Conan the Barbarian

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Conan the Barbarian

R

1982

2h 9m

Adventure

Action

Fantasy

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Popcornmeter

68%

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44 Reviews

74%

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100,000+ Ratings

Orphaned boy Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is enslaved after his village is destroyed by the forces of vicious necromancer Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones), and is compelled to push "The Wheel of Pain" for many years. Once he reaches adulthood, Conan sets off across the prehistoric landscape of the Hyborian Age in search of the man who killed his family and stole his father's sword. With beautiful warrior Valeria (Sandahl Bergman) and archer Subotai (Gerry Lopez), he faces a supernatural evil.

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Critics Consensus

Though Conan the Barbarian may take itself too seriously for some, this adventure film about a former slave seeking vengeance is full of quotable Schwarzenegger lines and gritty action.

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Scott Cain

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Nov 9, 2021

4/5

A dynamite movie for comic book fans... The moment Thulsa Doom turns into a snake will either thrill you or make you squirm, but you will watch in fascination.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

There is a real anticipation as Schwarzenegger is unveiled as the barbarian and sets off on the road to independence. But for whatever reasons, the actor has a minimum of dialog and fails to convey much about the character through his actions.

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Chris Petit

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

Match verdict: no goals, slow build-up, but much absorbing action off the ball.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

May 7, 2026

4/5

“Conan the Barbarian” remains a pillar among the 1980s fantasy adventure films while setting Arnold Schwarzenegger on a path to motion picture stardom. It’s true that it’s a movie of its time. But that does nothing to take away its impact or appeal.

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Apr 13, 2026

With a script originally by Oliver Stone and then rewritten by director John Milius, the economy of storytelling—simple third-person narration over Conan’s sweeping journey—leaves the movie pleasantly light on exposition.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 25, 2026

2/4

A wooden Arnie is not yet seasoned enough to work up the charisma that would serve him well in later roles.

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Sophie

Jan 9, 2026

I loved it so much and I love Conan

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Anita M

Jan 8, 2026

Too violent. Didn’t like seeing nudity and sex.

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Peter T

Jan 8, 2026

Classic fantasy flick and with Arnold Schwarzenegger!

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kyle

Jan 8, 2026

Wow I heard 80s movies were sort of a low point of Hollywood. Arnold delivers here he scores with three baddies and chops like 100 people into bits. Everything wraps up nicely. Pure cinema

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HT

Jan 8, 2026

The sword and sorcery prototype that helped Arnold become a star, this movie holds up surprisingly well! Growing up watching it via VHS on square formatted TVs at home, I was blown away by the cinematography in widescreen, and by the score in theater sound. The pacing starts a bit slow, but quickly picks up pace.

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Frans B

@FransB Sep 23, 2026

Brilliant. The storytelling is superb, well directed and very good cinematography. John Milius managed to capture the "primitive" ambiance perfectly. The fact that Conan's dialogue is kept to a minimum, enhances the whole plot. Whole cast excels in character. Lots of action, violence (perhaps too much for some), primal instincts, grit, down-to-earth feeling, drama, intrigue, mystery and emotion. Captivating and entertaining.

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John Milius

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Conan

James Earl Jones

Thulsa Doom

Sandahl Bergman

Valeria

Gerry Lopez

Subotai

Mako

The Wizard

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Synopsis

Orphaned boy Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is enslaved after his village is destroyed by the forces of vicious necromancer Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones), and is compelled to push "The Wheel of Pain" for many years. Once he reaches adulthood, Conan sets off across the prehistoric landscape of the Hyborian Age in search of the man who killed his family and stole his father's sword. With beautiful warrior Valeria (Sandahl Bergman) and archer Subotai (Gerry Lopez), he faces a supernatural evil.

Director: John Milius
Producer: Raffaella De Laurentiis, Buzz Feitshans, Edward R. Pressman
Screenwriter: Robert E. Howard, John Milius, Oliver Stone, Edward Summer
Distributor: MCA, Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Dino De Laurentiis Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Adventure, Action, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 14, 1982, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 30, 2015
Runtime: 2h 9m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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