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While plenty of incrediblefantasyfilms have come out in recent years — as well as a whole plenty of great fantasy movies set to discharge in 2025 – the literary genre is also full of unbelievable classic from years past that every fan must see at some point . Some of these makegreat fantasy movies for beginners ; others are more nuanced train on the art form because of their old age or topic affair , or are the launch points of massive film franchises .
These classic movies make for some of the most adorable tale in history , with some surprising similarity . Many are adapted from children ’s Bible or apply storytelling as a frame machine , which is appropriate given fantasy ’s roots in poof tale and mythology . Many were also critical failures orfantasy box office flops . Yet all have endured for one reason or another , many becoming genuineslow - suntan cult authoritative filmsbecause , at their heart , every one of these picture show distinguish a phenomenal fantasy write up .
10The Pagemaster (1994)
Directed By Joe Johnston & Maurice Hunt
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The Pagemaster is a illusion moving picture directed by Pixote Hunt and Joe Johnston . It stick to a cautious unseasoned boy named Richard Tyler , who find himself transmit into the wizard domain of books while in a library . He must sail through this literary adventure to find his fashion back home .
While rumor has it thatThe Pagemasterwas based on a small fry ’s Holy Writ , it is actually a completely original adventure film with a phenomenal premise . Young Richard Tyler ( Macaulay Culkin ) is the kind of boy who is constantly afraid , overthinking every trouble and never letting himself take risks . When a freak tempest forces him to take cover in a library while running an errand , he literally stumbles into a fantastical mankind of live Quran and finds his intent of adventure thanks to some well - read friends .
Macaulay Culkin ’s fad Graeco-Roman flick The Pagemaster get a review from the Corridor Crew , a grouping of visual consequence creative person who are impressed .
The Pagemastermay not have been the most unique of picture , but the cinema still bear up today as a fun escapade write up , full of literary references and in - joke , as well as feature a star - studded cast , including Christopher Lloyd , Patrick Stewart , Whoopi Goldberg , and Frank Welker . The picture is dissever between live - action shots when Richard is at home , and attractively animated successiveness while he ’s adventuring in the world of books .
9The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
Directed By Victor Fleming
Based on Frank L. Baum ’s book of the same name , The Wizard of Oz follows youthful Dorothy Gale ( Judy Garland ) as she ’s swept away to the magical land of Oz . Upon go far , she falls afoul of a beldame , then enlists the help of a strawman , a canister man , and a king of beasts to chance the Wizard and get home to her syndicate .
No list of phantasy classic would be complete withoutThe Wizard of Oz . The original film adaptation of L. Frank Baum ’s classic novel was a innovational moving-picture show in uncountable ways , from its use of then - cut - edge particular effects to the phenomenal reveal of Munchkinland in splendid Technicolor . Of course , the heartwarming story still come across because of its themes of wonderment , family , endurance , and always number home .
Everyone roll in the hay the story – how Dorothy is expect away by a twister to the magical realm of Oz and has to go on an adventure to forgather the Wonderful Wizard of Oz so she can get back home . Although modern audiences are to a great extent focused on theextremely dissimilar and historically revisionistWicked , which paints the Wicked Witch of the West in a far more openhearted light than the original story , The Wizard of Ozis a fantastic flick in its own right , even after almost 90 years .
8The Last Unicorn (1982)
Directed By Arthur Bankin, Jr. & Jules Bass
The wicked King Haggard plots to destroy all the unicorn in the earth , but a young unicorn find out that she is in danger and could shortly be the last of her sort . She will the safety of her timber and enlist the help of Schmendrick , a kind but ill-chosen wizard . Together , they embark on a long and unsafe journey with one goal : to defeat Haggard and economize the unicorn from extinction .
Adapted for the covert by Peter S. Beagle , who wrote the original novel , The Last Unicornis a heartbreaking fantasy cultus classic , not at all like production studio apartment Rankin / Bass ' more well - sleep with work , which mostly consists of stop - motion Christmas specials and a very divisive adaptation ofThe Lord of the Rings . Despite its original box - office loser , The Last Unicornremains one of the most touching liven shaver ’s films of all time .
When the Unicorn ( Mia Farrow ) finds that the malevolent Red Bull has chase after her fellow unicorns to the ends of the earth , she goes out to try and find out them . Along the way , she has to deal with the witch Mommy Fortuna ( Angela Lansbury ) , the helpful but incapacitated whiz Schmendrick ( Alan Arkin ) , and the dreary and depressed King Haggard ( Christopher Lee ) . From start to cultivation , the film is a beautiful and phratry - friendly conversation about love , passing , and ruefulness .
