A Knight's Tale

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A Knight's Tale

PG-13

Released May 11, 2001

2h 12m

Action

Adventure

Comedy

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

154 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Peasant-born William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) begins a quest to change his stars, win the heart of an exceedingly fair maiden (Shanynn Sossamon) and rock his medieval world. With the help of friends (Mark Addy, Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk), he faces the ultimate test of medieval gallantry -- tournament jousting -- and tries to discover if he has the mettle to become a legend.

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Critics Consensus

Once you get past the anachronism, A Knight's Tale becomes a predictable, if spirited, Rocky on horseback.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

There are worse crimes than crowd pleasing, but at least do it with some finesse.

Mar 6, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Slightly edgy medieval tale with rock music.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 21, 2010

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Whipping along at speed, with elaborate camera movements and rousing speeches, this knows how to engage a crowd. It's corny, of course, but a guilty pleasure: romantic, diverting, with mildly amusing modern gags.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Its medieval tale offers some moments of heroism with Ledger as the town knight, but unfortunately the plot is hopelessly corny. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

Apr 17, 2025

Full Review

Andrew Collins

Radio Times

It's tremendous, infectious fun, with a rocking soundtrack, and everyone concerned enters into the spirit of it

Rated: 4/5

Feb 9, 2024

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Graeme Tuckett

The Post NZ

If all you want to do tonight is watch something funny, exciting and deeply likeable, A Knight's Tale is a vintage gem.

Nov 11, 2022

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chris

Fun jaunt into medieval times with a hint of modern day flavor. It’s a family friendly story of someone that rose from the bottom of society to great heights.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

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Angela P

Love this movie. Watched it so many times. Funny, great music & a feel good factor too. Definitely recommend.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

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Ti H.

Perfect movie for anachronistic lovers! Miss Heath tremendously

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Maxwell D

Has nothing good really.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

Kevin P

A fun and lighthearted medieval sports movie that dips in a few cliches (romantic melodrama, modern pop music, etc.), but makes up for it with a charming cast of characters and many, many consistently entertaining jousting scenes that leave you with a good taste in your mouth.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Eric S

Filled with lighthearted, playful humor and cute anachronisms, unsuspectingly interlaced with brief yet exceedingly powerful moments of raw emotion that can jerk tears from your eyes, make you burn with hatred for the cruelty (and chauvinism) of a well-cast villain, and tug at your heartstrings as you root desperately for this little group of close-knit underdogs. This movie is a veritable heart thermometer. One type of person will call it an all-time fav between sobs, and the other will scoff and say it totally sucked. There is no in-between. Watch it with your date, but don’t tell them why. Veritas hic revelatur.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

Full Review

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Brian Helgeland

Director

Heath Ledger

William

Mark Addy

Roland

Rufus Sewell

Count Adhemar

Paul Bettany

Chaucer

Shannyn Sossamon

Lady Jocelyn

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Take the Bad With the Good

2:10

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Sir William

2:44

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Father and Son

2:06

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - My Foxy Lady

2:08

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - A Dance From Gelderland

3:19

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Dance Lessons

2:37

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Do It For Love

2:37

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - The Tournament

3:03

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Tournament Training

2:20

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Love Letter

2:21

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A Knight's Tale: Trailer 1

2:24

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Synopsis

Peasant-born William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) begins a quest to change his stars, win the heart of an exceedingly fair maiden (Shanynn Sossamon) and rock his medieval world. With the help of friends (Mark Addy, Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk), he faces the ultimate test of medieval gallantry -- tournament jousting -- and tries to discover if he has the mettle to become a legend.

Director: Brian Helgeland
Producer: Brian Helgeland, Tim Van Rellim, Todd Black
Screenwriter: Brian Helgeland
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Finestkind, Black and Blu Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Sex-Related Dialogue|Action/Violence|Some Nudity)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 11, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $56.1M
Runtime: 2h 12m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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