The Princess Bride (1987)
In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can't stop these true lovebirds from triumphing.
Details
Budget
$16,000,000
Rating
8/10 (4650 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
The Princess Bride Ltd., Buttercup Films Ltd., Act III Productions
About The Princess Bride
Released in 1987, "The Princess Bride" blends adventure, fantasy, comedy, and romance into a story that gained widespread appeal. The film is known for its distinctive blend of humor and classic fairy tale elements, featuring a princess and her true love confronting various obstacles. Its narrative structure involves a grandfather reading a story to his grandson, which allows for a meta-commentary on storytelling itself.
The movie utilizes recognizable fantasy tropes but often subverts them with comedic timing and memorable dialogue. It includes sword fights, pirates, and kidnappings, balanced by witty exchanges and underlying themes of love and determination. While embracing traditional fairy tale components, it also incorporates a screwball sensibility, making it distinctive among films in its genre.
The critical reception for "The Princess Bride" generally indicates a positive response, with an 8.0 average vote from over 4,650 users on TMDb, and strong ratings on IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Metacritic. Its enduring popularity stems from its ability to appeal to a broad audience, offering both adventure and humor within a fantastical setting.
Why you might be searching for The Princess Bride
People recall specific, often humorous, character lines and situations like sword fights, giants, or the concept of "rodents of unusual size." The film's unique blend of fantasy, romance, and comedy, along with its memorable characters and dialogue, makes it a frequent subject of searches related to classic fairy tale subversions. Users also look for specific scenes, particularly those involving distinct humorous exchanges or action sequences.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer describes the film as an imaginative and witty fairy tale centered on various forms of love, praising its script and characters, and noting its appeal to both children and adults despite a perceived male-centric bias.
Read the full reviewA reviewer calls the movie a unique masterpiece, highlighting its classic, timeless, and charming qualities, while recommending it as family-friendly entertainment filled with romance, adventure, comedy, and heroism.
Read the full reviewThis review details the framing device of a grandfather reading a story to his grandson, outlining the initial plot points involving Princess Buttercup, Westley, Prince Humperdinck, and the kidnappers Vizzini, Fezzik, and Montoya.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "The Princess Bride" on [Disney+](https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-101b3fed-3125-4009-91e8-40ca97f1229c), [Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/title/60000361), Hulu, and through the Wonder Project Amazon Channel. It's also available for digital purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home.
No, "The Princess Bride" is not based on a true story. It is a fantasy adventure comedy adapted from William Goldman's novel of the same name.
The film concludes with Westley, Buttercup, Inigo, and Fezzik escaping Prince Humperdinck's castle after Westley defeats him. They ride off into the sunset on four white horses, presumably towards a future where Buttercup and Westley can finally be together. The movie ends with the grandfather finishing the story and telling his grandson he will read it to him again the next day, implying the enduring nature of the tale.
Yes, "The Princess Bride" is considered a cult classic and is highly acclaimed for its witty script, blend of romance, comedy, and adventure. It has been described as a "delightfully postmodern fairy tale" that appeals to both younger viewers and adults.