Act II Communications Presentations of Nelson Entertainment released a film version of The Princess Bride in 1987. Goldman wrote the screenplay, and consequently it is very close to the novel. The film was produced by Norman Lear and directed by Rob Reiner.

Fred Savage starred as the boy — the young Goldman in the novel — to whom the story was read by his grandfather played by Peter Falk. (The grandfather role was changed from the novel. In it, young Goldman's father read the story.) Westley was played by Cary Elwes and Buttercup by Robin Wright. The film has a small cult following.