The Barbarians (1987)
A muscle-packed sword-and-sorcery romp from Cannon Films, starring real-life twin bodybuilders on an epic quest for justice.
The Barbarians - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Barbarians
- Release Year: 1987
- Directed by: Ruggero Deodato
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Action
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 27m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 20, 1987 (United States - R), May 5, 1988 (Germany - 12), April 24, 1987 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: Братя Варвари (BG), The Barbarians and Co. (IT), Os Bárbaros (BR), グレート・バーバリアン (JP), Les Barbarians (AF), The Barbarian Brothers (US), Οι Βάρβαροι (GR), Los bárbaros (ES)
- Production Companies: The Cannon Group, Golan-Globus Productions, Cannon Italia Srl
- Production Countries: Italy, United States of America
The Barbarians - Plot
Orphaned brothers Kutchek and Gore are adopted by a tribe led by Canary the owner of a powerful jewel. The evil Kadar wants both Canary and the jewel. Attacking the tribe he kidnaps Canary but the stone eludes him. The brothers are taken to be trained as gladiators and years later have grown to be VERY big. They escape and set off on a quest to find the jewel and rescue Canary.
The Barbarians - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the twin warriors in action:
Warriors. Conquerors. Heroes.
Where to Watch The Barbarians
Looking for where to watch The Barbarians?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Barbarians - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ruggero Deodato
Main Cast
- Peter Paul
- David Paul
- Richard Lynch
- Eva LaRue
- Virginia Bryant
- Sheeba Alahani
- Michael Berryman
- George Eastman
- Franco Pistoni
- Raffaella Baracchi
Writers
- James R. Silke
Producers
- Menahem Golan
- Yoram Globus
The Barbarians - FAQs
Who are the main actors in The Barbarians?
The Barbarians stars real-life twin bodybuilders Peter Paul and David Paul as Kutchek and Gore. The supporting cast includes Richard Lynch as the villainous Kadar, Eva LaRue, Virginia Bryant as Canary, Michael Berryman, and George Eastman, rounding out this colorful ensemble.
Where can you stream The Barbarians (1987)?
You can watch The Barbarians on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+, Philo, and Tubi TV (free with ads). It's also available through the MGM+ Amazon Channel and MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, giving you plenty of options to catch this cult classic.
What is The Barbarians about?
The Barbarians follows orphaned twin brothers Kutchek and Gore, raised by a wandering tribe before the warlord Kadar kidnaps their guardian Canary and forces them into gladiatorial slavery. Years later, now massively built, they escape and set out to rescue Canary and reclaim a mystical jewel.
Are Peter and David Paul real twins in The Barbarians?
Yes! Peter Paul and David Paul, known as the Barbarian Brothers, are genuine identical twins and professional bodybuilders. Cannon Films cast them specifically for their imposing physiques and natural on-screen chemistry, and The Barbarians remains their most iconic film role together.
What is the age rating for The Barbarians?
The Barbarians carries an R rating in the United States, reflecting its fantasy violence, action sequences, and adult content. It was rated 12 in Germany upon its 1988 release there, and opened in Italy in April 1987 without a restrictive classification.
Who directed The Barbarians (1987)?
The Barbarians was directed by Italian filmmaker Ruggero Deodato, best known for the controversial Cannibal Holocaust (1980). Deodato brought his distinctive genre sensibility to this Cannon Films sword-and-sorcery production, delivering an energetic, tongue-in-cheek adventure with plenty of muscle and mayhem.
What movies are similar to The Barbarians?
If you enjoy The Barbarians, you'll likely love The Beastmaster (1982), The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982), and Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977). For more recent sword-and-sorcery fun, check out Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) and In the Lost Lands (2025).
How long is The Barbarians (1987)?
The Barbarians runs for 87 minutes, making it a lean, fast-paced adventure that wastes no time getting to the action. It's the kind of film that moves briskly from one set piece to the next, keeping the energy high throughout its runtime.
More About The Barbarians
Explore further details about The Barbarians on these trusted resources: