Published: November 8, 2026 · Last updated: November 8, 2026 · 2 min read

The Odyssey and Conan the Barbarian are adventure, action, and fantasy films. Both titles are rated R.

Spoiler-free comparison using public data.

The Odyssey vs Conan the Barbarian: Side by Side

Poster for The OdysseyPoster for Conan the Barbarian
The Odyssey (2026)Conan the Barbarian (1982)
GenresAdventure, Action, FantasyAdventure, Fantasy, Action
Runtime173 min130 min
Directed byChristopher NolanJohn Milius
Top castMatt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne HathawayArnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Sandahl Bergman
US ratingRR
IMDb——
Rotten Tomatoes——
Metacritic——
TMDB score8.0/106.8/10

How They Compare on the Numbers

  • The Odyssey is the longer film by 43 minutes (173 vs 130).
  • The Odyssey has the higher TMDB score (8 vs 6.8).
  • Conan the Barbarian came out first (1982-03-16).
  • Shared genres: Adventure, Action, Fantasy.

What Each Movie Is About

The Odyssey

Odysseus, the legendary King of Ithaca, embarks on a long and perilous journey home following the Trojan War. Throughout his voyage, he is forced to confront the whims of gods, mythological monsters, and trials that stretch both his cunning and his humanity to the breaking point.

Conan the Barbarian

A horde of rampaging warriors massacre the parents of young Conan and enslave the young child for years on The Wheel of Pain. As the sole survivor of the childhood massacre, Conan is released from slavery and taught the ancient arts of fighting.

Which Should You Watch First?

Start with The Odyssey if:

  • The 2026 film depicts Odysseus navigating dangerous mythological trials while attempting to return home to Ithaca.
  • The 173-minute movie features Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway in the lead roles.

Start with Conan the Barbarian if:

  • This 1982 release follows a warrior seeking vengeance against the man who murdered his parents.
  • The 130-minute film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Earl Jones as part of the cast.

Both films share adventure, action, and fantasy genres, but The Odyssey has a longer 173-minute runtime and a higher 8.0 score compared to the 130-minute Conan the Barbarian's 6.8 score.

More guides: 10 Hidden Gem Drama Movies With High Audience Scores · Apocalypse Now vs Platoon: Which Should You Watch First? · 10 Best Mystery Movies of the 2000s, Ranked by Audience Score

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is longer, The Odyssey or Conan the Barbarian?

The Odyssey is longer by 43 minutes, according to TMDB.

Where do the ratings come from?

From TMDB and, where shown, OMDb (IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic). They were checked on November 8, 2026 and change over time.

Data checked on November 8, 2026. Movie and TV data from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings via OMDb (IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic) where shown. Scores change over time; check the source for the latest numbers.


About this guide. Published by Morfeli on November 8, 2026. Facts come from public data sources (TMDB, OMDb, Deezer) and are summarized with AI assistance. This page is a data summary, not a critic’s review or a personal opinion; nobody here claims to have rated the title. Scores and details change over time. See our Editorial Policy.