The fantasy/fantasy adventure genre has long enjoyed a lot of fanfare in books, but movies are a little bit harder to come by. While the trend is changing, I wanted to make a list of the top ten fantasy adventure movies.
There are bound to be a pile of films that you would like to see on this list – so please feel free to suggest them – and give reasons for why you think it should be added.
As a note: fantasy adventure means there has to be something beyond the human realm (so sorry to fans of Princess Bride and the 13th Warrior, but there just wasn’t enough to make that jump). So here’s the list of the top ten fantasy adventure movies.
It’s the original. A wizard, good and bad witches, flying monkeys, this movie has it all. A classic story and a classic film, this movie is way beyond classic: it’s an inherent part of the culture. My favorite story about this film was when my grandfather as a boy watched it in the theatre, and was so amazed when it switched to color that he stayed for a second show…and was grounded the moment he came out to see his father who had been waiting over two hours for him.
A lot of people know and love this movie, and there is a large number of people who have never heard of this film. This film is done with Muppets (though not the famous ones) and is actually a really incredible fantasy story that will grip you as you watch it. If you liked Labyrinth but missed this one, then you need to track down a copy right away! It’s the classic hero trying to save a nearly doomed world, and you’ll be surprised by how good it is.
This great 1986 film has a strong cult following, and though it is most famous for having David Bowie as the villain, this is a quality movie that is heavily beloved by many “children of the eighties.” With strange Muppets, a fascinating world, and interesting plot, this movie is a winner. It was also the last full length movie directed by Jim Henson before his death.
This may be one of the best films on the list, the main reason it is lower is because of arguments over whether it is really a fantasy film, or a historic supernatural, horror, etc. But there is magic, there are skeletons, there’s a curse, so what isn’t there to like? Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom are unforgettable, and while this might not feel “fantasy,” there’s enough here to put this memorable trilogy on the list.
Krull is a 1983 heroic fantasy film with a strong cult following. Directed by Peter Yates, this movie is renowned for its strong soundtrack by James Horner, and is a great answer to trivia as this film also starred now famous actors Liam Neeson and Robbie Coltrane in bit roles. A strange surreal movie with fantastic scenes and fun action sequences, this one remains a cult classic.
This 2006 film threw a lot of people, because unlike most fantasy movies, this was not aimed at a younger audience. This movie had some extreme scenes of violence that threw off a lot of people who weren’t expecting this from a fantasy movie. The direction was incredible, the story dark and intense, and the combination is fantastic! This isn’t a movie for the weak stomached or someone looking for a pleasant easy fantasy film, but it is a fantastic work, as indicated by the fact that it ranks as the #54 movie all time on IMDB.
This is one of the all time classics of the fantasy movie genre. I remember as a kid watching this over and over again, following Atreyu through his quests, along with Falkor, the luck dragon, maybe one of the most beloved characters ever, as they try to find a cure for what ails the princess. Sebastian reads this book, and is transformed into their world. As a kid I never got sick of this movie, and it’s one of those rare gems that is worth watching again and again.
This is an incredible anime fantasy movie that starts around Ashitaka, a prince trying to make peace between the human settlement and the forest. Wild gods, spirits, and creatures all abound in this incredible movie, whose artwork is extraordinary. At the time, this was the most expensive animation ever made, as both hand drawn animation and computer 3-D images were used in combination to make this truly unique and incredible film.
Val Kilmer as a lone swordsman, Warwick Davis as a reluctant Halfling hero with the potential to be a sorcerer. Filled with magic, adventure, and prophecy, this is a fantastic action film that aside from being heart warming and touching, also has moments of great humor, and a few pretty top notch battle scenes to boot. This is fantastic movie with unlikely heroes triumphing over evil, and while it was ground breaking twenty years ago, the special effects and story still hold up to this day. This is a fun quality movie.
While an argument could be made that all three movies would be on a top ten list, I decided to put them together to allow more quality movies on the list. All three of these films were rated over an 8.0 on IMDB, and it seems appropriate that the trilogy of books that grandfathered popular fantasy adventure would spawn three movies that became wild world wide successes.