7The Princess Bride (1987)
Directed By Robert Reiner
Based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman , The Princess Bride is a funny phantasy risky venture film that tells a swaggering story of a Italian sandwich and a princess , read to a young , sick boy in bed by his grandpa . The story itself be farmhand Westley , who embarks on an epic journey to carry through his dear princess from an evil prince as he meets strange but reliable fellow along the way .
Few film have endured in the corporate cultural cognisance likeThe Princess Bride . The beautiful Buttercup ( Robin Wright ) adores her farmboy Westley ( Cary Elwes ) , and he her , but a happy end is more difficult . After Westley is kidnapped and presumed bolt down by the Dread Pirate Roberts , Buttercup winds up betrothed to the detestable Prince Humperdink ( Chris Sarandon ) . Yet when Roberts snatch Buttercup , she learns that things are n’t always as they seem – and thatlove , true love , is the greatest forcefulness in the whole world .
Accolades Won ByThe Princess Bride
honor
twelvemonth
class
The Pagemaster is a fantasy film directed by Pixote Hunt and Joe Johnston. It follows a cautious young boy named Richard Tyler, who finds himself transported into the magical world of books while in a library. He must navigate through this literary adventure to find his way back home.
Status
Academy Award
1988
Best Original Song ( " Storybook Love " )
constitute
Saturn Award
Best Fantasy Film
Won
Best Costume Design
Best Writing
Best Actress ( Robin Wright )
Hugo Award
Best Dramatic presentment
the great unwashed ’s Choice Award
1987
Based on Frank L. Baum’s book of the same name, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she’s swept away to the magical land of Oz. Upon arriving, she falls afoul of a witch, then enlists the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion in order to find the Wizard and get home to her family.
Toronto Film Festival
younker in Film Award
Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture ( Fred Savage )
The terrible King Haggard plots to destroy all the unicorns in the world, but a young unicorn discovers that she is in danger and could soon be the last of her kind. She leaves the safety of her forest and enlists the help of Schmendrick, a kind but clumsy wizard. Together, they embark on a long and dangerous journey with one goal: to defeat Haggard and save the unicorns from extinction.
Artios Award
Best Feature Film Casting – clowning
The Princess Brideis simply one of the smashing dearest account of all metre , and although its initial box office staff carrying into action was underwhelming , its phenomenal display at the award shows demonstrates that a flick ’s boxful office staff take is no sign of quality . To say nothing ofHome Movie : The Princess Bride , the hump remake of the plastic film that was painstakingly put together on phone tv camera by actors during the first COVID-19 lockdown , illustrating the enduring love for the original movie ’s sharp humour , classical plot line , and lenient pure tone .
6The Dark Crystal (1982)
Directed By Jim Henson & Frank Oz
Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz , and featuring Henson ’s signature use of puppetry and animatronics , The Dark Crystal tells the history of two Gelflings , a fictional raceway of elf - like illusion creatures , who must embark on a pursuit to restore proportionality to their world through the mend of an all - hefty watch crystal , founder and corrupted by a malefic race known as the Skeksis . Stephen Garlick and Lisa Maxwell sound the protagonists , Jen and Kira .
While many recognize 1986’sLabyrinthas peradventure the tip of Jim Henson ’s non - Muppets life history , that film would n’t have happened withoutThe Dark Crystal , which was Henson ’s first collaboration with concept artist Brian Froud . It was Froud ’s distinctively grisly style that gaveThe Dark Crystalsuch a unique and terrifying aesthetic , specially in conjunction with the entirely marionette - found visuals .
The Dark Crystal : Age of Resistancewas a 2019 Netflix series , produced by the Jim Henson Company , that served as a prequel to the film . Brian Froud returned to do the conception art and his Word Toby ( the baby fromLabyrinth ) served as pattern executive program .
Based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is a comical fantasy adventure film that tells a swashbuckling tale of a hero and a princess, read to a young, sick boy in bed by his grandfather. The story itself follows farmhand Westley, who embarks on an epic journey to save his beloved princess from an evil prince as he meets strange but reliable companions along the way.
