Buzz
I've always had a fascination with characters from video games, TV shows, and movies who wield impressive bladed weapons. This passion led me into the somewhat costly hobby of collecting knives and swords. While anyone can fire a gun, mastering the art of slicing and dicing your enemies takes true expertise. These swords are listed without any specific ranking, as each one carries its own distinct legacy and story. I've made an effort to include swords from both newer and older films. Feel free to leave any suggestions for additions to the list in the comments.
10. The Sword of Omens
Wielded by: Lion-O of The ThunderCats
Starting off at number 10, we have The Sword of Omens. Anyone who grew up in the 80s will undoubtedly remember this iconic cartoon. Young Lion-O, more powerful than any other of his age, was only 12 when he and his Thunderian allies fled to Third Earth to escape the destruction of their home planet, Thunderia.
Once on Third Earth, Lion-O and his companions battled the evil Mumm-Ra and his army of dark creatures who sought to annihilate the ThunderCats and seize the immense power of The Eye of Thundera. This precious jewel, embedded in the sword’s hilt, is the very source of the ThunderCats’ strength.
9. The Bride’s Hattori Hanzo Sword
Wielded by: The Bride in Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2
This iconic sword is wielded by one of the most formidable women to ever appear on the big screen in recent years. After being betrayed and nearly beaten to death by her would-be allies, The Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, and then receiving a bullet to the head from Bill himself, The Bride is left in a chapel, seemingly to die.
But why not? After all, who could possibly survive a close-range gunshot to the head? The Bride, that’s who!
She gradually recovers and eventually seeks the counsel of a pair of highly secretive and expert individuals, one of whom is the legendary Sonny Chiba, portraying the retired Japanese sword-master Hattori Hanzo. A full month is spent crafting her katana. Once Hanzo’s painstaking work is completed, The Bride becomes an unstoppable force, relentlessly pursuing vengeance against those who betrayed her.
8. Conan’s Atlantean Sword
Wielded by: Conan in Conan The Barbarian
As a young boy, Conan witnessed the brutal destruction of his village by the malevolent warlord Thulsa Doom. After his parents are slain, Conan, one of the few survivors, is sold into slavery. Over time, he grows older and stronger, eventually being forced to fight in the gladiator pits for the amusement of others. A fierce warrior, Conan wins battle after battle until his master decides to send him east to refine his swordsmanship. One day, however, he is simply set free.
On his journey away from slavery, Conan stumbles upon an ancient tomb hidden deep within a mountain. Inside, he discovers the remains of an Atlantean king, seated upon his throne, adorned in royal attire, with a powerful sword resting beside him. Conan takes the sword, determined to track down the warlords who destroyed his village and killed his family.
7.
Excalibur
Wielded by: King Arthur in Excalibur
This legendary sword is not only famous in the realm of cinema but also features prominently in countless classic works of literature. Gifted to King Arthur by The Lady of the Lake, Excalibur is the ultimate weapon, one that can only be claimed by the pure-hearted. In many versions of the tale, the sword possesses magical powers that assist Arthur in his many battles.
There has been much confusion over the years between Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone. Based on my research, the two stories describe different swords, although some debate remains. Regardless of how you first encountered the renowned name of Excalibur, you must acknowledge its status as an extraordinary piece of legendary armament. So, next time you're near a lake, keep an eye out for The Lady—she might just have a gift for you.
6. The Hessian
Wielded by: The Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving's timeless 1820 tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, was brought to the big screen once again in 1999. In the story, Ichabod Crane is dispatched to Sleepy Hollow to investigate and end the reign of terror caused by the Headless Horseman, a creature who has been haunting the town. Mounted on a black horse, the Headless Horseman hunts his seemingly random victims at night, wielding a fearsome double-edged sword to sever their heads. As Crane delves deeper into the mystery, the reasons behind the murders are slowly revealed. What truly stands out for me, however, is Christopher Walken portraying the Headless Horseman.
5. The Beastmaster Sword
Wielded by: Dar in The Beastmaster
This film happens to be one of my all-time favorites, and the sword used by Dar is just as remarkable. The plot involves an evil priest named Maax, who learns of a prophecy about the birth of a child destined to eventually kill him. Determined to prevent this, Maax sends one of his sinister minions to track down the unborn child, brand it with the symbol of their evil deity, and sacrifice it. However, fate intervenes, and the baby is saved by a man from the village of Emur, where Dar grows into a powerful young man.
