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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1. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)
Not Rated | 13 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Short
An early version of the classic, based more on the 1902 stage musical than on the original novel.
Director: Otis Turner | Stars: Bebe Daniels, Hobart Bosworth, Eugenie Besserer, Robert Z. Leonard
Votes: 1,638
Oz goes way back and provided material for some of the earliest films. These had Frank Baum's involvement. I've only seen stills, so I don't know how they compare to Judy Garland.
2. Missing Husbands (1921)
Not Rated | 172 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
Two men, lost in the desert, meet Queen Antinea, ruler of Atlantis.
Director: Jacques Feyder | Stars: Jean Angelo, Georges Melchior, Marie-Louise Iribe, Stacia Napierkowska
Votes: 426
The French title is L'Atlantide, based on the novel of the same name. Two soldiers become lost in the Saharan desert and discover the lost kingdom of Atlantis and one becomes seduced by a woman of great power. The film is highly regarded and was one of the first silent films to be done on location, in French North Africa. It was later remade in 1932, but this is the definitive version.
3. Die Nibelungen: Siegfried (1924)
Not Rated | 100 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Siegfried, son of King Siegmund of Xanten, sets off on a treacherous journey to the Kingdom of Burgundy to ask King Gunther for the hand of his sister, the beautiful Princess Kriemhild.
Director: Fritz Lang | Stars: Paul Richter, Margarete Schön, Theodor Loos, Gertrud Arnold
Votes: 6,549
Fritz Lang brings the Ring of the Niebelung to life in this silent film. I haven't seen it but heard that it's breathtaking.
4. Die Nibelungen: Kriemhild's Revenge (1924)
Not Rated | 129 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Princess Kriemhild vows to avenge her husband's murder but must overcome her brothers who swore allegiance to Hagen. She marries Etzel, King of the Huns, and persuades his army to attack Hagen, but she loses more than she bargained for.
Director: Fritz Lang | Stars: Margarete Schön, Gertrud Arnold, Theodor Loos, Hans Carl Mueller
Votes: 4,991
Second half of Lang's epic version of the Ring of the Niebelung.
5. The Thief of Bagdad (1924)
Not Rated | 155 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
A recalcitrant thief vies with a duplicitous Mongol ruler for the hand of a beautiful princess.
Director: Raoul Walsh | Stars: Douglas Fairbanks, Julanne Johnston, Snitz Edwards, Charles Belcher
Votes: 6,968 | Gross: $4.36M
Douglas Fairbanks buckles his swash in this Arabian Nights silent epic.
6. The Blue Light (1932)
85 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
When the moon is full, young men die attempting to reach the mysterious blue light in the mountains.
Directors: Leni Riefenstahl, Béla Balázs | Stars: Leni Riefenstahl, Mathias Wieman, Beni Führer, Max Holzboer
Votes: 1,389
Lenni Reifenstaal's film about a naïve young woman (believed to be a witch) and a painter who falls in love with her but betrays her secret blue crystal treasure to a nearby village. It ends tragically but is highly regarded for its visuals.
7. Alice in Wonderland (1933)
Passed | 76 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
In Victorian England a bored young girl dreams that she has entered a fantasy world called Wonderland populated by even more fantastic characters.
Directors: Norman Z. McLeod, Hugh Harman, Rudolf Ising | Stars: Richard Arlen, Roscoe Ates, William Austin, Gary Cooper
Votes: 2,610
All star version, which included WC Fields, Cary Grant, and Gary Cooper, amongst many others. It also features san animated sequence, produced by the Leon Schlessinger crowd.
8. Death Takes a Holiday (1934)
Passed | 79 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance
The Grim Reaper takes the form of a Prince in an attempt to relate to humans and, along the way, also learns what it is to love.
Director: Mitchell Leisen | Stars: Fredric March, Evelyn Venable, Guy Standing, Katharine Alexander
Votes: 2,408
Frederick March stars as Death, who spends 3 days as a human, to understand them better, but finds that he has fallen in love. A true classic that would inspire remakes (Meet Joe Black) and certainly had to factor into Terry Pratchett's character of Death.
9. March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934)
Passed | 77 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Opposing the evil Barnaby, Ollie Dee and Stanley Dum try and fail to pay-off Mother Peep's mortgage and mislead his attempts to marry Little Bo. Enraged, Barnaby's Bogeymen are set on Toyland.
Directors: Gus Meins, Charley Rogers | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Virginia Karns, Charlotte Henry
Votes: 7,560
Laurel and Hardy star in this version of the fairy tale-like story. An evil villain (as opposed to a benevolent villain) is making life miserable for people, including our hero. Laurel and Hardy help save the day, knocking out some wooden soldiers in the process. Lots of fun, for the period.
10. A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935)
Approved | 133 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Two couples and a troupe of actors have an encounter with some mischievous fairies in the forest.
Directors: William Dieterle, Max Reinhardt | Stars: James Cagney, Dick Powell, Ian Hunter, Verree Teasdale
Votes: 3,882
Famous or infamous version of Shakespeare, with a rather non-Shakespearean cast, including Mickey Rooney as Puck. It was adapted from a Hollywood Bowl production, but suffers badly from miscasting. James Cagney got good reviews but hated his performance and even Dick Powell thought he had no business playing Lysander.
11. She (1935)
Passed | 101 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
A group of explorers search of the legendary "flame of life," a mysterious force that bestows immortality.
Directors: Lansing C. Holden, Irving Pichel | Stars: Helen Gahagan, Randolph Scott, Helen Mack, Nigel Bruce
Votes: 1,903
Early adaptation of H Rider Haggard, which combines elements from several of the Ayesha novels.
12. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Approved | 83 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Exiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household.
Directors: William Cottrell, David Hand, Wilfred Jackson, Larry Morey, Perce Pearce, Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell, Lucille La Verne, Roy Atwell
Votes: 215,306 | Gross: $184.93M
Disney's first epic film, retelling the fairy tale of Snow White. Still holds up well.
13. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
PG | 102 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.
Directors: Victor Fleming, King Vidor | Stars: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr
Votes: 428,417 | Gross: $2.08M
Legendary classic musical, with Judy Garland and the gang. It is both delightful and really scarry, especially for kids. One things for certain, it isn't boring. "Fly my pretties!"
14. Gulliver's Travels (1939)
Passed | 76 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A doctor washes ashore on an island inhabited by little people.
