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There are leave out pic in every musical style , but the works offantasythat have fleet from memory are too often overlooked . From exciting additions to the sword and sorcery narration to reimaginings of classic folklore and mythology , these motion-picture show bring something unique to the table , standing apart from other works of the time . While these motion-picture show derive from a wide variety of decades , showcasing how fancy has changed and evolved with metre , some of the upright are products of the 1980s , an awing earned run average for the genre .
Like theobscure fantasy TV register that just anyone remember , these flick merit their moment to beam . While some are far from complete , most have become cultus classics and garnered increase tending from die - arduous fancy devotee in the yr since they were released . Looking back on cracking but obscure fantasy films is a reminder of how blanket the genre genuinely is and that there are many ways for a employment of inquisitive fiction to look and feel . When revisit these project or get wind them for the first time , there ’s a lot of thaumaturgy to be unveil .
10Dragonslayer (1981)
Directed by Matthew Robbins
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One of the best dragon fantasy flick of the eighties , Dragonslayer , commit a expectant part of its production to creating the key dragon in the narrative . In 1981 , these ocular effects were particularly impressive , and they hold up the right way well today when equate to other fantasy films of the 1980s . ThoughDragonslayerdidn’t perform well at the box situation , it was still an undeniably telling accession to the illusion genre and stand out from the typical fare that Disney was producing at the sentence .
devotee of pulse - pounding phantasy action have plenty of choice if they ’re front to turn on the wave of Honor Among Thieves ’ smart as a whip take on D&D.
As time has progressed , Dragonslayerhas achieved a important vital and ethnical reevaluation , showcasing why it should be remembered as a fancy classic . Among the sword and sorcery genre , Dragonslayermore than garner a place at the top , crafting intricate character reference and a vivid world full of magic and activity . flying lizard are a beloved understudy of whole shebang of fantasy , from book to cinema and TV , andDragonslayerpays tribute to the long and storied chronicle of this type of narrative .
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Dragonslayer ( 1981 )
84 %
63 %
9Dracula Untold (2014)
Directed by Gary Shore
Even thoughDracula Untoldcame out only a small over a decade ago , it ’s almost completely faded from the cultural conversation . Though there have been plenty ofgreat lamia movies of the 2020sand 2010s that have helped invigorate the writing style , Dracula Untoldwas not one of them . Starring Luke Evans as Vlad the Impaler , Count Dracula , when he was still live , Dracula Untoldattempts to chronicle the story of the human beings before he became one of the most iconic brute of all time .
Though it ’s an interesting mind , Dracula Untoldattempts to present new traditional knowledge to an already well - know story . It ’s almost impossible to watchDracula Untoldwithout bringing in preconceived notions and expectations about how the Dracula caption will blossom . WhileDracula Untoldbucks tradition and first moment , it does n’t work enough institution to the mesa to be memorable in the long run . Despite this , there ’s some hearty action and visual intrigue disperse throughoutDracula Untold .
Dracula Untold ( 2014 )
Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore
26 %
58 %
8Ladyhawke (1985)
Directed by Richard Donner
Starring Michelle Pfeiffer , Matthew Broderick , and Rutger Hauer as the central threesome of heroesinLadyhawke , this overlooked fantasy undertaking drips with romance and adventure . Ladyhawkehinges on catastrophe and forestall beloved , as Pfeiffer and Hauer ’s characters are cursed to be evermore shoot apart . Etienne ( Hauer ) transforms into a wolf at nighttime and Isabeau ( Pfeiffer ) into a mortarboard by day , control they can never be truly together in human form .
It ’s a transfix taradiddle and emotionally compelling because of its inherent sadness and hungriness . Broderick ’s Phillipe gets catch in the middle of their engagement , at last resolving to help them break the curse . The setting ofLadyhawkeis one of the strongest facet of the picture , as it was shoot on locating in Italy , use the rolling hills of the countryside and the ancient castles full of gorgeous architecture . Though the story is a little upbeat , it bear up well today .
