Beowulf, 1998
Director: Graham Baker
Notable Cast: Christopher Lambert

Set in a dystopian future rather than the past, this adaptation makes many changes to the poem’s story. The dragon is cut altogether.

Beowulf and Grendel, 2005
Director: Sturla Gunnarsson
Notable Cast: Gerard Butler, Stellan Skarsgård

This adaptation, filmed in Iceland, is faithful to Beowulf’s tone, but makes many changes to the story. Grendel is the last surviving member of a primitive tribe.

Beowulf, 2007
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Notable Cast: Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Angelina Jolie

Probably the most faithful of the poem’s screen adaptations, Zemeckis’ film nevertheless makes many changes. Beowulf has sex with Grendel’s mother, and the Dragon is their offspring.