Contributor: Shane Dayton
i agree xxal. the neverending story movie was a giant letdown. i loved the book. it was my favorite when i was younger, but the movie was horrible.
i’d take it out, and instead add the chronicles of narnia…sure, it’s new, but still qualifies.
77. Totoro! Jesus, I *****in love that song
Totoro, Tortoro! Totoro, Totoro!
Oh yeah, did anyone else think that the Chronicles of Riddick was the half-breed spawn of Conan and Dark Crystal?
we’re off to see the wizard!
This is a great list! I love Pan’s Labyrinth and Princess Mononoke. Maybe you should do a follow up of this list, since you did miss a lot of good films like the chronicles of narnia and indiana jones. but only if you want to!!!
Kick-Ass list!!! Just by having Krull on it makes it one of the better movie lists on this site.
Here are a few other movies which, I think, could have made the cut…
Hawk the Slayer
First Knight – best King Arthur movie ever
Clash of the Titans or just about any of Ray Harryhausen’s movies could make this list.
Dragonheart
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – all time Disney Classic
Beowulf
20000 Leagues Under the Sea
Has Toto always been sitting pretty in the “O” of Oz? Look at him(her?), all debonair with a hint of smugness. And what’s with the fab four dancin in airbrushed-digitalized sunlight? You guys just look gay. Like Teletubby tabs of acid on training wheels (huh?).
Give me back my childhood Warner Bros.!
I hate those redone covers, is what I’m trying to say.
P.O.T.C. (#7) IS an “adventure fantasy historic supernatural horror film”.. I think we have a more acurate genre title!
David Bowie is Pan, and he’s never going to die. All the youth will follow him back to the mothership oneday..just wait.
p.s. maybe I didnt emphasize when I should have. Perhaps reading it as “Give me back my childhood, you Warner Bros. bastards!” better gets my message across.
anyway, Shane Dayton: concerning Oz—My eyebals actually burst into an explosion of jelly, when I first saw the black and white world’s veil removed and color slid in it’s place.
Sometimes it takes a lot of light for me to really see today.
p.p.s.
It seems that all one needs is little people in a movie and your halfway to fantasy.
We’ve come so far.
I’d consider Heavy Metal as a candidate for the list.
One of the things I really enjoy about these “Top Ten” lists is the rebuttals in the comment section. This list is no exception.
This time I am reminded of movies I haven’t seen in a long time, and I plan to revisit them soon. I haven’t seen many of the films mentioned in well over a decade.
And based on the favorable opinions of Princess Mononoke, it looks like I have something new to check out, as well.
Thanks, guys.
I either love them, hate them or haven’t seen them. Being in Korea, my choices are limited. (At least I’m in the south, and not the north!)
Does anyone know “Erik the Viking”? “Murder, rape, pillage and some really loovely scenery” as Tim Robbins searches for the meaning of life and death, with John Cleese as a Viking warlord a la British merchant banker – “Flay him alive, there’s a good chap”?
I’ve just checked the dictionary. Fantasy “imagination, especially when unrestrained”. Many movies would fall into that definition: super-heroes, science fiction and historical dramas, and movies like “Eternal sunshine”, “Adaptation”, “Being John Malkovich” and “The Truman Show”.
Be nice to Toto. S/he/it was the only member of the cast to be paid less than Judy Garland.
BTW someone with too much time on their hands discovered that there are synchronicities between Oz and “Dark side of the moon”: run the movie with the sound down and the CD together.
Whoops, I’d better read the introduction: “something beyond the human realm”. Sorry.
The only one I disagree with is Willow…and Pirates being placed higher than Labyrinth. Then again, I’m a huge fan of David Bowie’s crotch.
People are getting too upset that certain movies made from books aren’t on the list. The thing is, movies like narnia just can’t compair to the books and aren’t creative enough. LOTR was excellent that’s why it made the list.
Pirates of the Caribbean – my favorite movie, and only at the 7 place
http://www.movieup.us/
Ok, Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, and Neverending Story totally have to be up higher on this list…
Wizard of Oz should probably be in the top three because one hundred years from now people will remember it and a lot of these movies aren’t even remembered today.
personnaly i think animated movies should not be included in this list.