Ladyhawke ( 1985 )
67 %
74 %
7The Adventures Of Baron Munchhausen (1988)
Directed by Terry Gilliam
Though the only installment of Terry Gilliam’sTrilogy of Imaginationto do well at the box position wasTime Bandits , bothBrazilandThe Adventures of Baron Munchausenhave enjoyed a well-disposed bequest . Thanks to the unequalled and unforgettable style of Gilliam ’s direction and fantastic world - building , The Adventures of Baron Munchausenshines as a fantasy classic to everyone who remember it . asterisk John Neville as the nominal Baron , the film brings to spirit his unbelievable stories .
When watching the moving-picture show , the best thing to do is have yourself be carried away by the absurdity of the Baron ’s stories and believe in the magic of storytelling above all else .
The credit line between fantasy and reality is constantly blurred throughoutThe Adventures of Baron Munchausen , and though the tale can be overly complex at times , it ’s enjoyable all the way through . When watching the flick , the best thing to do is permit yourself be carry away by the fatuity of the Baron ’s stories and think in the magic of storytelling above all else . With visuals that could n’t be recover in modern fantasy projects , The Adventures of Baron Munchausenremains timeless .
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen ( 1988 )
90 %
82 %
6Bedknobs And Broomsticks (1971)
Directed by Robert Stevenson
Angela Lansbury extend the cast of Disney ’s live - activity phantasy movieBedknobs and broomstick . Though it is n’t thebest live - action children ’s fantasy pic , Bedknobs and Broomstickshas a destiny of charm and part . Full of music , magic , and mystery , Bedknobs and Broomsticksis anchor by the parent - nipper dynamic between Mrs. Price ( Lansbury ) and the three children she take in during the London Blitz . ThoughBedknobs and Broomstickswas unfavourably compared to the blockbusterMary Poppins , it ’s still spate of fun .
Like many of Disney ’s best productions of the 20th century , Bedknobs and Broomsticksblends animation and live - action , giving it a unique place in the fantasy musical genre . free-base on its tepid critical and audience reception , it ’s clear thatBedknobs and Broomstickswas a spot of a sloppy effort to capitalize on the success of works likeMary Poppins . However , the central execution and felicitous conclusion make it a nostalgic favorite for viewers who are conversant with the moving picture .
Bedknobs and Broomsticks ( 1971 )
73 %
5The 13th Warrior (1999)
Directed by John McTiernan
While some phantasy movies merit to be better remembered today , The thirteenth Warrioris far from perfect , and it ’s understandable that it has n’t stood the trial of sentence . However , there are some fun moment and exciting action sequences , andThe 13th Warriorhas found an hearing over the retiring few years . The 13th Warriorcenters on a Muslim agonist , of which there are few in big Hollywood natural action movies , but Antonio Banderas , the lead player , was not Muslim , spark controversy and demonstrating the pauperism for representation in cinema .
Critical and audience reply toThe 13th Warriorwas lusterless at best , ensuring that the labor bomb at the box office .
Critical and audience response toThe 13th Warriorwas lusterless at near , ensuring that the project bomb at the box office . free in 1999 , a fantastic class for films of all genres , there was minuscule hazard thatThe 13th Warriorwas give way to make an impact . As meter has come on , The 13th Warriorcan be apprise for its visually interesting and impressive sets , as well as the ambitious nature of the story .
The 13th Warrior ( 1999 )
33 %
66 %
4The Secret Of NIMH (1982)
Directed by Don Bluth
This kid ’s animated movie is much darker than most of its contemporaries , which likely impacted its length of service and popularity . However , for those who are mindful ofThe Secret of NIMH , it ’s light to see why it ’s so dear among audiences who grew up watching it . ThoughThe Secret of NIMHperformed modestly well at the box office when it was first bring out , it has n’t been as well remembered as blockbuster animated project , as the whole kit and boodle from the Disney Renaissance would shortly overshadow many revivify project from the previous 20th 100 .
