The fantasy genre has come a long way in recent years, but the classic movies of the 1980s bring an unparalleled sense of magic and wonder. Of course, these films can’t compete with modern Hollywood in the way of special effects. On-screen battle scenes didn’t look as realistic as they do in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings, and animatronic dragons of the 1980s are nowhere near as convincing as Game of Thrones. Still, these campy and cheesy 1980s fantasy movies possess a certain flavor that modern technology could never duplicate.
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Of course, nostalgia has a lot to do with why these fantasy movies of yore are still so appealing. Kids of the ’80s and ’90s didn’t care that films like The NeverEnding Story or The Labyrinth used puppets to bring magical beasts to life or that The Secret of NIMH depended on cell animation. Now that they are all grown up and have grown accustomed to what CGI and massive budgets can do, the flaws of these older films are a bit more obvious. Still, when sitting down to watch 1980s fantasy classics, these jaded adults are quickly transported back to a simpler time.
10 Excalibur
Release Year: 1981
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The legend of King Arthur is one of the oldest and most familiar fantasy stories, and this tale has made it onto the screen in dozens of variations. 1981’s Excalibur might not be the most technically advanced Arthurian film Hollywood has ever produced, but it is highly memorable all the same. It’s a classic, full of action-packed sword fights and thrilling magic. Sure, the visuals in Excalibur are a bit overly dramatic and cheesy, but this all contributes to the overall sense of wonder that audiences just can’t help but experience.
Excalibur set the tone for the fantasy genre in the 1980s, combining that dark grittiness with a soft romanticism at all the right moments. The film’s familiar cast is also an asset, with nostalgic performances from Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson, Ciarán Hinds, and many more. There may be better versions of this story out there, but Excalibur captures a certain magic that modern adaptations couldn’t dream of.
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9 Clash of the Titans
Release Year: 1981
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The 1981 fantasy epic Clash of the Titans is the very definition of old-school. The story is as classic as it gets, based on the Greek myth of Perseus, and is stuffed with all the thrills this genre could possibly muster. It has gods, demigods, underdog heroes, titans, monsters, sword fights, medusas, romance, and a whole lot of camp. Clash of the Titans also features an exceptional cast, with names like Harry Hamlin, Maggie Smith, Laurence Olivier, and more, making this a film to remember.
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As Hollywood has evolved, attempts have been made to bring Clash of the Titans into the modern era of movie-making. The 2010 remake featured CGI leagues beyond what the 1981 movie could have ever fathomed. However, without that silly, campy thrill, this upgraded version just fell flat. In the end, Perseus’ story just wasn’t the same without the quirky movie magic of the 1980s.
8 The Last Unicorn
Release Year: 1982
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The Last Unicorn arrived early in the 1980s, joining the fantasy movies that would help establish this genre within the decade. However, it was a commercial failure when it was initially released in the United States. Regardless, as another Rankin/Bass Productions masterpiece, this movie eventually found its audience. Though appealing to younger viewers, The Last Unicorn is surprisingly dark, with heartbreakingly mature themes hidden beneath the whimsy.
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Though archaic by today’s standards, the style of Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass could be described as magical, regardless of the story the animation depicts.
Perhaps The Last Unicorn’s greatest asset is its breathtaking animation. Though archaic by today’s standards, the style of Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass could be described as magical, regardless of the story the animation depicts. Add in the beloved tale by Peter S. Beagle, and it is absolutely no stretch to call The Last Unicorn a masterpiece. It’s the sort of a project that modern fantasy work from Disney just can’t keep up with.
7 The Dark Crystal
Release Year: 1982
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The Dark Crystal was many 80s and 90s kids’ first dark fantasy movie. The film is technically for families, but its themes and general aesthetic were far grittier and more thrilling than many had expected. Of course, this is part of why The Dark Crystal is so spectacular. The story is fairly standard for a fantasy, but this contributes to the charm as well and makes the film a perfect introduction to the genre.
Once again, The Dark Crystal leaves no doubt that it was made in the 1980s. Today’s special effects are more convincing, but Jim Henson’s animatronics were revolutionary for the time and are still a work of art today. While modern twists of The Dark Crystal have been attempted, it just couldn’t hold up in the same way.
6 The Secret Of NIMH
Release Year: 1982
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Don Bluth was a key figure in the world of animation in the 1980s, and The Secret of NIMH played a significant role in establishing this truth. The animator had a recognizable style that was dark and gritty while remaining lovely, light, and whimsical. This made Bluth the perfect choice to adapt Robert C. O’Brien’s novel Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. In many ways, it’s a classic story about the secret lives of mice and rats (something Bluth is known for). However, the magical qualities of The Secret of NIMH take this further.
Don Bluth was behind animated movies like
The Land Before Time
,
All Dogs Go to Heaven
,
Anastasia
,
Thumbelina
, and much more.
