Fantasy movies, like many other works of speculative fiction in film, are judged more harshly by critics and audiences alike. Whether this is because of their campy elements or lackluster special effects, many aspects of fantasy stories are difficult to translate to the screen and easier to mess up. However, technical facets of a movie aren’t the only parts that are important, as the script, acting, and humor can all add much to the film. As time progresses and the trends of fantasy change, many older movies have been reassessed to be better than their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
It ultimately doesn’t matter how a film is reviewed when it comes to personal opinion.
While some movies have a higher critic score than the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, this doesn’t necessarily mean the film will stand the test of time. Filmmaking, like all art, is subjective, and one movie that might not connect with one audience member could arrive at a poignant time for another. It ultimately doesn’t matter how a film is reviewed when it comes to personal opinion. As long as a viewer’s experience of the film is positive, that means the movie has value. In some cases, a large group of audience members can help revitalize the film’s popularity.
10 Warcraft (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 29%
Warcraft 3
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PG-13AdventureActionFantasy Where to Watch
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Director Duncan Jones Release Date May 25, 2016 Writers Duncan Jones , Alex Rocco Cast Travis Fimmel , Daniel Wu , Toby Kebbell , Paula Patton , Ben Foster , Dominic Cooper Runtime 123 minutes
Contemporary works of movies and TV have made it seem that the media has entered a golden age of video game adaptations. Warcraft came out in the mid-2010s, when video game adaptations still weren’t as common, and the movie was partially misunderstood by audiences and critics who weren’t familiar with the games. It’s challenging to please everyone when adapting such a beloved work of fiction for the screen, and Warcraft struggled to live up to the differing expectations for the film.
It expanded upon the conflict between humans and orcs set up in the games and pushed further into the development of its characters than many other fantasy movies do.
However, the fact that Warcraft attempted to tell a deeper and more meaningful story with its high-profile platform is admirable. It expanded upon the conflict between humans and orcs set up in the games and pushed further into the development of its characters than many other fantasy movies do. Today, the effects and stylization of the orcs hold up surprisingly well, and the performances from the actors are a highlight of the film, as every character is brought to life with empathy and understanding.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Warcraft (2016) |
76% |
9 Masters Of The Universe (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 21%
Masters of the Universe (1987) PGActionAdventureFantasy
Masters of the Universe is the first live-action movie based on Mattel’s iconic 5.5-inch action figure line. The movie was released in 1987 and starred Dolph Lundgren. Despite the toys and animated series still being very popular in the late ’80s, the live-action film received largely negative reviews and was a disappointment at the box office for The Cannon Group, Inc.
Director Gary Goddard Release Date August 7, 1987 Studio(s) The Cannon Group, Inc. Writers David Odell Cast Dolph Lundgren , Frank Langella , Courteney Cox , James Tolkan , Christina Pickles , Meg Foster , Robert Duncan McNeill Runtime 106 Minutes Expand
After the success of Barbie and other live-action toys and animated TV show adaptations for Mattel, the new live-action Masters of the Universe movie release date will hopefully be within the next few years. Though the first attempt at translating the beloved franchise to live-action was a failure at the box office, few audience members have forgotten the iconic 1980s project. Starring Dolph Lundgren as He-man, the movie is a campy celebration of the best parts of ’80s fantasy movies and is a nostalgic addition to the He-Man canon.
While Lundgren physically fit the bill of playing He-Man, Frank Langella stole the show as Skeletor, He-Man’s sworn enemy. Masters of the Universe understands that a hero is only as good as his villainous counterpart, and this is an aspect the movie delivers. Enough time has passed for Masters of the Universe to be celebrated for its technical failures and be rewarded for the iconic style and storytelling that connected with so many young viewers at the time of its release.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Masters of the Universe (1987) |
41% |
8 Legend (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 41%
Legend PGAdventureFantasyRomance
In a fantastical realm, Jack must save Princess Lili from the clutches of the sinister Lord of Darkness, who plans to bring eternal night by killing the last unicorns. Teaming up with a group of mystical companions, Jack ventures through dark forests and treacherous terrains to stop Darkness and ensure the survival of their magical world.