With some fantasy movies from the 1980s , the dated elements come through mightily out , and it ’s easy to distinguish the expression of the storytelling or visual language that have n’t aged well . However , inThe enigma of NIMH , there are very few moments that take you out of the storyor cue you that the film is from the former ' fourscore . It ’s a complex film that challenge the witness from start to finish and deserves greater recognition .
The Secret of NIMH ( 1982 )
93 %
86 %
3The Beastmaster (1982)
Directed by Don Coscarelli
This craze hit move on to inspire the 1999 escapade TV showBeastmaster , which become on to lead for three seasons . The original motion picture , The Beastmaster , is an underrated gain to the blade and necromancy musical genre , as it ’s in conversation with the classics of this case of narrative while bring something new to the table . The Beastmasteris frequently compared to full treatment likeConan the Barbarian , but the hoagy ofBeastmaster , Dar ( Marc Singer ) , tolerate apart as a champion .
The collection of Dar as a character get from his ability to pass along with animals and the fact that he does n’t need power or control condition , only to be left to live in peace .
The appeal of Dar as a eccentric come from his power to put across with animate being and the fact that he does n’t desire ability or ascendence , only to be left to endure in peace . The use of real animal throughoutThe Beastmastersets it apart from many contemporary fantasy films that rely on CGI . It ’s interesting that bothThe Beastmasterand the spinoff television series have been overlooked in late yr , but this makes it all the more pleasurable to revisit them or come across them for the first time .
Beastmaster ( 1982 )
50 %
54 %
2Return To Oz (1985)
Directed by Walter Murch
The polarizing follow - up to the fantasy classic , The Wizard of Oz , Return to Oz , earned a repute for being a dark take on the piece of work by L. Frank Baum . Even though it ’s largely see as snug in style and tone to the author ’s books , it did n’t appeal to audience who were familiar with the pollyannaish , technicolor world of the 1939 film . late critical reevaluations have praisedReturn to Ozfor being so different from the original and onwards of its metre within the fantasy landscape .
The extremely look for upcoming film adjustment of the melodic Wicked will doubtless fix Hollywood ’s former The Wizard of Oz play along - up film fault .
With the late popularity of the movie adaption of the stage musicalWicked , it ’s likely that more viewer will be insert to the world ofReturn to Oztoday . The practical effects inReturn to Ozset the film asunder from contemporary youngster ’s fantasy movies , and the fact thatReturn to Ozbelieved younger audiences could grapple with its more intense themes falls in line with present-day opinions . Though modern viewers might be surprise by the stark differences betweenReturn to Ozand its predecessor , it ’s an interesting associate to theWizard of Ozworld .
refund to Oz ( 1985 )
71 %
1The Fall (2006)
Directed by Tarsem Singh
One of the mostvisually stunning phantasy movies , The Fall , has n’t been well remembered largely because it was difficult to trail down on the internet for so many geezerhood . However , in recent class , The Fallhas been brought back from almost pure obscurity thanks to the 4 K return ( viaVariety).An tremendous creative project that pushed its filmmaker and doer to their limits , The Fallis dumbfound a well - deserve resurgence and is the sort of project all fantasy fans should seek out .
Starring Lee Pace as Roy Walker , a stunt mortal who twirl a fantastic recital of action and adventure to a untested girl in the same infirmary he ’s in , The Fallmakes the most of its tale - within - a - fib data format . The routine of telling a tale and what ’s lost and gained in the audience ’s rendering is at the head ofThe Fallas Roy weaves his fib and Alexandria ( Catinca Untaru ) listen . As time has progressed , the difficulty in finding a style to determine thefantasyfilm has fanned the flames of the lore and religious mysticism of the task .
The Fall ( 2006 )
64 %
85 %