Flights of Fantasy
by grendelkhan | created - 23 Jul 2013 | updated - 31 Dec 2013 | PublicThese are fantasy films, though aren't they all? Specifically, these are films which follow the conventions of fantasy literature, myths and legends. For the purposes of clarity, I've included things like King Arthur, but not swashbucklers like Zorro or Captain Blood. If it has elements of magic, it's fantasy, in my book. If it just has guys swinging swords, its a swashbuckler or heroic adventure (or medieval romance). I've tried to stay away from the supernatural stuff, like horror, but some important ones may pop up. I also stuck with things with which I am familiar, so many foreign films and tv shows are not included.
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101. The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire (1981 TV Movie)
96 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The hero is given his mentor's bow (the Heartbow) which chooses its new owner when passed on. It fires arrows that blow up like grenades, but can only be wielded by the one chosen to wield ... See full summary »
Director: Nicholas Corea | Stars: Lane Caudell, Belinda Bauer, Victor Campos, Kabir Bedi
Votes: 452
This telemovie was the pilot for a proposed fantasy series; or, at least a series of specials. A young warrior inherits a magic bow and must go on the run after his father's kingdom is seized by a rival, thanks to the aid of a mercenary warrior and his serpent men fighters. It's not a bad film, though some of the performances are not so great and the budget isn't up to snuff. Apparently, it was a big hit in Germany.
102. Time Bandits (1981)
PG | 110 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
A young boy accidentally joins a band of time travelling dwarves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal.
Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, John Cleese, Katherine Helmond
Votes: 68,398 | Gross: $42.37M
A group of dwarves are on the run from the Supreme Being, with a map of the holes in time. They are trying to go to various time periods to commit robberies, but end up needing the help of a well-read young boy, whose bedroom happens to coincide with a time hole. The cross into several historical periods, then into a land of legends and fairytales, where Evil awaits them, hoping to gain possession of the map and escape his prison. Very funny, very exciting, and often very scary. One of Gilliam's best films, for my money.
103. Conan the Barbarian (1982)
R | 129 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A powerful warrior seeks to avenge the genocide of his people and the murder of his parents at the hands of a snake cult.
Director: John Milius | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Max von Sydow, Sandahl Bergman
Votes: 162,607 | Gross: $39.57M
Arnold Schwarzenegger finally gets a role that can propel him to stardom, thanks to John Millius. Don't expect much Robert E Howard, or even Lin Carter or L Sprague DeCamp (or even Roy Thomas); but, Millius concocts a pretty good yarn. James Earl Jones is the wizard Thulsa Doom (from the Kull stories). Good stuff, with plenty of hacking of limbs and some steamy scenes. Plenty of beefcake, too.
104. The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
R | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A mercenary with a three-bladed sword rediscovers his royal heritage's dangerous future when he is recruited to help a princess foil the designs of a brutal tyrant and a powerful sorcerer in conquering a land.
Director: Albert Pyun | Stars: Lee Horsley, Kathleen Beller, Simon MacCorkindale, George Maharis
Votes: 7,531 | Gross: $39.10M
Extremely low budget film starring Lee Horsely (TV's Matt Houston) as the son of a murdered king. The deposed prince is a mercenary, but finds himself on a collision course with the sorcerer who killed his parents. The real gimmick is the three bladed sword, which can launch the outer blades. Otherwise, it isn't much.
105. The Beastmaster (1982)
PG | 118 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A sword-and-sorcery fantasy about a young man's search for revenge. Armed with supernatural powers, the handsome hero and his animal allies wage war against marauding forces.
Director: Don Coscarelli | Stars: Marc Singer, Tanya Roberts, Rip Torn, John Amos
Votes: 25,241 | Gross: $14.06M
Marc Singer (V) stars as a fantasy hero who can communicate with animals; kind of Conan-meets-Dr. Doolittle. It's low budget but has a certain charm and is entertaining enough to get by.
106. Ator, the Fighting Eagle (1982)
PG | 98 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The son of Torren learns of his heritage, goes to avenge the deaths of his fellow villagers, and rescue his sister from the evil Dakkar and his spider cult.
Director: Joe D'Amato | Stars: Miles O'Keeffe, Sabrina Siani, Ritza Brown, Dakar
Votes: 2,950
This is pretty bad, but worth watching via MST3K.
107. The Dark Crystal (1982)
PG | 93 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
On another planet in the distant past, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of a magical crystal, and to restore order to his world.
Directors: Jim Henson, Frank Oz | Stars: Jim Henson, Kathryn Mullen, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz
Votes: 71,519 | Gross: $40.58M
Jim Henson and Frank Oz bring this fantasy to life, with designs by artist Brian Froud. The characters were done as animatronics, and were groundbreaking, at the time. The film is very dark, but was marketed as a family film. It's got a decent story, though its a little disjointed.
108. The Flight of Dragons (1982 Video)
Passed | 95 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
A young Boston writer goes back in time into an era where wizards and dragon reign and science is just barely known.
Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr. | Stars: Victor Buono, James Gregory, James Earl Jones, Harry Morgan
Votes: 6,089
Rankin-Bass animated film about the disappearance of magic in the wake of science. It has its fans, though it is hardly a classic. It's a fine film, but not quite at the level of Disney.
109. The Last Unicorn (1982)
G | 92 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
A beautiful unicorn sets out to learn if she truly is the last of her kind in this sparkling animated musical.
Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr. | Stars: Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, Alan Arkin
Votes: 29,561 | Gross: $6.46M
Another Rankin-Bass film about the last creature of its kind. It becomes a metaphor for the decline of feature animation, though Disney's revived efforts in the 90s would keep it alive, for a while.
110. The Secret of NIMH (1982)
G | 82 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
To save her ill son, a field mouse must seek the aid of a colony of rats, with whom she has a deeper link than she suspected.
Director: Don Bluth | Stars: Elizabeth Hartman, Derek Jacobi, Dom DeLuise, Arthur Malet
Votes: 45,209 | Gross: $10.14M
Don Bluth's animated tale, based on the Newberry-winning book Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh. Bluth was trying to be a modern Disney, but never had the same budgets.
111. She (1984)
Not Rated | 106 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
In a post-apocalyptic world, She aids two brothers' quest to rescue their kidnapped sister. Along the way, they battle weird creatures before standing against the odds to defeat the evil Norks.
Director: Avi Nesher | Stars: Sandahl Bergman, David Goss, Quin Kessler, Harrison Muller
Votes: 2,011
Low budget remake of the Haggard story, with pretty much everything from the author gone. Sandahl Bergman got this after Conan. I think she should have stuck with dancing.
112. Krull (1983)
PG | 121 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet, Krull.
