23 Best Medieval Romance Movies (Ranked)

In a world filled with action and adventure, sometimes it’s nice to take a step back in time. Medieval romance movies evoke a feeling of nostalgia, with sweeping vistas, romantic stories, and lovable characters. From a knight’s forbidden love for his liege’s daughter to a princess’s rebellious affair with a commoner, these films tell of true love and its hardships during the Middle Ages.

Enjoy this list of some of the best medieval romance movies of all time, perfect to watch on a Valentine’s Day cozy movie night or a peaceful evening with your loved one.

Best Medieval Romance Movies

23. The Princess and the Matchmaker (2018)

• Duration: 1h 50m
• Cast: Hyuk Choi, Jun-ho Choi, Shim Eun-kyung

The Princess and the Matchmaker is a heartwarming medieval romantic comedy set during the Joseon era, in which a princess is forced by her father, the king, to marry a commoner in order to avoid political conflict. With the help of a matchmaker, the princess sets out to find a suitable husband.

This movie will make you laugh and swoon with its endearing performances and captivating storyline, making this an enchanting journey through time. With its touching narrative and classic charm, The Princess and the Matchmaker is a good choice for those looking for a classic romance movie with a historical twist.

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22. The Knight Before Christmas (2019)

• Duration: 1h 32m
• Cast: Vanessa Hudgens, Josh Whitehouse, Emmanuelle Chriqui

The Knight Before Christmas is a romantic-fantasy movie that explores the theme of time travel, love, and the power of human connection. The movie tells the story of a medieval knight who is transported to present-day Ohio and falls in love with a science teacher.

The knight, who is initially confused and disoriented by the modern world, must navigate the challenges of fitting in and understanding the ways of the present while also trying to find a way back to his own time. Overall, this movie is a delightfully romantic and entertaining movie that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

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21. The Princess of Montpensier (2010)

• Duration: 2h 19m
• Cast: Mélanie Thierry, Lambert Wilson, Gaspard Ulliel

The Princess of Montpensier is a medieval romantic-drama movie set in the late 16th century, during the French Wars of Religion. The movie is based on a novel by Madame de Lafayette, and it tells the story of a young princess, Marie de Mézières, who is married off to the Prince of Montpensier for political reasons. However, the story gets more complex, which makes it an intriguing one.

The film explores themes of love, duty, and the complexity of relationships in a time when marriages were arranged for political gain. I would highly recommend it for a Valentine’s Day movie night, as it is a thought-provoking and beautifully crafted film that delves into the complexities of love and relationships.

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20. Robin and Marian (1976)

• Duration: 1h 46m
• Cast: Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, Robert Shaw

This medieval romantic movie tells the story of the aging Robin Hood and his reunion with his former lover, Maid Marian, after years apart, to find out that their relationship is not the same as it used to be. 

Robin Hood must then fight for Marian’s love, while also making a stand against the Sheriff of Nottingham, who has been exploiting and oppressing the people of England.

The movie depicts the challenges the couple faces as they try to rekindle their love and reconcile their past. It’s a must-watch for fans of classic medieval romance.

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19. Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)

• Duration: 2h 25m
• Cast: Richard Burton, Geneviève Bujold, Irene Papas

The 1969 movie Anne of the Thousand Days, a medieval drama movie, tells the story of King Henry VIII and his marriage to Anne Boleyn. The movie also explores the themes of power, love, and betrayal, and features a strong cast led by Richard Burton and Geneviève Bujold. 

It is an intense portrayal of one of the most famous and controversial figures in English history, a perfect movie for those who love good medieval historical dramas.

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18. Casanova (2005)

• Duration: 1h 52m
• Cast: Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller, Jeremy Irons

Casanova follows the story of Giacomo Casanova, played by Heath Ledger, a charming and irresistible young man whose life changes when he meets a strong-willed woman. Francesca (Sienna Miller) who is engaged to a pompous but wealthy man, refuses to be taken in by Casanova’s charms.

And so they are thrust into a wild and sometimes dangerous romance. Casanova is constantly pursued by an army of guards who want to capture him, which makes this a thrilling and exciting love story.

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17. Tristan & Isolde (2006)

• Duration: 2h 5m
• Cast: James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell

Tristan & Isolde is a romantic drama film set in medieval England. The story is based on the legendary tale of Tristan and Isolde, two young lovers from rival kingdoms who must overcome their families’ hatred for each other to be together.

Once they meet, they are instantly drawn to each other, and in defiance of their families and the war between their countries. Overall, it’s a classic love story with all of the drama and tragedy one would expect from a medieval romance.

