Netflix will remove Conan the Destroyer on Friday, May 1, 2026. The move comes weeks after Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his return to the franchise in King Conan.

Only last March, the action film world rejoiced as Arnold Schwarzenegger reclaimed his iconic role in the Conan franchise. The fans, however, are already in for a not-so-pleasant surprise.

Released in 1984, the fantasy comic turned into an action movie, following Conan's missions to escort Princess Jehnna.

Starring Schwarzenegger and directed by Richard Fleischer, the film also featured top Hollywood stars, including Olivia d’Abo, Grace Jones, Sarah Douglas, and Tracey Walter. However, the sequel failed to garner the same positive response as its predecessor.

It wasn't just the reviews that flunked, with 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 38% on Popcornmeter, but the film's financial run ended at just over $31 million.

It was only natural that all ideas of a sequel to the movie anytime soon were dropped. That was a blow to international fans, where the movie gained remarkable success.

Schwarzenegger, however, never gave up on his vision for Conan the Barbarian 3, despite the numerous ups and downs in the 44 years since the original aired.

Conan the Barbarian 3’s Journey From Speculation to Reality

The fantasy action film saw the bodybuilder's versatile charisma, as he turned into a chivalric sword-wielder out on a revenge mission against Thulsa Doom. To lovers of historical fiction and intricate world-building, this was an instant favorite.

However, after years of discussions and stagnant waters on the conversation leading up to 'The Legend of Conan', Universal Studios entirely dropped the series.

With the hope fading away every year, Schwarzenegger finally shared his statement in 2023, naming a pesky ownership rights issue that stood firmly against all odds for the third instalment.

However, only last month, Schwarzenegger announced the long-awaited sequel, titled King Conan, directed by Mission Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie.

If that isn't enough to sell the movie, in Schwarzenegger's own words, the action film will entail "all kinds of madness and v******* and magic and creatures."

But while the announcement is exciting, a rewatch of the franchise's prequels is only temporarily on the cards.

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Written by

Proma Chatterjee

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil