comments.