Director Ridley Scott Release Date April 18, 1986 Studio(s) Universal Pictures , Embassy International Pictures N.V. , Legend Production Company Writers William Hjortsberg Cast Tom Cruise , Mia Sara , Tim Curry , David Bennent , Alice Playten , Billy Barty , Cork Hubbert Runtime 94 Minutes Expand
Legend is an underrated fantasy collaboration between Ridley Scott and a young Tom Cruise that initially missed its mark but has amazing elements. Also featuring Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness, one of the most terrifying fantasy villains of the 1980s, Legend isn’t afraid to get dark and push the boundaries of fantasy. Some of the best aspects of Legend are the visuals and the set pieces, which immerse the viewer in the world of the story. While some of the creatures might look dated, the practical effects are on par with Scott’s other monsters.
It should be praised for conceiving an entirely new story when other studios were adapting traditional fairy tales.
Much of the narrative is a love story between Cruise’s Jack and Mia Sara’s Lili, and this is a welcome storyline considering how genuinely terrifying Darkness is. Though it’s not as gruesome or graphic as some of the best R-rated fantasy movies, Legend still has some intense scenes that are balanced by the softer moments. Though Legend is a less-known project for the creative team involved, it remains a uniquely original addition to the genre. It should be praised for conceiving an entirely new story when other studios were adapting traditional fairy tales.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Legend (1985) |
73% |
Related Ridley Scott’s Most Underrated Movie Is This 1985 Fantasy Flop Everyone Should See
Ridley Scott is best known for franchises like Blade Runner and Gladiator, but there’s one movie from the director that is seriously underrated.
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7 Practical Magic (1998)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 24%
Practical Magic 1
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PG-13FantasyComedyDrama Where to Watch
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Practical Magic is a romantic fantasy film directed by Griffin Dunne, featuring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, born into a family of witches. Living under a curse that dooms any man they fall in love with to an untimely death, the sisters navigate love, loss, and their magical heritage while confronting family secrets and societal prejudices.
Director Griffin Dunne Release Date October 16, 1998 Writers Alice Hoffman , Robin Swicord , Akiva Goldsman , Adam Brooks Cast Nicole Kidman , Sandra Bullock , Stockard Channing , Dianne Wiest , Goran Visnjic , Aidan Quinn , Evan Rachel Wood , Mark Feuerstein Runtime 104 Minutes
Critics and audiences couldn’t be more divided about the legacy and impact of Practical Magic, as the cult classic starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman is a fall favorite for many viewers. Based on the novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic makes some changes from the source material but is just as much of a romance as the book. However, for all the romantic elements of the movie, the most important message is about the bond of sisterhood and embracing oneself for who you truly are.
The fantasy in Practical Magic comes in through the fact that Sally (Bullock) and Gillian (Kidman) are witches, and they must use their combined powers to stop a curse put on Gillian. Tonally, Practical Magic has its ups and downs, as it oscillates between dark and heavy subjects like grief and more campy humorous moments. However, the aesthetics of the movie are cohesive and match the story perfectly. Both the dark and happy scenes in Practical Magic come together to make the film a solid fantasy rom-com.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Practical Magic (1998) |
73% |
6 Jabberwocky (1977)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 45%
Jabberwocky PG
Director Terry Gilliam Release Date April 15, 1977 Writers Lewis Carroll , Charles Alverson , Terry Gilliam Cast Michael Palin , Harry H. Corbett , John Le Mesurier , Warren Mitchell , Max Wall , Rodney Bewes , John Bird , Bernard Bresslaw Runtime 105 Minutes
Terry Gilliam’s comedic fantasy adventure, Jabberwocky, has long been misunderstood, like some of Gilliam’s other fantasy movies that are well-remembered but received lukewarm critical reception. Only a few years after Gilliam collaborated with Monty Python on Monty Python and the Holy Grail, he directed Jabberwocky by himself, and much of his later creative sensibilities can be seen in the project. Starring Michael Palin as Dennis Cooper, a misguided young man who’s underappreciated by his loved ones and leaves his small village to seek his fortune.
