Top Ten Sexiest Warrior Characters on the Screen - Buffed Up, Badass, Beefcake Bonanza

If you are looking for super sexy, sweat soaked, macho man, warrior types, you're in the right place. Let your eyes caress these hotties as we talk the top ten when it comes to the tantalizing titans of film.

What defines a hot warrior? Who makes that decision? If I'm watching, I do. The prime specimens of that gorgeous animal known as man below were all hand picked by me.

What qualifies me as the ultimate authority on hot warrior guys? Not much really other than a die hard addiction to rippling muscles fighting for a cause. You may or may not agree with my rankings or choices, but I bet you will agree they are all smoking hot!

Enough with the talk. It's time to bring on the beefcake.

_{Image credit; by Xena: Princes Warrior hanging out at Amazon.}

_{Bars made by author at cooltext.com.}

I realize sexy is in the eyes of the beholder here guys and gals. But seriously, this guy, Kevin Smith in reality, has got to be one of the finest men to have ever walked on the face of this planet.

First introduced to the screen as Ares, God of War, to the best of my knowledge, we were short changed to have never had the option of seeing him branch out into other roles.

As Ares, he was wonderfully unpredictable. Just when you knew how bad he was, he sunk to new and improved levels of evil, or worse did a complete 180, pulled a hero number and saved the day with a smirk. He had a fun talent of going from devilishly dark to charming champion in seconds managing both with equal grace.

Clips from various episodes of Xena Warrior Princess with Kevin Smith playing Ares. Hey, Ares rocks. So shall we as we enjoy this yummy dish of a warrior.

The character of Ares was first introduced in Hercules - The Legendary Journeys. Xena - Warrior Princess was a spin off from Hercules that picked up many characters from the original show.

Ares was a regularly reoccurring guest star on both shows.

I first saw Hercules shortly after I began teaching. I was looking for a show to get the students interested in Greek mythology. I heard of Hercules and decided to check it out. Campy, silly, low budget and action packed described it rather well.

Luckily for me, Ares just happened to be on the first episode I saw. I was hooked. Honestly, I kept watching just for glimpses of the super heated Ares character.

Sadly, Kevin Smith is no longer with us. Loving husband, devoted father, friend to many and a Hollywood handsome actor, he will be missed.

Jason Momoa played a most buffed up barbarian, no doubt about it. Fans will remember him from Game of Thrones season one, where he played the ultra hot warrior Khal Drogo.

As the character of Conan, Jason displays his skills wielding a sword, taking out the bad guys and heating up the screen.

Not Oscar worthy acting though certainly believable, nor a ground shaking script, but the muscles, fight scenes and sexy went off the scales. Be it in any venue, in any show, this guy is smoking hot!

My, my. Someone turn on the air. Hot, hot, hot!

After the trailers, check out an interview with Jason. For laughs, check out Jason and Betty White on Conan Obrien's late night talk show.

Lastly, here's a clip of Conan throwing down with the bad guy.

While this is based on the original Conan the Barbarian made famous in the 80's by Arnold Schwarzenegger, it does differ in plot in some significant ways. It's more of a tribute really than a remake.

Starring Rose Mcgowen and Ron Pearlman too, this flick is fast moving, action packed, sweat soaked savagery squared. While not included in our hot list, it should be noted that the young man playing Conan as a boy is really cute and a very talented actor. I didn't think a kid could sell the fight scenes believably. I was way wrong. It's brutal and totally riveting.

Buckle up.

Crixus is a most crush worthy character originally created by STARZ in the instant hit sensation, Spartacus; Blood and Sand. When first meeting the character, his personality is as hard as his rocking abs. Unwavering, dedicated only to the pursuit of honor and glorious combat, he is at odds with the main character of the series, Spartacus.

Though many would say cast as a villain at that point in the show, women around the world couldn't help but swoon, as we watched him fall in love and risk everything for it. Through pain, agony, humiliation and torment, he never gives up on his gal.

Seriously, ladies. What's not to love here? Drool worthy supreme. Glue your eyes on this glorious gladiator. Set to music by Audioslave, let's get to rocking with the rippling muscles in this first video. After that, scope on the mad warrior skills and seriously sexy devotion that is Crixus.

One of the hottest gladiators ever to step upon the sands, Crixus is the very embodiment of beefcake. Played by an uber sweet Manu Bennett, this character is so full of human faults and yet also the very embodiment of a hero.

He's a case of substance beneath the beef. Check out Crixus.

Need I say more?

Maybe a little bit for those unfortunates who have never had the privilege of seeing Riddick in all of his bad boy glory. In The Chronicles of Riddick which is actually three movies, the Riddick character is shown to be deliciously human underneath all of those bulging biceps. He's a criminal, a violent maladjust, no doubt about it. He's also a big teddy bear on the inside for the right gal, a truly righteous man or an innocent child.

Crusty as they come, check out a few scenes featuring Vinn Diesal as a hard core, solitary, sci-fi warrior.

Mm, Spike. Be he light or dark the flavor is delish!

It really just depends on what episode one is watching as to what you're going to get. Regardless of rising to the occasion or wallowing in the bad, Spike is sexy supreme.

He's not your average warrior. Don't get me wrong, he can throw down with the best of them. But, he often chooses to use a more mental approach to defeating his enemies. Sadly for him, but often ending up being hilarious for viewers, he's not the smartest vamp around, so his plans usually end up in him fighting something for his life.

Brought to drool worthy life by actor and musician James Marsters in the hit show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spike exudes sex appeal.

Without a doubt, hands down, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my all time favorite vampire series ever made. Every week was a new paranormal experience with some of the best witty dialog, over the top fight scenes, hysterical banter and at times tear worthy heart jerking situations.

Enjoy the hottness that is Spike in both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.

Brought to wonderful warrior life by Mel Gibson in the movie Braveheart, here's another veteran of historically real, blood soaked battles.

The character of William Wallace is ten kinds of fine, no doubt about it. But, he's smart, compassionate, loyal and determined on top of it. This blockbuster is way more than just something fine to look at. Beautifully written, well cast, and containing some of the best battle scenes ever relating to the time in question, Braveheart is a worthy addition to any collection.

The battles rule, the history drips and the eye candy just keeps coming but above all of that, this epic tale of the struggle for freedom is really one of the most touching romances ever written.

It's one of those best seen with tissues.

I wonder if the real man was this hot.

This character, played by a most yummy Dustin Clare, was also brought to bicep flexing life on the Spartacus series.

Appearing in Spartacus; Gods of the Arena, Spartacus; Vengeance and Spartacus; War of the Damned, Gannicus is not your typical gladiator.

Fun loving, wine swilling, woman chasing all around good guy, Gannicus is a teddy bear, except in the arena where he opens a can of whop ass again and again.

Lest you think there is no substance to the character, without giving away too much, he is tortured by a deed he was forced to commit.

He had no choice in the matter, but yet has internalized the consequences of said deed as being his own fault. Sometimes brooding and introspective but mostly chasing after a good time, Gannicus is a must see.

Image credit; by ScrollDepot at Amazon.

Warning - Graphic language. Super funny!

Immortalized in the blockbuster trilogy The Lord of the Rings, the character played by Viggo Mortensen never showed any skin, but still managed to become the heart throb of a nation.

Of royal lineage, one would think Aragorn to be full of himself, but yet he is just the opposite. Full of self doubt, reproach and a level of loyalty to shame a hound dog, this guy has character as well classic good looks.

There are no empty headed warriors here. Knowledge and skill pale only in comparison to his level of devotion to his cause, loyalty to his friends and a burning drive to be honorable. Haunted by the shortcomings of his ancestors, loathing the idea of being King and doubting the strength of his own blood, watch as Aragorn goes the distance becoming the hero King he was born to be.

Sallow is a post apocalyptic character brought to bloody life in the highly underrated film, The Blood of Heroes.

Set in a desolate wasteland of the future, poverty is a way of life for most. A new sport has swept the land becoming so much more than a game. Our warrior, played by a most yummy Rutger Hauer, was a hero's hero. At the pinnacle of "jugging" glory, (the name of the new sport) he falls from grace and is banished to the wasteland to eek out an existence fighting for every scrap.

Inspired by a young girl looking to play the game not meant for the weak, he becomes her teacher, mentor, friend, lover. Follow Sallow on his rise to reclaim glory in The Blood of Heroes.

Side note - The sport of jugging now exists thanks to this movie. Leagues have sprung up all over.

Based in history, this blockbuster had audiences across America cheering for 300 men facing the infinite hordes of Persia.

Picture it. Sparta, in Greece, forever and a day ago is being invaded by vast numbers of blood thirsty enemies. Known as the baddest city around, Sparta is the only one that would stand a chance against this massive war machine. But, just as in modern times, the politicians and religious leaders muck up everything.

In classic hero warrior fashion, King Leonidas, played by Gerard Butler, knowingly sacrifices his life to save the freedom of his family, his friends, and his country. Courage oozes out the screen as he and his band of devoted Spartans face down certain death.

That was one heck of a look down hot warrior lane. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Let's come full circle and end where we began with the hands down hottest warrior around.

Loved ya, Kevin.

Enjoy Ares and Xena set to the musical styling of Three Days Grace singing "I Hate Everything About You."

They always did have a love/hate relationship. No matter which way the scales were leaning, it was always smoking.

To the STARZ network, I sincerely apologize. When I first wrote this, I mistakenly attributed HBO as having created the Spartacus series. I know better. Sadly, it's been a long held misconception with me that HBO made the best series. I was wrong and STARZ ruled the day with Spartacus. All I can say is Freudian brain fart, folks. Sorry!