Arthur & Guinevere’s Guide to an Epic Movie Night—Snacks, Drinks, & Games on a Budget!
Hosting a memorable night with friends doesn’t have to break the bank!
With a few fun ideas, you can set the mood for an entertaining evening inspired by the 2004 King Arthur movie!
Complete with themed snacks, drinks, and a cooperative game to keep the good times rolling.
Setting the Scene
Put on King Arthur in the background to immerse your guests in the world of knights, swordplay, and epic battles. With the movie’s bold atmosphere, your friends will feel like they’re sitting at the Round Table themselves as they enjoy snacks with hilarious, themed names.
You’ll also play The Cooperative Game with a Twist, where you and your guests take on the advancing Saxon army while competing for personal glory.
Snack Ideas: Feast Like a Knight
Here are some budget-friendly and delicious snacks that’ll keep the medieval spirit alive:
- Round Table Burgers
Grill up some tasty burgers with a unique twist. Call them “Round Table Burgers” and season them with a homemade “Round Table Spice” blend. This mixture of ground flaxseed, paprika, Cajun spice, and a little canola oil will give your burgers a bold flavor worthy of King Arthur’s court. Serve them on toasted buns with your favorite toppings for a simple, hearty meal.
- Knight’s Shield Chips with Sword Salsa
Tortilla chips become “Knight’s Shields” when paired with homemade “Sword Salsa.” The salsa is quick to prepare:
2 diced tomatoes
1 small onion, chopped
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
1 tbsp lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix everything together for a refreshing, spicy dip that’ll satisfy your guests as they strategize in the game.
Drink Ideas: Toast to Arthur and Guinevere
Complete the evening with these simple yet flavorful drinks inspired by Arthurian legends. Provide both cocktail and mocktail versions so everyone can enjoy!
- The King Arthur (Cocktail/Mocktail)
A strong and bold drink to represent King Arthur’s might.
Ingredients (Cocktail):
2 oz bourbon or whiskey
1 oz honey syrup (mix honey and warm water in a 1:1 ratio)
1/2 oz lemon juice
Splash of soda water
Garnish with a lemon slice
Mocktail Version:
Substitute the bourbon/whiskey with cold-brewed tea (like English Breakfast or Earl Grey).
- The Queen Guinevere (Cocktail/Mocktail)
Light, elegant, and sweet, just like the Queen herself.
Ingredients (Cocktail):
1 oz gin or vodka
2 oz lemon lime flavored tonic water or cucumber or mint flavored sparkling water
Garnish with lemon, lime or mint.
Mocktail Version:
Replace the alcohol with a splash of cranberry or raspberry juice.
The Cooperative Game with a Twist
After enjoying the snacks and drinks, dive into the main event: The Cooperative Game with a Twist. In this game, players work together to stop the advancing Saxon army while trying to secure personal glory by accumulating points. It’s a cooperative challenge with a competitive edge that’ll keep your guests engaged and laughing all night long!
Game Overview:
Players work together to stop the Saxon army from growing too large, ensuring either Arthur or Guinevere survives alongside at least one knight. Along the way, players compete for personal points while trying to secure group victory.
Game Setup:
Shuffle all 54 cards (including the two jokers) and deal 2 cards to each player.
Place the remaining deck face down as the Draw Pile in the center of the table.
The Saxon Army starts empty and will grow as Saxon cards are played.
Choosing Difficulty:
Easy: The Saxon Army cannot exceed 30 Saxons at the start of any player’s turn.
Medium: The Saxon Army cannot exceed 25 Saxons at the start of any player’s turn.
Hard: The Saxon Army cannot exceed 20 Saxons at the start of any player’s turn.
If the Saxon Army exceeds the limit, the players lose.
Gameplay:
Player’s Turn:
Draw 1 card from the draw pile.
Play 1 card from your hand:
Saxon card (2-10): Add to the Saxon Army in the center.
Warrior card (Jack, Queen, King, Ace, Joker): Place in front of you as your warrior.
Use your warriors to remove Saxon cards from the army according to their abilities (see below).
At the end of your turn, you may hold a maximum of 2 cards.
Warrior Abilities:
Jacks (Scouts): Remove Saxons totaling up to 5 points. Scouts are removed afterward.
Queens (Militia): Remove Saxons totaling up to 6 points. Militia are removed afterward.
Kings (Soldiers): Remove Saxons totaling up to 7 points. Soldiers are removed afterward.
Aces (Knights): Remove Saxons totaling up to 9 points. Knights remain unless they remove 10+ points, at which point they’re sacrificed.
Jokers (Arthur/Guinevere): Remove Saxons totaling up to 9 points. They can also remove 10+ points, but are sacrificed if they do.
Special Rule: Arthur/Guinevere and Knight Combo
When Arthur or Guinevere is paired with a Knight, they can remove up to 14 Saxon points without being sacrificed. However, if they remove 15 or more points, both are sacrificed.
End of Turn and Losing the Game:
If the Saxon Army exceeds the chosen limit at the start of a player’s turn, the players lose.
If both Arthur and Guinevere or all Knights are sacrificed, the game is lost.
Victory Conditions:
Small Victory: 1 Knight + either Arthur or Guinevere survive.
Modest Victory: 2 Knights + either Arthur or Guinevere survive.
Solid Victory: 3 Knights + either Arthur or Guinevere survive.
Grand Victory: 1 Knight + both Arthur and Guinevere survive.
Great Victory: 2-3 Knights + both Arthur and Guinevere survive.
Total Victory: 4 Knights + both Arthur and Guinevere survive.
Personal Points (The Twist):
Players collect personal points by keeping cards used to defeat Saxons. Points are added to a personal pile next to them.
Points System:
1 point per card (Saxon or warrior) in your personal pile.
Surviving Knights, Arthur, or Guinevere do not count if face-up at the end.
The final points are calculated based on the victory condition:
Total Victory: 1 point per card.
Great Victory: Divide points by 2.
Grand Victory: Divide points by 3.
Solid Victory: Divide points by 4.
Modest Victory: Divide points by 5.
Small Victory: Divide points by 6.
The player with the most points after 5 wins becomes the First Knight of the Round Table!
Saving Money!
For an affordable, enjoyable evening with friends, a King Arthur movie night hits all the right notes—epic battles, camaraderie, and a hint of competition. With these snacks, drinks, and the cooperative game, you’ll save money while enjoying a night of laughter and strategy.
