# You're Not A Fantasy Movie Fan If You Haven't Seen This Cheesy '80s Relic

> The Barbarians: A cult favorite 1987 fantasy film by the Barbarian Brothers.
- Title: You're Not A Fantasy Movie Fan If You Haven't Seen This…
- Summary: The Barbarians: A cult favorite 1987 fantasy film by the Barbarian Brothers. Ruggero Deodato's 1987 fantasy film The Barbarians, starring bodybuilders David…
- Keywords: the barbarians, ruggero deodato, barbarian brothers, david paul, peter paul, cannon films, conan the barbarian, he-man, entertainment, culture, You're, Fantasy
- Source: SlashFilm — https://slashfilm.com/2287915/fantasy-movie-fans-must-watch-80s-relic-the-barbarians
- Author: Witney Seibold
- Published: 2026-10-19T11:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: the barbarians, ruggero deodato, barbarian brothers, david paul, peter paul, cannon films, conan the barbarian, he-man, entertainment, culture
## The Barbarians
Ruggero Deodato's 1987 fantasy film The Barbarians stars bodybuilders David and Peter Paul.
## Cannon Releasing Corporation
The film was released by Cannon Group, known for B-grade action films and ridiculous horror movies.
## Conan the Barbarian Connection
The Barbarians ripped off the success of John Milius's 1982 Conan the Barbarian.
## Barbarian Brothers' Background
David and Peter Paul were bodybuilders with acting experience in films like D.C. Cab and The Flamingo Kid.
## The Plot
The twins escape Kadar's gladiatorial arena, find a thief, and seek revenge on the evil tyrant.
## Cult Classic Status
The Barbarians became a cult favorite, turning the Pauls into legit cult stars.
## He-Man Influence
The film is a live-action riff on the '80s cartoon series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
## Later Films
The Pauls starred in Think Big (1990) and Double Trouble (1992), and had roles in Natural Born Killers.
## Key takeaway

Ruggero Deodato's 1987 fantasy film The Barbarians, starring bodybuilders David and Peter Paul, became a cult classic for its low-budget silliness.