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The fantasy genre has been dominated by iconic franchises like TV's Game of Thrones and cinema's The Lord of the Rings for decades now, but there are so many other outings under the fantasy banner that deserve just as much love and admiration from audiences. Fantasy can be tackled in so many different ways, and cinema is one of the perfect mediums to explore that breadth.
Whether they're small-scale, intimate fantasies of mythologies past, action-packed epics of sword and sorcery, or contemporary reimaginings of historical fantasy, there is so much to explore in the beloved genre. These five perfect fantasy films, in particular, have been utterly disregarded for far too long, and it's time for audiences to give them another chance.
Legend Is A Bold and Beautiful Mythic Tale
Director Ridley Scott is one of the most iconic and beloved filmmakers of the modern age, and he has pretty much dipped his toe into just about every cinematic genre. Iconic sci-fi films like Blade Runner and Alien cemented him as an all-time great, true-story dramas like House of Gucci and American Gangster showed his range, and historical epics like Gladiator stood out as his finest achievements.
However, perhaps Ridley Scott's most underrated and most whimsically imaginative work was 1985's Legend. Starring Tom Cruise in one of his earliest roles, the film takes place in a visually lush, eye-poppingly creative and beautiful mythic world. The film's plot, a simple tale of rescuing the princess and stopping a demonic villain, is nothing unique. But Legend's formal achievements, as well as its bold creative vision, make it a remarkable viewing experience, and one that any fantasy fan should seek out.
Three Thousand Years of Longing Is A Quiet Tale of Connection and Magic
Though director George Miller is perhaps best known for his game-changing Mad Max sci-fi action franchise, he has had one of the most eclectic and bizarre careers of any modern Hollywood director. One of his latest outings, 2022's Three Thousand Years of Longing, unfortunately fell by the wayside, with most audiences completely ignoring it, and those who did watch it being taken aback by its intimate, lonely narrative.
Viewers expecting something akin to Mad Max: Fury Road are sure to be disappointed with Three Thousand Years of Longing, but that by no means makes it a bad film. In fact, Miller's contemporary genie fable is one of the most dazzlingly human, truly empathetic works of fantasy storytelling of the modern age. Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton are phenomenal, and the era-spanning saga of love, loss, regret, and connection that is Three Thousand Years of Longing is a must-watch fantasy masterpiece.
Where the Wild Things Are Is An Introspective Adaptation of A Beloved Children's Fable
Based on the beloved children's book by author Maurice Sendak, director Spike Jonze's surprisingly complex Where the Wild Things Are is one of the most bizarre and beautiful fantasy films of the 21st century. A truly unique experience diving into the heart and soul of childhood wonder and imagination, Where the Wild Things are isn't a typical movie for kids. While it's definitely appropriate for the whole family, Jonze's take on the legendary book is quieter, slower-paced, and far more introspective than many audiences expected.
Because of the film's strange positioning as a more adult-oriented children's film, it didn't do too well at the box office, and it was promptly forgotten by mainstream audiences. That's a real shame, as Where the Wild ThingsAre remains one of the finest fantasy films of the last two decades. Its positions on childhood, trauma, human connection, and love are as potent and impactful as anything aimed solely at adults.
Highlander Is A Cheesy Piece of '80s Blockbuster Magic
Although it spawned a successful franchise of sequels and even its own television spin-off, Russell Mulcahy's 1986 contemporary fantasy epic, Highlander, has been mostly forgotten over time. Starring Christopher Lambert as an immortal warrior caught in the midst of an eternal competition, Highlander is an action-packed epic that deserves to be lauded far more than it actually is.
With a hilariously bizarre supporting performance from Sean Connery, an iconic villain in the form of Clancy Brown's Kurgan, and a spectacular soundtrack, Highlander is the kind of slightly cheesy, endlessly rewatchable fantasy film that just doesn't get made anymore. It's earnest, high-stakes, and truly exciting from beginning to end. With an upcoming reboot starring Henry Cavill on the horizon, there's no better time for audiences to discover the 1986 original once again.
Excalibur Is A Dazzling Piece of Arthurian Fantasy
The tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table has been told countless times in cinematic history, but perhaps none have been as spectacular as John Boorman's 1981 masterpiece, Excalibur. Boasting some of the most lush and lavish production design a fantasy film has ever seen, a sweeping narrative that explores numerous corners of Arthurian legend, and countless incredible action sequences, it's a crime that Excalibur isn't remembered by mainstream audiences.
Boorman's high fantasy masterpiece belongs in the same conversation as The Lord of the Rings when it comes to all-time best fantasy films, and that's not hyperbole. Excalibur is an unreal feat of cinematic storytelling, and it's the kind of fantasy epic that needs to be seen to be believed. Glittering, gorgeous, and truly genre-defining, Excalibur is the definition of perfect, and it's time for it to be remembered.
