Nock your arrows and let the cinematic tales fly, where archery isn’t just a sport, it’s a story.
Woven through medieval battles and mythical quests, these titles hit the bullseye every time.
Can you keep pace with the arrow-slinging heroes in our top picks of archery-focused screen gems?
Best Archery Movies, Shows, and Documentaries:
- The Hunger Games (2012)
- Brave (2012) – Animated
- Robin Hood (2010)
- The Lord of the Rings series
- Avengers (2012)
- The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
- War of the Arrows (2011)
- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Table of Contents
#1 The Hunger Games (2012)
- 🎬 Directed by: Gary Ross
- 🌟 Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson
The Hunger Games is a dystopian action film based on the novel by Suzanne Collins. It centers on Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), a young woman who volunteers to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised death match, in place of her sister.
Armed with her bow and arrows, Katniss must navigate the treacherous arena and outwit other competitors to survive. Archery plays a pivotal role in her character’s strength and survival skills.
Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
#2 Brave (2012) – Animated
- 🎬 Directed by: Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman
- 🌟 Starring: Voice of Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson
Brave is a Disney-Pixar animated film that tells the story of Princess Merida, a skilled archer and independent young woman who defies an age-old custom, causing chaos in her kingdom.
After being granted an ill-fated wish by a witch, Merida must use her archery skills and bravery to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late. The movie presents a strong heroine whose archery skills are at the core of her character’s identity.
Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
#3 Robin Hood (2010)
- 🎬 Directed by: Ridley Scott
- 🌟 Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong
Robin Hood, directed by Ridley Scott, is an action-adventure film that portrays the origins of the legendary archer.
Russell Crowe stars as Robin Longstride, a skilled archer and soldier who becomes an outlaw hero fighting against the tyranny of the English crown. His prowess with the bow and arrow is a defining trait of the character and a central theme of the film.
Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
#4 The Lord of the Rings series
- 🎬 Directed by: Peter Jackson
- 🌟 Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom
The Lord of the Rings series, directed by Peter Jackson and based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, follows the epic quest to destroy the One Ring.
Among its ensemble cast, Orlando Bloom shines as Legolas, an elf who is known for his extraordinary archery skills and keen eyesight. His character consistently showcases prowess in battle largely due to his mastery of the bow.
Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
#5 Avengers (2012)
- 🎬 Directed by: Joss Whedon
- 🌟 Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner
Avengers is a superhero film that unites various Marvel characters to save the Earth from an extraterrestrial threat. Jeremy Renner portrays Hawkeye, a master archer with unerring precision.
Despite being a regular human among superhumans, his expertise in archery allows him to hold his own on the team of heroes.
Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
#6 The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
- 🎬 Directed by: Michael Curtiz and William Keighley
- 🌟 Starring: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains
The Adventures of Robin Hood is a classic film that portrays the legendary figure of Robin Hood, played by Errol Flynn. As an expert archer and swordsman, Robin Hood leads his band of Merry Men in a rebellion against the corrupt Prince John.
Archery is at the heart of the film, with iconic scenes that have contributed to the legend of Robin Hood’s remarkable shot.
Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
#7 War of the Arrows (2011)
- 🎬 Directed by: Kim Han-min
- 🌟 Starring: Park Hae-il, Moon Chae-won, Ryu Seung-ryong
War of the Arrows is a South Korean historical action film that centers on an elite archer who goes on a perilous mission to save his kidnapped sister from Manchu invaders.
As he trails the captors, his exceptional archery skills become his greatest weapon. The film showcases intense archery action sequences and period drama.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
#8 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
- 🎬 Directed by: Kevin Reynolds
- 🌟 Starring: Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Alan Rickman
In Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Kevin Costner stars as the titular outlaw hero. The film depicts Robin Hood’s return from the Crusades and his fight against the Sheriff of Nottingham with the aid of his companion Azeem and his band of outlaws.
Robin’s skill with a bow and arrow is central to his role as the leader and protector of the oppressed.
Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
FAQ
What is the best Archery movie of all time?
“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (1991) is the best Archery movie of all time, capturing the essence of the legendary archer in a thrilling adventure.
What are some good Archery movies?
“The Hunger Games” series, “Brave” (2012), and “Robin Hood” (2010) are good Archery movies, showcasing impressive archery skills within their narratives.
What Archery movies, shows, and documentaries are on Netflix?
The best Archery movies, shows, and documentaries on Netflix currently are “The King” (2019), and “Arrow” (2012–2020), with both featuring significant archery elements.