Directors: Dave Fleischer, Willard Bowsky, Orestes Calpini, Roland Crandall, William Henning, Winfield Hoskins, Thomas Johnson, Frank Kelling, Seymour Kneitel, Robert G. Leffingwell, Grim Natwick, Tom Palmer | Stars: Jessica Dragonette, Lanny Ross, Pinto Colvig, Cal Howard
Votes: 4,842 | Gross: $7.13M
The Fleischer studio tried to rival Disney, using thei rotoscope technique. It's a nice try but not quite at the Disney level.
15. Pinocchio (1940)
G | 88 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy.
Directors: Norman Ferguson, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson, Jack Kinney, Hamilton Luske, Bill Roberts, Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Dickie Jones, Christian Rub, Mel Blanc, Don Brodie
Votes: 159,768 | Gross: $84.25M
Disney brings the Italian tale to life, inspiring everyone, including Steven Spielberg.
16. The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
Not Rated | 106 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
After being tricked and cast out of Bagdad by the evil Jaffar, King Ahmad joins forces with a thief named Abu to reclaim his throne, the city, and the Princess he loves.
Directors: Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell, Tim Whelan, Alexander Korda, Zoltan Korda, William Cameron Menzies | Stars: Conrad Veidt, Sabu, June Duprez, John Justin
Votes: 14,493 | Gross: $0.27M
Sabu (not the ECW wrestler) stars in this remake of the Fairbanks film. Plenty of Arabian fun.
17. Fantasia (1940)
G | 124 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy
A series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney's team of artists.
Directors: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe Jr., Norman Ferguson, David Hand, Jim Handley, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Corey Burton
Votes: 103,928 | Gross: $76.41M
A little long, but an interesting experiment. The fantasy comes into play in The Sorcerer's Apprentice, with Mickey working a bit of magic.
18. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1943)
Not Rated | 110 min | Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy
This lavish, impudent, adult fairy tale takes the viewer from 18th-century Braunschweig to St. Petersburg, Constantinople, Venice, and then to the moon using ingenious special effects, stunning location shooting.
Director: Josef von Báky | Stars: Hans Albers, Wilhelm Bendow, Michael Bohnen, Hans Brausewetter
Votes: 2,183
Early adaptation of the stories of the great liar. Haven't seen it, but it supposed to be extremely good.
19. Kismet (1944)
Passed | 100 min | Adventure, Fantasy
In ancient Baghdad, Hafiz the King of Beggars dreams of untold riches and of marrying his daughter to a real prince.
Director: William Dieterle | Stars: Ronald Colman, Marlene Dietrich, James Craig, Edward Arnold
Votes: 1,295
Based on the play, it is more of a romantic fantasy setting, rather than a film about fantasy adventure, with its tale of disguised kings and peasants. The play would also spawn a musical and an earlier film version.
20. A Thousand and One Nights (1945)
Passed | 93 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Tongue-in-cheek fantasy film set in Baghdad and loosely based on the One Thousand and One Nights medieval story.
Director: Alfred E. Green | Stars: Evelyn Keyes, Phil Silvers, Adele Jergens, Cornel Wilde
Votes: 695
Parody of the Arabian adventures, with people like Phil Silvers. Plenty of fun to be had.
21. Beauty and the Beast (1946)
Not Rated | 93 min | Drama, Fantasy, Romance
A beautiful young woman takes her father's place as the prisoner of a mysterious beast, who wishes to marry her.
Directors: Jean Cocteau, René Clément | Stars: Jean Marais, Josette Day, Mila Parély, Nane Germon
Votes: 28,068 | Gross: $0.30M
Jean Cocteau's masterpiece, with Jean Marais as the Beast. Far more faithful to the story than Disney. One of the romantic classics of French cinema.
22. Sinbad, the Sailor (1947)
Approved | 116 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
In medieval Persia, during the rule of Caliph Harun-Al-Rashid, Sinbad the Sailor boasts about his latest adventures to his friends.
Director: Richard Wallace | Stars: Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Maureen O'Hara, Walter Slezak, Anthony Quinn
Votes: 2,240
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. stars as the hero. Not as memorable as the Harryhausen films or his father's work, but it tries.
23. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949)
Approved | 106 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A singing mechanic from 1912 finds himself in Arthurian Britain.
Director: Tay Garnett | Stars: Bing Crosby, Rhonda Fleming, Cedric Hardwicke, William Bendix
Votes: 2,744
Bing Crosby stars in this version of Mark Twain's classic satire. Some of the social commentary is lost, but it's a likeable enough film.
24. Alice in Wonderland (1951)
G | 75 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Alice stumbles into the world of Wonderland. Will she get home? Not if the Queen of Hearts has her way.
Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Jack Kinney | Stars: Kathryn Beaumont, Ed Wynn, Richard Haydn, Sterling Holloway
Votes: 153,944 | Gross: $1.07M
Disney adapts Alice, with a little bit of Through the Looking Glass thrown in, for good measure. It's a bit uneven in the middle, but is mostly good. Very trippy, at times.
25. Cinderella (1950)
G | 74 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy
When Cinderella's cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus and Jaq and from her Fairy Godmother.
Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske | Stars: Ilene Woods, James MacDonald, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton
Votes: 173,841 | Gross: $85.00M
Disney brings another fairytale to life, and wonderfully so.
26. Jack and the Beanstalk (1952)
Passed | 70 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Abbott and Costello's version of the famous fairy tale, about a young boy who trades the family cow for magic beans.
Director: Jean Yarbrough | Stars: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Buddy Baer, Dorothy Ford
Votes: 3,435
Abbott and Costello appear in this adaptation of the fairytale. It's silly fun.
27. Knights of the Round Table (1953)
Approved | 115 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
King Arthur's rule is threatened by the adulterous love between Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, a relationship the king's enemies hope to exploit.
Director: Richard Thorpe | Stars: Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer, Anne Crawford
Votes: 4,070
Robert Taylor stars as King Arthur. This one is a bit wooden at times but is decent enough, for the period.
28. Sadko (1953)
79 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Arriving home to find his native land under the yoke of corrupt merchants, an adventurer named Sadko sets sail in search of a mythical bird of happiness.
Director: Aleksandr Ptushko | Stars: Sergey Stolyarov, Alla Larionova, Ninel Myshkova, B. Surovtsev
Votes: 1,228
Finnish fantasy epic that was rather unconvincingly turned into a Sinbad film, via poor dubbing. The MST3K gang savaged it well.
29. Peter Pan (1953)
G | 77 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Wendy and her brothers are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland with the hero of their stories, Peter Pan.
Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Jack Kinney | Stars: Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Bill Thompson
Votes: 153,002 | Gross: $87.40M
Disney's wonderful take on the JM Barrie play, complete with the great Hans Conried as Captain Hook. Plenty of fun and adventure.
30. The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. (1953)
G | 89 min | Family, Fantasy, Music
A young boy dreams that he is in an imaginary world where, assisted by his family's plumber, he must save other piano-playing kids like himself from the dungeons of his dictatorial piano teacher who also mind-controls his mother.
Director: Roy Rowland | Stars: Peter Lind Hayes, Mary Healy, Hans Conried, Tommy Rettig
Votes: 4,457
Dr Seuss wrote the script but hated the finished product, though it has become a cult favorite. A young boy who hates his piano lessons and teacher dreams of a fantasy world where young boys are prisoners in a giant piano and are forced to play by Dr T. I haven't seen it, but it has to be better than the live action Grinch and Cat in the Hat. I think Seuss would have been more upset there.
31. Prince Valiant (1954)
Approved | 100 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A young Viking prince strives to become a knight in King Arthur's Court and restore his exiled father to his rightful throne.
Director: Henry Hathaway | Stars: James Mason, Janet Leigh, Robert Wagner, Debra Paget
Votes: 2,948
Robert Wagner wears the worst wig ever as he butchers the Hal Foster classic. There's really not much to recommend here, unless you want to see a laughably bad production.
32. Ulysses (1954)
Not Rated | 94 min | Adventure, Fantasy
A movie adaptation of Homer's second epic, that depicts Ulysses' efforts to return to his home after the end of ten years of war.
Director: Mario Camerini | Stars: Silvana Mangano, Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, Rossana Podestà
Votes: 4,645
Kirk Douglas stars as the hero of the Odyssey (Odysseus in Greek). It hits the high points and does a decent job.
33. The Court Jester (1955)
Approved | 101 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A hapless carnival performer masquerades as the court jester as part of a plot against an evil ruler who has overthrown the rightful King.
Directors: Melvin Frank, Norman Panama | Stars: Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury
Votes: 13,941 | Gross: $0.02M
Really more of a medieval romance/comedy, but it does have a witch (of a sort, more of a hypnotist and herbalist). Danny Kaye is great and Glynnis Johns is squeaky sexy. Angela Lansbury didn't look too shabby, either. Basil Rathbone is always great as the villain in these things.
34. The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957 TV Movie)
Unrated | 89 min | Musical, Family, Fantasy
Overwhelmed by rats, a medieval town hires a magical piper who can rid the town of the pest in exchange for gold but the crooked mayor has no intention of honoring the deal.
Director: Bretaigne Windust | Stars: Van Johnson, Claude Rains, Lori Nelson, Jim Backus
Votes: 558
Van Johnson stars in a dual role, based on the famous poem, about a piper who rids a town of rats, for a large fee. When the mayor reneges on the payment, he steals the children away.
35. Hercules (1958)
G | 107 min | Adventure, Fantasy, History
The muscular Hercules performs his Labors, sails with the Argonauts, and romances the fair Iole.
Director: Pietro Francisci | Stars: Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, Fabrizio Mioni, Ivo Garrani
Votes: 2,333 | Gross: $10.90M
Steve Reeves portrays the Greek hero, in an Italian film. Plenty of body oil and muscle stunts. A little light on the mythology.
36. The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)
G | 88 min | Action, Adventure, Family
When a princess is shrunken by an evil wizard, Sinbad must undertake a quest to an island of monsters to cure her and prevent a war.
Director: Nathan Juran | Stars: Kerwin Mathews, Kathryn Grant, Richard Eyer, Torin Thatcher
Votes: 14,752 | Gross: $6.98M
Ray Harryhausen shepherds this epic of the Arabian hero, complete with a Cyclops, a roc, a dragon, and a skeleton warrior (which is pretty darn scary). One of Harryhausen's best.
37. Tom Thumb (1958)
Approved | 98 min | Family, Fantasy, Musical
A boy (Russ Tamblyn), no bigger than a thumb, manages to outwit two thieves (Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers) determined to make a fortune from him.
Director: George Pal | Stars: Russ Tamblyn, June Thorburn, Peter Sellers, Alan Young
Votes: 2,858
Musical adaptation of the fairytale, as tom thumb seeks to thwart the crooks who wish to exploit his size.
38. Hercules Unchained (1959)
G | 105 min | Adventure, Fantasy
While negotiating peace between two brothers contesting the throne of Thebes, an amnesiac Hercules is seduced by the evil Queen Omphale.
Directors: Pietro Francisci, Mario Bava | Stars: Steve Reeves, Sylva Koscina, Gabriele Antonini, Patrizia Della Rovere
Votes: 2,322 | Gross: $5.45M
Sequel to the original, with Steve Reeves back for more. It's a bit duller than the first.
39. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
G | 75 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
After being snubbed by the royal family, a malevolent fairy places a curse on a princess which only a prince can break, along with the help of three good fairies.
Directors: Les Clark, Clyde Geronimi, Eric Larson, Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton Luske | Stars: Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton
Votes: 160,794 | Gross: $51.60M
Disney hits the fairy tales again, and creates one of their scariest villains ever. Cruella Deville was a nun compared to Maleficent.
40. The Three Treasures (1959)
112 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
A prince, framed for murder and starved for affection from his father, is sent on a quest.
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki | Stars: Toshirô Mifune, Yôko Tsukasa, Akihiko Hirata, Kyôko Kagawa
Votes: 368
Toshiro Mifune stars as Shinto god Susanoo, in an adaptation of the Shinto creation legends of Japan.
41. The Day the Earth Froze (1959)
Not Rated | 67 min | Adventure, Fantasy
The evil witch Louhi kidnaps Lemminkäinen's sister to build for her a Sampo, a device that creates salt, grain, and gold. When Lemminkäinen fails to recover the Sampo, Louhi steals the sun, plunging the world into frozen darkness.
Director: Aleksandr Ptushko | Stars: Urho Somersalmi, Anna Orochko, Ivan Voronov, Andris Osins
Votes: 1,464
Deservedly savaged by MST3K, though the original is a beloved work in Europe.
42. The 3 Worlds of Gulliver (1960)
Not Rated | 99 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
After being shipwrecked, a man finds himself on an island inhabited by tiny people, who soon make plans for him.
Director: Jack Sher | Stars: Kerwin Mathews, Jo Morrow, June Thorburn, Lee Patterson
Votes: 3,080
Kerwin Matthews stars as the travelling Dr. Gulliver, but the film only shows Lilliput and Brobdignag. Harryhausen did the effects, but the film isn't quite up to 7th Voyage standards. Great family fun, though.
43. Peter Pan (1960 TV Movie)
100 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
In this magical tale about the boy who refuses to grow up, Peter Pan and his mischievous fairy sidekick Tinkerbell visit the nursery of Wendy, Michael, and John Darling.
Director: Vincent J. Donehue | Stars: Mary Martin, Cyril Ritchard, Lynn Fontanne, Maureen Bailey
Votes: 2,342
TV version of the musical, with Mary Martin. Longtime favorite for the whole family. Sandy Duncan later played the role on Broadway.
44. Babes in Toyland (1961)
Approved | 106 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Mary Contrary is set to marry Tom Piper when he is kidnapped by Roderigo and Gonzorgo, two goons working for the evil Barnaby who wants to marry Mary for her inheritance.
Director: Jack Donohue | Stars: Ray Bolger, Tommy Sands, Annette Funicello, Ed Wynn
Votes: 4,812 | Gross: $10.22M
Probably the best known film version, apart from the Laurel and Hardy film. Walt Disney produced this one, with regular Disney performers, including Annette Funicello and Tommy Sands. It's not quite a classic, though Ed Wynn is very memorable. Youcould do worse.
45. The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962)
G | 135 min | Adventure, Biography, Comedy
The story of Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm, and three of their stories.
Directors: Henry Levin, George Pal | Stars: Laurence Harvey, Claire Bloom, Karlheinz Böhm, Walter Slezak
Votes: 2,157 | Gross: $14.17M
Fun little romp through some of the classic tales of the Grimms, though a bit uneven at times.
46. Jack the Giant Killer (1962)
Passed | 94 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
A farmboy-turned-knight must protect a princess from the schemes of an evil wizard.
Director: Nathan Juran | Stars: Kerwin Mathews, Judi Meredith, Torin Thatcher, Walter Burke
Votes: 3,039
Kerwin Mathews is the hero, based on the Welsh legend. Very imaginative.
47. The Magic Sword (1962)
Approved | 80 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
The son of a sorceress, armed with weapons, armour and six magically summoned knights, embarks on a quest to save a princess from a vengeful wizard.
Director: Bert I. Gordon | Stars: Basil Rathbone, Estelle Winwood, Gary Lockwood, Anne Helm
Votes: 2,601
Basil Rathbone and Gary Lockwood star in this rather low budget affair, which was the target of MST3K, and deservedly so. I suppose if you were a little kid it was fun, but it's a "so bad it's good" film for adults.
48. Captain Sindbad (1963)
Passed | 85 min | Action, Adventure, Family
To marry Princess Jana, Captain Sindbad must battle deadly obstacles and fight El Kerim, the evil ruler who also wants to marry the princess.
Director: Byron Haskin | Stars: Guy Williams, Heidi Brühl, Pedro Armendáriz, Abraham Sofaer
Votes: 1,046 | Gross: $5.45M
So-so Sinbad film, featuring Guy Willams as the Arabian sailor. It lacks the spark of Harryhausen.
49. The Sword in the Stone (1963)
G | 79 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A poor boy named Arthur learns the power of love, kindness, knowledge and bravery with the help of a wizard called Merlin in the path to become one of the most beloved kings in English history.
Directors: Wolfgang Reitherman, Clyde Geronimi, David Hand | Stars: Rickie Sorensen, Sebastian Cabot, Karl Swenson, Junius Matthews
Votes: 106,434 | Gross: $22.18M
Disney's take on the first part of TH White's The Once and Future King. It handles things well enough, though Disney was losing its luster at this point.
50. Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
G | 104 min | Action, Adventure, Family
The legendary Greek hero leads a team of intrepid adventurers in a perilous quest for the legendary Golden Fleece.
Director: Don Chaffey | Stars: Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Laurence Naismith
Votes: 31,025 | Gross: $4.58M
Harryhausen lends his talent to this retelling of the mythological hero, with Nigel Green as a rather odd choice for Hercules. The best part is the battle with the skeleton warriros, upping the ante from the 7th Voyage of Sinbad. Great stuff.
51. 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)
Passed | 100 min | Fantasy, Mystery, Western
A mysterious circus comes to a western town bearing wonders and characters that entertain the inhabitants and teach valuable lessons.
Director: George Pal | Stars: Tony Randall, Barbara Eden, Arthur O'Connell, John Ericson
Votes: 5,393
Tony Randall stars as the carnival performer who takes a young boy into worlds of fantasy. Great favorite of many.
52. Hercules Against the Moon Men (1964)
Unrated | 88 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Hercules is summoned to oppose the evil Queen Samara, who has allied herself with aliens and is sacrificing her own people in a bid to awaken a moon goddess.
Director: Giacomo Gentilomo | Stars: Sergio Ciani, Jany Clair, Anna Maria Polani, Nando Tamberlani
Votes: 1,990
Sold as a Hercules film here, with "Alan Steel" as the hero. There is a lot of crossover between Hercules and Machiste. These things are a bit light on mythology though, so I will skip most of the rest. They needed some monsters.
53. Mary Poppins (1964)
G | 139 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
In turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father.
Director: Robert Stevenson | Stars: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns
Votes: 185,972 | Gross: $102.27M
Disney hit this one out of the park, adapting the beloved children's stories. Julie Andrews was the only person who could have pulled this off and does so wonderfully. The film is a tad long, and Dick Van Dyke's accent is notorious, but it's a true classic, with great scenes and wonderful songs. The film would inspire a lot of attempts to recreate the magic, from Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang to Dr. Doolittle, all of which failed.
54. Bewitched (1964–1972)
TV-G | 25 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A witch married to an ordinary man cannot resist using her magic powers to solve the problems her family faces.
Stars: Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, Dick Sargent, Agnes Moorehead
Votes: 24,358
Elizabeth Montgomery is a witch who falls in love with a mortal. She reveals the truth to them on their wedding night (no, not that; she tells him that she's a witch). She promises not to use her powers, but finds ways around that promise, especially when their lives have been upended by Samantha's relatives. Dick York is husband Darren, though he had to leave the series for health reasons, with Dick Sargent replacing him. A daughter Tabitha and a son, Adam come along, also with powers. Agnes Moorehead is fantastic as Endora, Samantha's conniving mother.
55. The Brass Bottle (1964)
Passed | 89 min | Comedy, Fantasy
An architect buys an antique brass bottle that contains an ancient genie who's determined to fulfill his new master's every wish.
