The Golden Age of Fantasy Before The Lord of the Rings | Top 10 Most Underrated Fantasy Movies

[@Underrated-Cinema]

Hello everyone! I just wanted to say thank you so much for the comments, they mean a lot to me. I noticed that some of you were wondering why I included "The Fall" on my list even though it was released after "Lord of the Rings." There are two reasons for this. First, originally I was going for a full 80s fantasy list and had included "Willow" instead of "The Fall." Unfortunately, I lost the source file for "Willow" during the editing process and it took me nine days to edit this video. I was really frustrated and almost gave up, but I decided to keep going and ended up using "The Fall" instead since I already had its source file. Secondly, this wasn't the original title of the video. The original title was "The Forgotten Tales," but the video wasn't getting any views or impressions. So, I changed the title to be more search-friendly on KZbin. I'm sorry for any confusion and I hope you understand. Please feel free to share your favorite underrated fantasy movies in the comments for my future videos.🥰

[@ConlangKrishna]

I was going to ask about "Willow", but then "The Fall" seemed like a good suggestion too, considering that "Willow" is not THAT unkown. Really great list! The only film I did not know yet was "Beastmaster" - I will look out for it.

[@Underrated-Cinema]

Thank you for watching. Yes, you are right, compared to others, "Willow" is not that underrated.

[@silentpoet75]

You have to play the youtube game with the algorithm.

[@Madfattdeeb]

I knew it!! I voted Willow as number one.😂 It blew my mind when it was soo very different. Thank you for explaining this to us.

[@TF2CrunchyFrog]

I would have included _Dragonslayer._

[@purplehaze1274]

One thing that sticks out to me about 80's fantasy is that fantasy film from that era captures the aura of fantasy so much more than modern fantasy. This is true even for the ones that weren't very good but they still had the tone, music, and imagery that felt fantastical. There is a dreamlike beauty to them that is missing in todays attempts at fantasy.

the only film from the modern day that has that 80s live action dark fantasy style is pan's labyrinth.

[@transvestosaurus878]

My feelings exactly. The sound stages with theatre lighting, the soft focus, the rotoscoping and matte paintings, it's a visual language that captures the idiom of storytelling, in a way that modern, photorealistic effects don't.

[@lukeyznaga7627]

AGREED, Purplehaze!! Once again, evoltuion doesn't work. Not everything modern is improved in quality. Yes, you migh have more tech gadgets, but the real feel of "fantasy" and charm and tone, imagery is gone. EXAMPLE: Remember the music alone, of Conan, the original movie. Fantastic. Even THE MUSIC FOR Dragonslayer was great.

[@EricaMeeee]

Try "Moon Garden" (2022), if you haven't seen it!

[@seyioyetade]

​@@EricaMeeeewow I must check it out

[@LovlyHorror]

'Ladyhawke' is my favorite romance movie and one of the most underrated films ever made. Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer have more chemistry with less than five minutes on screen together and barely any dialog than most movie couples can manage in hours together. I am always so happy to see it get a shoutout. Also, I love the soundtrack 100% unironically and I'll defend it to my dying day.

[@Dunderslag]

"one of the most underrated films ever made." No, it isn't.

[@SuzyTurner]

I couldn't agree more! I must check out the soundtrack though...I can't quite remember it!

[@ai5837]

My second favourite movie of all time 😊

[@kevjer]

Good List. I would've had Willow, Princess bride and Highlander to my list. I haven't seen 3 of the 10 on this list.

[@christoffesedao3579]

Agreed. And the number 1 does not fit the criteria of the title as it came out after Lord of the Rings.

[@RANDALL_MARS]

Willow is great

[@hynol]

I think Princess bride and Willow are not underrated. Usually you can find them at the top of the best fantasy lists.

[@SpookyChaat]

Willow and Princess Bride for sure yesss

[@58jharris]

I'm not sure I would classify The Princess Bride as a "fantasy" movie though, it's more of an adventure movie. If you want to get that broad with what a fantasy movie is then the Indiana Jones trilogy could be considered fantasy movies.

[@thesilverdragon1963]

To this day, I can vividly recall seeing Ladyhawke in the theater as a youngster, and being utterly swept up by it. The scenery, the story, the soundtrack, the acting, and wound through all of it, the wrenching tragedy of the curse separating Michell Pfeifer and Rutger Hauers characters. It has been one of my favorite films for a long time😊

[@veganangel811]

Nevermind back then, I watched it a couple of months ago unsure of what it was at the start and I was hooked! Very good movie even now so I can imagine how you felt back then in the theatre :) enjoy the good old memory.