Director: Peter Yates | Stars: Ken Marshall, Lysette Anthony, Freddie Jones, Francesca Annis
Votes: 36,279 | Gross: $16.52M
This is a weird mix of fantasy and sci-fi, as it all takes place on another planet, complete with alien invaders. However, it has all the trappings of a fantasy adventure. Ken marshall is the bland hero, while Lysette Anthony is the (dubbed) kidnapped princess. Where the film succeeds is in the supporting characters, with parts filled by Alun Armstrong, David Batley, Liam Nisson, Robbie Coltrane, Bernard Bresslaw, Francesca Annis, and Freddy Jones. They bring this film to life. The effects are decent and the locations are well used.
113. Hercules (1983)
PG | 98 min | Adventure, Fantasy, History
The story of the Greek mythological figure, updated in this '80s version.
Director: Luigi Cozzi | Stars: Lou Ferrigno, Brad Harris, Sybil Danning, Rossana Podestà
Votes: 4,408 | Gross: $10.68M
Lou Ferrigno carries on the bodybuilding tradition of playing Hercules. Unfortunately, Steve Reeves got the better scripts.
114. Fire and Ice (1983)
PG | 81 min | Animation, Adventure, Fantasy
At the end of the ice age, an evil queen and her son are set on conquering the world using magic and warriors. The lone survivor of a crushed village fights back as does the king of Fire Keep.
Director: Ralph Bakshi | Stars: Randy Norton, Cynthia Leake, Steve Sandor, Sean Hannon
Votes: 12,643 | Gross: $0.76M
Ralph Bakshi fantasy film, set in pre-history. Lots of comic and fantasy art people involved but, storywise, it's not quite up there with Wizards or Lord of the Rings.
115. Deathstalker (1983)
R | 80 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A lone warrior nicknamed Deathstalker is sent by a witch on a quest to find a sword, a chalice, and an amulet, two of which are held by the wicked king and sorcerer, Munkar.
Director: James Sbardellati | Stars: Rick Hill, Barbi Benton, Richard Brooker, Lana Clarkson
Votes: 6,332 | Gross: $11.92M
Roger Corman produced this film, made by an Argentinian director. It's typical low budget Conan-wannabe stuff, and led to 3 sequels. None of them are anything worth cheering about and one made it to MST3K. I'll skip the rest. These things littered many a video store shelf.
116. Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983)
Unrated | 98 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A Chinese soldier in an ancient civil war flees the battlefield and gets caught up in a fantastical quest to save the world from evil.
Director: Hark Tsui | Stars: Biao Yuen, Hoi Mang, Adam Cheng, Brigitte Lin
Votes: 3,056
Sammo Hung appears in this Chinese fantasy about legendary warriors fighting evil spirits.
117. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983–1985)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The most powerful man in the universe, He-Man, goes against the evil forces of Skeletor to save the planet Eternia and to protect the secrets of Castle Grayskull.
Stars: John Erwin, Alan Oppenheimer, Linda Gary, Lou Scheimer
Votes: 20,054
Cartoon series, based on the toy line. The series is set on an alien world, but everything is pretty much from the fantasy end of the spectrum. The hero is sort of a mix of Prince Valiant, Captain Marvel, and King Arthur, while the villain is swiped from Doctor Doom and Ming the Merciless. Good series, if repetitive.
118. Conan the Destroyer (1984)
PG | 103 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Conan leads a ragtag group of adventurers on a quest for a princess.
Director: Richard Fleischer | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grace Jones, Olivia d'Abo, Wilt Chamberlain
Votes: 85,391 | Gross: $31.04M
Arnie's back and the script is a little more faithfull, thanks to Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway (from Marvel Comics' Conan stories). However, it is played too much for laughs, at times, and Tracy Walter makes for a silly sidekick. Grace Jones and Wilt Chamberlain are embarrassingly bad. Pat Roach redeems things a bit as the wizard Toth Amon, and Andre the Giant is under the suit as the monster Dagon. Sarah Douglas is a pretty sexy evil queen.
119. Sword of the Valiant (1984)
PG | 102 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The Green Knight challenges King Arthur's knights. But only young Gawain accepts and decapitates him. The knight takes his head and now gives Gawain one year to learn about virtues, knighthood and then face the challenge himself.
Director: Stephen Weeks | Stars: Miles O'Keeffe, Cyrielle Clair, Leigh Lawson, Sean Connery
Votes: 2,520
Rather bizarre attempt at adapting the medieval legend of Gawain and the Green Knight. The biggest problem with it is the rather lackluster performance by Miles O'Keefe, who tarnished Tarzan (though he had help in ruining that film) and the silly Ator films. Sean Connery ends up looking almost as embarrassed here as he did in Zardoz, from a costume perspective. It has some moments though, mostly due to Connery.
120. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
PG | 117 min | Animation, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Warrior and pacifist Princess Nausicaä desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Sumi Shimamoto, Mahito Tsujimura, Hisako Kyôda, Gorô Naya
Votes: 182,676 | Gross: $0.50M
Hayao Miyazaki adapts his manga about a devastated world, illuminating his concerns for ecology and his dreams of flight. Excellent piece, in its original form. It was brought to the US in a very altered form.
121. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
PG | 102 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
A troubled boy dives into a wondrous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book.
Director: Wolfgang Petersen | Stars: Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach, Gerald McRaney
Votes: 157,070 | Gross: $20.16M
Wolfgang Peterson (yep, the Das Boot guy) brings to life this story of the adventures of a young boy, complete with a flying dog. It did well enough in the US but was a bigger hit in Europe. The film stars Noah Hathaway, Battlestar Galactica's Boxey.
122. The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak (1984)
R | 87 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Gwendoline, a runaway nun, arrives in Hong Kong on a mission to find her father, who was last seen in the legendary Land of the Yik Yak searching for a rare butterfly. She's guided on her perilous journey by the selfish mercenary Willard.
Director: Just Jaeckin | Stars: Tawny Kitaen, Brent Huff, Zabou Breitman, Bernadette Lafont
Votes: 3,312 | Gross: $1.34M
This has a bit of an odd mixture. It was based on a series of damsel-in-distress themed comic strips, from John Willie. It adds some Terry & the Pirates-style period adventure, and then leads the gang to a hidden city of wonders and strange culture. It's never very sexy (although it has a few moments when they get to the hidden city) and the adventure is never that great. Adventure and fantasy fans will find it disappointing and weird and fans of erotica will find it rather tame.
123. Ladyhawke (1985)
PG-13 | 121 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
The thief Gaston escapes the dungeon of medieval Aquila through the latrine. Soldiers are about to kill him when Navarre saves him. Navarre, traveling with his spirited hawk, plans to kill the bishop of Aquila with help from Gaston.
