There are overlooked movies in every genre, but the works offantasythat have faded from memory are too often overlooked. From exciting additions to the sword and sorcery story to reimaginings of classic folklore and mythology, these films bring something unique to the table, standing apart from other works of the time. While these movies come from a wide variety of decades, showcasing how fantasy has changed and evolved with time,some of the best are products of the 1980s, an amazing era for the genre.
Like theobscure fantasy TV shows that hardly anyone remembers, these movies deserve their moment to shine. While some are far from perfect, most have become cult classics and garnered increased attention from die-hard fantasy fans in the years since they were released. Looking back on great but obscure fantasy films is a reminder of how broad the genre truly is and that there are many ways for a work of speculative fiction to look and feel. When revisiting these projects or discovering them for the first time, there’s a lot of magic to be uncovered.
One of the best dragon fantasy movies of the 1980s,Dragonslayer, dedicated a large part of its production to creating the central dragon in the narrative.In 1981, these visual effects were especially impressive, and they hold up decently well today when compared to other fantasy films of the 1980s. ThoughDragonslayerdidn’t perform well at the box office, it was still an undeniably impressive addition to the fantasy genre and stood out from the typical fare that Disney was producing at the time.
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As time has progressed,Dragonslayerhas achieved a significant critical and cultural reevaluation, showcasing why it should be remembered as a fantasy classic. Among the sword and sorcery genre,Dragonslayermore than earns a place at the top, crafting intricate characters and a vivid world full of magic and action.Dragons are a beloved standby of works of fantasy, from books to film and television,andDragonslayerpays tribute to the long and storied history of this type of narrative.
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Even thoughDracula Untoldcame out only a little over a decade ago, it’s almost completely faded from the cultural conversation. Though there have been plenty ofgreat vampire movies of the 2020sand 2010s that have helped reinvigorate the genre,Dracula Untoldwas not one of them.Starring Luke Evans as Vlad the Impaler, Count Dracula, when he was still alive,Dracula Untoldattempts to chronicle the story of the man before he became one of the most iconic beasts of all time.
Though it’s an interesting idea,Dracula Untoldattempts to introduce new lore to an already well-known story.It’s almost impossible to watchDracula Untoldwithout bringing in preconceived notions and expectations about how the Dracula legend will unfold. WhileDracula Untoldbucks tradition and expectation, it doesn’t bring enough innovation to the table to be memorable in the long run. Despite this, there’s some solid action and visual intrigue scattered throughoutDracula Untold.
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Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Broderick, and Rutger Hauer as the central trio of heroesinLadyhawke, this overlooked fantasy project drips with romance and adventure.Ladyhawkehinges on tragedy and forbidden love, as Pfeiffer and Hauer’s characters are cursed to be forever torn apart. Etienne (Hauer) transforms into a wolf at night and Isabeau (Pfeiffer) into a hawk by day, ensuring they can never be truly together in human form.
It’s a gripping tale and emotionally compelling because of its inherent sadness and longing. Broderick’s Phillipe gets caught in the middle of their conflict, ultimately resolving to help them break the curse.The setting ofLadyhawkeis one of the strongest aspects of the movie, as it was filmed on location in Italy,utilizing the rolling hills of the countryside and the ancient castles full of gorgeous architecture. Though the story is a little offbeat, it holds up well today.
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Though the only installment of Terry Gilliam’sTrilogy of Imaginationto perform well at the box office wasTime Bandits, bothBrazilandThe Adventures of Baron Munchausenhave enjoyed a favorable legacy. Thanks to the unique and unforgettable style of Gilliam’s direction and fantastical world-building,The Adventures of Baron Munchausenshines as a fantasy classic to everyone who remembers it. Starring John Neville as the titular Baron, the movie brings to life his unbelievable stories.
When watching the film, the best thing to do is let yourself be carried away by the absurdity of the Baron’s stories and believe in the magic of storytelling above all else.
The line between fantasy and reality is constantly blurred throughoutThe Adventures of Baron Munchausen, and though the narrative can be overly complex at times, it’s enjoyable all the way through. When watching the film, the best thing to do is let yourself be carried away by the absurdity of the Baron’s stories and believe in the magic of storytelling above all else. With visuals that couldn’t be found in modern fantasy projects,The Adventures of Baron Munchausenremains timeless.
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Angela Lansbury leads the cast of Disney’s live-action fantasy movieBedknobs and Broomsticks. Though it isn’t thebest live-action children’s fantasy movie,Bedknobs and Broomstickshas a lot of charm and character.Full of music, magic, and mystery,Bedknobs and Broomsticksis anchored by the parent-child dynamic between Mrs. Price (Lansbury) and the three children she takes in during the London Blitz. ThoughBedknobs and Broomstickswas unfavorably compared to the blockbusterMary Poppins, it’s still plenty of fun.