Director: Harry Keller | Stars: Tony Randall, Burl Ives, Barbara Eden, Kamala Devi
Votes: 994
Tony Randall is a struggling architect who releases a genie from a lamp and finds that his life is turned upside down. Burl Ives is the genie and Barbara Eden is the love interest. It's not too great a leap to see this as the inspiration for I Dream of Jeanie. Lots of light-hearted fun.
56. Cinderella (I) (1965 TV Movie)
G | 84 min | Family, Fantasy, Musical
Although mistreated by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella is able to attend the royal ball through the help of a fairy godmother.
Director: Charles S. Dubin | Stars: Ginger Rogers, Walter Pidgeon, Celeste Holm, Jo Van Fleet
Votes: 3,225
Tv adaptation of the Rogers & Hammerstein take on Cinderella, with Leslie Ann Warren and Stuart Damon (General Hospital, Champions). I remember seeing this as a kid and loving it.
57. She (I) (1965)
Unrated | 106 min | Adventure, Fantasy
An Edwardian archaeologist and two companions stumble upon a lost city in East Africa, run by a beautiful queen whose love holds the promise of immortality.
Director: Robert Day | Stars: Ursula Andress, Peter Cushing, Bernard Cribbins, John Richardson
Votes: 3,624
Ursulla Andress is Ayesha, from the novel by H Rider Haggard. Peter Cushing and Bernard Cribbins are also along, in this story of a hidden kingdom and an immortal queen. Fairly well done.
58. I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970)
TV-G | 25 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A United States astronaut finds his life vastly complicated when he stumbles on to a bottle containing a female genie.
Stars: Barbara Eden, Larry Hagman, Bill Daily, Hayden Rorke
Votes: 17,435
Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman star in this classic tv series. Hagman is Maj. Tony Nelson, an astronaut, who splashes down of course, and discovers a bottle, with Jeanie inside. Jeanie follows him home and turns his life upside down. Loads of fun, until they marry the couple and pretty much put an end to what made the series great.
59. Alice in Wonderland (1966 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 72 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
A girl named Alice falls down a rabbit-hole and wanders into the strange Wonderland.
Director: Jonathan Miller | Stars: Anne-Marie Mallik, Freda Dowie, Jo Maxwell Muller, Wilfrid Brambell
Votes: 971
Well remembered tv version of the Lewis Carrol classic.
60. Die Nibelungen, Teil 1 - Siegfried (1966)
91 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Volker von Alzey, the royal bard of the Burgunds (far greater then modern Burgundy), ruled by the Christian, papist king Gunther, who has two brave, loyal brothers and a sister Kriemhild, ... See full summary »
Director: Harald Reinl | Stars: Uwe Beyer, Rolf Henniger, Siegfried Wischnewski, Maria Marlow
Votes: 646
The German film industry was busy remaking Fritz Lang in this period, with both Dr Mabuse and the Niebelung. This is the rehash of part 1. It's not Lang.
61. Camelot (1967)
G | 179 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
The story of the marriage of England's King Arthur to Guinevere. The plot of illegitimate Mordred to gain the throne and Guinevere's growing attachment to Sir Lancelot, threaten to topple Arthur and destroy his "round table" of knights.
Director: Joshua Logan | Stars: Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave, Franco Nero, David Hemmings
Votes: 7,463 | Gross: $31.10M
King Arthur is brought to life in this adaptation of the Broadway musical, with Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave, Franco Nero, and David Hemmings. Decent stuff, with a great joust scene. Merlin and Mogan Le Faye are mostly left out of it.
62. Die Nibelungen 2. Teil - Kriemhilds Rache (1967)
110 min | Adventure
Now Brunhild knows by which treason she was won for king Gunther of Burgund by Siegfried of Xanthen, and has been revenged by his foul murder by Hagen, more bloody revenge is inevitable. ... See full summary »
Director: Harald Reinl | Stars: Rolf Henniger, Siegfried Wischnewski, Maria Marlow, Christian Rode
Votes: 580
Here's part 2 of the remake of Lang's Niebelung.
63. Shazzan (1967–1969)
30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Nancy and Chuck find a ring in the desert in two pieces. When they are joined, Shazzan the genie appears. He will help them every time they get in trouble.
Stars: Barney Phillips, Janet Waldo, Jerry Dexter, Don Messick
Votes: 574
The genie Shazzan helps out two teenagers in their adventures. Decent, if uninspired Hanna-Barbera stuff.
64. Doctor Dolittle (1967)
Approved | 152 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
After the animal communicating veterinarian goes too far for his clientele, he and his friends escape their hometown to the sea in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail.
Director: Richard Fleischer | Stars: Rex Harrison, Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley, Richard Attenborough
Votes: 10,258 | Gross: $13.52M
Rex Harrison stars as the children's literary vet, with Anthony Newley along for the ride. The film desperately wants to be Mary Poppins, but the music isn't up to it and the film lacks the charm. It has some visually spectacular moments, but they are spread rather thinly.
65. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
G | 144 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
A down-on-his-luck inventor turns a broken-down Grand Prix car into a fancy vehicle for his children, and then they go off on a magical fantasy adventure to save their grandfather in a far-off land.
Director: Ken Hughes | Stars: Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill
Votes: 50,685 | Gross: $7.50M
Ian Fleming worte the book (Yep, the James Bond guy) and Harry Saltzman produced the film. Dick Van Dyke stars in this musical adaptation that desperately wants to be Mary Poppins, but can't succeed. There are some memorable numbers, and Van Dyke doesn't try an accent, but it doesn't quite gel. The Child Catcher is one of the truly scariest creations ever shown on film, more than any slasher movie monster or serial killer. This guy will creep you out your entire life and send kids screaming out of the room.
66. Yellow Submarine (1968)
G | 85 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The Beatles agree to accompany Captain Fred in his yellow submarine and go to Pepperland to free it from the music-hating Blue Meanies.
Director: George Dunning | Stars: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon
Votes: 28,020 | Gross: $0.99M
The Beatles music is the basis for this animated adventure, where the band travels to a land that is being invaded by the Blue Meanies. It's all very psychedelic but plenty of fun. The lads from Liverpool are replaced by actors, including Geoffrey Hughes, best known as Onslow, on Keeping Up Appearances.
67. The Vengeance of She (1968)
G | 101 min | Adventure, Fantasy
Carol, a beautiful young girl is possessed by Ayesha's spirit who was once the queen of Kuma. Ayesha's spirit gains control over Carol to achieve her malevolent goals.
