You Wouldn’t Believe the Choreography in These 10 Movie Scenes with the Best Swordfights and Duels

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Written By William Butterworth

Will Butterworth first started reporting on entertainment news when he was a kid in Barney pajamas giving news reports to his parents while sitting in a cardboard box. Now, he still sits in a cardboard box, but his audience has grown in number (at least that's what his mom tells him). Entertainment junkies unite!

Get transported to a world of intense action with our pick of the top 10 movie scenes featuring the most unforgettable swordfights and duels. Explore now and discover what makes these scenes stand above the rest.

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith
Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd

One of the most heartbreaking fights is between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in their final confrontation. Besides a fast-paced lightsaber duel in a volcano, the fight itself is emotionally charged between two men who saw each other as brothers.

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace
Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd

The choreography between Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Maul at the end of the Phantom Menace is truly a gift. With jumps, twirls, and spins, it really showed just how agile and different a lightsaber duel is between Jedi and Sith. There’s a good amount of emotion in the fight after Qui-Gon’s death.

Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)

Kill Bill Volume I
Image Credit: Miramax Films

There’s no shortage of amazing sword battles in Kill Bill, but one that stands out is the fight between The Bride and the Crazy 88. The Bride finds herself having to fight through 88 minions before finally taking on the boss. It’s gory, violent, and incredible to watch.

The Princess Bride (1987)

The Princess Bride
Image Credit: Twentieth Century Fox

Another great display of swordfighting skill is in The Princess Bride. Westley ends up fighting Iñigo, first with his left hand and then his right. It required both actors to learn how to fight with their left hands and ended up providing a riveting display of skill.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures

Some of the most beautiful fights are in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. If you love swordfights, then this movie needs to be on your radar. It proves that sword fighting can be more of an art form than simply for killing.

The Northman (2022)

The Northman
Image Credit: Universal Pictures

If you love raw and realistic sword fights, then you need to check out The Northman. It focuses on Viking fighting styles with raw, brute strength and stamina. The final fight also takes place at the Gates of Hel, so you have quite an engaging setting, too.

The Mask of Zorro (1998)

The Mask of Zorro
Image Credit: TriStar Pictures

When the hero of a legend wields a sword, you can bet they’re going to be impressive with it. The Mask of Zorro has quite a few great fight scenes, but it’s the final between Zorro and Love that really steals the show.

Expert fighting choreography with high stakes and using the environment against one’s opponent is a lot of fun to watch.

Excalibur (1981)

Image Credit: Orion Pictures

Another heartbreaking swordfight is between King Arthur and Sir Lancelot in Excalibur. After finding out that Guinevere has been having an affair with Lancelot, Arthur duels with him. Besides realistic fighting, there’s also a lot of emotion that drives the scene and action.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)

Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Mans Chest
Image Credit: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Half the fun of a good swordfight is how the fighters use the environment to their advantage. In this Pirates movie, there’s a memorable and fun scene of a fight between Jack, Will, and Norrington as they tumble around in a rolling water wheel.

The Last Duel (2021)

The Last Duel
Image Credit: Scott Free Productions

As its name might suggest, The Last Duel is all about the final fight between two men about a woman claiming one of them sexually assaulted her. What makes the fight amazing is that it isn’t just a joust. The two end up going for axes before bringing out the swords in a dirty fight in the mud. It offers a glimpse of just how raw and brutal fighting in medieval times was.

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Inception For MSN
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