Conan the Barbarian: 1982 vs 2011 Film Guide

Almost 40 years after its release, the 1982 Conan the Barbarian still sparks arguments about what makes a great fantasy film. The Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle turned a $20 million budget into nearly $69 million at the worldwide box office, and its influence on the sword-and-sorcery genre is hard to overstate.

1982 budget: $20 million ·
1982 box office: $68.9 million ·
2011 budget: $90 million ·
2011 box office: $50 million ·
Total films in franchise: 3 major releases

Six key facts, one pattern: the 1982 film earned nearly three times its budget, while the 2011 reboot lost money despite a bigger production.

Is Conan the Barbarian based on a true story?

No, Conan is a purely fictional character created for pulp magazines. The 1982 film is adapted from the stories of Robert E. Howard, who first published Conan in Weird Tales in 1932. While Howard drew on Celtic and Norse mythologies, the character and his Hyborian Age setting are entirely invented.

Who created Conan the Barbarian?

• Robert E. Howard, an American writer, created Conan in 1932. The first story, “The Phoenix on the Sword,” appeared in Weird Tales.
• Howard’s Conan stories number at least 21 published yarns and one novel, though he died in 1936.

What is the Hyborian Age?

The Hyborian Age is the fictional prehistoric era where Conan’s adventures take place. Howard invented a detailed geography and history, mixing elements from various ancient civilizations.

Is Conan Irish?

Although Conan is from the fictional land of Cimmeria – named after the historical Cimmerians – Howard once described the Cimmerians as ancestors of the Celts. This has led to speculation about Irish influences, but it remains an artistic inspiration, not a direct lineage.

The implication: Howard’s fictional worldbuilding, not historical accuracy, gave Conan his staying power across decades.

Is Conan the Barbarian 2011 a remake?

The 2011 film is a reboot, not a direct remake of the 1982 movie. It retells Conan’s origin story but is not a sequel or a shot-for-shot redo of the original.

How does the 2011 film compare to the 1982 original?

• Budget: 1982 spent $20 million; 2011 cost $90 million.
• Box office: 1982 earned about $69 million worldwide; 2011 managed only $50 million.
• Critical reception: The 1982 film is often called one of the most influential fantasy films, while the 2011 reboot is regarded as one of the most forgotten big-budget movies of the decade (YouTube film analysis).

Who starred in the 2011 Conan?

Jason Momoa played Conan, and Stephen Lang played the villain Khalar Zym (The Action Elite). The film also featured Rose McGowan as the witch Marique.

The pattern: a bigger budget could not compensate for a weaker grasp of the source material’s core appeal.

What was Conan’s famous line?

The most quoted line from the 1982 film is spoken by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Conan after a battle: “Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women.” The line appears in the movie’s dialogue and has been widely parodied in pop culture.

What are Conan’s most iconic quotes?

• “I live, I love, I slay, and I am content.” (from the original stories)
• “Do you want to live forever?” – a line from the 1982 film when Conan rallies his comrades.

What is ‘Crush your enemies’?

It’s the tagline that defined Conan’s brutal philosophy. The line is often used to summarize the barbarian ethos and has become a pop-culture shorthand for unapologetic violence.

“Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan (1982 film)

What this means: the line’s staying power shows how a single phrase can define a character’s entire ethos for generations.

How many people has Conan the Barbarian killed?

There is no single official body count for the 1982 film. Different fan tallies estimate between 100 and 150 on-screen deaths. The film is known for its graphic violence, which earned it an R rating. The 2011 reboot also contains violent scenes but received less attention for its action choreography.

What is the body count in the 1982 film?

Estimates vary. One popular fan compilation counts 113 kills over the course of the movie. Without a definitive source, the exact number remains a matter of debate.

How violent is Conan?

Both films are rated R for strong violence. The 1982 version features decapitations, impalements, and brutal hand-to-hand combat. The 2011 reboot also includes graphic sword fights and bloodshed, though the tone is less grim and more action-oriented.

The catch: purposeful violence leaves a lasting impression; generic violence is quickly forgotten.

Was Conan the Barbarian a hit or flop?

The 1982 film was a clear box office success, grossing $68.85 million worldwide against a $20 million budget (Saturation box office data). The 2011 reboot, on the other hand, was a financial disappointment: it cost $90 million and earned only about $50 million globally (The Action Elite).

What was the box office performance of the 1982 film?

According to The Numbers box office tracking site, the film opened with $9.48 million on 1,358 screens, eventually playing in 1,497 theaters. Its domestic share was 48.4% of the worldwide total, and its average theatrical run was 4.1 weeks.

How did the 2011 film perform?

The 2011 reboot debuted to about $10 million in its first weekend and finished with roughly $63 million worldwide according to one estimate (YouTube film analysis). Analysts suggested it needed at least $180 million to break even, meaning it likely lost money for the studio.

Comparing the two adaptations side by side reveals a clear winner in every revenue and reputation metric.

The specifications of each production reflect their different eras and budgets.

Timeline of the Conan franchise

• 1932: Robert E. Howard publishes first Conan story “The Phoenix on the Sword” in Weird Tales.
• 1970s: Marvel Comics launches a Conan series, introducing the character to a new generation.
• 1982: Conan the Barbarian released in U.S. theaters on May 14 (The Numbers).
• 1984: Sequel Conan the Destroyer released.
• 2011: Reboot Conan the Barbarian starring Jason Momoa released (The Action Elite).
• 2022: 40th-anniversary special engagement of the 1982 film in U.S. theaters on December 12 (The Numbers).

What we know for sure – and what remains unclear

Quotes that defined the franchise

“Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan, Conan the Barbarian (1982)

“The 2011 reboot is one of the most forgotten big-budget movies of the decade.”

YouTube film analysis (2023)

What this means for fans of sword-and-sorcery

The legacy of the 1982 film is secure: it defined the visual language of heroic fantasy for a generation. The 2011 reboot, for all its technical polish, never found its audience. For fans of the genre, the choice between the two is clear – revisit the original for its mythic power, or skip the reboot and wait for the character to return in a form worthy of Howard’s creation.

The 1982 film’s success proved that a focused vision and a modest budget could create a cultural landmark, while the 2011 reboot demonstrated that money alone cannot buy mythic resonance.

While the 1982 film set a new standard for sword-and-sorcery cinema, a closer look at the Conan the Barbarian cast analysis reveals how casting choices shaped the legacy of both the original and the 2011 reboot.

Frequently asked questions