LOTR is a great coice for #1, even though i don’t care for it a million others love it and you can’t argue with numbers
Noodle,
I’ll admit it’s been a while since I’ve seen Labyrinth, but I hope it holds up. It was one of my kids favorite’s that I could actually sit and watch with them.
Glad to see others join in on the “Legend” love.
check this out (not mine)
http://www.imdb.com/chart/fantasy
the nightmare before christmas
Quiana: Trust me I know what you mean, I see quite few new movies. I was just obsessed with Pirates cause Johnny was in it
Welcome back home Jfrater. Where were you?
Unfortunatly, Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy should be in there, except hollywood totally *****ed the storie line when they created the movie, it should be re made with the following books adapted to the screen to create the one of the best sequel series ever, but Hollywood isnt into making a decent fantasy/futuristic movie series these days.
the closest and best most recently made was Pans Laberynth, and the french basically made it.
How about Final Fantasy Series? Aren’t they included in the list?
Uh to people suggesting Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon… it is not fantasy adventure movie. Unless you count Enter the Dragon as one. I know Wuxia genre is hard to grasp but just take my word, none of us around this part of the globe consider it fantasy.
@ 133 chadster
Uh, are you high? Narnia is one of the few case where the movie is better than the book.
What is Pirates of the Caribbean doing on this list?
I agree with the rest, but also maybe:
The Indiana Jones trilogy
The Star Wars films,
Spirited Away
Harry Potter films
Tony SS: Okay, the Narnia movie is not better than the book. Take it back, or I will sic Aslan on you.
As for you, CRSN: “Hollywood” did not destroy Hitchhiker’s Guide by messing with the storyline. The script was WRITTEN BY DOUGLAS ADAMS. As in THE GUY WHO WROTE THE BOOK. You got beef with the dead author himself? Talk to him. I like what he did. And the director is British. There’s not a lot of Hollywood about that film. Don’t believe me? Here’s the IMDB page:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371724/
And Pan’s Labyrinth (which is spelled that way, btw) is Spanish, not French. Come on man, the director’s name is “Guillermo!” And why would it matter if the French made it, anyway? Does that make it less a fantasy film?
Argh. Wrong people all over the internet tonight. I’ll never set them all straight at this rate.
Oh, and of course Pirates is fantasy. Cursed treasure chests, undead pirates, Davy Jones with an octopus beard… Ever see that stuff in a science textbook? Nope. Fantasy. Case closed.
Luke: Besides me being incorrect in some of the facts, have you seen the BBC’s series of Hitch Hikers, also have you read the series which the movie was made from, that shat on the movie because how could you fit all that info into a single movie, and the BBC series was made in the late 70′s(1977), and Doudlas Adams didnt have any say on the editing, as you point out he is DEAD (2001),so how can i talk to him, got his email in limbo, didnt think so.
you see, Disney actually bought the rights in 1998 and it was re-written by an author by the sirname Kirkpatrick to be ADAPTED FOR SCREEN for the release in 2005.
the Pans Labyrinth comment, cool, i can deal with that, i was incorrect, but mate, sounds like your ass is so tight you couldnt fit a pin up there with a jack hammer.
chill out
This list was ok until it ot to #1…then again a least you didn’t include Harry Potter.
*got
CRSN: What is it with die-hard fans that say a movie is crap (well…”shat”) just because it’s not EXACTLY like the book? Movies are made to entertain the people who watch them. And i’m pretty sure 95% of the people who saw it never read the book. So ok it’s not a carbon copy of the book but it’s still a great movie. You need to chill out same as Luke…
Very brave to put Krull on this list. I watched this repeatedly as a kid on HBO – it seemed like it was on all the time, along with The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. The Skeksi Chamberlain’s exile and, yes, David Bowie’s unfortunate wardrobe choices (the crowd seems to have a split opinion on that one) stick out at as mildly disturbing scenes to a 9-year old, but otherwise they were fun and memorable films.
