The best Hercules movies are remembered for one or two iconic movie scenes at best.
Let’s face it, Hercules movies are not that great in general but even though this is the case, one or two memorable movie scenes can still make a movie worth watching.
In this post I list what I consider to be the most memorable Hercules movie scenes of all time. Each of these twelve movie scenes have the power to stay with you long after seeing the movie.
The movies that just missed out on being included in this list of 12 best Hercules movies with memorable scenes are Hercules Against the Moon Men (1964) and Hercules in the Haunted World (1961).
Hercules Against the Moon Men is quite memorable for the moon men and the trap with sharp spikes, while Hercules in the Haunted World is best remembered for its gloomy setting.
Another movie that didn’t make the cut was The Legend of Hercules (2014). Seriously, I can’t remember much at all about this movie apart from the movie cover.
I also don’t mention the Disney animated Hercules film as I would have to choose a film scene with Hades, God of the underworld in it, and that would be a bit disrespectful to Hercules.
You should watch all of these Hercules movies at least once, except for dare I say one film in this list of 12 best Hercules movies.
I’ll let you know which Hercules movie I’m talking about when we get to it. It’s bad, really bad, though as a kid I think I liked it.
Countdown to the best Hercules movies
This list of best Hercules movies is in a countdown format, from least to most memorable. The Hercules movie scene in the number 1 spot is the most memorable moment.
Now let’s see which classic Hercules movies have scenes that are just about unforgettable.
12. The Loves of Hercules (1960)
This Hercules movie is also known as: Hercules versus the Hydra
Hercules actor: Mickey Hargitay
Most memorable movie scene: The Hydra
Hercules movie plot: Contrary to the movie title, it’s not all about love. Hercules is out for revenge.
Interesting details: Jayne Mansfield, a major Hollywood sex symbol during the 1950s and early 1960s starred in the movie.
11. Hercules (2014) – Best Hercules Movies
Hercules actor: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Most memorable movie scene: The Nemean Lion
Hercules movie plot: The movie is based on the graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars. It isn’t a story about Hercules, the son of Zeus completing the twelve famous labours, just so you don’t get disappointed. The story takes place at a later time with a few incoherent flashbacks.
Interesting details: Two Hollywood-studio Hercules films were released in 2014, the other one being The Legend of Hercules. The Hercules movie shown here starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is the most popular of the two.
The film became a box office success as it earned $244 million on a $100 million budget. It was released as a 3D action-adventure film in cinemas which would have been great to see.
10. The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962)
Hercules actor: Samson Burke
Most memorable movie scene: The trap
Hercules movie plot: The three stooges, Moe, Larry and Curly Joe travel back in time to ancient Greece where they meet Hercules.
Interesting details: This movie was the most financially successful of the Stooges’ feature films and it’s still an enjoyable film to watch even today.
Keep an eye out for Dimsal’s Drug Store in Ithaca in New York and the monster Siamese Cyclops. The three stooges masquerading as women and the chariot pie throwing scenes are very funny.
This movie is easily the funniest out of all the best Hercules movies.
9. Hercules Returns (1993)
Hercules actor: Sergio Ciani
Most memorable movie scene: I won’t spoil it for you. It happens straight after this scene.
Hercules movie plot: The 1964 Italian movie “Hercules, Samson, Maciste and Ursus Are Invincible” is chosen for the grand gala opening of a cinema.
On the night of opening the operators realise the movie is in Italian with no subtitles, so the projectionist and publicist quickly come up with the idea of doing English voice-overs while the film is being screened.
Interesting details: Mary Coustas is the lady in the centre of the movie scene above, right behind the big X stick fight.
The Greek-Australian actress, comedian and television personality is most famous in Australia for playing an over-the-top second-generation Greek-Australian female character called “Effie”. No, she doesn’t play Effie in this movie if you’re wondering. Effie has big hair.
This movie is a comedy with the biggest laugh at the end of the film.
8. The Adventures of Hercules (1985)
Hercules actor: Lou Ferrigno
Most memorable movie scene: Hercules finds the first lightning bolt
Hercules movie plot: Hercules must find the 7 thunderbolts of Zeus.
Interesting details: This is the sequel to Hercules (1983), a great movie with a science-fiction take on the Greek myth.
Lou Ferrigno who plays Hercules in this movie also played The Incredible Hulk in the TV series (1977-1982).