Young Jen ( Stephen Garlick ) , one of the last Gelflings , is given a quest by the dying Mystic Master ( Seán Barrett ) to cure a brawny crystal before the Great Conjunction of their world ’s three suns , or else the cruel Skeksis will rule the world constantly . With the help of the one - eyed mystic Aughra ( Billie Whitelaw ) , fellow Gelfling Kira ( Lisa Maxwell ) , and her fuzzy friend Fizzgig ( Percy Edwards ) , he must race to economize the globe . Scored by fantasy - film legend Trevor Jones , who would also go on to work with Henson onLabyrinth , The Dark Crystalis an eery and stunning cinematic experience .
5The NeverEnding Story (1984)
Directed By Wolfgang Petersen
Based on the German novel of the same name , The NeverEnding Story centers on Bastian Bux , a untried son who regain a script about a illusion world called Fantasia , and becomes inexplicably connected to the leger ’s game as he begins to study it . Barret Oliver stars as Bastian , with Noah Hathaway , Tami Stronach , and Alan Oppenheimer as part of the main shape .
As with many such flick , The NeverEndingStoryis a phantasy moving-picture show about a book that is in bout adapted from a book , specifically the first half of German child ’s author Michael Ende ’s 1979The Neverending Story . The 2nd half of the book was used for the sequel , The NeverEnding Story II : The Next Chapter , and the third moving-picture show , The NeverEnding Story III : Escape from Fantasia , has an original account — but the first movie is hands - down the best of the three , demonstrating the good of the campy aesthetic with feeling and marvel triumphing .
Young Bastian Balthazar Bux ( Barret Oliver ) steal a Word of God and finds himself engrossed by the epic tale within . The world of Fantasia is set upon by the symbolic malevolent force make love as The Nothing , and the Childlike Empress ( Tami Stronach ) has fallen sick . It ’s up to unseasoned paladin Atreyu ( Noah Hathaway ) to find a way to save her , and he come upon the only curative is for a human child from beyond Fantasia – none other than Bastian – to give her a newfangled name . It ’s exciting , fun , and occasionally creepy , and tote the familiar but profound radical of the power of storytelling .
4Hook (1991)
Directed By Steven Spielberg
aim by Steven Spielberg , Hook star Robin Williams as Peter Banning , a harried American lawyer who , after his children are nobble by Captain Hook , finds out that he is Peter Pan , having lost his store of Neverland . to deliver his children , Peter must find his childlike disembodied spirit of escapade and regain his memories as he does fight with Hook and his gang . Dustin Hoffman star alongside Williams as Captain Hook , along with Julia Roberts , Maggie Smith , and Charlie Korsmo .
Spielberg ’s wild and impressionist sort - of sequel toPeter Panintroduces us to Peter Banning ( Robin Williams ) , whose workaholic demeanour has filter his kinship with his house . Yet when he and his married woman Moira ( Caroline Goodall ) come home to find their small fry kidnapped , and a note signed by the notorious Captain James Hook ( Dustin Hoffman ) , Peter must go to Neverland to deliver them . Although he insists he ’s never been there before , as he adventures through Neverland he unlocks some long - hidden retentivity that aid him see himself – and his human relationship with his folk – in a new sparkle .
With a longsighted list of celebrity cameo to a story of melodic numbers , these tidbits about Steven Spielberg ’s 1991 Greco-Roman Hook are surprising .
Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, and featuring Henson’s signature use of puppetry and animatronics, The Dark Crystal tells the story of two Gelflings, a fictional race of elf-like fantasy creatures, who must embark on a quest to restore balance to their world through the mending of an all-powerful crystal, broken and corrupted by a malevolent race known as the Skeksis. Stephen Garlick and Lisa Maxwell voice the protagonists, Jen and Kira.
A shameful critical failure at the metre ( and currently sit at a miserable 29 % onRotten Tomatoes),Hookis a genuinely heartfelt film , even if it finger a small approximate around the edge now . While Spielberg has since talk over withEntertainment WeeklyandEmpire(viaDen of Geek)how his insecurity as a filmmaker led him to make production decision he no longer agrees with , a viewer without his personal luggage can see that it ’s actually quite in effect , you just have to focus on the happy thoughts – like howHookhelped launching Dante Basco ’s career .
3Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)
Directed By Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones
British comedy company Monty Python had already made quite a name for themselves by the time they went bespeak for the Holy Grail . Their 1971 filmAnd Now For Something altogether Differenthad allowed them to revisit and re - record various run into sketches from their TV show , Monty Python ’s Flying Circus , but in 1973 the group decided to try something Modern and began working on a full feature film . There would be action , adventure , Latinian language , copious quantity of descent , and even a killer rabbit . Little did they recognize that it would become theHoly Grail of most quotable filmsfor the past 50 year .