As Dar matures, he discovers that the brand he bears gives him the unique ability to communicate telepathically with animals. This newfound power proves invaluable when the wicked Jun Horde wipes out his entire village and its people. It turns out that Maax has been searching for Dar all these years, and his quest has finally led him to the village of Emur.
Surviving the attack, Dar becomes the last living member of the Emurite clan. Driven by a thirst for vengeance, he takes up his adoptive father’s powerful sword and uses his psychic abilities to fulfill his destiny and turn the prophecy into reality.
4. Sting
Wielded by: Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Sting is the ideal blade for a hobbit. To an average-sized person, it might seem like an elaborate elvish dagger, but for Frodo, it is the perfect short sword. The blade possesses magical properties, glowing blue when orcs are near. Exceptionally sharp, it is etched with the Sindarian inscription, “Maegnas aen estar nin dagnir in yngyl im,” meaning “Maegnas is my name and I am the spider’s bane.”
The sword came into Frodo’s hands when his adoptive uncle, Bilbo Baggins, took it from a band of orcs. After Bilbo’s battle with a horde of enormous spiders, he gave it the name Sting. He wielded it for years until Frodo needed it for his own journey to destroy the One Ring of Sauron.
3. The Sword of William Wallace
Wielded by: William Wallace in Braveheart
William Wallace’s character was powerfully brought to life by Mel Gibson in this legendary film. I vividly recall the first time I watched it and my awe when I saw that enormous sword strapped across his back as he rode into battle, rallying his fellow countrymen. Though the film has become iconic, much of the actual history surrounding the real William Wallace has been lost to time.
While Wallace is known for his fierce resistance against English rule in the 1200s, the massive sword wielded by Gibson in the film was probably never used by the real William Wallace. In fact, the authentic sword of Wallace is displayed at The National Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland, and looks nothing like the one seen in the film. That said, the giant two-handed sword in the movie is still undeniably an incredible weapon.
2. Inigo Montoya’s Rapier
Wielded by: Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride
Inigo is a direct and determined Spaniard, born to a skilled swordsmith. While his father was practicing his craft, a mysterious nobleman approached him with a special request: a custom-made rapier, adorned with jewels, that would be worthy of a six-fingered man.
After the sword was completed, the six-fingered man reneged on the agreed payment for the rapier and, in a cruel act, killed young Inigo’s father right before his eyes. Although he left Inigo alive, the man left two scars on his face, one on each cheek.
Driven by a sense of romance and unwavering resolve, Inigo embarked on a lifelong mission to avenge his father’s murder. In the end, he would track down the six-fingered man and exact his revenge, using the very same rapier that had once been crafted for the villain.
1. He-Man’s Power Sword
Wielded by: He-Man in He-Man and The Masters of The Universe
As a child, I grew up watching this iconic cartoon, and I couldn’t resist including it here. Reflecting back, I now realize the series’ playful nods to adult themes. As the seemingly ordinary Prince Adam, no one pays much attention to him. But when he raises the Power Sword, calls out ‘By the power of Grey Skull…I have the power!’ he is magically transformed into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe, capable of anything. Despite their identical appearance, no one ever figures out that they’re the same person.
Though He-Man’s sword is both powerful and enchanted, it’s seldom the weapon he uses. Instead, He-Man relies on his extraordinary strength and quick thinking to overcome his enemies, consistently defeating his arch-nemesis Skeletor. For those who remain devoted fans of He-Man, keep reading below.
+ The Lightsaber
Wielded by: The Jedi/Sith in the Star Wars series
Seriously, did you think I’d leave out this legendary weapon? While the blade isn’t made of metal like the other swords on this list, it’s impossible to overlook the significance of the lightsaber.
When you think of Star Wars, the lightsaber should instantly come to mind. Luke had one, Vader had one, and Yoda had one. This iconic weapon is essential for anyone who chooses to walk the path of the Force, no matter which side you align with.
Contributor: Brotherman
