The Princess Bride

A whimsical tale of adventure and romance unfolds as a grandfather shares a beloved story with his skeptical grandson.

Critics broadly praise the film as a witty, sweet, and inventive fairy tale whose postmodern humor and romance blend swashbuckling action with affectionate satire.

• the elderly man reads the book aloud to his bedridden grandson, who doubts it will interest him
• the narration interrupts itself and mocks damsel-in-distress tropes while still delivering them sincerely
• Westley's answer of as you wish signals his love for Buttercup throughout

• Stardustshared meta-comedic fairy tale framing, swashbuckling adventure with romantic core, and grandparent storytelling frame
• The Three Musketeersshared swashbuckling sword duels, witty romance, and playful fairy-tale tone
• The Adventures of Baron Munchausenshared quest-romance with sincere romantic devotion, rogue heroes, and whimsical adventure
• Big Fishshared intergenerational storytelling frame and gentle wit with a child skeptical of the tale

Director

Rob Reiner

Release Date

1987-09-25

Runtime

99 min

Rating

7.7 / 10 (5369)

What is The Princess Bride about?

A bedridden boy reluctantly listens to his grandfather read a swashbuckling fairy tale of true love, kidnapping, and sword duels on the high seas.

What is The Princess Bride like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Princess Bride as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as layered.

Is The Princess Bride violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Princess Bride as mild.

What did critics think of The Princess Bride?

Critics broadly praise the film as a witty, sweet, and inventive fairy tale whose postmodern humor and romance blend swashbuckling action with affectionate satire.

Which films are like The Princess Bride?

Films with a similar feel include Stardust, The Three Musketeers, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and Big Fish.

How long is The Princess Bride?

The Princess Bride runs 99 minutes.

Where can I watch The Princess Bride?

In United States, The Princess Bride streams on Disney Plus, Hulu, Peacock Premium, Philo, Fandango at Home Free, AMC, Peacock Premium Plus.