[@aliannarodriguez1581]

@@veganangel811 One somewhat quirky difference between seeing it on the TV and the big screen was the feeling in the theater that those horses were in the room with you. Most notably Rutger Hauers gorgeous black steed, which was in a lot of scenes and was actually discussed in a lot in the interviews at the time. That horse was a real physical presence in the movie and the directors even made a point of capturing the creaking of his leather saddle in the audio. You could hear female sighs from around the theater every time that horse appeared on the screen.

[@SuzyTurner]

It was such a beautiful film-everything about it was simply epic!

[@danielhance1467]

Tim Curry’s darkness is hands down the most terrifying devil ever put to film. The only thing I remembered of the film as a kid was his character, and to this day has never been replicated

[@thecrafter6658]

100%! And I love the Tangerine Dream soundtrack

[@Davidmaldonado9173]

The unicorns are the most realistic I’ve seen in any movie

[@nooneofimportance2110]

Agreed. Tim Curry was incredible in that movie. To this day, I wonder why Tim never was considered an A-lister. His talent was certainly more than up to snuff.

[@nospam3327]

Well, his performance in It is pretty amazing also

[@securityg]

It should have won an award for that makeup because it actually transcends from fantasy to a biblical allegory. - James D Watkins artistic director of PHOENIX PRODUCTIONS.

[@loopernow]

An animated film, The Last Unicorn (1982), deserves to be on this list. Based on a 1968 novel, it has everything--beautiful animation, a great script, and awesome voice acting from Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, Christopher Lee, and more! Almost forgot--music written by America. Amazing movie.

[@ArkOfMystery]

For sure. I also relish the animated film, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1979). It's both nostalgic and trippy at the same time!

[@Novusod]

Flight of Dragons is quite under rated for animated Fantasy. Also Fire and Ice.

[@aliannarodriguez1581]

More people should see this one. It is nothing like you would expect.

[@Frankiigii]

@@Novusod Flight of Dragons Spoiler Warning! My bf had never seen it so I had him watch just the scene where Peter defeats Ommadon by yelling math and science facts at him 😆 Idek how many times I've watched it. I knew James Earl Jones was Ommadon but I just realized Peter is voiced by John Ritter rip

[@thecandlemaker1329]

It's worth mentioning that the film was animated by Studio Topcraft, which later on became Ghibli.

[@damionkeeling3103]

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen should be here too.

[@Underrated-Cinema]

it's already on my list for future videos.

[@alexanderkantakusiniii8411]

GODBLESS....i love that film

[@alexanderkantakusiniii8411]

@@Underrated-Cinema I will definitely watch that video...a seriously underrated movie, especially when you are lucky enough to see it when you're 6.

[@juliomartinez2647]

And Brazil, of course

[@Traino6490]

I think the death puppet in baron munchhausen is the scariest portrayal of death I’ve ever seen

[@setpunks13]

I LOVE time bandits. The effects in that movie are so clever and still look great. Its like a movie that spilled from a child's toybox

[@alaricgoldkuhl155]

My favourite as a kid. Napoleon saying "That's what I like to see! Little things hitting each other!" had me in stitches. Still does.

[@SuzyTurner]

Someone gave me Time Bandits on DVD but it got damaged before I could watch it. I must try and stream it. It looks epic!

[@willlyon7129]

Excalibur, Legend, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth are my favorite underrated fantasy films.

[@AndrewHalliwell]

But they're not underrated. Neither is Krull. Beast masters probably the only one rightfully on that list.

[@fuzzblightyear145]

@@AndrewHalliwell Damn right. those films are absolute classics. Guess we're all showing our ages here, as these are the films of my childhood. "Underrated" must be the most overused phrase on youtube comments, LoL

[@rcb3921]

I remember watching an hour long 'making of' special for The Dark Crystal on one of the national T.V. networks. That kind of thing was super rare for the time. It wasn't an underrated movie -- it was hyped to the hilt and worth every penny.

[@moonbeeps]

They're not underrated. They literally made a prequel to The Dark Crystal a few years back.

[@Marvelousmax94]

Oh my gosh yes, legend!

[@spoogemop]

No love for 'Hawk the Slayer'? From 1980, so certainly one of the first ever pure sword and sorcery films, beating Conan to market by two years. And the silent scene with the dwarf and the giant eating bread and cheese is the greatest single shot in modern cinema. Perfect communication and not a single word spoken. Flawless.

[@SuzyTurner]

How do I not know about Hawk the Slayer? Adding that one to my list lol

[@ironsoul80]

psy-op to get you to watch the number 1 movie - also completely ignored CONAN

[@spoogemop]

@@ironsoul80 Hardly an underrated film. Widely regarded as the film that launched Arnold's A-list career, it's beautifully shot, well-paced and a righteous recognition of the world REH created. CtD is pretty good, but CtB really rewrote the book.

[@jenniferrussellstudio]

What about Dragonslayer? Great dragon in that one. I was glad to see that I'd seen all of these films. The Henson films have had a tremendous impact on me.

