Upon release, Honor Among Thieves earned a staggering 91% on Rotten Tomatoes (and 93% from audiences). Critics praised its balance of humor and heart. However, its box office was a complicated roll: it underperformed against massive blockbusters (The Super Mario Bros. Movie), but found a massive second life on streaming (Paramount+).
While a sequel (Honor Among Thieves 2) was initially put on hold due to budget concerns, the film’s cult status has only grown. In 2024 and 2025, fan campaigns have kept the dream alive. As of 2026, whispers of a potential direct-to-streaming continuation or a spin-off series (focusing on the Thay wizards) continue to circulate.
The film follows Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine), a former Harper turned thief, and his barbarian partner Holga (Michelle Rodriguez). After being wrongly imprisoned following a heist gone wrong, Edgin escapes to discover his daughter, Kira, has been taken in by his former ally, the treacherous Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant). To save her, Edgin must assemble a team of misfits, perform an impossible heist, and resurrect his dead wife using a magical tablet.
What sounds like standard fantasy fare is elevated by the "heist" structure. The plot moves through classic D&D adventure beats:
Edgin Darvis was once a proud Harper—a member of a secret network of do-gooders who protect the weak. However, after his wife was murdered by a Red Wizard, his life fell apart. Desperate to bring her back and give his daughter, Kira, the mother she lost, Edgin abandoned the Harpers' code.
He teamed up with a rouge sorcerer, Forge Fitzwilliam, to steal a magical relic: The Horn of Valhalla. Edgin didn't want the horn for power or gold; he wanted to use it to resurrect his wife. He believed he was doing it for "love."
During the heist, Edgin was captured. He spent two years in a brutal prison, refusing to confess the location of the horn. He saw himself as a noble father protecting his daughter and his chance at happiness.
When he finally escaped, he returned to his daughter, only to find she had been raised by his former partner, Forge, who had turned her against him. To win her back, Edgin had to learn a hard truth from a Holga, his barbarian companion. Holga pointed out that while Edgin was chasing a ghost (his wife), he had abandoned the living person who needed him most: Kira.
One of the most common failures of ensemble fantasy films is the “chosen one” syndrome—one hero who is blandly competent while everyone else is comic relief. Daley and Goldstein reject this. They build a party where everyone has flaws and agency. Dungeons Dragons- Honor Among Thieves
In a cinematic landscape drowning in grimdark reboots and cynical nostalgia, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves stands tall as a beacon of joyful, collaborative storytelling. It understands that the best part of D&D isn't the stats or the loot—it's the moment your friend says, "I have a stupid idea," and the DM says, "Roll for it."
Whether you have a set of dice on your shelf or you’ve never set foot in a tavern, this film is an invitation to the table. Grab your dice, grab your friends, and remember: Honor is rare, but thieves are family.
Now, roll for initiative.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is the rare blockbuster that successfully breaks the "video game movie curse" while simultaneously rehabilitating a tabletop franchise's cinematic reputation. Released in 2023, the film managed to satisfy hardcore Dungeon Masters and casual moviegoers alike by focusing on heart, humor, and high-stakes adventure. The Story and Setting
Set in the iconic Forgotten Realms, the story follows Edgin Darvis, a charming Bard and former member of the Harpers. After a heist goes wrong, Edgin is imprisoned. He escapes to reunite with his daughter. To do so, he must assemble a ragtag team of adventurers to reclaim a lost relic. They must also take down a traitorous former ally who has aligned himself with a powerful Red Wizard of Thay.
Unlike previous attempts to bring Dungeons & Dragons to the big screen, Honor Among Thieves feels authentic. The film treats the lore with respect but never lets the world-building overshadow the characters. Legendary locations like Icewind Dale, Neverwinter, and the Underdark are rendered with impressive visual fidelity. The Party Dynamic
At its core, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a heist movie. The success of a heist film depends on the crew's chemistry, and this cast delivers.
Edgin (Chris Pine): The "planner" whose plans often fail. Pine brings wit to the role of a Bard who uses inspiration rather than magic. Upon release, Honor Among Thieves earned a staggering
Holga (Michelle Rodriguez): The muscle of the group. As a Barbarian, Rodriguez provides the film’s best action sequences, showcasing a fighting style that is brutal yet grounded.
Simon (Justice Smith): A young Sorcerer struggling with self-doubt. His character arc mirrors a player learning how to use their "spell slots" effectively.
Doric (Sophia Lillis): A Tiefling Druid who provides the team’s tactical versatility. Her "Wild Shape" transformations are some of the most creative visual effects in the movie.
Xenk (Regé-Jean Page): The Paladin who joins the party temporarily. He represents the "high-level NPC" archetype—stoic, literal-minded, and hilariously overpowered compared to the rest of the group. Respecting the Rules of the Game
The film translates tabletop mechanics into cinematic moments. The logic of the game is present throughout the film.
From the limitations of the "Speak with Dead" spell to the chaotic nature of a "Wild Magic" surge, magic has rules and consequences. Creatures, such as the displacer beast, the gelatinous cube, and the dragon Themberchaud, are taken directly from the Monster Manual. Humor and Heart
Directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the film leans into the inherent silliness of a D&D session. The movie captures the "player energy" perfectly.
The emotional stakes involving Edgin’s grief and Holga’s search for belonging give the film a solid foundation. The film understands that the audience is invested in the characters. Conclusion In a cinematic landscape drowning in grimdark reboots
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a masterclass in adapting a complex property. It is an adventure that proves that knowledge of the difference between a d20 and a d6 is not required to enjoy the film. The film is a love letter to fans. For everyone else, it’s a good fantasy film.
The Dice of Destiny: A Study of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Since its inception in 1974, Dungeons & Dragons
(D&D) has struggled to find its footing on the silver screen. Early attempts often felt like either low-budget parodies or overly earnest fantasy epics that lacked the soul of the game. However, the 2023 release of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
finally broke this curse by capturing the specific, chaotic energy of a tabletop session. The film succeeds not by merely literalizing the game’s mechanics, but by honoring the spirit of the "party"—a group of flawed, disparate individuals finding a sense of belonging through shared misadventure. Character and the "Found Family" Dynamic
At the heart of the film is the bard Edgin Darvis, played by Chris Pine. Edgin is defined by failures rather than prowess. He is a "planner" whose plans often go wrong, making him an avatar for a player who constantly rolls low on dice. His relationship with Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), a barbarian with a stoic heart of gold, provides the film’s emotional anchor. Their bond is strictly platonic, prioritizing their "found family" dynamic over typical romantic tropes.
This ensemble includes Simon, a sorcerer battling self-doubt (Justice Smith), and Doric, a tiefling druid (Sophia Lillis). Their growth mirrors a real D&D campaign. For example, Simon’s ability to master magic is tied to personal confidence, a metaphorical take on "leveling up" through character development. Authenticity Through "House Rules"
Here’s a standout feature from Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves:
Feature: Ensemble Chemistry & Character-Specific Magic Use
Rather than relying on a single hero, the film excels at giving each party member a distinct class identity (Barbarian, Sorcerer, Druid, Bard, Paladin) and letting their unique abilities drive both action sequences and comedy. A key example: Doric the Druid’s Wild Shape chase — a continuous, one-shot-style escape where she transforms into a mouse, bird, goat, and owlbear in fluid motion. Every character’s skills (including Edgin’s non-combat Bardic inspiration) are used creatively, making the team feel like an actual D&D party where each player gets a moment to shine.