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The 1980s were an incredible time for movies of all genres. From sci-fi to horror to comedy and everything in between, the decade was rife with some amazing movies that are still enjoyed by a wide variety of audiences, both young and old. Among these nostalgic and iconic flicks are films in the fantasy genre, which feature magic and monsters, or even worlds far beyond that of our own, all telling various imaginative stories based on fairytales or folklore.
Though there were many fantasy flicks that came out during the 1980s, a select handful take the title of being the absolute best, from underrated cult classics to critically acclaimed, award-winning blockbusters. These are the best fantasy movies of the 1980s, which have not only stood the test of time but are just as impressive in scale now as they were 40 years ago.
10
‘Highlander’ (1986)
Highlander is a low fantasy film that is absolutely riddled with 1980s cheese, but that’s probably why people like it so much. The story follows two distinct periods: one in 1980s New York, and one in 16th-century Scotland, all following Highland Warrior Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert), an immortal who is biding his time in New York posing as an antiques dealer. Connor lives a simple life but is ultimately awaiting his final confrontation with his oldest enemy, another immortal who is rising again, prompting Connor to pick up his sword once more.
Highlander got good, but not great, critical reviews, yet it has attracted a niche of fans, becoming a bit of a cult classic in the fantasy genre. It’s a neat little blend of medieval times, 20th-century urban life, and fantasy that allows itself to have fun and be what it wants to be. It wants to be cheesy, and it’s made all the better for it. Along with its memeable moments, surprising quality, and easy-to-follow storyline, Highlander may not be the best 1980s fantasy movie, but it’s definitely one that’s gone down in history.
9
‘Legend’ (1985)
Legend didn’t really sit well with critics for some reason, but in the years since its release, it has become nothing short of a cult classic. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Cruise, Legend is about a demon known as the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry), who intends to plunge the world into an eternal night by killing every unicorn that remains. In order to lure the unicorns out of hiding, he must use bait, which comes in the form of Princess Lili (Mia Sara), who is also being forced against her will to marry the Lord of Darkness.
To stop this sinister plot, a forest child named Jack (Cruise) embarks upon a quest to save the princess and the unicorns and stop the Lord of Darkness from destroying daytime as we know it. Perhaps it was its fairytale-esque plot that critics didn’t like, or maybe it was its writing, but the negative reviews have certainly not aged well. Modern cinephiles see Legend as a fantasy masterpiece from Ridley Scott that never, ever got the attention that it rightfully deserved.
8
‘Dragonslayer’ (1981)
Dragonslayer is a wholly original dark fantasy film without any source material to fall back on, which definitely isn’t the norm for epic fantasy films such as this. The movie, as implied by the title, is about a dragonslayer, specifically about a wizard’s apprentice who is tasked with killing a dragon who has been wreaking havoc on a nearby village, abducting and consuming young girls while the helpless townsfolk can do nothing but watch on in despair.
First of all, let’s be honest, dragons are just flipping cool, and any movie that contains a flying, fire-breathing lizard automatically gets some points in the entertainment department. Even then, though, Dragonslayer is pretty good in just about every other aspect, too, with state-of-the-art special effects (or at least, for the time) and a thrilling and engaging story reminiscent of ancient knight tales involving dragons. It’s simple, yet elegantly crafted and very exciting.
7
‘The Last Unicorn’ (1982)
Perhaps you might not have heard of this ’80s fantasy movie, but you should watch it at once. The Last Unicorn is an animated fantasy flick based on a novel of the same name by Peter S. Beagle, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie. The film comes in as an American-Japanese joint project, written and performed by American actors and writers, but animated by the Japanese animation studio Topcraft. However, the visuals aren’t done in a Japanese anime style and are more in line with other American animated flicks, so cinephiles who don’t really like anime will still be able to appreciate it.
Story-wise, it’s about a lonely unicorn who finds out that she might be the last of her kind, and sets off on a journey to find out if this is true and determine what happened to the rest of her species. Critics deemed The Last Unicorn a tad unusual, with the animation lacking fluidity at times. However, overall, it is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that gives an interesting and heartbreaking story with a lot of relatable themes for both kids and adults.
6
‘Labyrinth’ (1986)
Labyrinth is a musical fantasy comedy directed by Jim Henson, starring David Bowie in a legendary performance as Jareth, the Goblin King. The story is about Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), an angsty teenager who is tasked with watching her baby brother, Toby (Toby Froud). Toby is constantly crying and seemingly never satisfied, causing Sarah, in a fit of anger, to wish him away. Jareth arrives and takes Toby to his kingdom, and Sarah immediately regrets her mistake. But the Goblin King gives her one last chance, allowing her to take her brother back if she can navigate through his treacherous, ever-changing labyrinth within 13 hours.