Director: Cliff Owen | Stars: John Richardson, Olga Schoberová, Edward Judd, Colin Blakely
Votes: 1,041
Sequel to the Ursulla Andress film, but she refused to return. Not quite up to the previous version.
68. Arabian Knights (1968–1969)
10 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
A fugitive Arabian prince fights his villainous usurper as the leader of a special team of adventures.
Stars: Shari Lewis, Jay North, Paul Frees, John Stephenson
Votes: 126
Part of the Banana Splits show, with adventures based on the Arabian Nights stories. Fairly typical Hanna-Barbera stuff.
69. Hercules in New York (1970)
G | 92 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Hercules is sent to Earth where he finds true love and starts a promising career in the bodybuilder business.
Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman | Stars: Arnold Stang, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Deborah Loomis, James Karen
Votes: 19,596
Arnie's first film role, dubbed, as a rather dim-witted Herc who has been exiled to earth (shades of Marvel Comics' Thor). Arnold Stang is his sidekick. Laughably bad. Notice how long it took Arnold to get another leading role?
70. H.R. Pufnstuf (1969–1970)
TV-Y | 30 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
The adventures of a boy trapped in a fantastic land with a dragon friend and a witch enemy.
Stars: Jack Wild, Billie Hayes, Lennie Weinrib, Joan Gerber
Votes: 1,948
This Sid & Marty Krofft show was filled with fantasy. Young Jimmy has a magic flute that is coveted by a witch. She lures him out with a magic boat, which takes him out to sea, where the witch sends a storm. HR Pufnstuf and his rescue team get to Jimmy first, saving him from the witch. Each week, we had a different scheme from Witchiepoo (the witch's name) to get the flute, or some other scenario, putting her and her two stooges against Puf and his allies. It was great fun, if deeply psychedelic.
71. Pippi Longstocking (1969)
G | 99 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Pippi Longstocking, a super-strong redheaded little girl, moves into her father's house Villa Villekulla, and has adventures with her next-door neighbors Tommy and Annika in this compilation film of the classic European TV series.
Director: Olle Hellbom | Stars: Inger Nilsson, Maria Persson, Pär Sundberg, Margot Trooger
Votes: 5,334
Film compiled from the Swedish tv series, though it didn't translate very well. The books are definitely better, though little kids might enjoy it.
72. Groovie Goolies (1970–1971)
TV-G | 60 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Sabrina's involved with a band of monsters, The Groovy Ghoulies; a rock band with Dracula, the Wolfman, and Frankenstein; who scare people for their own amusement.
Stars: Jane Webb, John Erwin, Dal McKennon, Larry D. Mann
Votes: 383
The show featured Archie Comics' Sabrina, as well as characters based on the Universal monsters. The style was rather like Laugh-In. Sabrina appeared in her own cartoons, as well as cameoing with the Groovy Goolies, in sketches.
73. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
G | 100 min | Family, Fantasy, Musical
A poor but hopeful boy seeks one of the five coveted golden tickets that will send him on a tour of Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory.
Director: Mel Stuart | Stars: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear
Votes: 227,175 | Gross: $4.00M
David L Wolper acquired the rights to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and got Dahl to do the script (with additions and revisions by others) and then got Anthony Newly to do the music. The end result is Pure Imagination. Gene Wilder embodies the enigmatic candymaker, who you never fully trust. Jack Albertson gets to have a ball as Grandpa Joe and Roy Kinnear gets to be the weak Mr. Salt. However, the glue that holds it together is the sincere performance of as Peter Ostrum as Charlie. Ostrum delivers the right note of heart and pathos and carries the emotion of the film. he was offered a 3 picture deal, but turned it down and walked away from acting, eventually becoming a vet. You have to admire such mature conviction in one so young. This one has it all over the Tim Burton attempt.
74. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1971–1974)
Animation, Comedy, Drama
Toon version of the Archie Comics witch who uses her powers to aide the uncertainty of adolescence.
Stars: Jane Webb, Dal McKennon, Howard Morris, John Erwin
Votes: 334
Sabrina and the Goolies were split up and she got to headline her own show, with re-runs of the previous cartoons, as well as new stories.
75. Lidsville (1971–1973)
22 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A boy finds himself trapped in a land populated by living hat-people which is ruled by a crotchety magician.
Stars: Charles Nelson Reilly, Billie Hayes, Butch Patrick, Sharon Baird
Votes: 445
Another Krofft show, where a young man sneaks backstage at a magic show to learn the magician's secrets, then sees his hat grow and accidently falls in. He is transported to a magic land, where the creatures are all hats (Yep, hats!). He runs afoul of an evili magician, Hoodoo, after stealing his magic ring, with a genie inside. It was as surreal as HR Pufnstuf, if not moreso. The Munsters Butch Patrick was the star, with Charles Nelson Riley as the magician. Billie Hayes (Witchiepoo in Pufnstuf) was the genie.
76. Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
G | 117 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
An apprentice witch, three kids and a cynical magician conman search for the missing component to a magic spell to be used in the defense of Britain in World War II.
Directors: Robert Stevenson, Ward Kimball | Stars: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Roddy McDowall, Sam Jaffe
Votes: 40,704 | Gross: $18.53M
Disney adapts a pair of British children's books about a witch who helps the war effort during the blitz. Angela Landsbury stars as Ms. price, the witch in question. It's typical Disney and tries to be Mary Poppins, but it never quite reaches that level, though it has many fine moments. Disney was quickly losing its luster, but this is still a pleasant little film.
77. Gawain and the Green Knight (1973)
Not Rated | 93 min | Adventure, Fantasy
The medieval legend of a supernatural knight who challenges the king's men to kill him.
Director: Stephen Weeks | Stars: Murray Head, Ciaran Madden, Nigel Green, Anthony Sharp
Votes: 292
Nigel Green stars as the Green Knight, in this adaptation of the medieval legend. It's not bad, for the period. It just seems to lack a certain spark.
78. The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973)
G | 105 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Sinbad and the vizier of Marabia, followed by evil magician Koura, seek the three golden tablets that can gain them access to the ancient temple of the Oracle of All Knowledge.
Director: Gordon Hessler | Stars: John Phillip Law, Caroline Munro, Tom Baker, Douglas Wilmer
Votes: 10,542 | Gross: $3.03M
John Phillip Law steps into the role of Sinbad, and is better than he usually was. The film succeeds mostly due to Tom Baker as the evil wizard, though Caroline Munro makes for some nice eye candy. The fight with the animated statue of Kali is up there with the skeleton in 7th Voyage and the skeleton army in Jason.
79. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
PG | 91 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table embark on a surreal, low-budget search for the Holy Grail, encountering many, very silly obstacles.
Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones | Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam
Votes: 569,999 | Gross: $1.23M
The gang sends up the Arthur legends in their first movie of original material. Graham Chapman is well cast as Arthur, with everyone else as knights and other characters. It's essentially a series of sketches, with the Holy Grail as a linking device. Loads of fun, between Bolshie peasants, love starved maidens, Knights Who Say Nigh!, Yorkshire lords with weak sons, and more than a bit of wizardy and scary stuff. Even the credits are fun.
80. Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)
G | 97 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Two mysterious orphan children have extraordinary powers and are chased by a scheming millionaire. But where do these kids really call home?
Director: John Hough | Stars: Eddie Albert, Ray Milland, Donald Pleasence, Kim Richards
Votes: 11,348 | Gross: $20.00M
This is a bit of a mix of sci-fi and fantasy, but tends to lean more towards fantasy. A pair of children with paranormal abilities are on the run, with the aid of Eddie Albert. Beloved favorite of 70s kids.
81. Freaky Friday (1976)
G | 98 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A mother and daughter find their personalities switched and have to live each other's lives on one strange Friday.
Director: Gary Nelson | Stars: Barbara Harris, Jodie Foster, John Astin, Patsy Kelly
Votes: 14,074 | Gross: $25.94M
Jody Foster and Barbara Harris are a mother and daughter who trade places after a wish. The film makes great use of Foster's talent and became one of Disney's biggest hits of the 70s. It was later remade with Jamie Lee Curtis.
82. The Hobbit (1977 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 90 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
A homebody hobbit in Middle Earth gets talked into joining a quest with a group of dwarves to recover their treasure from a dragon.
Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr. | Stars: Orson Bean, John Huston, Theodore Gottlieb, Cyril Ritchard
Votes: 16,331
Rankin-Bass produced this animated adaptation, which didn't require 3 parts. Sure, it condensed things quite a bit, but that works better than padding things out to three films. Some of the voicework isn't the greatest, but its a pretty good adaptation. It's a little slow in parts.
83. Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977)
G | 113 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Sinbad the Sailor sails to deliver a cursed prince to a dangerous island in the face of deadly opposition from the powerful witch Zenobia, her son and their several monsters.
Director: Sam Wanamaker | Stars: Patrick Wayne, Jane Seymour, Taryn Power, Margaret Whiting
Votes: 8,660 | Gross: $16.79M
Golden Voyage had a future Doctor Who and this one has a past Doctor, Patrick Troughton. It also has the lovely Jane Seymour and the not quite as lovely Patrick Wayne. Little Duke is ok, but hardly feels like an Arabic hero. The evil witch is a decent villain and we get some decent monsters, including the minotaur.
84. Jabberwocky (1977)
PG | 105 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
A young peasant with no interest in adventure or fortune is mistaken for the kingdom's only hope when a horrible monster threatens the countryside.
Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbett, John Le Mesurier, Warren Mitchell
Votes: 15,978
Terry Gilliam's first non-Python movie, featuring Michael Palin (well, it wasn't completely Python-less) as a young man who goes questing for the monster the Jabberwocky, to impress a rather self-centered young woman. Plenty of medieval and fantasy satire, though much darker than Python's own work.
85. Tabitha (1976–1978)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Fantasy
This spin-off of Bewitched (1964) follows Tabitha Stephens; Samantha and Darrin's daughter as an adult.
Stars: Lisa Hartman, Robert Urich, Mel Stewart, David Ankrum
Votes: 351
Later series with Tabitha Stevens (of Bewitched) all grown up, starring Lisa Hartman. It started out ok, but the scripts weren't that great and things fizzled quickly. In a continuity error, brother Adam was shown to be mortal, despite having powers in Bewitched. I don't recall any guest appearances from the original show.
86. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
PG | 121 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Votes: 1,448,883 | Gross: $322.74M
You can call it sci-fi, space opera, or fantasy; but, it does have fairytale qualities. You have a farm boy, a wizard, and evil villain, a "castle" (the Death Star), warriors, a princess and magic (the Force), so it counts as fantasy, in my book. I'll skip the others in the series, as their fantasy elements aren't as strong as here.
87. Wizards (1977)
PG | 80 min | Animation, Adventure, Fantasy
On a post-apocalyptic Earth, a wizard and his faire folk comrades fight an evil wizard who's using technology in his bid for conquest.
Director: Ralph Bakshi | Stars: Bob Holt, Jesse Welles, Richard Romanus, David Proval
Votes: 13,001 | Gross: $9.00M
Ralph Bakshi's animated fantasy film about a pair of dueling wizards and the post-apocalyptic world they inhabit. Pretty good, though with a few slow parts. It was a staple of the midnight movie circuit.
88. Return from Witch Mountain (1978)
G | 95 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Tia and Tony visit Los Angeles, but he's quickly kidnapped by an evil scientist, leaving her to desperately search for him.
Director: John Hough | Stars: Bette Davis, Christopher Lee, Kim Richards, Ike Eisenmann
Votes: 5,667
The kids come back for a visit and find themselves separated, with the boy exploited by crooks Christopher Lee and Bette Davis. Yep, Bette Davis did a Disney film. It's decent fun.
89. The Lord of the Rings (1978)
PG | 132 min | Animation, Adventure, Fantasy
The Fellowship of the Ring embark on a journey to destroy the One Ring and end Sauron's reign over Middle-earth.
Director: Ralph Bakshi | Stars: Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt
Votes: 35,853 | Gross: $0.92M
Ralph Bakshi directed this animated attempt at Tolkien, but he ran out of money and only got through the first half of The Two Towers. It's a pretty decent attempt, though the photonegative orcs are a bit underwhelming. It would suffice until peter Jackson came along.
90. Arabian Adventure (1979)
G | 98 min | Adventure, Fantasy
An evil magician seeks to gain power by obtaining a magic rose. A peasant boy and a Prince join forces to stop him.
Director: Kevin Connor | Stars: Christopher Lee, Milo O'Shea, Oliver Tobias, Emma Samms
Votes: 1,147
I remember trailers for this, but have never seen the film or seen it on any kind of video recording. It looked imaginative in the trailers, but I don't believe it was a hit.
91. Hawk the Slayer (1980)
PG | 90 min | Adventure, Fantasy
With the aid of his companions, a man seeks to defeat his evil brother who has taken a nun hostage.