Like many of Disney’s best productions of the 20th century,Bedknobs and Broomsticksblends animation and live-action, giving it a unique place in the fantasy genre. Based on its lukewarm critical and audience reception, it’s clear thatBedknobs and Broomstickswas a bit of a slapdash attempt to capitalize on the success of works likeMary Poppins. However,the central performances and happy ending make it a nostalgic favorite for viewers who are familiar with the film.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
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While some fantasy movies deserve to be better remembered today,The 13th Warrioris far from perfect, and it’s understandable that it hasn’t stood the test of time.However, there are some fun moments and exciting action sequences, andThe 13th Warriorhas found an audience over the past few years.The 13th Warriorcenters on a Muslim protagonist, of which there are few in big Hollywood action movies, but Antonio Banderas, the lead actor, was not Muslim, sparking controversy and demonstrating the need for representation in cinema.
Critical and audience response toThe 13th Warriorwas lackluster at best, ensuring that the project bombed at the box office.
Critical and audience response toThe 13th Warriorwas lackluster at best, ensuring that the project bombed at the box office. Released in 1999, a fantastic year for films of all genres, there was little chance thatThe 13th Warriorwas going to make an impact. As time has progressed,The 13th Warriorcan be appreciated for its visually interesting and impressive sets, as well as the ambitious nature of the story.
The 13th Warrior (1999)
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This children’s animated movie is much darker than most of its contemporaries,which likely impacted its longevity and popularity. However, for those who are aware ofThe Secret of NIMH, it’s easy to see why it’s so beloved among audiences who grew up watching it. ThoughThe Secret of NIMHperformed modestly well at the box office when it was first released, it hasn’t been as well remembered as blockbuster animated projects, as the works from the Disney Renaissance would soon overshadow many animated projects from the late 20th century.
With some fantasy movies from the 1980s, the dated elements come through right away, and it’s easy to spot the aspects of the storytelling or visual language that haven’t aged well. However,inThe Secret of NIMH, there are very few moments that take you out of the storyor remind you that the film is from the early ’80s. It’s a complex movie that challenges the viewer from start to finish and deserves greater recognition.
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This cult hit went on to inspire the 1999 adventure TV showBeastmaster,which went on to run for three seasons. The original movie,The Beastmaster, is an underrated addition to the sword and sorcery genre, as it’s in conversation with the classics of this type of narrative while bringing something new to the table.The Beastmasteris frequently compared to works likeConan the Barbarian, but the hero ofBeastmaster, Dar (Marc Singer), stands apart as a protagonist.
The appeal of Dar as a character comes from his ability to communicate with animals and the fact that he doesn’t want power or control, only to be left to live in peace.
The appeal of Dar as a character comes from his ability to communicate with animals and the fact that he doesn’t want power or control, only to be left to live in peace. The use of real animals throughoutThe Beastmastersets it apart from many contemporary fantasy films that rely on CGI. It’s interesting that bothThe Beastmasterand the spinoff TV series have been overlooked in recent years, but this makes it all the more enjoyable to revisit them or discover them for the first time.
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The polarizing follow-up to the fantasy classic,The Wizard of Oz,Return to Oz, earned a reputation for being a darker take on the work by L. Frank Baum.Even though it’s largely regarded as closer in style and tone to the author’s books, it didn’t appeal to audiences who were familiar with the cheerful, technicolor world of the 1939 film. Recent critical reevaluations have praisedReturn to Ozfor being so different from the original and ahead of its time within the fantasy landscape.
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The highly anticipate upcoming film adaptation of the musical Wicked will undoubtedly fix Hollywood’s former The Wizard of Oz follow-up film mistake.
With the recent popularity of the movie adaptation of the stage musicalWicked, it’s likely that more viewers will be introduced to the world ofReturn to Oztoday. The practical effects inReturn to Ozset the film apart from contemporary children’s fantasy movies, and the fact thatReturn to Ozbelieved younger audiences could grapple with its more intense themes falls in line with contemporary opinions. Though modern viewers might be surprised by the stark differences betweenReturn to Ozand its predecessor,it’s an interesting companion to theWizard of Ozworld.
Return to Oz (1985)
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One of the mostvisually stunning fantasy movies,The Fall, hasn’t been well remembered largely because it was difficult to track down on the internet for so many years. However, in recent years,The Fallhas been brought back from almost complete obscurity thanks to the 4K restoration (viaVariety).An enormous creative undertaking that pushed its filmmakers and actors to their limits,The Fallis getting a well-deserved resurgence and is the kind of project all fantasy fans should seek out.
Starring Lee Pace as Roy Walker, a stunt person who spins a fantastical yarn of action and adventure to a young girl in the same hospital he’s in,The Fallmakes the most of its story-within-a-story format. The act of telling a story and what’s lost and gained in the audience’s interpretation is at the forefront ofThe Fallas Roy weaves his tale and Alexandria (Catinca Untaru) listens. As time has progressed, the difficulty in finding a way to watch thefantasyfilm has fanned the flames of the lore and mysticism of the project.
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