In spite of the movie being a passion project from Jim Henson, it was a box office bomb, which deeply upset the director. However, its failure at the box office does not reflect its inherent quality. Labyrinth is absolutely amazing for both kids and adults and delivers some catchy musical numbers performed in David Bowie’s iconic baritone. It’s a whimsical, fantastical adventure story featuring lots of strange and interesting creatures and beings, and is a fond source of nostalgia for many.
5
‘The Dark Crystal’ (1982)
Jim Henson was absolutely killing it in the 1980s with his fantasy flicks, but The Dark Crystal is perhaps the best due to its inherent uniqueness and surprisingly extensive amount of lore. The story is set in the world of Thra, after a devastating war in which the invasive, vulture-like species known as the Skeksis exterminated the native Gelfling population and enslaved the Podling people using a magical artifact called the Dark Crystal, which has been broken. This Crystal allows the Skeksis to harvest the life force of Podlings and use it to make themselves younger, with their intention being to rule until the end of time.
In the midst of a dark time in Thra’s history, the last remaining Gelfling embarks upon a prophesied quest to repair the shattered Dark Crystal and prevent the Skeksis from ruling forever. Unlike Labyrinth, there are no human characters in this movie. Every single character is played by a puppet and a voice actor, under the wise tutelage of Frank Oz, who famously portrayed and puppeteered Yoda. The Dark Crystal is a brilliant dark fantasy film oozing with care and compassion, and it stands as one of the most unique high fantasy stories ever crafted.
4
‘The NeverEnding Story’ (1984)
The NeverEnding Story is director Wolfgang Petersen‘s first-ever English-language film, and he definitely delivers in just about every department. The story blends the real world and fantasy a bit, opening up with a troubled boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver), who secretly steals a book that is being read by a bookstore owner, even though the owner advises against reading it. The book allows Bastian’s imagination to dive into the mystical world of Fantasia, where another boy approximately his age, Atreyu (Noah Hathaway), is travelling across the land to find a cure for the ailing Empress in order to prevent the world from being destroyed by a force known as The Nothing.
The NeverEnding Story is a hallmark example of fantasy, containing many classic tropes that people immediately think of when they imagine a fantasy story. It’s also a surprisingly faithful adaptation of the novel by Michael Ende, bringing the author’s creations to life in a way that only Hollywood could. It may not look super impressive by today’s standards, but very few films have since matched the sense of childhood wonder and sweeping adventure that this film delivers.
3
‘The Little Mermaid’ (1989)
The Little Mermaid is a 1980s animated Disney princess musical that surely needs no introduction. Based upon the popular fairy tale, the film stars Jodi Benson as Ariel, a mermaid princess who is the daughter of Triton (Kenneth Mars), the king of the sea. Ariel might be a mermaid, but she dreams of being human, able to walk on land instead of being confined to the treacherous seas. When a ship crashes nearby, Ariel races to the rescue, falling in love with one of the survivors.
In order to win his heart, Ariel visits the witch Ursula (Pat Carroll), who offers to give Ariel legs in exchange for her gorgeous singing voice. This lovable musical is one of Disney’s all-time classics and is still a film that they have become widely known for, kickstarting the Disney Renaissance and changing the company forever. There are very few kids in America who haven’t at least heard of the movie, or who don’t recognize Ariel and her iconic red hair. It’s got memorable musical numbers, a classic fairy tale setting, and Disney’s signature touch. What more could one ask for in a movie?
2
‘My Neighbor Totoro’ (1988)
Pretty much anything Studio Ghibli touches turns to gold, and My Neighbor Totoro is certainly no exception to that trend. Like everything else Ghibli makes, each frame is carefully crafted with so much care, and not a single second is wasted. The whimsical Japanese anime film follows two young girls who move out to the country so that they can be closer to their sick mother, only to meet the wondrous forest spirits and creatures that dwell nearby.
Like many Ghibli films, some of the concepts explored are a little strange, but that doesn’t change the fact that the film is a wonderful childhood adventure that explores the themes of imaginary friends, creativity, kindness, and compassion, encouraging children to find wonder in even the most unassuming of things. My Neighbor Totoro will never grow old, consistently appealing to both Western and Eastern audiences alike.
1
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
The Princess Bride is both a fantasy story and a tongue-in-cheek parody of fairy tales, but that’s part of the reason why people love it so much. Framed as a grandfather reading a storybook to his sick grandchild, The Princess Bride follows Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), who falls in love with a farmboy named Westley (Cary Elwes). Though their love is budding, Westley embarks upon a journey and is presumed lost at sea. Later, Buttercup is betrothed to Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), a man whom she most certainly does not love. Luckily for her, Westley reemerges, intending to save Buttercup from marrying Humperdinck.
This seminal and beloved movie is timeless and is perhaps one of the most perfectly cast fantasy movies ever released. Between André the Giant as Fezzik, Shawn Wallace as Vizzini, and Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya, even the side characters are absolutely spot-on. It’s a heartwarming tale of romance, adventure, and nostalgia, which is why it’s easily the single greatest fantasy movie of the 1980s.
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Dawson Nyffenegger
Almontather Rassoul
