The Finest Fantasy: 25 Must-See Sword & Sorcery Films
Despite its consistent popularity as a literary genre, Fantasy has been only intermittently in vogue at the box office. The 80s were a particularly fertile time for the genre, spurred in large measure by the success of Conan the Barbarian, one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature roles. Of course, defining Fantasy is an imperfect science. In a certain sense, many horror films could be, and are, called "dark fantasy," and most superhero movies are Fantasy also, to say nothing of much science fiction, several comedies, and not a few dramas. For ease of classification, everything listed below falls into the Sword & Sorcery subgenre of Fantasy. Sword & Sorcery films often (though not always) share certain common elements. They are the most legendary and epic of Fantasy films, stories of brave warriors and beautiful damsels in distress, of mythical monsters, mysterious wizards, and kindgoms in the balance.
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- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodViggo MortensenIan McKellenGandalf 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.The greatest trilogy in the history of cinema comes to an epic conclusion in this, the crown jewel of all Fantasy. Can Frodo persevere in his quest to destroy the Ring of Power, or will he fall prey to Gollum or even the darkness within himself?
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA 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.Splendorous first entry in the Lord of the Rings saga. The evil Sauron plots to conquer the realm of Middle-Earth, while a fragile band of heroes unite in a desperate bid to destroy the Ring of Power which is the key to the fates of all who live.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenViggo MortensenWhile 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.Enter: Gollum. Includes one of the greatest castle sieges ever filmed.
- DirectorJohn BoormanStarsNigel TerryHelen MirrenNicholas ClayMerlin the magician helps Arthur Pendragon unite the Britons around the Round Table of Camelot, even as dark forces conspire to tear it apart.The Matter of Britain may be the greatest legend of all time, and this is perhaps the finest cinematic treatment that legend has thus far received. Exciting, majestic, and generally faithful to the original tales, Excalibur is grand fantasy.
- DirectorJohn MiliusStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerJames Earl JonesMax von SydowA powerful warrior seeks to avenge the genocide of his people and the murder of his parents at the hands of a snake cult.Arnold Schwarzenegger is a masterful embodiment of Robert E. Howard's iconic Fantasy hero. Bloody, violent, and grim, this is the film that started the Sword & Sorcery craze of the 1980s.
- DirectorAndrew AdamsonStarsTilda SwintonGeorgie HenleyWilliam MoseleyWhile 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.C.S. Lewis's classic children's novel makes the jump to the big screen in this lavish, beautiful adaptation. The inherent Christian message shines throughout and there are a number of superb performances, including Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan. Perfect for kids of all ages.
- DirectorTarsem SinghStarsHenry CavillMickey RourkeJohn HurtTheseus is a mortal man chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity.Is there a better source for high Fantasy than Greek mythology? Epic adventure blessed with great special effects and ferocious action. The well-written script conveys a strong pro-faith message as well.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsVal KilmerJoanne WhalleyWarwick DavisA young farmer is chosen to undertake a perilous journey in order to protect a special baby from an evil queen.Inspiring high fantasy in the Star Wars vein, courtesy of George Lucas (of course).
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsGerard ButlerLena HeadeyDavid WenhamIn 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.Brutal, edgy, and highly stylized action. Surreal and unforgettable.
- DirectorRob CohenStarsDennis QuaidSean ConneryDina MeyerThe last dragon and a disillusioned dragonslaying Knight must cooperate to stop an evil King, who was given partial immortality.Like Willow, this is an extremely inspiring family-friendly film with outstanding special effects, engaging characters, and a great moral center.
- DirectorRichard ThorpeStarsRobert TaylorAva GardnerMel FerrerKing Arthur's rule is threatened by the adulterous love between Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, a relationship the king's enemies hope to exploit.Rivaling Excalibur as the best Arthurian film yet produced, this is classic epic filmmaking at its best. Robert Taylor is supreme as Lancelot and Ava Gardner is delectable as Guenevere, the forbidden object of his affections. Not nearly as bloody as Excalibur, but the action scenes are still effective with several fine sword fights. The inherent Christian morality from the writings of Sir Thomas Malory comes through as well, as opposed to many more recent adaptations which opt for Political Correctness instead. Sadly, they don't make them like this anymore.
- DirectorDesmond DavisStarsLaurence OlivierHarry HamlinClaire BloomPerseus must battle Medusa and the Kraken to save the Princess Andromeda.The remake isn't bad, but the original still takes the prize. Tremendous stop-motion effects make the numerous Titans in all their monstrous glory very believable. A bit slow at times, but all the same fabulous entertainment.