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16. Bajirao Mastani (2015)

• Duration: 2h 38m
• Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra Jonas

This Indian epic historical romance movie, tells the story of the legendary Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I, and his beloved warrior princess Mastani. Bajirao is a born cavalry leader and a true warrior, renowned for his courage, and never having lost a battle.

When Bajirao first meets the beautiful and talented Mastani, they fall madly in love. It’s a story of passion, love, and war that goes beyond anything seen in the Middle Ages.

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15. Outlaw King (2018)

• Duration: 2h 1m
• Cast: Chris Pine, Stephen Dillane, Rebecca Robin

This medieval romance movie is based on the true story of Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine), a 14th-century Scottish nobleman who fights to free his kingdom from English domination. The movie follows Robert’s journey as a becoming outlaw, as he rallies the Scottish people against their oppressors.

There is also a romantic angle to the story as he falls in love with Elizabeth de Burgh (Florence Pugh), a noblewoman. The movie is full of action, battles, and intense fight scenes, as well as a touching love story.

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14. First Knight (1995)

• Duration: 2h 14m
• Cast: Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond

This movie is about the legendary King Arthur and his knights of the round table. The movie follows Lancelot, a young and ambitious knight of Arthur’s court, as he tries to earn the love of Guinevere, the beautiful Queen of Camelot.

When Prince Malagant, one of the knights of Camelot, is determined to take control of Camelot and overthrow King Arthur by any means necessary, he sets his sights on Guinevere as a way to do so.

What follows next is a story of love, courage, and betrayal, as Lancelot sets out to protect Guinevere while keeping his own feelings in check, which makes this movie a great classic medieval romance.

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13. Queen Margot (1994)

Original title: La Reine Margot

• Duration: 2h 39m
• Cast: Isabelle Adjani, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Hugues Anglade

Queen Margot is a French historical drama romance movie set in 1572. It is also based on the historical novel “La Reine Margot” by Alexandre Dumas and follows the story of Marguerite de Valois, daughter of King Charles IX. She is married off to the Catholic King of France, Henri de Navarre (Daniel Auteuil) as part of a political alliance between the Catholic and Protestant factions.

As Margot’s life hangs in the balance, she fights for her love and freedom. This movie highlights the politics and power struggles of the French court and the forbidden love of that era.

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12. The New World (2005)

• Duration: 2h 15m
• Cast: Colin Farrell, Q’orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer

Unfamiliar with the new world, Captain John Smith (Colin Farrell), is brought to Jamestown, Virginia by Captain Newport’s ship in 1607 to establish an English colony. Here, he experiences the generous and harmonious ways of the local natives led by Chief Powhatan (August Schellenberg).

It is here that Smith meets the chief’s daughter Pocahontas (Q’orianka Kilcher), who is soon captivated by the mysterious stranger. As a result, Smith, and Pocahontas develop a strong relationship that leads to a romantic affair. However, a series of unexpected events soon occur, making The New World a dramatic, heart-wrenching journey.

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11. Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

• Duration: 2h 17m
• Cast: Gérard Depardieu, Anne Brochet, Vincent Perez

Cyrano de Bergerac tells the story of a 17th-century French soldier and poet, Cyrano de Bergerac, who is in love with his cousin, Roxane. Being too ashamed to declare his love due to his large nose, thinking that she would never love him in return.

Instead, he uses his gift for words to write her love letters on behalf of a handsome but uneducated cadet. This romantic story highlights the power that inner beauty has over physical appearance, making it a timeless classic.

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10. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

• Duration: 1h 55m
• Cast: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana

Set in early 16th-century England, The Other Boleyn Girl is a historical romantic drama. It tells the story of two sisters, Mary Boleyn and Anne. They are driven by their ambitious father to secure advantageous marriages and compete for the affection of King Henry VIII.

Overall, the movie is an enchanting story of love that depicts the love triangle between the sisters and the king, set against the backdrop of the political machinations of the Tudor court.

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9. Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

• Duration: 3h 33m
• Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonu Sood

During the 16th century in India, the Mughal emperor Akbar falls deeply in love with a beautiful and fiery Rajput princess named Jodhaa. Akbar had achieved great success with his conquest of the Hindu Kush and was always looking to further expand his empire.

The story follows the development of their relationship as they overcome cultural and religious differences and learn to understand and respect each other. Their beautiful story of romance is still remembered today as one of the greatest tales of medieval times.

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8. The Duchess (2008)

• Duration: 1h 55m
• Cast: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper

In a time of political strife, The Duchess tells the story of Georgiana Cavendish, a free-spirited aristocrat, and the love of her life, Charles Grey. She becomes Duchess of Devonshire but her life is quickly defined by duties to her husband, the need to produce a male heir, and his philandering ways.

