When the COVID-19 pandemic left Hollywood on pause, a group of beloved actors found a creative way to come together, creating a whimsical, homespun adaptation of The Princess Bride. Dubbed The Princess Bride Home Movie - Full Mobile Version, this unique version reimagines the 1987 fantasy classic with Hollywood stars performing iconic scenes from their own homes, using whatever props and costumes they could find. Originally released on Quibi in 2020, the project not only entertained audiences but also raised funds for World Central Kitchen, an organization providing meals to those in need during the pandemic.
The home movie’s standout feature is its rotating cast, with nearly 100 celebrities like Josh Gad, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Garner, Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, Jack Black, and others each taking a turn in iconic roles like Westley, Buttercup, and Inigo Montoya. In a playful twist, actors switched roles from scene to scene, even bending gender conventions as they embraced the spirit of the original film’s adventure and romance. Despite limited resources, the cast used everything from cardboard swords to makeshift costumes to bring each scene to life, creating a lighthearted, homemade vibe that fans found refreshing.
To maintain a sense of continuity, Rob Reiner, the director of the original film, served as the narrator, lending his voice to a new project inspired by his 1987 work. This narration bridged scenes and helped connect the audience with the original film’s magic, while at the same time allowing actors to playfully interpret their characters in their own styles.
Each homemade scene included personal touches from the cast. Jack Black’s comedic timing in the "Battle of Wits" scene and Jennifer Garner’s heartfelt delivery of the classic line “As you wish” lent a warmth and humor that delighted viewers. As the cast filmed from their own homes, the production took on a “lo-fi” feel, adding to its charm and reminding viewers of the collective spirit that characterized early quarantine entertainment.
Though the The Princess Bride Home Movie is a non-traditional, patchwork adaptation, it has been celebrated as a symbol of unity and resilience. This project, which began as a fun quarantine experiment, ended up as a meaningful reminder of the power of storytelling, creativity, and community, qualities that drew fans back to The Princess Bride for years, and now, once again, during one of the most challenging times in recent history
