Going Medieval: 25 films to watch while waiting for Game of Thrones season 8

11) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Remember when movies were pure, plain, all-adventure fun? Toss historical accuracy out the window and hang on for the ride with Errol Flynn, Olivia DeHavilland, Basil Rathbone and Claude Rains in the best version of Robin Hood ever put to film. Your heart will glow along with its gorgeous technicolor, and you’ll have no defense against some of the sweetest swordfights and most romantic smooches of all time.

The story opens with King Richard away from England on the Third Crusade, so his evil brother, King John, teams up with the Norman Lords to take the throne and make all their Saxon subjects poor and miserable. Enter Robin of Locksley, now known only as Robin Hood, who forms a band of Merry Men to rob the rich and protect the poor as they await Richard’s return.

Critics have loved The Adventures of Robin Hood ever since the day of its release in 1938:  Frank S. Nugent of The New York Times wrote: “A richly produced, bravely bedecked, romantic and colorful show, it leaps boldly to the forefront of this year’s best.” In 1995, The National Film Registry acted to preserve the film when the U.S. Library of Congress named it as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The Rotten Tomatoes score? 100%.

The 11th Academy Awards didn’t overlook this movie, either: it was nominated for Best Picture, and won Oscars for Best Art Direction, Best Original Score and Best Editing. This is one of the few shows on this list you can let your kids watch with you. Turn down the lights and take your childhood back for a couple of hours.