While ostensibly follow the famous King Arthur ( Graham Chapman ) as he and his Knights of the Round Table ( John Cleese , et al . ) embark on a God - given pursuit to discover the Holy Grail , Monty Python and the Holy Grailis still a Python basic , so there ’s a great pile of uproarious mucking about along the way . They play three - headed giants , the French , some nubile young women , and the Gorge of Eternal Peril , and go forth from the other side not so much " winning " as " collar for murder . " It is truly one of the greatest flick to ever render chivalric England .
2Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)
Directed By Peter Jackson
The Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring is the first film in Peter Jackson ’s critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy . The movie follow Frodo Baggins ( Elijah Woods ) as he is tax with destruct the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom after he inherits the ringing .
There ’s no question thatThe Lord of the Ringsfilms are some of thebest phantasy film of all time . Even after a quarter - one C , The Fellowship of the Ringremains a wonderful epic from starting signal to finish , the pure beginning to the capital adventure trilogy ever put to film . With J. R. R. Tolkien ’s phenomenal legendarium as beginning material , Fellowship , and its sequels , The Two TowersandThe Return of the Kinghaven’t been matched by any phantasy films since .
Of course , the most intimidating thing about Tolkien is wondering where to start with it all , yetFellowshipis a far better source of a trilogy than most of its coeval . Through the eyes of Frodo Baggins ( Elijah Wood ) , the viewer is give way a first - mitt experience of just what it ’s like to be dragged out of their cosy footling Hobbit - maw into a extensive world of adventure and danger . And yes , the Extended Editions are well worth watch , no matter how much longer they are .
1Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind (1984)
Directed By Hayao Miyazaki
Princess Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind embarks on a perilous journey to save her the great unwashed and the surround from a spreading toxic hobo camp filled with life-threatening tool . Gifted with the power to sympathize and communicate with the jungle ’s giant insects , she seeks to find a way for human race and nature to coexist . As she battles against controvert sect and uncovers the true statement behind the desolation , Nausicaä ’s courage and empathy become the keys to healing her world .
Many people say thatNausicaä of the Valley of the Windis the first Studio Ghibli film , but it was in reality one of the last productions of Topcraft Co. , the studio where the legendary Hayao Miyazaki pay back his kickoff as an animator . It ’s also the picture show responsible for Miyazaki ’s notorious " no cut " policy(viaPolygon ) of not allow international release of his films to be edit after American distributor Manson International butcheredNausicaäinto 1985’sWarriors of the Wind . Disney ’s 2005 redub of the film , by comparability , is a far more close theatrical performance ofNausicaä ’s potent themes of environmentalism .
There are some interesting behind - the - scenes details about Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind that cast a light on some of its obscure complexities .
Based on the German novel of the same name, The NeverEnding Story centers on Bastian Bux, a young boy who finds a book about a fantasy world called Fantasia, and becomes inexplicably connected to the book’s plot as he begins to read it. Barret Oliver stars as Bastian, with Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach, and Alan Oppenheimer as part of the main cast.
In a far upstage futurity , Earth has been ruined by weapons of aggregate demolition that mankind lost restraint of . Much of the planet is overcome with horribly toxic plant life story , which bring with it massive , aggressive louse . Young Nausicaä , Princess of the Valley of the Wind and scientist seek a therapeutic for the toxic plants , finds her quiet home hamlet threatened when a ship from the militaristic Empire of Tolmekia crashes there , impart a dangerous shipment that could easily destroy what ’s left of the world , making for an incredibly powerful and still relevant account that every fantasy fan must go through .
beginning : Rotten Tomatoes , Entertainment Weekly , Den of Geek , Polygon
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Hook stars Robin Williams as Peter Banning, a harried American lawyer who, after his children are kidnapped by Captain Hook, finds out that he is Peter Pan, having lost his memories of Neverland. In order to rescue his children, Peter must find his childlike spirit of adventure and regain his memories as he does battle with Hook and his crew. Dustin Hoffman stars alongside Williams as Captain Hook, along with Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, and Charlie Korsmo.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the first film in Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy. The movie follows Frodo Baggins (Elijah Woods) as he is tasked with destroying the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom after he inherits the ring.
Princess Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind embarks on a perilous journey to save her people and the environment from a spreading toxic jungle filled with dangerous creatures. Gifted with the ability to understand and communicate with the jungle’s giant insects, she seeks to find a way for humans and nature to coexist. As she battles against opposing factions and uncovers the truth behind the devastation, Nausicaä’s courage and empathy become the keys to healing her world.