[@lovecarpetpythons]

Seriously. Dragonslayer is my favorite dragon film of all time!

[@Drifter2025]

Dragonslayer absolutely is a classic and seen several times.

[@seyioyetade]

​@@lovecarpetpythonswat about house of dragon

[@jamierussellville101]

The scene where there marching out the girl and tie her to the stake the first time is cemented in my brain.

[@NotMorganFreeman.]

Dragonslayer is a great film.

[@danielslilaty]

The Dark Crystal was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. I'm so glad you included it! Don't forget that the visionary fantasy artist Brian Froud drew the original designs of all of the puppets! There was a single-season prequel made by Netflix in 2019 that is truly wonderful. The producers were planning a second season and then Netflix cancelled it.

[@c3bhm]

The TV show was shockingly creative and brilliant. So of course they cancelled it, and yet we get a 5th season of trash like Star Trek Discovery (which I say as a huge lifelong Star Trek fan).

[@Turrican]

Conan films deserve a mention. However, I want to watch all of these films again now!

[@abimbolaadebanjo7948]

Red Sonya too

[@KorpsePaintKlown]

Conan isn't really underrated though tbf, the first one was the inspiration for almost all of the 80's fantasy genre films

[@seyioyetade]

​@@abimbolaadebanjo7948I love red Sonya , watch it as a kid , with Arnold

[@jdee8407]

Conan is not underrated, easily in top 3 Fantasy movies of all time.

[@highriskgunman4181]

Yep without Conan this list is a joke

[@lieutenantkettch]

The Beastmaster: that brings back memories. Tanya Roberts' waterfall scene in particular. 13 year old me wore out that part of the VHS tape.

[@Dreadwolf3155]

the movie so good it spawned a tv series! too bad the series went off the rails following S1.

[@josesantiago-llorens931]

Nobody mentions the beautiful script in Legend. Every sentence is poetry perfectly spoken by each actor

[@uncurlingfaena]

:egend is tied with a few others as my favorite movie of all time, so I say this in jest. When Lili and Jack are in the forest rollin' around with animals and junk, and a bird lands on Jack and she goes, "Jack, you're so clever..." It drives me insane. YOU DID NOTHING CLEVER TO EARN THAT BIRD, JACK. Still, among many many lines throughout Legend that are great, I really love the interaction between Jack and Meg Mucklebones - especially the line where Jack is still polite through his terror "You don't really mean to eat me, do you, ma'am?"...And Meg's reply is something I say often to myself, sometimes with a plate of food or while trying to put my cat's whole head in my mouth when kissing him - "Oh Indeed I do~!". And yes, I cackle.

[@utherpendragon4227]

“Who be you, Buckethead?”

[@MichaelAarons1701]

The one downside to _Legend_ is that Jack himself is not really much of a lead. Without Gump and the others, he’s a bit of a tool. He figures his way through Meg and comes up with the mirror trick sure, but that seems more like brief moments of brilliance than anything that says he’s an epic hero in the lead. Too lead-by-the-nose for me.😩

[@crowfoot1199]

@@uncurlingfaena yesssss "Foul tasting fairyyyyyy!!"

[@crowfoot1199]

just LOVE this movie - especially the version with Tangerine Dream doing the soundtrack (I believe there's another version). Tim Curry gets so many of these lines, like "Every wolf suffers fleas, tis easy enough to SCRATCH"

[@MrUnboxerVideos]

I grew up watching Dark Crystal, Legend, and Neverending Story, thanks for giving me other movies to watch!

[@MrUnboxerVideos]

WOW The Fall looks amazing!

[@glaucioreis]

"Krull", as flawed as it is, has a special place in my heart with its unique mix of Fantasy and Sci-Fi. And the Glaive is incredibly cool! Also, it has the best of all James Horner's musical scores.

[@ROMANTIKILLER2]

The Black Fortress of the Beast is to this day one of my favourite villain's lair. It is so unique and alien looking.

[@gamophyte]

when I saw it as a kid it always made me think of it as like a live action Legend of Zelda. @@ROMANTIKILLER2

[@thecandlemaker1329]

Imagined by the great artist Greg Hildebrandt.

[@glaucioreis]

@@thecandlemaker1329 Are you sure? I could find some conceptual art from him, but it's nothing like the Black Fortress (or anything) in the movie. His name isn't in the credits on IMDB, either, but I didn't check the actual movie.

[@glaucioreis]

@@thecandlemaker1329 I've just found some actual info: "At the end of 1981 Greg Hildebrandt began to work with Peter Yates on the pre-production art for the movie, KRULL. (...) After working for 4 months on this project Peter Yates went in a different direction for the final film."

