The Death of Robin Hood
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Michael Sarnoski
Written by Michael Sarnoski
Based on
Robin Hood's Death
by Anonymous
Produced by
  • Aaron Ryder
  • Andrew Swett
  • Alexander Black
  • Hugh Jackman
Starring
  • Hugh Jackman
  • Jodie Comer
  • Bill Skarsgård
  • Murray Bartlett
  • Noah Jupe
Cinematography Pat Scola
Edited by Andrew Mondshein
Music by Jim Ghedi[1]
Production
companies
  • Lyrical Media
  • RPC
Distributed by A24
Release date
  • June 19, 2026 (2026-06-19) (United States)
Running time
122 minutes[2]
Country United States
Language English
Budget $20 million[3]
Box office $3 million[4]

The Death of Robin Hood is a 2026 American thriller film starring Hugh Jackman as Robin Hood in a dark adaptation of the 17th-century ballad Robin Hood's Death.[5] It is written and directed by Michael Sarnoski. It also stars Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe.

The film premiered at the 73rd Sydney Film Festival on June 12, 2026, and was released in the United States on June 19, 2026, by A24. It received generally positive reviews from critics.

Premise

Gravely injured, pursued by enemies old and new, an aged Robin Hood is nursed back to health by the prioress of a secluded community. He is greatly troubled by and weary of his long history of murder and crime.

Cast

  • Hugh Jackman as Robin Hood, a skilled archer and fighter, and notorious outlaw in his final years
  • Jodie Comer as Sister Brigid, the prioress of a rural nunnery, a healer
  • Bill Skarsgård as Little John, Robin Hood's oldest and most loyal companion
  • Murray Bartlett as The Leper / Guy of Gisborne
  • Noah Jupe as Arthur / Godwyn
  • Faith Delaney as Little Margaret
  • Jade Croot as Wainwright

Production

In May 2024, it was announced that a dark re-imagining of the Robin Hood legend was in development, with Michael Sarnoski writing and directing, and Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer starring. Lyrical Media financed the film and produced alongside Ryder Picture Company (RPC).[6] Shortly thereafter, A24 acquired U.S. rights to the film for $4 million in a competitive situation at the Marché du Film.[7][3]

In February 2025, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe were added to the cast.[8] Principal photography began in early February 2025, in Northern Ireland.[8][9] A March 2025 press release from the Northern Ireland Executive Office said filming took place at Belfast Harbour Studios and on location at Silent Valley, Glenram, and Murlough Bay, with post-production at Yellowmoon in Holywood, County Down.[10] Filming had wrapped by late March.[11] Pat Scola served as cinematographer for the film and it was shot on 35 mm film.[12]

Release

The Death of Robin Hood premiered at the 73rd Sydney Film Festival on June 12, 2026,[13] and was released in the United States by A24 on June 19, 2026.[14]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 70% of 97 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Swapping out derring-do for ultraviolence, this grim take on the merry legend of Robin Hood could use some more levity in its quiver, but its aim of exploring the complicated humanity behind a folk hero nails the target."[15]

Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 60 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[16]

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "C+" on an A+ to F scale.[17] Tim Grierson of ScreenDaily determined the film to be "rich in atmosphere but hamstrung by an excessively brooding approach".[18]

Writing for RogerEbert.com, Brandon David Wilson called the film "the most interesting takes on the character in recent memory" in a 3.5 stars out of 4 review.[19] InThe Wall Street Journal, Kyle Smith praised the film's "brutish atmosphere" but viewed the violence as over the top and as a distraction from storytelling, writing that there is "only so much you can do with raw savagery".[20] Alissa Wilkinson of The New York Times also found the violence tedious, especially in the first half of the film, though she praised the performances of the cast.[21]

References

  1. ^ Dylan Wray, Daniel (April 28, 2026). "'The folk scene is very middle class. The divide is huge': Jim Ghedi, the Sheffield singer bringing his doomy music to the movies". The Guardian. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  2. ^ "The Death of Robin Hood [R16]". Film and Video Labelling Body of NZ (Classification Office). May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  3. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 17, 2026). "'Toy Story 5' Eyes $275M Global Franchise Record Box Office Opening". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 17, 2026. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  4. ^ "The Death of Robin Hood (2026) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on June 19, 2026. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  5. ^ Coleman, Ryan (January 6, 2026). "Hugh Jackman goes full Wolverine in bloody first trailer for The Death of Robin Hood". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  6. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (May 3, 2024). "Hugh Jackman & Jodie Comer To Star In Robin Hood Reimagining 'The Death Of Robin Hood' For 'A Quiet Place: Day One' Director Michael Sarnoski — Cannes Market Hot Project". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  7. ^ Kroll, Justin (May 21, 2024). "A24 Lands Rights To Lyrical Media And RPC's 'The Death Of Robin Hood' Starring Hugh Jackman And Jodie Comer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Vlessing, Etan (February 7, 2025). "Bill Skarsgard, Murray Bartlett, Noah Jupe Join 'The Death of Robin Hood'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 8, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  9. ^ McLaughlin, Sophie (January 3, 2025). "Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer set to film in Northern Ireland in the New Year". Belfast Live. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  10. ^ "Major new movie a significant boost for local screen industry" (Press release). Executive Office. March 21, 2025. Archived from the original on May 26, 2026. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via gov.uk.
  11. ^ Blevins, Adam (March 25, 2025). "Hugh Jackman Shares Breathtaking Behind-the-Scenes Images to Celebrate the Wrap of 'The Death of Robin Hood'". Collider. Archived from the original on April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  12. ^ Hoffman, Jordan (December 16, 2025). "Hugh Jackman transforms into a rugged Robin Hood in striking first look at 'intense' new film (exclusive)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 18, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  13. ^ "The Death of Robin Hood - Sydney Film Festival". Sydney Film Festival. May 6, 2026. Archived from the original on May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  14. ^ Dodge, Jeff (February 3, 2026). "Hugh Jackman & A24's Gritty Robin Hood Movie Gets Summer Release Date". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  15. ^ "The Death of Robin Hood". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  16. ^ "The Death of Robin Hood". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  17. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 20, 2026). "Box Office: 'Toy Story 5' Eyes 2026 Record Opening of $160M-$170M". Deadline Hollywood. Sarnoski period drama gets a C+. Not a good showing
  18. ^ Grierson, Tim (June 11, 2026). "'The Death Of Robin Hood' review: Hugh Jackman is the tortured ageing outlaw in sombre, uninspired drama". Archived from the original on June 17, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  19. ^ Brandon, David Wilson (June 16, 2026). "The Death of Robin Hood review: A24 drama offers mortal take on legendary character". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  20. ^ Smith, Kyle (June 18, 2026). "'The Death of Robin Hood' Review: Hugh Jackman's Not-So-Merry Man". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  21. ^ Wilkinson, Alissa (June 18, 2026). "'The Death of Robin Hood' Review: Not a Merry Band". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 21, 2026.