Director: Richard Donner | Stars: Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Leo McKern
Votes: 51,025 | Gross: $18.43M
Richard Donner directs this romantic medieval fantasy about a knight (Rutger Hauer) and the woman he loves (Michelle Pfeiffer) who have been cursed by a corrupt bishop to always be apart. The knight must spend the nights as a wolf, while the woman must spend the day as a hawk. The couple can only meet, excrutiatingly briefly, at twilight. Mathew Broderick is a thief who finds himself drafted to help, and Leo McKern is the priest who betrayed the couple to the bishop. Excellent stuffed, slightly marred by too modern a soundtrack.
124. She-Ra: Princess of Power (1985–1987)
TV-Y7 | 22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Princess Adora raises her magic sword and becomes She-Ra, the most powerful woman in the universe, to aid her friends in defeating the Evil Horde so their planet Etheria can be free.
Stars: Melendy Britt, George DiCenzo, John Erwin, Linda Gary
Votes: 6,725
Spin-off of He-Man, aimed at girls, though not as successfully. Same basic formula.
125. Red Sonja (1985)
PG-13 | 89 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The fearless warrior Red Sonja sets out to avenge her family's murder and rid her kingdom from the tyrannical rule of evil Queen Gedren.
Director: Richard Fleischer | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brigitte Nielsen, Sandahl Bergman, Paul L. Smith
Votes: 44,914 | Gross: $6.95M
Arnie finished out his contract with Dino De Laurentis by appearing in what is mostly a cameo role. Brigitte Nielson is the Howard heroine (better known for the Marvel Comics series, by Frank Thorne), and Ernie Reyes Jr is the comic relief. It's pretty "meh..."
126. Alice in Wonderland (II) (1985)
TV-PG | 94 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Alice is in Looking Glass Land, where she meets many creatures and attempts to avoid the Jabberwocky (Tom McLoughlin), a monster that appears due to her being afraid.
Stars: Natalie Gregory, Sheila Allen, Red Buttons, Anthony Newley
Votes: 3,344
This one featured many celebrities in various roles and was mostly well done. It was done in two parts, with the second part adapting Through the Looking Glass and throwing in the Jabberwocky.
127. Brazil (1985)
R | 132 min | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
A bureaucrat in a dystopic society becomes an enemy of the state as he pursues the woman of his dreams.
Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond
Votes: 211,325 | Gross: $9.93M
This is a mixture of genres, but fantasy is at the heart of the main character. This is Gilliam's nightmarish satire of buereaucracy, totalitarianism, air conditioning repair, and love. The main fantasy elements are in the main character's dreams.
128. Legend (1985)
PG | 94 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
A young man must stop the Lord of Darkness from destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves.
Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry, David Bennent
Votes: 72,536 | Gross: $15.50M
Ridley Scott directs this attempt at creating a modern fairytale. The story concerns a young forest boy who shows a noble girl a pair of unicorns. She violates his warnings not to touch them and unwittingly allows dark forces to capture one and take its horn, plunging the world into winter and darkness. The hero, Jack, must undergo a quest to save the unicorn and Lilly, the girl. It's very steeped in European fairytale traditions, but the acting is another story, with Tom Cruise as a not-so-great hero and Mia Sara as the frivolous Lilly, a noble of some sort. The standout performance is from Tim Curry as Darkness, a pseudo-Devil. Curry's usual overacting allows the heavy make-up to come to life and it fits the grandiose nature of the villain. The European cut had extra scenes that give a darker tone to the Gump and further temptation for Lilly, plus used the James Horner score. The uS version had Tangerine Dream, plus songs from Brian Ferry and Jon Anderson. It's decent, but hardly a classic.
129. Return to Oz (1985)
PG | 113 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Dorothy, saved from a psychiatric experiment by a mysterious girl, is somehow called back to Oz when a vain witch and the Nome King destroy everything that makes the magical land beautiful.
Director: Walter Murch | Stars: Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie
Votes: 30,387
After nearly 50 years, someone tries to adapt more of the Oz books. The result is a bit off, but it really tries. It's also downright scary at times, which is keeping with tradition (Margaret Hamilton and flying monkeys were nightmare inducing). Fairuza Balk was a talented newcomer who never totally capitalized on her talent.
130. The Black Cauldron (1985)
PG | 80 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A young boy and a group of misfit friends embark on a quest to find a dark magic item of ultimate power before a diabolical tyrant can.
Directors: Ted Berman, Richard Rich | Stars: Grant Bardsley, Freddie Jones, Susan Sheridan, Nigel Hawthorne
Votes: 40,779 | Gross: $21.29M
Disney attempts to do a modern fantasy adventure, rather than a fairytale, and nearly bankrupts the studio. This was a notorious box office failure, causing Disney to reassess where it was going. The sad thing is that the financial aspect is better known than the plot. It's worth judging under its own merit, rather than its history.
131. The Secret of the Sword (1985)
G | 100 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Prince Adam is sent to the world of Etheria to find his long abducted sister, Adora, and awaken her to her own destiny.
Directors: Ed Friedman, Lou Kachivas, Marsh Lamore, Bill Reed, Gwen Wetzler | Stars: John Erwin, Melendy Britt, Alan Oppenheimer, Linda Gary
Votes: 3,293 | Gross: $7.66M
Feature film with the He-man and She-ra gang teaming up. Same as the tv series, but with a longer story and better budget.
132. Labyrinth (1986)
PG | 101 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Sixteen-year-old Sarah must solve a labyrinth to rescue her baby brother when he is taken by the Goblin King.
Director: Jim Henson | Stars: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Shelley Thompson
Votes: 149,702 | Gross: $12.73M
Jim Henson's people brought this fairytale to life. A young girl, whose head is filled with fantasy, makes a poorly chosen wish tha her little brother was gone, and finds that he has been taken by the Goblin King (David Bowie). She must journey to his city to get him back, gaining allies and learning about responsibility and life along the way. It's a delightful film, with a dark edge, with some great music and excellent performances. This was a breakout role for Jennifer Connolly and Bowie is well cast. Great stuff.
133. Highlander (1986)
R | 116 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
An immortal Scottish swordsman must confront the last of his immortal opponents, a murderously brutal barbarian who lusts for the fabled "Prize".
Director: Russell Mulcahy | Stars: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, Roxanne Hart
Votes: 147,558 | Gross: $5.90M
Christophe Lambert, Sean Connery, and Clancy Brown star in this music video of a film, about a group of immortals who cross paths at different times and are destined to fight until there is only one left. Cue up the Queen soundtrack, shatter some glass, and sever some heads. To be fair, this one is pretty entertaining, if a bit confusing. The European cut (aka the Renegade edition) features footage that shows how Macleod meets his secretary, when she was a young girl in WW2-torn Europe.