[@marlinavallejos2258]

😊 EXCALIBUR !!! One of my favorites of all times! 😁👍

[@SuzyTurner]

I can't believe I haven't seen it!

[@theinsidiouschicken4716]

@@SuzyTurner I can't believe that they don't mention that Sir Patrick Stuart was in it!

[@christoffesedao3579]

The Fall came after Lord of The Rings. And not sure I’d rank it number 1. But your vid was great. Great narration and great movies on your list 🙏

[@jonw8694]

Agreed. Given the title of the video, The Fall really shouldn't be on the list since it came out in 2006.

[@steveouk90126]

Obvious ad is obvious.

[@fuzzblightyear145]

@@steveouk90126 Ahhh, someone else spotted that as well. Hmmm, loads of classic 80's films, and then a random one from 2006....

[@Tuidjy]

The Fall really does not belong, due to it being released outside of the specified period. It is especially annoying for those who have seen the original, the 1981 Йо-хо-хо (Yo Ho Ho) by Valeri Petrov.

[@snakeplisken6242]

The Fall can suck it

[@cha5]

Excalibur is one of my all time favorites, in fact I think it's about time I gave my Blu-Ray of that movie a rewatch. 🙂

[@OroWriter]

I’ve seen everything on your list except Excalibur. All great choices. Willow deserved to be there as well as Clash of the Titans, Jason and the Argonauts, the Sinbad films, and Dragonslayer from 1981. Although animated and maybe a different category, Secret of Nimh also one of my favorites. Great list thanks for the reminders of what to introduce to my kids!

[@Underrated-Cinema]

I hope they enjoy it as much as we did when we were kids.

[@mrquirky3626]

In my humble opinion, Excalibur is the best movie on this list (also probably the least kid friendly with its nudity and blood). It's done more like a Shakespearean tragedy than your typical fantasy movie, I would recommend checking it out.

[@DennisCoffman-dd8ok]

The skeleton scene alone in Jason and the Argonauts was great. Love Clash of the Titans (the original), Sinbad, and Dragonslayer as well.

[@ghiggs8389]

Excalibur is epic in the true sense. You will be amazed at the amount of faces you recognize, all before mega-stardom.

[@phoenix0477]

I was going to say Dragon Slayer. It was the 1st movie I saw in the cinema. Have it on dvd and everything in this video bar Lady Hawk and Excaliber.

[@themysteriousunknownrevealed]

OMG, THE FALL!!!!! I don't think that was before Lord of the Rings, but I've looking for that movie title for 12 years, thank you!

[@Deadeditior]

Great list, I would also add, Brazil, The Brothers Grimm, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (I’m a big Terry Gilliam fan).

[@Plantsandtoyhorses]

I's also add Flash Gordon from 1980. Sure its campy as hell, but that was part of its charm as long as you don't try to take the plot too seriously. 😆

[@kai-esen]

You missed one - Return to Oz is an amazing and very underrated movie. I am lucky to have Legend, Labyrinth and The Fall on blu-ray. I love these films and watch them several times a year.

[@Sawrattan]

Came here to mention Return to Oz too. I'd say it's even more underrated than for example Labyrinth and Dark Crystal which still enjoy huge cult followings.

[@iamwedged2705]

Return to oz was brilliant.

[@samwest1097]

+1 for Return to Oz. Back in the day we rented it and the whole fam including myself hated it! But for some reason I watched it 3 more times before returning it. Years later I finally got it. Underrated gem indeed.

[@valentinabucibattorti9813]

Everytime I see some green, precious jewel or fascinating object I feel in the King's hall of Oz green ornaments!!! 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@EricaMeeee]

I loved it as a kid, but rewatched it about a year ago and was disappointed.

[@xSayHiToEarlx]

Oh boy! There was a little tear in my eye. Tank you for the reminder. ❤️

[@juliomartinez2647]

Hard to believe that you left out Neil Jordan´s extraordinay The Company of wolves (1984)

[@helixxharpell]

Thank you for this. It brought back so many fond memories. Every young fantasy writer and lover of the genre (born after 2000) should see this video & watch these iconic films! Bravo sir!

[@mattrobinson21]

I can definitely confirm that the 80s had excellent fantasy movies. Need another list that includes Sword of the Valiant, The Barbarians, Masters of the Universe, Red Sonja, and Clash of the Titans. I can go on and on. Oh let's not forget Flash Gordon.

[@denisnadeau865]

Masters of the universe is very bad but I agree with the other movie.

[@gimmethepinkelephant3685]

Yeah, he left a lot off of this. And the film that was at number one makes no sense. This was supposed to be Pre-Lord Of The Rings fantasy films. But that one came out in 2006. And he also missed Conan The Barbarian. How can you make a list like this and leave that out?

