The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride

Year: 1987

Runtime: 98 min

Language: English

AdventureFantasyComedyRomanceFamily

A young farmhand, thrust into a fairytale adventure, must rescue his beloved from a scheming prince and his formidable foes. Their journey through the whimsical land of Florin is fraught with danger, encompassing perilous landscapes, giant rodents, and miraculous escapes. Along the way, they encounter quirky characters and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, all while rekindling their love and challenging the forces of darkness.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Princess Bride yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

The Princess Bride (1987) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Princess Bride (1987), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

A grandfather lovingly reads a captivating tale to his ill grandson, who initially finds the story uninteresting. The narrative revolves around Buttercup, a beautiful young woman living in the imaginary kingdom of Florin. When she gives orders to her farmhand Westley, he always responds with, “As you wish.” Their romance blossoms, but Westley departs to seek his fortune, only to be presumed dead when his ship is attacked by the feared Dread Pirate Roberts.

Five years later, Buttercup is compelled to marry Prince Humperdinck, but before the nuptials, she is abducted by a trio of criminals: the cunning Sicilian Vizzini, the towering giant Fezzik, and the skilled swordsman Inigo Montoya, who is on a quest for vengeance against a six-fingered man who killed his father. They escape, but are pursued by a mysterious man in black, leading to thrilling encounters with the prince’s soldiers.

On the perilous Cliffs of Insanity, the man in black confronts Inigo, defeating him in a fierce duel before overpowering Fezzik and cunningly tricking Vizzini into drinking poison. While carrying off Buttercup, she deduces his identity as the Dread Pirate Roberts and accuses him of killing Westley, pushing him into a gorge. As he falls, he exclaims, “As you wish!” This revelation prompts Buttercup to leap after him, leading to their emotional reunion.

Navigating through the treacherous Fire Swamp to evade capture, Westley reveals to Buttercup that the title of Dread Pirate Roberts can be passed down from one pirate to another. They plan to retire and hand over the title, but their plans are thwarted when Humperdinck seizes them after their escape from the swamp. Buttercup agrees to return to Humperdinck under the pretense of securing Westley’s release, but he secretly orders the sinister Count Rugen to imprison Westley in his torture chamber known as the Pit of Despair.

As tensions rise, Buttercup threatens to take her own life if the wedding proceeds, prompting Humperdinck to deceitfully promise to find Westley for her. The prince schemes to instigate a war with Guilder by assassinating Buttercup and blaming the neighboring country. Meanwhile, Fezzik, now part of the brute squad, encounters a drunken Inigo, whom he helps to regain sobriety. They resolve to rescue Westley from the clutches of the malevolent Rugen.

Upon recognizing Humperdinck’s cowardice for not actively seeking Westley, Buttercup is imprisoned while Humperdinck tortures Westley into a state resembling death. Following a series of adventurous events, Inigo and Fezzik locate Westley’s lifeless form and bring him to Miracle Max, a local healer, who manages to revive him despite his weakened condition.

As Westley, Inigo, and Fezzik launch an audacious assault on the castle, panic ensues within Humperdinck, who attempts to hasten the wedding. Inigo confronts Rugen, avenging his father’s death in a heated battle. Meanwhile, Westley reassures Buttercup that their marriage is invalid as she never completed her vows. When the prince confronts Westley for a duel, Westley stands bravely, scaring him into submission.

Finally, as dawn breaks, Inigo and Fezzik help Westley and Buttercup escape on horseback. Facing uncertain futures, Inigo is offered the title of Dread Pirate Roberts as they ride toward freedom, and the reunited couple shares a passionate kiss. The grandfather’s reading captivates the sick grandson, who eagerly pleads for another story the following day, to which the grandfather fondly replies, “As you wish.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 20:49

Unlock the Full Story of The Princess Bride

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Princess Bride in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Princess Bride is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Princess Bride Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Princess Bride with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Princess Bride Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Princess Bride

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Princess Bride. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Princess Bride

More About The Princess Bride

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Princess Bride: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Princess Bride

Similar Movies to The Princess Bride

Discover movies like The Princess Bride that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.