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The rats of NIMH have been scientifically altered, but the events of this story are far more magical than methodical. The Secret Of NIMH‘s most powerful moment is when Mrs. Brisby activates the amulet from Nicodemus to save her family from sinking into the mud. The breathtaking animation and deeply emotional storytelling, balanced out with childlike comedy, allowed The Secret of NIMH, like most of Bluth’s films, to remain a hit with families.
5 The NeverEnding Story
Release Year: 1984
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There’s not much more magical than a storybook come to life. It’s precisely this reason that the 1979 novel The Neverending Story became so popular and the tale was adapted into a film so quickly. Like many fantasy movies of the time, The NeverEnding Story depends heavily on puppets and extravagant costumes. The Luck Dragon and the wolf G’mork might not have looked real by any standard, but it can’t be argued that they looked magical and thrilling.
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Even after all these years,
The NeverEnding Story
‘s soundtrack is easily among the most recognizable of the genre.
It would be a crime to discuss The NeverEnding Story’s magic without mentioning Klaus Doldinger’s musical score. Everything about the music in this film screamed the 1980s, and the combination of techno-pop and traditional orchestral score was a smooth fit for the film’s general aesthetic. Even after all these years, The NeverEnding Story‘s soundtrack is easily among the most recognizable of the genre.
4 The Labyrinth
Release Year: 1986
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While fantasy movies like Clash of the Titans are good, in part because of how ridiculously campy the special effects are, movies like The Labyrinth continue to hold up decade after decade. This is no surprise since Jim Henson’s mastery of puppets has already been proven timeless. When applied to a dark yet whimsical fantasy like The Labyrinth, it’s impossible not to feel the magic coming right through the screen. The monsters and creatures are unsettling yet charming, making each of them easy to love.
Of course, Henson’s puppets aren’t The Labyrinth‘s only assets. Trevor Jones’s music played a significant role in this movie staying relevant for so long. “Magic Dance” is an especially memorable song, and David Bowie’s exceptionally magical performance deserves credit. Jennifer Connelly as Sarah added to the whimsy of The Labyrinth as well since it was through this character that audiences were spirited away to experienced this realm of goblins and tricks.
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3 Highlander
Release Year: 1986
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Highlander wasn’t a smash hit when it was first released in 1986, but it managed to become a cult classic regardless. The idea of an immortal man from 16th century Scotland living in 1980s New York City is something that really gained traction with younger audiences, especially with all the exciting sword fights thrown in. The story bounces back and forth between these different points in time, and this contributes to that magical quality. Then, with a sprinkling of romance and a whole lot of action, Highlander easily checks the boxes for an epic fantasy adventure.
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The cast of Highlander is another factor that can’t be ignored. Christopher Lambert, as Connor MacLeod, is the perfect fatigued hero, while Sean Connery serves as his wise teacher, Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez. Clancy Brown is also difficult to forget as the villainous Kurgan. Highlander is the next classic movie in line to get a modern remake, with Henry Cavill set to star in a movie due sometime in 2025. Of course, to be successful, this film will have to capture that 1980s charm.
2 The Princess Bride
Release Year: 1987
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The 1980s provided a wide variety of fantasy movie options, but there was nothing quite like The Princess Bride. This fantasy adventure contained all the foundational elements of the genre but with clever, comedic twists around every turn. Buttercup and Westley’s story was entirely unserious—essentially satire—but without taking away from the genuine action, excitement, and romance of it all. Decades later, The Princess Bride is even more engrained in popular culture than it was when it first took the world by storm.
Buttercup and Westley’s story was entirely unserious—essentially satire—but without taking away from the genuine action, excitement, and romance of it all.
Some of the standout features of The Princess Bride are the writing and cast. Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, and much much more bring a combination of drama and hilarity to the screen, pulling off dialogue that would never have landed without their exceptional timing. What’s more, The Princess Bride could have gotten away with poor sets and half-baked special effects, but what made it to the screen is still visually striking today.
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1 Willow
Release Year: 1988
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George Lucas and Ron Howard’s Willow is another film that screams 1980s fantasy. The overall structure and plot is a tale as old as time, with the villain tirelessly seeking out a child of prophecy. However, Willow played around with the unconventional hero trope, teaming up two characters who, for different reasons, wouldn’t be expected to save the day. Willow is heartwarming, inspiring, funny, charming, and everything else a family film should be. However, it still has the unmistakable dark fantasy quality.
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Willow‘s cast contributed significantly to the magic as well. Warwick Davis is a greatly beloved actor for this specific role, but he went on to shape the fantasy genre in further ways as well. This makes seeing the younger version of Davis in Willow all the more nostalgic. Then, of course, there are Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, and more. These actors were responsible for bringing this story to life, and the fantasy world of Willow has remained a magical home for audiences for decades.