[@gimmethepinkelephant3685]

By the way, Masters Of The Universe sucked...lol! I remember going to see that in the theater and I was extremely disappointed walking out.

[@brianh9358]

@@denisnadeau865 It is one of those movies that is so bad it is entertaining to watch.. lol. Most Golan Globus films were this way. I wouldn't have spent money seeing it in a theatre, but watching it on TV was worth the time. I kept imagining Dolph Lundgren saying "I will crush you!" with an bad Russian accent (but as He-man).. lol.

[@danielkover7157]

Miles O'Keefe had the Hair of the Valiant, lol 😆

[@jeronimoferronato1860]

Thanks man! You made me go back to my childhood. There was some scenes and images and didnt remember but immediatly came back to me. I will definitely watch those gems again (35 years later)

[@crisfirestar4857]

Almost all of these is from the 80s, the 80s is truly a magical time where originality, creativity and imagination flourished for both movies and music

[@ianbyrne465]

To each their own

[@lovesandservesjesuschrist6752]

Thanks to Star Wars.

[@dreamguardian8320]

I for one am glad I was born during the 80s.

[@moodyharvest]

and an age of flat, sugary banality. A few of these stand out though, especially Excalibur though it doesn't feel 80s.

[@SuzyTurner]

The 80s was hands down the best decade for fantasy movies!

[@maryjackson7026]

Love Ladyhawke so much! All of these! #1 didn’t make sense though since it came out in 2006, post-LoTR. I second the addition of Willow, Highlander, and The Princess Bride

[@violetmoonofthenorth]

OMG all movies from my childhood.. so much nostalgia ✨ thank you so much for this video. I love it!

[@Underrated-Cinema]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charleshartley9597]

I came here to say the same. With the exception of "The Fall" each of these are my childhood. As others have mentioned, I think "Conan the Barbarian" should be on this list (even though the portrayal of Conan from Howard's stories isn't entirely accurate). Cheers!

[@SuzyTurner]

I had the same reaction! Many of these movies were like the soundtrack to my childhood!

[@WouldbeSage]

What a beautifully concise and to-the-point video. Very professionally done.

[@tomdeluca5946]

Tim curry was fantastic as darkness and it was interesting seeing Tom cruise so young

[@aimeem]

I've always thought Mia Sara's black outfit in Legend did a lot to turn Goth into a worldwide fashion craze

[@Jarnagua]

Conan the Barbarian is the most underrated fantasy film. Told almost exclusively without dialog, the music and visuals are the essence of epic cinema. Combined with the raw, brutality of Arnold’s performance and a remarkable cameo by the great Max von Sydow, and one of the greatest scores in cinema history, and the best sword fight ever filmed, it is a classic!

[@grannyweatherwax8005]

I like it but I definitely wouldn't call it underrated. Not only was it a big hit that made Arnold a star, but it also kicked off a ton of copies and knock offs. Maybe teens today don't know it, but everyone in the 80s and 90s knew it and had seen it.

[@majorlazor5058]

It really isn’t the most underrated. Its has spawned a cartoon series, a sequels, a remake, and several copy cat films. Most fantasy films on this list are one and doners.

[@peasant8246]

"Underrated"? I don't think this word means what you think it means.

[@andrewpapke2436]

@@majorlazor5058 For decades, critics use the movie as a punchline, like it was some kind of Golden Raspberry - Arnold's accent, the genre (which until LOTR had never done fantasy cinema right) , all the "meat head" bodybuilders, some clunky line deliveries albeit, like it was some campfest (like Conan the Destroyer which sucked). I see it as a kind of hypermasculine fantasy art film - written and directed by a bona fide living legend of cinema. Yes it did well at the box office, but it has never received any respect for legimizing the sword and sorcery genre or for its harnessing lighting in a bottle. The only ones who love it and appreciate its greatness were the fans.

[@majorlazor5058]

@@andrewpapke2436 Well it’s not a very good movie despite it being entertaining. And other fantasy films received harsher critic ratings.

[@raimat66]

Thank you for a very nice tribute to these films. I am especially glad that any kind of condescending or criticizing comments did not appear. You express pure admiration and joy for films that may have worn out with time, but still deserve to be seen, celebrated and remembered for their greatness.

[@Blackferret66]

Never seen The Fall, but won't argue with any of the entries. I wish there was room for Dragonslayer, The Princess Bride, and the Adventures of Baron Munchausen, though.

[@KarlKarsnark]

Thank you for mentioning "The Fall". It's one of the most beautiful and charming movies ever made. He also directed a film called "The Cell", which also has great visuals.

[@_Strict9_]

Thank you for making that connection! I kept thinking, "man The Fall must have influenced The Cell!" 😆

[@KarlKarsnark]

@@_Strict9_ He also directed the R.E.M. music video "Losing My Religion", which uses his same, signature style.

