TOP 10: Robin Hood Films
The legend of Robin Hood has endured for 700 years, and with good reason. Wherever there are people who feel they are being unfairly taxed by their government and taken advantage of by those in power, there is Robin Hood with his main mantra of, “Take from the rich and give to the poor.” He advocates for the redistribution of wealth even though he sits atop the order as a member of the nobility.
As I grow older and become more of a Leftist (against all common knowledge), I realize that I had only seen two Robin Hood movies. So I set out to remedy that in the most GPCD way possible: by watching every single one of them (at least, the English-language versions) and ranking them.
So here we go! And not a moment too soon, because The Death of Robin Hood (2026) starring Hugh Jackman (an Australian) comes out this Friday, June 19.
10. The Men of Sherwood Forest (1954 — Don Taylor as Robin Hood)
Don Taylor (an American) is super charming, though the plot was a tad confusing and felt just thrown together. A fun swashbuckling adventure film, though, as with most films from this era, the ending just kinda…happens. Richard the Lionheart showed up, and all was well.
9. Robin Hood (1991 — Patrick Bergin as Sir Robert Hode)
Don Taylor (an Irishman) is incredibly handsome with a winning smile. These later-era Robin Hoods (for the most part) are incredibly grounded, and this is the leader of the grounded pack. While I severely missed a regular villain (where was The Sheriff or Gisborne?), I was mostly happy with this version. I also get why this had no play in the United States in 1991, when Kevin Costner’s version was happening. If I had a major quibble, the final fight was incredibly lacking and mostly silly. Uma Thurman was a nice Maid Marian.
8. The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952 — Richard Todd as Robin Hood)
The Robin Hood era immediately following the iconic Errol Flynn run was full of garbage films and terrible Robins (mostly Americans). Thankfully, Richard Todd (an Englishman) shows up and puts all of those previous American Robins to shame. This first Disney Robin Hood film is very good! Even the addition of Peter Finch as the Sheriff of Nottingham gave us something to cheer against in a meaningful way! Until the end when King Richard just shows up and everyone is happy. Prince John gets nothing by way of any sort of consequences, and that’s too bad.
7. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991 — Kevin Costner as Robin of Locksley
I know that I’m gonna irritate some folks with this one, but this is the placement it deserves. I’m not saying anything new here, but Kevin Costner (an American) is the reason this movie is so low. Not even Alan Rickman’s BAFTA-winning, scenery-chewing acting can raise this up in my rankings. Costner is handsome. Costner is charming. Costner is too damn American to play a 12th-century Englishman in my books. But also, so was Christian Slater. But I had hell of a lot of fun watching this one. Everyone was in a different movie, but the movie I wanted to watch starred Morgan Freeman and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. And maybe a little bit of Alan Rickman. I also have to say that the false magic of the whole thing was a weird addition. What saved the film for me was the entire explosive final battle sequence. I wasn’t mad at it.
6. Robin Hood (2010 — Russell Crowe as Robin Longstride)
I genuinely don’t understand the hate this one gets. Russell Crowe (a New Zealander) is honestly very good and subtle in this film, and maybe part of that is because Cate Blanchett is playing opposite him as his Maid Marian. I mean, sure, it wasn’t a swashbuckling Robin Hood movie, and maybe I liked it so much because I watched so much trash in succession. It has a great final battle, too! And while Oscar Isaacs’ blue contacts were unsettling, I wish everyone would give this version another look.
5. Robin Hood (1922 — Douglas Fairbanks as Robin Hood)
The very first full-length feature film version, this is a silent film, and it’s very, very good. Douglas Fairbanks (an American) gives us the fullest version of the story. We get everything, going to the Crusades, jousts, treachery, dungeons, Sherwood Forest, Maid Marian, Prince John being a douche, fantastic stunts, and derring-do. Please go find this version on YouTube.
4. Robin and Marian (1976 — Sean Connery as Robin Hood)
What an absolutely pleasant surprise! I had never heard of this version (and now I understand why Sean Connery’s arrival at the end of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was kind of a get). Sean Connery (a Scotsman) as a middle-aged Robin Hood was wonderful, and Audrey Hepburn as Maid Marian was perfect. This movie gave us the depth that almost none of the previous Robins gave us. Rather than focusing on a swashbuckling 20something, we have a man in his 40s who wants to quiet down — except when his old nemesis arrives looking to imprison (a willing) Marian, he can’t stop. It’s an all-star cast giving all-star performances.
3. Robin Hood (1973 — Brian Bedford as the voice of Robin Hood)
Ooo-de-lally, this is such a good movie. When I asked the internet for their favorite version of Robin Hood, this one constantly came up. Brian Bedford (an Englishman) was such a good fox. This movie has stakes. This movie has a plot. This Sheriff of Nottingham is probably one of the most insidious interpretations of the character because he uses his status as a member of the community who knows everyone to come into folks’ houses and take their money, even from children, all in the name of England. And Lady Cluck? The definition of an icon. My only quibble? It just ends. Sure, the castle is aflame as Prince John whines and chases Sir Hiss and King Richard shows up, but it just…ends.
2. Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993 — Cary Elwes as Robin Hood)
Cary Elwes (an Englishman, he says so) is so damn charming as Robin Hood. And in my pre-teen years, this was my definitive version. It is one of the best Robin Hood films, even if it is a very silly parody with musical numbers and a little bit of homophobia. There is a full story here, with a beginning, middle, and end, an end that is actually deserved. And not for nothing, Cary Elwes and Matthew Porretta (Will Scarlett) contributed to my gay awakening, and I thank them for that.
Honorable Mention
The Merrie Melodies versions with Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny each as Robin Hood are so good (though I like Daffy’s version better).
Dishonorable Mention
Robin Hood (2018) starring Taron Egerton (a Welshman) is hot garbage. The costumes took me out of the movie entirely. It’s like if Panem’s capital was less subtle.
Honorable Mention
Robin of Locksley (1996) starring Devon Sawa (an American) and Sarah Chalke. It’s cute. It’s fine. It’s Hallmark. But as a Millennial, I am required to mention Devon Sawa whenever possible.
1.) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938 — Errol Flynn as Robin Hood)
How could it be any other? The Robin Hood to end all Robin Hoods. Which is clear, because after this, there was a trainwreck of bad Robin Hood movies. Errol Flynn (an Australian) gives us the prototype of every Robin Hood that would follow. Now, is this Robin Hood a fukboi? Most assuredly. That shitty little stance he does and the head thrown back is perfect and would charm any person to whom he directed it. That laugh kinda makes my skin crawl. But I would die for him. He’s charming, cocksure, and bold, and Basil Rathbone’s Guy of Gisbourne is perfectly slimy and smarmy. This is now and forever the best Robin Hood film adaptation.
Did I get it right? Can you believe my ranking? Tell me here and over on Letterboxd what I got wrong and oh so right.