134. Babes in Toyland (1986 TV Movie)
G | 96 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
A young girl wakes up in the realm of Toyland, where she teams up with her family and friends to overthrow the evil villain, Barnaby.
Director: Clive Donner | Stars: Drew Barrymore, Richard Mulligan, Eileen Brennan, Keanu Reeves
Votes: 3,987
Drew Barrymore and Keanau Reeves star in this tv adaptation. It can't hold a candle to either the Disney or the Laurel & Hardy versions, though it is pleasant enough, if less than spectacular. The tv budget doesn't help things.
135. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
PG-13 | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A rough-and-tumble trucker and his side kick face off with an ancient sorcerer in a supernatural battle beneath Chinatown.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, James Hong
Votes: 154,113 | Gross: $11.10M
Kurt Russell channels some John Wayne as trucker Jack Burton, who tries to help his buddy free his kidnapped fiancé. Unfortunately, she has been kidnapped by an ancient wizard who has demons and mystic warriors at his command. Lots of fun, with over-the-top dialogue and fight scenes.
136. Castle in the Sky (1986)
PG | 125 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
A young boy and a girl with a magic crystal must race against pirates and foreign agents in a search for a legendary floating castle.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Mayumi Tanaka, Keiko Yokozawa, Kotoe Hatsui, Minori Terada
Votes: 182,499
Miyazaki's tale of a floating castle and a pair of young adventurers. Filled with Miyazaki's stunning visuals.
137. Beauty and the Beast (1987–1990)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Fantasy
The adventures and romance of a sensitive and cultured lion-man and a crusading assistant district attorney in Manhattan, New York City.
Stars: Ron Perlman, Roy Dotrice, Jay Acovone, Linda Hamilton
Votes: 7,893
Interesting modern take on the story, as Linda Hamilton is a woman who has been attacked and rescued by the Beast, who lives in the sewers below the city. Ron Perlman, under heavy make-up, is the sympathetic Beast, a truly romantic soul. very well done and a cult favorite.
138. Gor (1987)
PG | 94 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
American professor Tarl Cabot is transported via a magical ring to planet Gor, where he must help an oppressed country overthrow its evil king and his barbarian henchmen.
Director: Fritz Kiersch | Stars: Urbano Barberini, Rebecca Ferratti, Jack Palance, Paul L. Smith
Votes: 2,347
Extremely bad rendition of the John Norman book series, which was notorious for its erotic themes (more in the later books than the first few). This makes those look like literary epics. Oliver Reed shows how far his star had fallen, while the rest of the cast are mostly unknown Italians. It's not good adventure, not good fantasy, and doesn't even have any of the erotic aspects of the books.
139. Masters of the Universe (1987)
PG | 106 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The heroic warrior He-Man battles against the evil lord Skeletor and his armies of darkness for control of Castle Grayskull.
Director: Gary Goddard | Stars: Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, Meg Foster, Billy Barty
Votes: 44,343 | Gross: $17.34M
Live action adaptation of the cartoon (based on the toy line). Dolph Lundgren is the hero, and the weakest element, though he looks good. Frank Langella (!!!) is Skeletor, and Meg Foster is effective as Evilyn. The director borrowed heavily from the works of Jack Kirby to give this some life, which elevates it above its budget and the bottom feeding norm of Golan-Globus.
140. The Princess Bride (1987)
PG | 98 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A bedridden boy's grandfather reads him the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.
Director: Rob Reiner | Stars: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon
Votes: 451,178 | Gross: $30.86M
Rob Reiner adapts the William Goldman novel, and does a fantastic job. The casting is perfect and the film delights with humor and adventure, and true love. There is something here for everyone. Inconceivable!
141. The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (1988)
Unrated | 29 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
Four kids travel to the magical land of Narnia where they must battle an evil queen with the direction of the lion, Aslan.
Stars: Richard Dempsey, Sophie Cook, Jonathan R. Scott, Sophie Wilcox
Votes: 6,506
BBC adaptation of the Narnia stories, from CS Lewis. I haven't seen it but it usually gets good marks. It was done on an 80s tv budget, though.
142. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
PG | 126 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
An account of Baron Munchausen's supposed travels and fantastical experiences across late 18th-century Europe with his band of misfits.
Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Oliver Reed
Votes: 56,895 | Gross: $8.08M
Terry Gilliam's notorious rendition of the Great Liar. It was a troubled production, with cost over-runs and fights with foreign producers. The end result is mostly good; but, some of the segments fizzle out, a bit. It's a nice attempt, though it is very dark at times.
143. Willow (1988)
PG | 126 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A young farmer is chosen to undertake a perilous journey in order to protect a special baby from an evil queen.
Director: Ron Howard | Stars: Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Jean Marsh
Votes: 129,965 | Gross: $57.27M
Ron Howard and George Lucas brought this film to life, with Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer. The film tries to capture traditional fantasy and occasionally succeeds. However, too much poor comedy and some pacing problems prevent it from really being epic. Jean Marsh is great as the witch queen and pro wrestler/actor/stuntman Pat "Bomber" Roach is great as the witch's general. Joanna Whaley is fine as the witch's daughter and love interest for Kilmer (they were married, at one point). Davis is good as the elfin hero, but too many scenes are played far too broadly, which undercuts the adventure. It's still a mostly good film, though.
144. Big (1988)
PG | 104 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
After wishing to be made big, a teenage boy wakes the next morning to find himself mysteriously in the body of an adult.
Director: Penny Marshall | Stars: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard
Votes: 240,155 | Gross: $114.97M
Tom Hanks stars as a young boy who wishes he was big and skip through some of the pains of adolescence. He gets his wish, but must find a new life away from his family, while he searches for the fortune telling arcade machine that granted his wish. Along the way he finds a job with a toy company and falls in love with Elizabeth Perkins. Wonderfully acted by Hanks and directed by Penny Marshall.
145. Gor II (1988)
PG-13 | 89 min | Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
An Earthman returns to the planet Gor, and fights against tyranny.
Director: John 'Bud' Cardos | Stars: Urbano Barberini, Rebecca Ferratti, Jack Palance, Donna Denton
Votes: 2,062
Somehow, a second film was made, despite the awful reception of the first. It looked like they were filmed simultaneously, as Jack Palance appears at the end of the first. This one should only be viewed with Mike and the Bots, on MST3K.
146. Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989)
Unrated | 30 min | Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Young Prince Caspian of Narnia wonders and dreams of the old days of Narnia when animals talked, and there were mythical creatures and four rulers in Caer Paravel.
Stars: Warwick Davis, Jonathan R. Scott, Sophie Wilcox, William Todd-Jones
Votes: 2,442
Second BBC adaptation of Narnia. Again, it usually gets high praise.
147. The Little Mermaid (1989)
G | 83 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
A mermaid princess makes a Faustian bargain in an attempt to become human and win a prince's love.
Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker | Stars: Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes
Votes: 291,150 | Gross: $111.54M
Hans Christian Anderson's story of a mermaid who falls in love with a human is brought to life, reviving Disney's fortunes. Of course, they changed the story to fit the Disney clichés. There are many girls named Ariel, thanks to this film.
148. Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
G | 103 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma, Kappei Yamaguchi
Votes: 165,730
Miyazaki's tale of a young witch. Delightful tale with a great heroine and plenty of flying.
149. The Silver Chair (1990)
Unrated | 30 min | Fantasy, Family, Adventure
Eustace, along with a new companion named Jill Pole, is brought back to Narnia. The pair are told by Aslan they must search for King Caspian's missing son, Prince Rilian.
Stars: David Thwaites, Camilla Power, Tom Baker, Richard Henders
Votes: 2,115
Last of the BBC adaptations. The cost of these things put a damper on some elements, but they made good use of the money they had.
150. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
PG-13 | 105 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance
The solitary life of an artificial man - who was incompletely constructed and has scissors for hands - is upended when he is taken in by a suburban family.
Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall
Votes: 524,171 | Gross: $56.36M
Tim Burton's Pinnocchio fantasy, about an artificial young man, who is left alone when his creator dies, and is brought to a suburban world by an Avon lady. The film is a delightful fairytale, with Johnny Depp as the titular man. Vincent Price has a nice cameo and it is one of Burton's better films, from a story standpoint.
151. Peter Pan and the Pirates (1990–1991)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
The adventures of Peter Pan and his friends as they face off against Captain Hook and his crew of pirates in Neverland.
Stars: Christina Lange, Michael Bacall, Debi Derryberry, Jason Marsden
Votes: 718
Animated series that was shown in syndication, reuniting Pan and the Lost Boys with their adversary Captain Hook. It was a enjoyable series, though not quite a classic.
152. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
G | 84 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy
A prince cursed to spend his days as a hideous monster sets out to regain his humanity by earning a young woman's love.
Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise | Stars: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Jesse Corti, Rex Everhart
Votes: 479,887 | Gross: $218.97M
Disney's version of the French tale, which is one of their best modern animated features. Great songs and a plucky heroine raise it to another level. Unfortunately, Disney had to monkey with the ending, as usual.
153. Hook (1991)
PG | 142 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
When Captain James Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit in order to challenge his old enemy.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins
Votes: 273,388 | Gross: $119.65M
Steven Spielberg directs Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman in this legendary trainwreck of a film. The idea is good: an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland to save his kids from Captain Hook, with the help of the abandoned Lost Boys and Tinker Bell (Julia Roberts). There are dozens of cameos with the pirates, but it's a mess. Williams and Hoffman spent more time sniping than acting and Spielberg couldn't seem to control the production. Julia Roberts was going through a breakup and had emotional problems of her own. The end result is moments of great fun and a lot of nothing in between.
154. The Legend of Prince Valiant (1991–1994)
TV-G | 22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
After his castle is taken over, Valiant, Prince of Thule, has a dream, in which King Arthur calls him to Camelot. Valiant heeds the advice of the dream, and sets out on a quest to find the ... See full summary »
Stars: Robby Benson, Michael Horton, Noelle North, Alan Oppenheimer
Votes: 808
Prince Valiant is brought to tv, though modernized. It's a decent adventure series, though the animation is rather stiff. Robby benson isn't quite who I conjure up in my mind when I hear Val speak and it is missing the lush artwork of Hal Foster; but, then again, that would be pretty hard to animate.
155. The Fisher King (1991)
R | 137 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A former radio DJ, suicidally despondent because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim of that mistake.
Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Adam Bryant, Paul Lombardi
Votes: 90,908 | Gross: $41.90M
Again, not exactly a fantasy film, but filled with fantasy elements. Robin Williams is a mentally disturbed homeless man, who lives in a fantasy world based on medieval legend. Jeff Bridges is a shock DJ who suffered a breakdown after essentially egging a disturbed listener on until he commits a massacre in a wine bar. The paths cross between the two damaged men and Bridges learns he has more in common with Williams than he thought. He tries to make amends and rebuild his life. The film is a wonder of wild characters, fear, love, trauma, redemption, and heroic deeds. Where fantasy comes into play is in Williams psychoses, acting as a metaphor for the tragedy he has endured and must overcome. Very well done, earning Mercedes Ruel an Oscar
156. Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
R | 91 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
In the future, Highlander Connor MacLeod must prevent the destruction of Earth under an anti-ozone shield.
Director: Russell Mulcahy | Stars: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Virginia Madsen, Michael Ironside
Votes: 48,110 | Gross: $15.56M
This one is so confusing it makes the first look like Gone With the Wind. Now, the immortals are all aliens who are exiled to Earth, where they are somehow immortal, unless you cut off the head. the fight until there is only one left, but if more come later, the cycle starts all over again and the old can be renewed and the dead reborn. Or something. It's a mess and will only give you migraines.
157. The Pirates of Dark Water (1991–1992)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A young man learns that he is a Prince with an urgent quest to save his world by finding thirteen magical treasures of rule.
Stars: Hector Elizondo, Frank Welker, George Newbern, Jodi Benson
Votes: 2,879
Cult favorite of 90s kids, with some decent animation and imaginative stories. After years of petitions and bootlegs, it was finally released on dvd by Warner Archives. It's fine adventure.
158. Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time (1991)
PG-13 | 107 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Dar is a warrior who can talk to the beasts. He is forced to travel to Earth to stop his evil brother from stealing an atomic bomb and turning their native land from a desert into, well - a desert.
Director: Sylvio Tabet | Stars: Marc Singer, Kari Wuhrer, Sarah Douglas, Wings Hauser
Votes: 3,580 | Gross: $0.87M
Marc Singer's career wasn't exactly setting Hollywood on fire and the previous film was his biggest role (aside from V). So, they came back to it, while taking the character into the modern world. Yeah, not exactly a classic.
159. Highlander (1992–1998)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Duncan MacLeod is Immortal, and must live in modern society, concealing his true nature while fighting other Immortals.
Stars: Adrian Paul, Stan Kirsch, Jim Byrnes, Peter Wingfield
Votes: 17,824
TV series spun off from the films. It ignores everything but the first film, sort of, with Duncan MacLeod a cousin of Connor MacLeod. It had a bit of a shaky start, with the beheading of the week, in a Canadian setting; but started to grow a bit in the second season. It still had a lot of repetition, but it added recurring immortals and other characters and fleshed out the history of the immortals more. It did a heck of a lot better at crafting a story than the film franchise.
160. Highlander: The Final Dimension (1994)
PG-13 | 99 min | Action, Fantasy, Romance
Deceived that he had won the Prize, Connor MacLeod awakens from a peaceful life when an entombed immortal magician comes seeking the Highlander.
Director: Andrew Morahan | Stars: Christopher Lambert, Mario Van Peebles, Deborah Kara Unger, Mako
Votes: 22,131 | Gross: $13.83M
This one ignores the second film and essentially rehashes the first. Otherwise, it doesn't offer much, apart from a growling Mario Van Peebles, which is never a good thing.
161. Highlander: The Animated Series (1994–1996)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In the post-apocalyptic medieval 27th century, Ramirez mentors young Quentin MacLeod who must seek pacified Immortals, gain their knowledge through a non-lethal form of Quickening, and free the land from the evil Immortal overlord Kortan.
Stars: Miklos Perlus, Benedict Campbell, Katie Zegers, Don Dickinson
Votes: 711
I've never seen this, but I couldn't see how you could have a kid's series, based on a film and tv franchise where the object of things is to behead your opponent. I assume they skipped the weekly decapitation.
162. Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995–1999)
TV-G | 44 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Hercules is half-man, half-god and a hero of fantastic strength. After his malevolent stepmother, Hera, kills his wife and children, he wanders about Earth with mortal best friend Iolaus, fighting evil and trying to overcome his loss.
Stars: Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, Kevin Smith, Robert Trebor
Votes: 31,840
After a pilot movie or two came the tv series, with Kevin Sorbo as Hercules. he and partner Iolas travel around, finding themselves drawn into conflict. The mythic Herc was rather a jerk and not necessarily a heroic figure. This had more going for it than the Italian sword & sandal films. Sam Raimi produced the series.
163. Jumanji (1995)
PG | 104 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
When two kids find and play a magical board game, they release a man trapped in it for decades - and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game.
Director: Joe Johnston | Stars: Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde
Votes: 377,190 | Gross: $100.48M
Robin Williams stars as a boy who was lost in the world of a boardgame and is freed by a pair of children (including a young Kirsten Dunst). He must help them track down the rogue animals, while avoiding the evil hunter (whose identity is related to Williams' character). Lots of fun, with wild visuals.
164. Xena: Warrior Princess (1995–2001)
TV-PG | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Xena, a mighty Warrior Princess with a dark past, sets out to redeem herself. She is joined by small town bard, Gabrielle. Together they journey the ancient world and fight for the greater good against ruthless Warlords and Gods.
Stars: Lucy Lawless, Renée O'Connor, Ted Raimi, Kevin Smith
Votes: 48,721
Spun-off from Hercules, with Lucy Lawless as the tainted heroine. Xena was responsible for death and destruction, but is trying to atone, with the help of her young sidekick, Gabrielle. Lots of fun here and a great favorite of women in search of strong characters. Guys liked it, too.
165. Matilda (1996)
PG | 102 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A girl gifted with a keen intellect and psychic powers uses both to get even with her callous family and free her kindly schoolteacher from the tyrannical grip of a sadistic headmistress.
Director: Danny DeVito | Stars: Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Mara Wilson, Embeth Davidtz
Votes: 174,760 | Gross: $33.08M
Delightful adaptation of the Roald Dahl book, with Danny DeVito and Rea Perlman.
166. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996–2003)
TV-G | 22 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Sabrina is a normal teenager, except for one thing - she's a witch. Guided by her aunts, who come from a long line of witches, and Salem, a mischievous warlock doing penance as a cat, Sabrina continually struggles to harness her powers.
Stars: Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Nick Bakay
Votes: 42,805
Based on the Archie Comics character. It was very much a Bewitched knock-off, though more teen oriented and with less visual flair. It was a fun show, though.
167. DragonHeart (1996)
PG-13 | 103 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The last dragon and a disillusioned dragonslaying Knight must cooperate to stop an evil King, who was given partial immortality.
Director: Rob Cohen | Stars: Dennis Quaid, Sean Connery, Dina Meyer, Pete Postlethwaite
Votes: 101,838 | Gross: $51.37M
Dennis Quaid stars as a warrior and Sean Connery voices the dragon. The film has a basic medieval legend sensibility to it, with fantasy trappings, though the climax is a little shaky. It's generally well done and the CGI is in service to the story, rather than just done to draw attention to itself.
168. Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997)
R | 100 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Horror
In this dark take on the fairy tale, the growing hatred of a noblewoman, secretly a practitioner of the dark arts, for her stepdaughter, and the witch's horrifying attempts to kill her.
Director: Michael Cohn | Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Sam Neill, Gil Bellows, Taryn Davis
Votes: 11,378
Very creepy take on the fairytale, with Sigourney Weaver as the Wicked Queen. Definitely not for kids.
169. Wyrd Sisters (1997)
140 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
When Duke Felmet murders King Verence and takes over the small country of Lancre on the Discworld, three witches are involuntarily tasked with protecting the king's baby son.
Stars: Jane Horrocks, June Whitfield, Annette Crosbie, Eleanor Bron
Votes: 1,073
The first adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series (if you don't count stage plays and a computer game). Cosgrove Hall (Dangermouse, Count Duckula) provide the animation, with people like Annette Crosby, Jane Horrocks and Christopher Lee along to do the voices. This adapts Pratchett's first Witches book (depending on how you view Equal Rites), which is itself a parody of MacBeth. It does a decent job with the story, though I'm not quite sure they fully captured the personalities of Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat.
170. Kull the Conqueror (1997)
PG-13 | 95 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A barbarian warrior becomes a king when he defeats a king in armed combat and the king's heir conspire to overthrow him and reclaim the throne by resurrecting an evil sorceress.
Director: John Nicolella | Stars: Kevin Sorbo, Tia Carrere, Thomas Ian Griffith, Litefoot
Votes: 8,770 | Gross: $6.09M
Kevin Sorbo stars in this adaptation of Robert E. Howard's Kull, though it was originally intended as a Conan film. It is not up to previous Howard adaptation standards, even Red Sonja (which wasn't a very high standard, itself). Sorbo was much better as Hercules.
171. Soul Music (1997)
172 min | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
A small girl, a half-elf, and Death together have to stop the musical force known as "Music with Rocks In" from taking over the Discworld.
Stars: Christopher Lee, Graham Crowden, Debra Gillett, Andy Hockley
Votes: 1,164
Second of the Cosgrove Hall adaptations of Terry Pratchett's Discworld. This time, it is a Death Story, featuring his granddaughter Susan. This one works a little better, for me, and captures many of the gags well.
172. Princess Mononoke (1997)
PG-13 | 134 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
On a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Yôji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yûko Tanaka, Billy Crudup
Votes: 434,114 | Gross: $2.38M
Miyazaki's tale of environmental preservation, adapted in English by Neil Gaiman, with Hollywood talents in the voice roles.
173. Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)
PG-13 | 121 min | Drama, Romance
The Brothers Grimm arrive at the home of a wealthy Grande Dame who speaks of the many legends surrounding the fable of the cinder girl before telling the "true" story of her ancestor.
Director: Andy Tennant | Stars: Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, Patrick Godfrey
Votes: 81,769 | Gross: $65.71M
Great little take on Cinderella, with Drew Barrymore as the heroine, with Leonardo Da Vinci as the fairy godfather. This is great fun, with Sigourney Weaver as the wicked stepmother. In a nice departure, we get to see Cinderella mete out judgment at the end.
174. Alice Through the Looking Glass (1998 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 83 min | Fantasy, Family
Alice visits the magical kingdom on the other side of the looking glass.
Director: John Henderson | Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Charlotte Curley, Penelope Wilton, Geoffrey Palmer
Votes: 1,666
UK-produced version, with Kate Beckinsale, Ian Holm, Penelope Wilton, and many other notables. Very well done, by most accounts.
175. BeastMaster (1999–2002)
TV-14 | 43 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The sword and sorcery adventures of a wandering adventurer who has the ability to communicate with animals.
Stars: Daniel Goddard, Jackson Raine, Steven Grives, Monika Schnarre
Votes: 2,490
In the wake of Hercules and Xena, everyone was looking for fantasy series for syndication. This one lacked the charm of the first movie, so it went nowhere.
176. Sabrina: The Animated Series (1999–2000)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
Short lived animated spin off of the television series Sabrina the Teenage Witch. The animated series is a prequel which features Sabrina as a pre-teen girl with small witch powers. Also ... See full summary »
Stars: Melissa Joan Hart, Emily Hart, Nick Bakay, Bill Switzer
Votes: 3,825
Later Sabrina cartoon, based on the newer tv series, rather than the previous cartoon or the comics.
177. Highlander: Endgame (2000)
R | 87 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Immortals Connor and Duncan MacLeod must join forces against Kell, an evil immortal who has become too strong for anyone to face alone.
Director: Douglas Aarniokoski | Stars: Christopher Lambert, Adrian Paul, Bruce Payne, Lisa Barbuscia
Votes: 21,320 | Gross: $12.80M
The film and tv immortals meet in a forgettable film.
178. Spirited Away (2001)
PG | 125 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
During her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Miyu Irino, Rumi Hiiragi
Votes: 850,321 | Gross: $10.06M
Miyazaki's Oscar-winning film about a young girl who cures an elemental spirit and frees a dragon. The film features Miyaki's concerns for the environment and a plucky young heroine. If you are looking for role models for young girls, you can't do much better.
179. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
PG-13 | 178 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean
Votes: 2,008,522 | Gross: $315.54M
Peter Jackson brought Tolkien (finally) to the live screen. Jackson and his partners bring Tolkien to life, though they had to trim out many favorites (Tom Bombadil). Everything is in service to the story and it works wonderfully. Jackson used the appendices to help flesh out some of the characters. It does a decent jpob of keeping a rather meandering story on track, while delivering memorable lines and visuals.
180. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
PG | 152 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.
Director: Chris Columbus | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris
Votes: 856,626 | Gross: $317.58M
OK, no list of modern fantasy can be complete without Harry Potter, unless you want to fight a lynch mob. I'm a bookseller, so I love JK Rowling. Anyone who can get kids to read of their own volition, without heavy marketing, solely on the basis of imagination, is tops in my book (pun intended). That said, I thought the first film was just "ok." I'm sure the fans loved seeing everything and it is an imaginative story, but it didn't pull me in that deeply. With that said, there is a whole generation that considers this to be Citizen Kane, so what do I know?
181. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
PG-13 | 179 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom
Votes: 1,785,172 | Gross: $342.55M
Jackson & Co. liven up the (for me) duller installment of the Lord of the Rings. The gang is split into different quests and Jackson cuts back and forth. The Sam and Frodo stuff always felt like it dragged, to me, in the books; but, Jackson keeps it moving. The Battle of Helms Deep is a spectacular piece of cinema, with plenty of emotion mixed in with the stunts and mayhem.
182. The Scorpion King (2002)
PG-13 | 92 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A desert warrior rises up against the evil army that is destroying his homeland. He captures the enemy's key sorcerer, takes her deep into the desert and prepares for a final showdown.
Director: Chuck Russell | Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Steven Brand, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kelly Hu
Votes: 145,512 | Gross: $91.05M
Spun off from the Mummy films (which are pulp adventure/horror), this features Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as the Egyptian warrior. It's pretty much a fantasy/action cliché.
183. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
PG | 161 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Harry Potter lives his second year at Hogwarts with Ron and Hermione when a message on the wall announces that the legendary Chamber of Secrets has been opened. The trio soon realize that, to save the school, it will take a lot of courage.
Director: Chris Columbus | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris
Votes: 692,833 | Gross: $261.99M
Harry and the gang are back for more, though the reviews weren't quite as good.
184. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
PG-13 | 201 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.
Director: Peter Jackson | Stars: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom
Votes: 1,980,653 | Gross: $377.85M
The big action piece of the saga steps up to the screen and they hit it out of the park. If there is one failing it is the loss of the Scouring of the Shire, which shows how the epic battle even touched the Shire, and the seemingly endless number of "endings." On the whole, it's fantastic. Jackson and the gang really did an amazing job on the complete saga.
185. Peter Pan (2003)
PG | 113 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
The Darling family children receive a visit from Peter Pan, who takes them to Never Never Land where an ongoing war with the evil Pirate Captain Hook is taking place.
Director: P.J. Hogan | Stars: Jeremy Sumpter, Jason Isaacs, Olivia Williams, Lynn Redgrave
Votes: 80,219 | Gross: $48.46M
Jason Isaacs steals this film as Captain Hook. It's a pretty decent live version.
186. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
PG | 142 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Harry Potter, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year of study, where they delve into the mystery surrounding an escaped prisoner who poses a dangerous threat to the young wizard.
Director: Alfonso Cuarón | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Richard Griffiths
Votes: 692,050 | Gross: $249.36M
This one was kind of a make or break for the series. There was no way they were going to give up on things (too big of an audience) but improvements were needed in the filmmaking. Things kind of settle into a groove with this one.
187. Van Helsing (2004)
PG-13 | 131 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
The famed monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula, who is using Dr. Frankenstein's research and a werewolf for nefarious purposes.
Director: Stephen Sommers | Stars: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh, Shuler Hensley
Votes: 284,829 | Gross: $120.18M
This ends up being more fantasy than horro, with Hugh Jackman as the vampire hunter, from Dracula. It never quite comes together.
188. A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
PG | 108 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
When a massive fire kills their parents, three children are delivered to the custody of cousin and stage actor Count Olaf, who is secretly plotting to steal their parents' vast fortune.
Director: Brad Silberling | Stars: Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Meryl Streep, Liam Aiken
Votes: 221,205 | Gross: $118.63M
Rather lackluster adaptation of the first couple of volumes in the favorite children's series. The rest of the series never materialized.
189. Troy (2004)
R | 163 min | Adventure, Drama
An adaptation of Homer's great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved.
Director: Wolfgang Petersen | Stars: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Julian Glover
Votes: 570,881 | Gross: $133.38M
Somewhat mixed attempt at recreating the Iliad, with plenty of beefcake on display.
190. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
PG | 115 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
Charlie, a young boy from an impoverished family, and four other kids win a tour of an amazing chocolate factory run by an imaginative chocolatier, Willy Wonka, and his staff of Oompa-Loompas.
Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter
Votes: 529,599 | Gross: $206.46M
Tim Burton remakes the Roald Dahl classic, with less charming results. It's typical Burton, with greater emphasis on weirdness. The lead child does a good job as Charlie, and most of the cast are good, but there is a pointless departure into Willy Wonka's father issues (shades of Steven Spielberg), with Christopher Lee as his dad. The music can't hold a candle and it is no more faithful to the book than the original, apart from including Charlie's father and the squirrels when Veruca gets hers.
191. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
PG | 143 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
While playing, Lucy and her siblings find a wardrobe that lands them in a mystical place called Narnia. Here they realize that it was fated and they must now unite with Aslan to defeat an evil queen.
Director: Andrew Adamson | Stars: Tilda Swinton, Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Skandar Keynes
Votes: 428,290 | Gross: $291.71M
In the wake of Lord of the Rings, Hollywood was scrambling to option any fantasy series they could get their mitts on. Narnia was a no brainer and Disney ponied up the dough. The first film does a decent job with the material, though in a more secular fashion.
192. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
PG-13 | 157 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Harry Potter finds himself competing in a hazardous tournament between rival schools of magic, but he is distracted by recurring nightmares.
Director: Mike Newell | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Eric Sykes
Votes: 682,020 | Gross: $290.01M
The films are starting to run into a problem, as the books starting getting much denser with this volume. They still went with a single film, so it's kind of truncated.
193. The Brothers Grimm (2005)
PG-13 | 118 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Will and Jake Grimm are traveling con-artists who encounter a genuine fairy-tale curse which requires true courage instead of their usual bogus exorcisms.
Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Monica Bellucci, Petr Ratimec
Votes: 126,303 | Gross: $37.92M
Terry Gilliam directs Matt Damon in this take on the Grimms, with them fighting monsters. Nice idea, but it suffers in the execution.
194. Eragon (2006)
PG | 104 min | Action, Adventure, Family
In his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy happens upon a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realizes he's the one person who can defend his home against an evil king.
Director: Stefen Fangmeier | Stars: Ed Speleers, Sienna Guillory, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich
Votes: 130,523 | Gross: $75.03M
Adaptation of the popular Christopher Paolini fantasy novel for teens. Unfortunately, they did a less than spectacular job and dropped any ideas of adapting the rest of the series.
195. Hogfather (2006 TV Movie)
189 min | Comedy, Fantasy
It's Hogswatch (equivalent to Christmas) on the Discworld and the Hogfather has gone missing, requiring Death to take his place while his granddaughter Susan endeavors to find out what has happened.
Director: Vadim Jean | Stars: David Jason, Marc Warren, Michelle Dockery, David Warner
Votes: 11,042
Discworld is brought to life here, in the form of the Holday-themed Hogfather. The production does a pretty decent job, with a fine cast, including Blackadder's Tony Robinson, Ian Richardson as the voice of Death, Marc Warren as Mr Teatime, and future Dowton Abbey star Michelle Dockery as Susan. I still don't think they got Nobby right.
196. 300 (2006)
R | 117 min | Action, Drama
In the ancient battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fight against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. They face insurmountable odds when they are betrayed by a Spartan reject.
Director: Zack Snyder | Stars: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West
Votes: 864,877 | Gross: $210.61M
This is fantasy, in my book, since the source material jettisoned history for the sake of a wilder story. It's based on the Battle of Thermopyle, but I wouldn't depend on this to get you through a history class. It's a lot of near-naked beefcake shouting and a rather distorted view of the Persians. Taken as fantasy, you could do worse.
197. The Golden Compass (2007)
PG-13 | 113 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
In a parallel universe, young Lyra Belacqua journeys to the far North to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from terrible experiments by a mysterious organization.
Director: Chris Weitz | Stars: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Dakota Blue Richards, Ben Walker
Votes: 196,896 | Gross: $70.11M
This attempt at Phillip Pullman's novel tries and has some really good material; but, it also has some rather bad portions and ends up a mess, scuttling the series. This became a common theme with fantasy film franchises.
198. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
PG-13 | 138 min | Action, Adventure, Family
With their warning about Lord Voldemort's return scoffed at, Harry and Dumbledore are targeted by the Wizard authorities as an authoritarian bureaucrat slowly seizes power at Hogwarts.
Director: David Yates | Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Brendan Gleeson
Votes: 633,740 | Gross: $292.00M
The saga continues, though the film is bursting at the edges, trying to cram all of the story into a single entry.
199. The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising (2007)
PG | 99 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
A boy's life is turned upside down when he learns that he is the last of a group of immortal warriors who have dedicated their lives to fighting the forces of the dark.
Director: David L. Cunningham | Stars: Alexander Ludwig, Ian McShane, Christopher Eccleston, Frances Conroy
Votes: 15,862 | Gross: $8.79M
In the wake of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter Hollywood swept up all of the fantasy series it could catch, especially teen-oriented. This was based on Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising series, but departed drastically from it. The result bombed and no further films followed.
200. Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
PG | 96 min | Drama, Family, Fantasy
A preteen's life turns upside down when he befriends the new girl in school and they imagine a whole new fantasy world to escape reality.
Director: Gabor Csupo | Stars: Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel, Robert Patrick
Votes: 173,434 | Gross: $82.27M
Feature based on the beloved children's book, though it fails to measure up. There was also a tv movie version, previously.
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