[@BecomingBoundless]

Highlander, Dragonslayer and The Last Starfighterfrom the 80s, The Fisher King, Groundhog Day and Galaxy Quest from the 90s for me

[@SeanTracyEsq]

I rented all of these movies from the local library sooooo many times when I was kid, still love them all. Great list!

[@stevengentry9396]

This is a great list. There are many additions to make, but I would add Hawk the Slayer, a very underrated film in this genre.

[@drforest]

OMG. That’s a terrible film. Now I say that as a 56 year old who loved it as a kid and just watched it about a year ago, probably 40+ years since last viewing. Just aweful. I still knew more of the dialogue than I expected. Conan not being number one was a crime. Before watching the video I listed off 6 of the films in my head. Managed to forget one of my favorites on the list. Seen all of them many times except the Fall, which I’ve never even heard of. WTF?

[@michaelstockin1636]

@@drforest agreed on Hawk the Slayer, Conan can't be on this list as it is not under-rated?

[@seyioyetade]

Omg the never ending story, i watch it when i was 6, i only saw it once but did not know the title, i have been searching for this movie for 30yrs wow till i saw ur review 😊😊😊 thanks a million u have no idea how much joy u have brought me

[@Mithreniel]

Yay yay yay ! I love it when that happens!

[@SuzyTurner]

I was utterly in love with Atreyu lol!! Best movie ever (well...after Practical Magic, that is!)

[@michadybczak4862]

Aside "Neverending Story" and "Labyrinth" which I saw in the cinema as a kid, the rest is completely unknown to me. They aren't even played in the TV stations, although we now have so many of them. Amazing! Thanks for this video.

[@retinalcircus]

Great video. I recently worked on a the score for an British independent film that taps into elements of fantasy horror and ties them into superstitions as a unifying theme it's called The Pocket Film Of Superstitions and overall it retrains the fantastical elements of things those found In The Company Of Wolves but also the likes of Terry Gilliam, and Häxan. The vignette approach, post production collaging, pacing, dynamic acting and cut always put me in mind of a lot of tricks deployed in 70s and 80s fantasy productions. The fact it had a solid central idea and stuck to it but managed to deviate in style at times and drift into different approaches made the film special in it's narrative and pace. It's certainly magical but doesn't have the colossal promotion and reach of larger productions. That said, as it's now out there circulating on the independent film circuit I think I can view it with a sense of objectivity. It's by Carnie Features, they sum it up by saying "The film is described as a weird and wonderful merging of shades of folk horror, the supernatural with dadaist humor and a quaint British eccentricities that are long gone in the cinema of today."

[@aleksandartomasevic2104]

Keep up the good work. I've revisited all of those fantasies once more now, and you've evoked an urge in me to revisit some of them once again if I get the chance to find them. I was born in what was then Yugoslavia (now Serbia), and in the early 90s, my parents used to record these for me on VHS when broadcasted on TV, and I used to watch them so many times until the tape got entangled from rewinding. I was aged 5 - 7 and literally enchanted with movies like 'Legend' and 'Beastmaster' (I would close my eyes during the scary parts or later dared to endure watching Meg Mucklebones or the human-devouring Eagle people). Somehow, those movies have souls. Many of today's movies are mostly lacking that.

[@KleenerBro]

That was a very great video. I rarely watch full videos here. But this was captivating from start to finish!

[@Ken_Brooks]

The Fall is truly a masterpiece, as is Legend. I would add The Sword And The Sorcerer for visuals and sfx.

[@Underrated-Cinema]

I've added The Sword And The Sorcerer to my list for future videos, ty.

[@guitfidle]

Any idea where I can watch it? I can't find it online from any streaming service.

[@Ken_Brooks]

@@guitfidle I've no idea. I saw it for the first time when it was still playing in the theater.

[@Skoora]

I think I just saw it on Tubi. I watched it recently and had seen it in the theater when it was first released. It unfortunately has not aged well and the cheese factor is pretty high.

[@mattmardigan]

Fantastic list! Thanks! Here are my 5 recommendations in addition to this list: 1. Conan the Barbarian 2. The Princess Bride 3. Willow 4. Nibelungen (1924) 5. Dragonslayer

[@ladyjatheist2763]

I have cherished for the vast majority of my life now, all but one of these movies. I will find and watch "The Fall" this coming weekend thanks to this vid. Thank you for the memories, both old and yet to come.

[@mysticjc]

Return to Oz was, with Labyrinth, my favorite as a child. It deserves recognition as well.