Gilliam’s films are satirical, but they’re also imbued with respect and love for the other works they reference and are in conversation with.
Jabberwocky makes many tongue-in-cheek jabs at the fantasy genre and fairy tales like Alice Through The Looking Glass and the Legends of King Arthur, but they’re all in good fun. Gilliam’s films are satirical, but they’re also imbued with respect and love for the other works they reference and are in conversation with. Dennis is a bumbling but relatable hero, and he’s a welcome change from the overpowered protagonists who usually are at the center of fantasy adventures.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Jabberwocky (1977) |
47% |
5 Hawk The Slayer (1980)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 40%
Hawk the Slayer adheres to the classic tropes of the sword and sorcery story, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have original elements or a fun premise. Starring a young John Terry as Hawk, Hawk the Slayer sees him fight Voltan (Jack Palance), his brother, in a fight for power and succession that’s similar to great works of historical fiction. After their father denies Voltan the sword and magic of the kingdom and gives it to Hawk, a deadly battle ensues.
As time has progressed, more audiences have discovered Hawk the Slayer and its merits, enjoying the look of the effects and the performances. The ensemble is filled with great character actors like W. Morgan Sheppard, and the team that Hawk assembles to save the day has many of the familiar fantasy archetypes audiences see today. Additionally, the dynamic between Hawk and Voltan is complex and compelling enough to carry the film.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Hawk the Slayer (1980) |
57% |
4 Zardoz (1974)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 49%
Zardoz 0
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RSci-FiAdventureFantasy
Zardoz, directed by John Boorman, is a 1974 science fiction film set in a dystopian future. Sean Connery stars as Zed, an exterminator who uncovers the truth about the god-like entity Zardoz, who controls his society. The film explores themes of class division and human evolution within a surreal and complex narrative.
Director John Boorman Release Date February 6, 1974 Writers John Boorman Cast Sean Connery , Charlotte Rampling , Sara Kestelman , John Alderton , Sally Anne Newton , Niall Buggy , Bosco Hogan , Jessica Swift
Sean Connery is unrecognizable in Zardoz, a sci-fi fantasy film set thousands of years in the future that was written and directed by John Boorman. Also starring Charlotte Rampling, the off-beat project features amazing actors pushing themselves out of their comfort zone in a new and innovative story. The world of Zardoz sees a conflict brewing between the Eternals and the Brutals, as the Brutals are kept in a lower social standing and forced to serve the Eternals. Since the Eternals are immortal, they’ve descended into a dystopian future of self-medicating and betrayals similar to narratives like Brave New World.
Connery plays Zed, a Brutal who gains access to the world of the Eternals and sees that though they live in luxury, their lives have lost meaning.
Connery plays Zed, a Brutal who gains access to the world of the Eternals and sees that though they live in luxury, their lives have lost meaning. Though the world of Zardoz can be confusing and convoluted, the central themes and messages of the story are timeless and poignant. As Zed, Connery distinguishes himself from his past role as James Bond and becomes a fantasy adventurer worth following. Zardoz comments on immortality as a concept and what it would do to the human race if it were possible.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Zardoz (1974) |
53% |
3 Season Of The Witch (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 11%
Season of the Witch pg-13AdventureFantasy Where to Watch
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Season of the Witch is a 2011 action fantasy movie starring Nicolas Cage. Set in the 14th century, Season of the Witch focuses on knights escorting a potential witch to a group of monks who suspect she could be the cause of the Black Plague. The film was directed by Dominic Sena.