Also, for those who mentioned Legend – the Director’s Cut is the way to go. Gone is the crappy Tangerine Dream music, and some added scenes give more depth and continuity.
fishing4monkeys: aint a die hard fan at all, just know a good book when i see it, and a crap movie as well, i was just retorting to Lukes comments.
i usually see those kind of comments from people on IRC that spend all their time on a computer and actually not getting any work done, and if he does it all night after work, shows how much of a life a he really has, i thought it would be better use of his time to actually read a book that is very entertaining, but unfortunatly he doesnt seem like the book reading type, it was mainly to open his eyes to a genre that is not so comercial, but still (and in this case more so) very entertaining for the mind, rather than a mind numbing, awfully put together movie that potentially could’ve made a great series of movies.
this is not say you are wrong, but he neede to be told.
Great list.I loved Labyrinth
lotr were the worst movies i’ve seen in years
Why isn’t Waterworld on this list?
When I was growing up i liked Return to Oz. The witch having all thoses diffrent heads use to scare me!!!!!!! : )
willow the movie is o.k. if not forgetable. but do you remember willow the nintendo (original NES) game. i spent hours playing that and searching through nintendo power trying to figure out how to beat the last witch. good times.
Felmin: I’m not being deliberately difficult, but Waterworld widely regarded as one of the biggest failure movies ever. There was virtually nothing about the movie worth salvaging. I would almost certainly have it on a ‘worst fantasy movies’ list.
Luke: There are fanciful elements in Pirates, yes, but few people would consider it predominantly a fantasy movie, it’s much more of an adventure/action film. Look at Star Wars, they were great, but they fall under Science Fiction, not Fantasy. If you’re using the “I never saw that in a text book” argument, wouldn’t that make every theoretical move that makes a projection about the future be considered fantasy? I never saw the events of Mad Max in a textbook, and I certainly hope you don’t consider Children of Men a fantasy…
Felmin (#155): Because Waterworld blows.
Oh yes, Legend is the most magical movie that I have ever seen. I really don’t understand how it didn’t make the list… I believe that it (from the movie perspective) has way more magic than even LOTR.. (Don’t hit me, please!!..
)
Legend definitely needs to be on this list over pirates
SLICKWILLY: Luke had this beef with me earlier about my comment that hitch hikers galaxy was a bad make of the book me 141 him 145 and so on, do you reckon im right or wrong in it?
how about “DUNE”, might not be fantasy, but futuristic.
I would have to agree with most all the choices but 1…Lord of the Rings? Alot of words can describe that film, and whilst good it’s {they’re?} not the best there is, personally I prefered The Fountain (which isnt on this list, but thats beacuse it’s a bit of a cross-genre film and not traditional fantasy, but I digress). My argument agains LOtR is that the last 2 films decided to go the epic route and forgo the charming storytelling of the 1st film that defined it so well, in favour of epic battles where Legolas looks pretty and Gimli provides comedic releif. Or maybe I’m just bitter that the book was about the most tedious read imaginable…just behind Moby Dick in fact.
Labryinth is great to watch on magic mushrooms
Warningdonotreadthis – Monty Python and the Holy Grail is fantasy adventure (some would call it action adventure I suppose), but it has many of the better ‘fantasy’ elements embedded within. It’s a movie that has definitely stood the test of time. Plus, I certainly hope that fantasy and slap-stick funny are not mutually exclusive.
I’ve noticed that many of the comments here are in favor of mediocre movies with great special effects and/or CGI… I guess I do still like some live action and puppetry – it gives credence to the skills of the actors and people who ‘physically’ make the movies great. Full animation can be very good, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve always had a soft spot for real-live-creativity-and-ingenuity.
A final note on observations from all of the above – just because ‘you’ liked a movie tons and tons and tons does not mean it should automatically be on a list like this. Narnia, Star Wars, Harry Potter (and many more) were all very entertaining movies (I enjoyed them), but they were apparently not the ‘whole package’ for what makes a GREAT fantasy movie. Pan’s Labyrinth, as just one example of greatness, was a disturbing movie with a mixed-bag ending – makes you think about it even after the final credits roll away… a truly great fantasy movie (not one of my personal favorites, but awe inspiring nonetheless).
Am I the only one here who thinks that LOTR is the most overestimated film in history???
Re-posting… did not see my initial attempt display after 20+ minutes. Sorry if this hits twice.
Warningdonotreadthis – Monty Python and the Holy Grail is fantasy adventure (some would call it action adventure I suppose), but it has many of the better ‘fantasy’ elements embedded within. It’s a movie that has definitely stood the test of time. Plus, I certainly hope that fantasy and slap-stick funny are not mutually exclusive.