7. Hercules the Invincible (1964)
This Hercules movie is also known as: Son of Hercules in the Land of Darkness
Hercules actor: Dan Vadis
Most memorable movie scene: Hercules being pulled apart by two elephants
Hercules movie plot: King Tedaeo offers Hercules his daughter’s hand in marriage if he can slay a dragon and prove it by bringing back a tooth.
Interesting details: The fights with a variety of incredibly fake-looking wild animals (lion and bear) and a dragon that looks more like a dinosaur, could make you laugh.
6. Hercules and the Captive Women (1961)
This Hercules movie is also known as: Hercules and the Conquest of Atlantis
Hercules actor: Reg Park
Most memorable movie scene: Hercules faces off against superhuman warriors
Hercules movie plot: Hercules finds out that the beautiful but cruel Queen of Atlantis is planning to take over the world with an army of superhuman clone like warriors.
Interesting details: When Hercules swims away from the island to a boat near the end of the film, he performs the superhuman feat of being completely dry when climbing aboard.
This is a very entertaining movie. Believe it or not, but this is one of the Greek mythology movies everyone should watch especially if you’re a fan of Hercules.
5. Hercules (1983)
Hercules actor: Lou Ferrigno
Most memorable movie scene: Watching this beautiful woman walk through the cave with Hercules
Hercules movie plot: Who cares what the movie plot is? This scene should be enough to convince you to watch the movie. This film is one of the best Hercules movies you could hope to watch especially for science fiction movie fans.
Interesting details: When I watched this movie again as an adult, I was truly amazed at how good it was. This is a great movie to watch for every imaginative mind.
4. Hercules in New York (1969)
Hercules actor: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Most memorable movie scene: Hercules riding a chariot on a New York city street
Hercules movie plot: Hercules is sent from Mount Olympus to New York City, where he gets involved with professional wrestling and a bunch of mobsters.
Interesting details: This movie was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first feature film. As a kid I remember thinking who is this guy in a totally awesome kind of way.
I don’t think you could watch this movie nowadays (I’ve tried and failed) because it truly sucks, but the Hercules chariot scene is very memorable. Maybe I’m too old to enjoy it now.
The only other Hercules movies I turned off was Little Hercules (2009) starring Hulk Hogan as Zeus, and Hercules Reborn (2014).
Hercules in New York has an IMDb of 3.3/10 and Little Hercules in 3-D has an IMDb rating of 2.3/10 at the time of writing this. If I had to come up with a list of the worst Hercules movies, then I’m sure one of these two movies would make it onto the list, if not both.
The Greek Gods work in mysterious ways because Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movie career turned out be absolutely incredible.
3. Hercules Unchained (1959)
This Hercules movie is also known as: Hercules and the Queen of Lydia
Hercules actor: Steve Reeves
Most memorable movie scene: Hercules being tempted by a beautiful enchantress
Hercules movie plot: Hercules finds himself under the spell of a mysterious woman after drinking from a magical fountain.
Interesting details: This is the sequel to the first Hercules (1958) film. This movie is one of the rare cases where the sequel is better than the first movie. You don’t need to watch the first movie to fully appreciate Hercules Unchained because this is a standalone movie.
Out of all of the 12 best Hercules movies in this list, this movie is probably the best one to watch.
2. Hercules and the Amazon Women (1994)
Hercules actor: Kevin Sorbo
Most memorable movie scene: Hercules and Iolaus battle against a giant Hydra
Hercules movie plot: Hercules meets a queen and her savage band of beauties.
Interesting details: There were 5 Hercules movies leading up to the popular television series which ran for six seasons from 1995 to 1999.
Hercules and the Amazon Women was the very first film, followed by Hercules and the Lost Kingdom, Hercules and the Circle of Fire, Hercules in the Underworld, and Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur.
Whatever you do don’t watch Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur first because this movie shows a collection of clips from the other 4 Hercules movies.
1. Hercules (1958) – Best scene in one of the best Hercules movies
Hercules actor: Steve Reeves
Most memorable movie scene: Hercules chained between 2 columns
Hercules movie plot: This movie somehow combines Hercules battling against the Bull of Crete, together with the search for the Golden Fleece and more, all in one movie.
Interesting details: This is one of the best Hercules movies of all time and it’s all due to this iconic scene. Who could ever forget a classic act like this one? This unforgettable movie scene haunted me for years.
The popularity of this awesome Hercules movie played a huge part in starting a whole genre of movies, now known as peplum movies or sword and sandal movies. It made Steve Reeves, who was a famous body builder at the time, the most popular male movie star in Europe.
There you have it everyone, the best Hercules movies with the most memorable scenes. Watch the movies and see what you think.
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