[@nbell63]

With the exception of "The Fall" [which I shall now search out], all of these films cover my early adulthood, and a period wherein a number of us were discovering RPGs, like D&D. These visual gifts fueled our game play and sent us back to the cinema (and videos) for more. Thank you for the nostalgia! ☺

[@Diana-ch8cv]

The fall will be streaming on MUBi starting on Sept 27, 2024

[@CalvinWitthoft]

“Before Lord of the Rings” casually shows a 2006 movie at the end of the list

[@DoorsInTheLabyrinth]

all movies I love, but Legend is my favorite movie ever! Always glad to see others talking about it. And The Fall is absolutely beautiful and more people definitely need to talk about that one!

[@malcolmlagares8245]

Wow! This was amazing. Thank you. I remember most of these movies, but not all of them. Thank you.

[@ruben77]

The three great L's of fantasy from the 80s have not been equaled: Legend, Ladyhawke and Labyrinth. True gems of the genre.

[@damienkurrin]

Each and every one of the movies hold a special place in my heart, because they awaken the imagination that I sometimes forgot I had!

[@maniacaldude]

I've heard of all of these except for The Fall, and I've seen Time Bandits, Excalibur, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and The Neverending Story. There are definitely a few others you could have included on this list, though, like Return To Oz, Willow, and some animated offerings like The Secret Of NIMH.

[@EricaMeeee]

I LOVE The Secret of NIMH! It's probably part of why I love animals and can't eat them.

[@Novusod]

NIMH isn't fantasy. That is just a one of kind Don Bluth masterpiece.

[@maniacaldude]

@@Novusod How is a story that involves genetically enhanced rats forming their own advanced society, creating elaborate devices, tapping into powers beyond understanding, and growing a sense of morality not fantasy?

[@maniacaldude]

@@Novusod How is NIMH not a fantasy? Putting aside some of the more obvious elements that show up, we have a group of genetically-enhanced rats who have become advanced enough to form an advanced society, work with electricity, create elaborate devices, tap into powers beyond understanding, and develop a sense of morality over how their gifts are used. What's about that isn't fantasy?

[@daveweiss5647]

Wow! Time Bandits, Never ending Story, The Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, Beastmaster, Excalibur, etc... it's like you made this video specifically about my childhood! As someone else said, if Baron Munchousen was in this it would be perfect! I have never even heard of the last one you mentioned though, I'll have to check it out!

[@jeremy1860]

Jim Henson would be proud of just how beloved Dark Crystal and Labyrinth would one day become, even if their initial success wasn't what he'd hoped for 😊

[@joesmith-tr2nj]

It's been a very long time since I have enjoyed a youtube video this much. Thank You !!!

[@markr8755]

Ralph Bakshi's Wizards was another one I would have included. The idea and side stories were great. Like when they went to the church because they were told that the responsibility of the prisoners is up to the priests inside. "I want to show you a trick that mother showed me when you were around", classic line.

[@michaelminch5490]

"Oh, yeah. One more thing. I'm glad you changed your last name, you sonofabitch." *BLAM* Also - "THEY KILLED FRITZ!"

[@RANDALL_MARS]

Amazing film. Saw it when I was five years old. NEVER forgot it.

[@valley_robot]

Top film, one of my favourite movies, "get up for God's sake! Get up! They've killed fritz those lousy stinking yellow fairies"

[@RANDALL_MARS]

@@valley_robot 🤣🤣👍 Brilliant.

[@markr8755]

@@valley_robot Yep, another great line from a very quotable movie.

[@vonsopas]

OMG as a millenial all this movies bring back tons of memories, fond ones. Great list!

[@michaelelsy2209]

The Fall is the only one I've never heard of.

[@Underrated-Cinema]

Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

[@michaelelsy2209]

@@Underrated-Cinema Thanks I will.

[@Noevad]

Probably because it came out in 2006 after Lord of the rings and should not be on this list. I've never seen it either so I don't know if it's any good but definitely it being number one on a top 10 of fantasy before Lord of the rings. Feels like this is just an ad and I don't particularly appreciate that.

[@eckoschreiber]

Great picks;o) Little high fantasy centric but beloved and thx for the Fall, have to check that one out. My favourite 3 (not yet mentioned) for your consideration would be: 10th kingdom (biggest prod before LotR, Ed o'Neill as Troll king and Dianne Wiest, sardonic queen), City of lost children (gloomy, weird, charming, french Burton) and Return to Oz (Princess Mombi, Tik-Tok, the Wheeler. Neverending story goes American Mc Gee's Alice;o) ). Also Interstate 60, mixing urban fantasy, US "mythology" and a philosophical road trip^^

[@mortanos8938]

From a time when the world was still sane and carefree, this video brings back memories and warms my heart. What I am missing is The Highlander, Baron of Munchhausen and the good old Ray Harryhausen creations such as Sinbad or Jason and the Argonauts to name a few, but most of all my alltime favorites, the Conan movies. High time I watch these and other loveable gems again in due time.