I’ve noticed that many of the comments here are in favor of mediocre movies with great special effects and/or CGI… I guess I do still like some live action and puppetry – it gives credence to the skills of the actors and people who ‘physically’ make the movies great. Full animation can be very good, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve always had a soft spot for real-live-creativity-and-ingenuity.
A final note on observations from all of the above – just because ‘you’ liked a movie tons and tons and tons does not mean it should automatically be on a list like this. Narnia, Star Wars, Harry Potter (and many more) were all very entertaining movies (I enjoyed them), but they were apparently not the ‘whole package’ for what makes a GREAT fantasy movie. Pan’s Labyrinth, as just one example of greatness, was a disturbing movie with a mixed-bag ending – makes you think about it even after the final credits roll away… a truly great fantasy movie (not one of my personal favorites, but awe inspiring nonetheless).
dang…there it is now….lol.
U forgot so many great ones!!
- the Princess Bride
- Ladyhawke
- and obviously StarWars is the number one: why? it’s not a science-fiction movie (scifi fans will agree), it happens “so long ago, in a gallaxy (realm) so far away”. And the story is compleately a fantastic one: knigts, swords, magic, monsters, dragons, good and evil, etc
One more IMPORTANT thing.
Learn a little about Spanish contemporany history and you will know what’s Pan’s Labyrint about……
¿¿¿¿¿a fantastic world?????
I’m so ashamed about the little you understood this movie
couple of things:
“As a note: fantasy adventure means there has to be something beyond the human realm (so sorry to fans of Princess Bride and the 13th Warrior, but there just wasn’t enough to make that jump).”
Third paragraph of the introduction.
Also: Instead of berating us for not knowing enough about contemporary Spanish history to understand Pan’s Labyrinth, take this opportunity to educate us. How exactly does this have a bearing on the movie? What events in particular? I happened to love that movie, but since I’m not Spanish (and most of us here are not), I don’t know how the movie is relavent to Spanish history.
Wait, you dismissed Princess Bride and 13th Warrior for being too “human” and then you elected Pirates (#7), which made no illusion about being in this world, and Neverending Story, which followed the same convention as Princess Bride.
This list sucks for being too biased and lame.
Yes, LAME, for picking Willow (terrible movie) and Krull (who saw this one?).
Is Star Wars not beyond the “human realm” but LOTR is?
Gee, you forgot Ice Pirates and Howard The Duck.
Dork.
Gary: I don’t agree with the inclusion of Pirates on the list, but the Neverending Story is not like the Princess Bride, beyond the framing device of a story within a story. The central story is the Neverending Story itself; Bastian exists as a segue into the primary story, and eventually enters the world himself at the end, unlike Fred Savage in the Princess Bride. The Neverending Story is classic fantasy. Willow was kind of lame, but I did see Krull (not impressed). I think the list is pretty solid, with a couple of notable omissions. It certainly doesn’t suck, but it could have used a rewrite or too. And the exclusion of movies like the Princess Bride feels a bit arbitrary, but it was the author’s premise of the list, so you can’t argue for a spot for the Princess Bride. Instead, you could argue that Pirates doesn’t deserve a spot. And watch who you’re calling a dork, junior.
edit: “…rewrite or two…”
What?!?! No Chronicles of Narnia??? I can’t believe it!
Yay!! There’s only two movies on this list that I haven’t seen, and one is in my DVR queue so that’s a technicality that will shortly be remedied ^_^
(oh, they’re Pan’s Labrynth and Princess Mononoke)
I really liked this list ^_^
I think you have some good picks here. I think the Star Wars movies could have rated as a group, like you did with LOTR. I’m very pleased to see you included Pan’s Labyrinth, which is definitely not mainstream fantasy fare.
FINALLY Princess Mononoke is feautured on a list,I have been in love with that movie,the only good movie as a kid that i had
i believe star wars was scifi not fantasy
but… i could be wrong.
I am thoroughly appalled by the lack of Princess Bride on this list! It more than deserves to be here, no silly excuses.
Oh! No Harry Potter~!