Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just looking for inspiration for your next party, the Princess Bride drinking game is certainly worth trying out. Let’s learn how it’s played.
The Princess Bride drinking game is a wild challenge inspired by one of the most iconic comedy films from the 1980s.
In my opinion, it’s one of the best movie drinking games (along with the Shrek Drinking Game, of course), so if you’re new to this type of game, it’s a perfect place to start.
Have you never seen the film before? Well, that surprises me but don’t worry, it won’t ruin the game for you at all. In fact, it might be even better since you have no idea what to expect.
Just read through the instructions below, gather everything you’re going to need, and you’re ready to jump right in.
What You’ll Need to Play Princess Bride Drinking Game?
Unlike some other drinking games, Princess Bride cannot be played without some basic preparation. But don’t worry, all you need is:
- “The Princess Bride” (1987) movie in any form (DVD, stream, VOD, etc.)
- Alcoholic drinks of your choice (shots, beer, wine, cocktails…).
- Cups or glasses.
- A friend – or a bunch of friends willing to play with you.
- At least 1.5 hours to spare (yes, that’s the movie’s length!)
1. Why Princess Bride?
First, let me start with a brief explanation of why you should see the movie at all (if you haven’t yet) and what makes it an ideal basis for a drinking game.
The Princess Bride is an iconic rom-com/fantasy film directed by Rob Reiner and based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman.
Although it might look like a fairytale, it’s a very clever story for viewers of all ages with unforgettable characters. It has something for everyone: it’s romantic, hilarious, and packed with action and adventure.
Moreover, it also boasts terrific performances from an all-star cast, including Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Peter Falk, Mark Knopfler, and André the Giant.
The last mentioned, a WWE legend-turned-pop culture icon with an unmistakable appearance, was known for his affectionate relationship with alcohol.
Moreover, thanks to his enormous physique (he was 7 feet tall due to suffering from gigantism!), Andre could drink like no one else. According to witnesses, he emptied as many as 108 12-ounce beer bottles in just 45 minutes on one occasion!
2. Could he be the Inspiration?
Although no one ever confirmed this information officially, I believe that this is the most probable reason why this family-friendly film was turned into a popular drinking game.
Of course, no one expects you to break Andre’s record while playing the Princess Bride game (please, don’t even try!). Still, if you spare a moment to remember this incredible man during the gameplay, he’d be certainly honored.
Now, let’s get to the game itself.
3. Setup
Preparation for this game is pretty simple. Just get the movie ready and make sure that every participant has a comfortable place to sit with direct access to the drinks on the table.
Ensure you have plenty of drinks at hand so you don’t have to pause the film and run for additional supplies.
Also, make sure that everyone not only sees the screen well but also hears the sound clearly since this game involves quickly reacting to the selected phrases in the film.
When you’re ready, just press play and start watching the film.
How to Play Princess Bride Drinking Game? Rules and Gameplay
The rules are very simple. All you have to do is wait for the specific quotes, mentions, or situations in the movie and follow the instructions below:
Have a drink whenever you notice that:
- Someone says, “Farmboy.”
- Someone does “Boo!”
- Vizzini says, “Inconceivable!”
- Westley says, “As you wish.”
- Someone says, “Buttercup”
- Inigo Montoya mentions his quest for vengeance
- The Grandfather starts narrating
Have a double drink when:
- Rodents Of Unusual Size (R.O.U.S) appear on the screen
- Westley and Buttercup express their love
- Fezzik demonstrates his strength
- Someone gets knocked out
- Someone drinks poison
- Someone acts erratic
Of course, the rules of this game can be easily altered. If you’re familiar with the movie, feel free to add your favorite moment or quotes to the instructions.
Here are a few more tips on how to customize the game:
- Prepare a variety of different drinks and assign each to a different quote or situation onscreen.
- Penalize the players who forget to drink when required or drink when they shouldn’t. Ask them, for example, to squat, sing, or reveal a secret as a penalty.
- Divide the rules among the players. Players only drink in the situations that apply to them and are penalized for making mistakes.
Additional Tips
The Princess Bride drinking game is an exciting way to socialize with your friends, colleagues, or neighbors, but as with any other drinking game, it can get a bit overwhelming if uncontrolled.
To make sure that everyone enjoys playing without any substantial adverse effects, don’t play the game with drinks that are too strong for you, and consume lots of snacks and alcohol-free beverages during the evening to keep things balanced.
Also, please don’t force yourself or any other player to continue against their will. You can always swap a beer for a lemonade if you don’t want to leave the gameplay entirely.
Note: There’s no official definition of ‘drinking’ in this game. If you don’t want to drink excessively, always have a sip of your drink instead of emptying the entire glass, cup, or can.
Who Wins?
If you want to play a competitive drinking game, try the King’s Cup challenge or learn how to play Quarters. Drinking games inspired by movies are more about the experience than the actual competition, so there are no real winners or losers.
The winner, however, is anyone who genuinely relished the game while enjoying this great movie and bonding with their mates.
