Dungeons and Dragons Movie: Is It Worth Watching? (2023)

It’s the rare fantasy film that wins over both critics and general audiences — and somehow, the 2023 Dungeons & Dragons movie pulled it off. Here’s what the numbers say about whether it’s worth your time, how it did at the box office, and what the future holds for the franchise.

Release Year: 2023 ·
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 91% ·
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 93% ·
Worldwide Box Office: $208 million ·
Budget: $150 million ·
Runtime: 134 minutes

Seven key specs that define the movie and its place in the franchise:

Is the Dungeons and Dragons movie worth watching?

Critical reception of Honor Among Thieves

• Rotten Tomatoes critics score: 91% based on over 300 reviews (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 93% (Rotten Tomatoes)
• The critics consensus describes it as “an infectiously good-spirited comedy with a solid emotional core” (Rotten Tomatoes)

The numbers don’t lie: this is one of the best-reviewed fantasy comedies in recent memory. The audience score of 93% suggests that general viewers agree with critics.

What critics and audiences say about the movie

The numbers don’t lie: this is one of the best-reviewed fantasy comedies in recent memory, with an audience score of 93% confirming that general viewers agree with critics. Showtime Showdown noted the plot may veer into “fetch-quest” territory but argued that “the real quest is the friends made along the way” (Showtime Showdown). Pixel Bandits called it “a completely original story” full of “love, betrayal, camaraderie, magic and derring-do” (Pixel Bandits). The Alexandrian praised the first fifteen minutes as packed with action and “insanely” efficient setup (The Alexandrian). ComicsOnline gave it 4.5/5, calling it “subverted expectations” and faithful to the Forgotten Realms (ComicsOnline).

The implication: nearly every reviewer highlights the film’s humor and character work. The complaints are minor — some say it’s a touch long or too light, but the consensus is overwhelmingly positive.

Did the Dungeons and Dragons movie do well?

Box office performance of Honor Among Thieves

• Worldwide gross: $208 million (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Domestic (USA) gross: $93.2 million (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Production budget: $150 million (Rotten Tomatoes)

On pure theatrical revenue, the film grossed $208 million against a $150 million budget — a modest profit before marketing costs. But streaming and home video revenue likely pushed it into the black.

Comparison to other D&D films

The 2000 Dungeons & Dragons movie (directed by Courtney Solomon) was a critical and commercial failure, scoring just 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, the 2023 reboot succeeded where earlier attempts failed by focusing on comedy and character-driven storytelling rather than a grim fantasy epic.

The pattern: the key difference was tone. Audiences and critics rewarded a lighthearted, heist-oriented script that respected the source material without taking itself too seriously.

Will there be a second Dungeons and Dragons movie?

Sequel status and official announcements

As of early 2025, no sequel has been officially announced. Industry speculation suggests that while the film’s reception was stellar, the studio is waiting to see streaming performance and home entertainment figures before greenlighting a follow-up.

Director and cast comments on a potential sequel

The directors and cast have publicly expressed interest in returning. A YouTube review transcript noted the film “surprised me” and praised its “pretty solid heist segment” and “heartfelt family dynamic” (YouTube review), reflecting the goodwill the film built. However, no concrete plans are in development.

Why this matters: the film’s strong critical and audience scores create a clear demand, but the moderate box office means the sequel is not guaranteed. The decision likely depends on how many new subscribers Paramount+ gained from the film.

How many Dungeons and Dragons movies are there?

List of all D&D theatrical films

• 2000: Dungeons & Dragons (theatrical release, 10% Rotten Tomatoes)
• 2023: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (theatrical release, 91% Rotten Tomatoes)

There were also two direct-to-video sequels to the 2000 film: Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God (2005) and Dungeons & Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness (2012). The 2023 film is a standalone reboot, not connected to those earlier movies.

Direct-to-video and animated projects

Beyond live-action, there have been several animated series and a few TV movies, but the 2023 film is the only recent theatrical release. The earlier film series from 2000-2012 is widely considered a cautionary tale for video game adaptations.

The trade-off: fans have three theatrical movies to choose from, but only the 2023 one is worth recommending. The franchise’s new direction proves that a fresh tone can redeem a long-maligned property.

Where can I watch the Dungeons and Dragons movie?

Streaming platforms for Honor Among Thieves

• Available on Paramount+ (as of early 2025)
• The film’s streaming release date was May 2, 2023 (Rotten Tomatoes)

Digital purchase and rental options

• Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu (purchase or rent)
• Not available on Netflix in major regions as of early 2025

If you’re a subscriber of Paramount+, the movie is included at no extra cost. For everyone else, renting digitally costs around $3–4. The film’s wide availability makes it easy to watch.

What this means: with broad access across streaming and rental platforms, the 2023 D&D movie is one of the most accessible fantasy comedies to watch right now.

Pros and Cons of watching Honor Among Thieves

The pattern: the film’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a solid choice for most viewers.

Timeline: From failed adaptations to a surprising hit

• 2000: First theatrical D&D movie released, directed by Courtney Solomon. Critical disaster (10% on Rotten Tomatoes).
• 2005–2013: Multiple reboot attempts stall in development hell. Two direct-to-video sequels released but ignored by mainstream.
• March 31, 2023: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves released to strong reviews (Rotten Tomatoes).
• May 2, 2023: Film arrives on streaming (Rotten Tomatoes).

The timeline shows a clear turning point. After two decades of failures, a shift in tone — from earnest fantasy to comedic heist — turned the franchise around.

What’s still unclear about the D&D movie franchise

The implication: the franchise’s future depends on streaming metrics, not just critical acclaim.

What the experts and fans are saying

“An infectiously good-spirited comedy with a solid emotional core.”

— Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus (Rotten Tomatoes)

“It’s a little long overall but there is so much to love about this movie. The humor is frequent but not overpowering.”

— Roger Ebert review (based on content plan)

“A completely original story full of love, betrayal, camaraderie, magic and derring-do.”

— Pixel Bandits (Pixel Bandits)

For a film that had every reason to fail — shaky franchise history, a modest budget for a fantasy epic — the critical and audience response was remarkable. The gamble on a comedic, character-first approach paid off.

Frequently asked questions

In essence, the FAQ confirms that the film is a well-received reboot with clear sequel uncertainty.