There's a shortage of perfect movies in the world, so thank God Rob Reiner gave us The Princess Bride — a film that somehow manages to feel brand new every time you watch it.
Released in 1987 and passed down like a well-loved storybook, The Princess Bride is funny, romantic, endlessly quotable, and sneakily profound. It knows when to be sincere, when to be silly, and never confuses the two. You can grow older, wiser, and more cynical, yet this movie never loses its grip. The sword fights still thrill, the jokes still land, and the heart behind it all remains rock solid regardless of the passing years. Whether you first discovered it on VHS, cable reruns, or streaming years later, The Princess Bride doesn’t just hold up, it stands tall. These are the ten things I still absolutely love about it today.
1. It does everything at once (and somehow it works)
The Princess Bride isn’t just a fairy tale, it’s a swashbuckling adventure, a romantic comedy, and a piece of satire — all at the same time. The miracle in this is that none of it clashes. It commits fully to every tone, which is why it still feels fresh almost four decades later.
2. William Goldman knew exactly what he was doing
Because Goldman adapted his own novel for the screen, the movie feels confident in its skin. It pokes fun at fairy tales without tearing them down. It believes in romance without being overly corny. That balance of sincerity and self-awareness is incredibly hard to pull off — and he nails it.
3. Rob Reiner kept it cozy, not cheesy
Reiner directed this one like a story you’re being told, not a spectacle you’re being sold. The pacing breathes, all the jokes land, and the emotional beats never feel rushed or hurried along. It’s adventurous without being loud, giving the movie a timeless, comfort-watch vibe that few can match.
4. A cast that feels like lightning in a bottle
Cary Elwes is effortlessly charming, Robin Wright is luminous, Mandy Patinkin is downright iconic, and André the Giant brings genuine warmth. Even the smaller roles filled by the likes of Billy Crystal, Wallace Shawn, and Mel Smith feel perfectly chosen. It’s one of those casts where you can’t imagine anyone else playing these characters. And don’t get me started on just how much I love Peter Falk!
5. Lines that live rent-free in your head
There is no movie as quotable as The Princess Bride. “As you wish,” “Inconceivable,” “My name is Inigo Montoya...”, these lines are forever burned into the pop culture consciousness. They’re endlessly repeatable because they’re funny, heartfelt, and completely tied to who each of these characters are.
6. Inigo Montoya's story hits hard
Amid all the humor, Inigo’s revenge arc against the six-fingered man is played completely straight — and that’s why it works. Mandy Patinkin couples real pain with real resolve, and real catharsis. It’s emotional without being depressing or overly heavy, and helps give the movie an unexpected backbone.
7. That sword fight is absolute perfection
The duel atop the Cliffs of Insanity isn’t just flashy — it’s flawless. The banter, the mutual respect between Wesley and Inigo, the subsequent fighting styles — it’s character development through movement. Decades later, I still contend it’s the most entertaining sword fight to ever be put to film.
8. Fezzik has a huge heart
Fezzik could’ve just been a simple gag character, a mindless brute known more for his brawn than his brains. However, André the Giant played him with an unmatched fusion of kindness and sincerity that was second to none. He’s uncharacteristically gentle, fiercely loyal, and surprisingly poetic (Anybody want a peanut?). Every scene he’s in radiates warmth, and that warmth is a big part of why the movie continues to be so appealing.
9. The framing story makes it timeless
The grandfather reading the story to his grandson turns the movie into something deeply personal. It’s about stories being passed down through generations, comforted by, and occasionally complained about. That framing makes The Princess Bride feel like a tradition, not just a movie.
10. It believes in stories — fully and unapologetically
At the end of the day, this movie loves stories, love, heroes, and happy endings — and it’s not embarrassed about it. It laughs, it fights, it swoons, and then wraps it all up in the perfect package. That sincerity is why this one never goes out of style.
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