Director Dominic Sena Release Date January 7, 2011 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Dominic Sena Cast Nicolas Cage , Ron Perlman Runtime 95minutes Expand
Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Claire Foy, and Robert Sheehan are all part of the reason that Season of the Witch should be reassessed and treated with more interest. Set in the 14th century, Season of the Witch follows Cage and Perlman’s characters after deserting their company of knights. They’re coerced into transporting Anna (Foy), a woman accused of witchcraft, to a monastery where she will be cleansed of her powers. However, it soon turns out there’s much more to her than accusations of magic.
Season of the Witch quickly delves into religious territory and is deeply linked to the narratives of demons and exorcisms that populate lots of horror films. However, Season of the Witch is more fantasy than horror because it’s more focused on the action and adventure that accompany the threat of demons rather than the terror. Though Cage’s performance was knocked by critics, there’s still a lot to enjoy in Season of the Witch and plenty of thrilling fight sequences.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Season of the Witch (2011) |
30% |
2 Krull (1983)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 35%
Krull (1983) PGActionAdventureFantasyScience Fiction
This fantasy adventure film is set on the planet Krull, where a young prince must rescue his bride from an evil entity known as the Beast. Armed with a magical weapon, the Glaive, the prince embarks on a perilous journey, assembling a band of allies to confront the Beast and its army in a fortress that shifts locations each day.
Director Peter Yates Release Date July 29, 1983 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures Writers Stanford Sherman Cast Ken Marshall , Lysette Anthony , Freddie Jones , Francesca Annis , Alun Armstrong , David Battley , Bernard Bresslaw , Liam Neeson Runtime 117 Minutes Expand
Krull is a nostalgic favorite from the director Peter Yates that features a young Liam Neeson in a small role. Ken Marshall plays the protagonist, Colwyn, a prince who’s set to marry Princess Lyssa (Lysette Anthony) to unite their warring kingdoms. However, their plans are thwarted by the evil Beast, who kidnaps Lyssa and tries to sabotage Colwyn. Much of Krull revolves around the idea that the love between Colwyn and Lyssa is what will heal the realm of Krull and send the Beast and his minions back into space.
There are elements of sci-fi along with the magic and fantasy creatures found in
Krull
.
There are elements of sci-fi along with the magic and fantasy creatures found in Krull. The sci-fi aspects have to do with the Beast’s arrival on the planet while the rest of the story is made up of mystical forces and legendary prophecies. Strong visuals and solid direction make up for some of what Krull lacks, but the movie was reviewed a little too harshly when it premiered. Though Krull doesn’t push boundaries with its storytelling it still warrants remembering.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Krull (1983) |
52% |
1 Bewitched (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 24%
Bewitched PG-13ComedyFantasyRomance
Bewitched is a romantic comedy directed by Nora Ephron, starring Nicole Kidman as a real witch cast in a remake of a classic TV series, with Will Ferrell as her clueless co-star. The film explores the blending of reality and fiction as the two navigate their personal and professional lives. Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine also star in this charming twist on the beloved original sitcom.
Director Nora Ephron Release Date June 24, 2005 Writers Nora Ephron , Delia Ephron , Sol Saks Cast Nicole Kidman , Will Ferrell , Shirley MacLaine , Michael Caine , Jason Schwartzman , Kristin Chenoweth , Heather Burns , Jim Turner Runtime 102 Minutes
Nora Ephron’s updated take on the beloved TV show Bewitched was one of her worst-received projects, but the iconic writer and director knew what she was doing. The movie is filled with the classic quips and one-liners Ephron is known for, and Kidman gets to flex her comedic muscles alongside a charming Will Ferrell. In conversation with other worth of romance and fantasy, Bewitched pays tribute to the original TV series while exploring the issues of Hollywood.
Part of the reason Bewitched wasn’t as well-received as its fantasy TV counterpart is likely because audiences assumed the movie was going to be more similar to the series. However, Bewitched was firmly set in the present day and expanded upon the formulaic elements of the older sitcom. It attempted to be an original work that deviated from expectations and took advantage of the chemistry between Kidman and Ferrell. The magic of Hollywood blends well with the magic of romance in the underrated Ephron project.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Bewitched (2005) |
28% |