- DirectorJohn NicolellaStarsKevin SorboTia CarrereThomas Ian GriffithA 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.Underrated epic fantasy with Kevin Sorbo in top form as a barbarian who becomes King of Velusia and inherits a host of enemies to go along with it, not the least of which is the diabolic Akivasha, played to the hilt by the spectacular Tia Carrere. Lots of action combined with a keen sense of fun culminating in a fantastic climax.
- DirectorGordon HesslerStarsJohn Phillip LawCaroline MunroTom BakerSinbad 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.High adventure in the East courtesy of Sinbad. Black magic and nonstop swashbuckling adventure, all of which is greatly enhanced by the beautiful presence of the luminous Caroline Munro.
- DirectorRichard FleischerStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerGrace JonesOlivia d'AboConan leads a ragtag group of adventurers on a quest for a princess.Not nearly as good as the original Conan the Barbarian, but still very entertaining.
- DirectorJohn McTiernanMichael CrichtonStarsAntonio BanderasDiane VenoraDennis StorhøiA man, having fallen in love with the wrong woman, is sent by the sultan himself on a diplomatic mission to a distant land as an ambassador. Stopping at a Viking village port to restock on supplies, he finds himself unwittingly embroiled in a quest to banish a mysterious threat in a distant Viking land.The best film version of the Beowulf legend so far, albeit a rather unconventional one.
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsMatthew BroderickRutger HauerMichelle PfeifferThe 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.Fine story of a knight and the woman he loves, living in the shadow of a curse designed to keep them apart forever. Rutger Hauer is a strong presence and Michelle Pfeiffer is almost unbearably lovely. Soundtrack is a bit anachronistic, but it grows on you after a while. Rich, glorious medieval adventure with a heavy dose of high romance.
- DirectorNathan JuranStarsKerwin MathewsKathryn GrantRichard EyerWhen 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.Cyclops, dragons, and evil wizards threaten Sinbad at every turn. Outstanding effects and a clever script brought to life by a strong cast.
- DirectorAndrew AdamsonStarsBen BarnesSkandar KeynesGeorgie HenleyThe Pevensie siblings return to Narnia, where they are enlisted to once again help ward off an evil king and restore the rightful heir to the land's throne, Prince Caspian.A bit darker than The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, and the religous message is somewhat minimized, but still great entertainment with an uplifting core.
- DirectorPeter YatesStarsKen MarshallLysette AnthonyFreddie JonesA 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.Creative, ambitious film from the 80s. Combines elements of fantasy and science fiction to great effect.
- DirectorDon CoscarelliStarsMarc SingerTanya RobertsRip TornA 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.Likeable story of a young man's quest to track down his father's killer. FX aren't always first-class but the film's enthusiasm and sense of wonder allows it to rise above any other weakness. Solid cast featuring the beautiful fire-haired Tanya Roberts.
- DirectorMichael AptedStarsBen BarnesSkandar KeynesGeorgie HenleyLucy and Edmund Pevensie return to Narnia with their cousin Eustace where they meet up with Prince Caspian for a trip across the sea aboard the royal ship The Dawn Treader. Along the way they encounter dragons, dwarves, merfolk, and a band of lost warriors before reaching the edge of the world.Less exciting and action-packed than the other two entries in the film series, but thoughtful and good-intentioned. Lots of valuable insights into the nature of good and evil and learning to value oneself.
- DirectorRichard FleischerStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerBrigitte NielsenSandahl BergmanThe fearless warrior Red Sonja sets out to avenge her family's murder and rid her kingdom from the tyrannical rule of evil Queen Gedren.Would have been a lot better with a bigger budget, but even so this is a much better film than its often given credit for. Brigitte Nielsen is great as the eponymous warrior-woman with a vendetta against the dark queen who left her for dead. Arnold Schwarzenegger adds his inimitable presence and there's lots of excellent swordplay. More in the vein of Kull the Conqueror than Conan the Barbarian, but the humor never ruins the story.
- DirectorAlbert PyunStarsLee HorsleyKathleen BellerSimon MacCorkindaleA 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.Richard Moll stars as the monstrous Sorcerer from the title, brought back to life by an evil tyrant looking for conquest. At times a little darker than some of the other films on the list, but never loses its sense of adventure.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsTom CruiseMia SaraTim CurryA young man must stop the Lord of Darkness from destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves.Enchanting fairy tale...can the lovely Mia Sara resist the temptations of Darkness with the fate of the last unicorns at stake? Good early vehicle for Tom Cruise. Tim Curry delivers a bravura performance while showcasing one of the truly great makeup sets in movie history. Deserves a bigger audience than it has received.