The story depicts Georgiana’s struggles for love and acceptance in a society where women were expected to be nothing more than political pawns. All this while she is shattered by her husband’s callous indifference and the constant public scrutiny. If you are looking for a classic story of romance The Duchess is the perfect movie for you.

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7. Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

• Duration: 2h 1m
• Cast: Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott

The Ever After: A Cinderella Story is an enchanting medieval romance movie directed by Andy Tennant. The story begins with a wealthy Grande Dame (Jeanne Moreau) telling the Brothers Grimm the true story of Cinderella.

The movie then goes into a flashback to show the tale of Danielle, a daughter of a wealthy widower in 16th-century France.

The story describes her struggles with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. Despite her situation, Danielle is a strong and independent woman who dreams of a better life. This is a classic tale of love and perseverance, that is sure to make you fall in love with the romance of the Middle Ages.

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6. A Knight’s Tale (2001)

• Duration: 2h 12m
• Cast: Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell

This romantic medieval comedy tells the story of a peasant who pretends to be a knight to win the heart of a beautiful lady. Along the way, he must prove himself and learn the true meaning of knighthood, all while trying to win the love of Lady Jocelyn.

From William’s struggles to prove his worth, to Jocelyn’s battle against a loveless arranged marriage, the movie is an inspiring tale of courage and true love against all odds, making A Knight’s Tale a must-watch for fans of medieval romance films.

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5. Beauty and the Beast (2017)

• Duration: 2h 9m
• Cast: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans

Beauty and the Beast is a 2017 delightful retelling of the beloved Disney classic, which follows the story of Belle, a young woman living in a small provincial town in France. When Belle’s father is taken prisoner by the Beast, she takes his place as a prisoner in exchange for his freedom.

As Belle becomes more familiar with the Beast and the other enchanted objects in his castle, she starts to see the kind heart beneath his beastly exterior.

The Beast, who lives in a castle nearby, has been cursed by an enchantress and needs to break the spell by finding true love. As the story progresses, their love deepens and they learn that true beauty comes from within, an epic fairy tale that is sure to warm your heart.

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4. Shakespeare in Love (1998)

• Duration: 2h 3m
• Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush

Shakespeare in Love tells the story of the great bard, William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes), a known but struggling poet, playwright, and actor. Struggling to find inspiration for his next work, he meets the beautiful Viola De Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow), an ardent admirer of his works and a passionate lover of theatre.

Unfortunately, as only men were allowed to act during that time, Viola is forbidden from taking to the stage. Determined, she disguises herself as a man and takes on the name of “Thomas Kent” to audition for one of Shakespeare’s plays.

As rehearsals commence, their mutual love flourishes and eventually blossoms into William’s most celebrated work, Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare in Love is a beautiful rendering of a timeless love story, full of passion and romance, a story that will leave you feeling moved and inspired.

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3. A Royal Affair (2012)

Original title: En kongelig affære

• Duration: 2h 17m
• Cast: Alicia Vikander, Mads Mikkelsen, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard

A Royal Affair is about a British Princess, Caroline Mathilde (Alicia Vikander), who is unwillingly betrothed to the highly volatile King Christian VII of Denmark.

Finding life in the oppressive country to be a lonely and miserable experience, Caroline discovers solace in the company of Dr. Johann Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen), an idealistic German doctor of the Enlightenment. With a beautiful soundtrack and captivating performances, A Royal Affair is a compelling tale of forbidden love, political maneuvering, and sacrifice.

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2. The Princess Bride (1987)

• Duration: 1h 38m
• Cast: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright

The Princess Bride is a classic tale of true love and chivalry that follows an elderly man as he reads a cherished book, “The Princess Bride”, to his sickly grandson. From the start, it is clear that Buttercup, a former farm girl chosen to be the princess bride of Prince Humperdinck of Florian, has lost her one true love, Westley, a few years prior.

Despite this tragedy and Buttercup’s reservations about her impending marriage, the story follows an unexpected string of events that sets off an enchanting and magical journey. With an extraordinary cast, The Princess Bride is a timeless medieval fantasy movie that embodies the spirit of romance and adventure.

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1. Romeo and Juliet (1968)

• Duration: 2h 18m
• Cast: Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey, John McEnery

The number one in our list of the best medieval romance movies is Romeo and Juliet from 1968. Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, it captures the iconic romantic story of two young lovers from warring families, the Montagues, and the Capulets.

The film illustrates the intense emotions that Romeo and Juliet experience even in the face of their families’ feud, as Romeo sneaks into the Capulets’ masked ball to meet the beautiful Juliet.

Despite the risks of being caught, the two bravely embark on a passionate love story that captures the power of true love. With memorable performances from Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting, this classic movie is a timeless depiction of what it means to be in love.