Director: Terry Marcel | Stars: Jack Palance, John Terry, Bernard Bresslaw, Ray Charleson
Votes: 4,090
One of the early attempts at doing modern fantasy adventure, though with mixed results. The hero has a magic sword and fights his evil brother. Nothing earthshattering, though better than most of the post-Conan attempts at sword & sorcery.
92. Xanadu (1980)
PG | 96 min | Fantasy, Musical, Romance
A struggling artist living in Los Angeles meets a girl who may hold the key to his happiness.
Director: Robert Greenwald | Stars: Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, Michael Beck, James Sloyan
Votes: 15,382 | Gross: $22.76M
Modern musical that tried to cash in on the roller disco fad, with less than spectacular results. It has a huge cult following, mostly due to the music and a few memorable set pieces. Olivia Newton John is a muse who has come down to Earth and lends inspiration to a young artist, who toils making posters and album covers. She brings him together with a dancer and entrepreneur to create a modern entertainment palace, Xanadu. The muse gets one final night for the grand opening. Gene Kelly gets to show off for one of the last times, in a fine number with Olivia. It's great in small moments, but not as a whole.
93. Thundarr the Barbarian (1980–1981)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Thundarr the Barbarian and his companions Ookla the Mok and Princess Ariel wander a devastated future Earth and fight evil wherever they find it.
Stars: Henry Corden, Robert Ridgely, Nellie Bellflower, Dick Tufeld
Votes: 1,800
Great series, created by Steve Gerber (Marvel Comics' Howard the Duck). Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the hero Thundarr leads a band of freedom fighters who aid people in trouble. They often face sorcerers (who really use advanced science) and monsters (often products of the cataclysm) in their quest. Great stuff, with character designs from Jack Kirby and Alex Toth.
94. The Return of the King (1980 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 98 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Two Hobbits struggle to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom while their friends desperately fight evil Lord Sauron's forces in a final battle.
Directors: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr. | Stars: Orson Bean, John Huston, Theodore Bikel, William Conrad
Votes: 4,624
Rankin-Bass returns to finish things, after Ralph Bakshi ran out of money. Unfortunately, if you weren't familiar with the story, you were dumped right into the middle of things. Like The Hobbit, things are condensed a bit; but, the key elements are here. This is what got me to read Tolkien in the first place. The minstrel who tells the story takes some getting used to. "Froooodddooo of the nine fingerrrrrrs, and the rrrriiiinnnng of doooooom!" John Huston is a great Gandalf, though.
95. Excalibur (1981)
PG | 140 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Merlin the magician helps Arthur Pendragon unite the Britons around the Round Table of Camelot, even as dark forces conspire to tear it apart.
Director: John Boorman | Stars: Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi
Votes: 67,128 | Gross: $34.97M
John Boorman directs this film, based on Le Morte D'Arthur. The cast was filled with then-unknowns (in the US and in film), like Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne; as well as veteran Nicol Williamson. Stage actor Nigel Terry is Arthur, though he is a bit too "stagey" in the film. Mirren steals every scene as a very sexy Morgan Le Faye. Well shot, though with some grisly scenes, including the conception of Arthur. Makes great use of Carmina Baruna.
96. Clash of the Titans (1981)
PG | 118 min | Action, Adventure, Family
Perseus must battle Medusa and the Kraken to save the Princess Andromeda.
Director: Desmond Davis | Stars: Laurence Olivier, Harry Hamlin, Claire Bloom, Maggie Smith
Votes: 47,716 | Gross: $41.09M
Harryhausen's last, with the story of Perseus (with a bit of Bellerophon thrown in). The acting is way over the top, but the monsters are quite good. However, a kraken is a giant squid, which is not what we get. Harry Hamlin isn't even up to Kerwin Matthews standards. Still better than the CGI remake.
97. Dragonslayer (1981)
PG | 109 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A young wizarding apprentice is sent to kill a dragon which has been devouring girls from a nearby kingdom.
Director: Matthew Robbins | Stars: Peter MacNicol, Caitlin Clarke, Ralph Richardson, John Hallam
Votes: 19,939 | Gross: $14.11M
Excellent little film that was barely promoted. Peter McNicol is a wizard's apprentice, who must go in his master's place to help kill a dragon, to whom the kingdom sacrifices its daughters. The dragon is rather effective and McNicol makes for a decent, unassuming hero. Ralph Richardson steals every scene he is in. This used to be one of the few places you could see Ian McDiarmid without the Emperor make-up, until the Star Wars prequels.
98. The Smurfs (1981–1989)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The Smurfs are tiny blue creatures that live in mushroom houses in a peaceful forest. They repeatedly try to outwit Gargamel, an evil sorcerer, his apprentice, Scruple, and his mangy cat, Azrael.
Stars: Don Messick, Danny Goldman, Lucille Bliss, Michael Bell
Votes: 21,013
Based on Les Stroumphs, by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford (Peyo). Features a village of little blue creatures, and the evil wizard Gargamel who wants to destroy them. Fun for kids, but it's very repetitive and some of the running gags are massively annoying to anyone over the age of 7. That song will get stuck in your head and drive you insane.
99. Heavy Metal (1981)
R | 86 min | Animation, Adventure, Fantasy
A glowing green orb that embodies ultimate evil terrorizes a young girl with an anthology of bizarre and fantastic stories.
Directors: Gerald Potterton, John Bruno, John Halas, Julian Harris, Jimmy T. Murakami, Barrie Nelson, Paul Sabella, Jack Stokes, Pino Van Lamsweerde, Harold Whitaker | Stars: Richard Romanus, John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Don Francks
Votes: 38,130
Adapatation of sci-fi and fantasy stories from the magazine. The Richard Corben Den and the final sequence, Taarna (swiped from Moebius' Arzach tales) are the main fantasy pieces. Den finds a young boy transported to a barbaric world, where he is a well endowed hero. Taarna finds a silent warrior who is called to avenge the destruction of a city, by mutant marauders. These are some of the better segments of the film.
100. Blackstar (1981–1982)
TV-Y7 | 390 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
An astronaut, stranded on a primitive planet in a distant universe, fights against the tyranny of the Overlord.
Stars: George DiCenzo, Linda Gary, Patrick Pinney, Alan Oppenheimer
Votes: 855
An astronaut finds himself stranded on a barbaric world, where he becomes a warrior. Filmation's attempt to cash in on the success of Ruby-Spears' Thundarr (and Conan), but doesn't quite have the same imagination. It swipes from everyone, but is entertaining enough.
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