[@bravosierra2447]

Watching this wonderful content made the hairs on my arm stand on end. As a kid I watched these movies with a sense of hope & wonder. It was like reliving my childhood. I would like to add a few more: The sword & the sorcerer. The company of wolves. The adventures of Baron Munchausen.

[@doublep1980]

"The Golden Age of Fantasy Before The Lord of the Rings " Movie Nr. 1 was released 2006, 3 years AFTER ''Return of the King'' was released...

[@Brigand231]

It certainly came off like an ad for the movie, too.

[@StockholmNightlife]

Thanks for another brilliant entertaining list again!! Ladyhawke are a Brilliant Movie Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer are perfect in their roles!! ❤❤💫

[@Fbs...]

Great List! As someone else poited out, it's a shame that you didn't mention Willow, Princess bride and Highlander, but also Dragonslayer (1981), the Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) and Barbarians (1987) come to mind. ;-) The Fall, despite being beutiful, is off topic to me: too recent (but I understand too well the inconvenience).

[@GKViddingHD]

Gosh, everything about The Fall is beautiful. The young actress, the visuals, the storytelling. Krull I watched when I was 6 or seven and already obsessed with Michael Ende's famous novel Neverending Story. Time Bandits is, next to The Labyrinth and Willow, my most beloved fantasy movie (yes, I love stories around the small folk). I'm reminiscing, sorry lol

[@djayjp]

I would add "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" 👍

[@digital-alchemist]

Glad you included The Fall (even though it wasn't made in the 80s). Possibly the most visually stunning fantasy film I've seen and certainly among the most unique. I have not seen anything quite like it since. The level of detail and effort that went into the costumes and set pieces still blows my mind. Pan's Labyrinth (also 2006) was equally incredible, although definitely walking a fine line between dark fantasy and horror. That film destroyed me (but in a good way).

[@dragonslyer74]

How could you not have the adventures of baron munchausen

[@stuyrides5144]

This brought back some fantastic memories.

[@quantumparadox2518]

I’d add dragonslayer, Hawk the slayer, sword and the sorcerer, willow,

[@damionkeeling3103]

Willow should definitely be there as it was the most LOTR like film and ironically was also filmed in New Zealand.

[@luzcka]

I watched all the movies on that list, they are all great movies! But, Lady Hawk deserves a special mention... this movie has magnificent photography! Places... Sunlight... Costumes... Moments... All is magic!

[@MarcVanLaere-zr5im]

Labyrint is still a great movie. ❤👍

[@FilmflickerCinema]

This is so high quality and professional, not to mention informative and relaxing

[@NewMessage]

Forgot Dragonslayer

[@raggeragnar]

I came here to say the same. It’s a good thing that I’m not the only one.

[@Seishae]

Added every single one of these to my watchlist, including the ones I’ve already seen because you made me want to see them again. Great list.

[@chriswagg1354]

Lord of The Rings was first released as a film in 1978 by Ralph Bakshi and was responsible for my life long love of Fantasy and pretty much all the movies here came after that...I know I'm being picky...but I am a pedantic git!!

[@MactelMordek]

I wanted to say the same thing. I could be wrong but I believe all that was listed does not predate there Lord of the rings animated movies. Now those were underrated.

[@X.davidWilliams]

Huzzah,, oh such wonderful images to have ever crossed a screen. Thank you for reminding me

[@poppers7317]

The Lord of the Rings Movies came out before 2006.

[@juliettebouchery3550]

Lovely! Thank you, I'm going to watch... well, practically all of them!

[@Contraltissimo]

This video made me smile tonight, and I really needed that. Ah, I'm almost getting weepy just typing this. Some of these I've seen, many I haven't. It's just nice to see a little celebration of some of the magic that's in the world. Thank you for this.

[@gerardotrinidad888]

All great movies. This was awesome! Thank you so much for this.

[@gerardotrinidad888]

Clash of the Titans (original), all the Sinbad movies from the 50s to the 70s, I would put The 13th warrior in there. Dragonheart. Conan The Barbarian. What about the animated versions of the Lord of the Rings? Those were great!

[@oldglit]

What a beautiful selection! I was born in '83, and these movies played a significant role in my love for fantasy movies, books, games, and everything related, up to this very day! Legend is my all-time favorite, followed by The Neverending Story (although in this case, I prefer the book), and I'm so glad that you included The Fall. I agree, it's a stunningly underrated movie..

[@denofthewyrd]

Great video! These films deserve to be remembered. Thank you :)

[@Chris-tq3uc]

Can I say how much I appreciate how this video just get on with it?

[@alandpal79]

Im just happening upon this channel and I cannot believe how well done all of these videos are. Fantastic work

[@Chaotic313]

Thank you for this wonderful list of movies! I have seen some, but not for many years, and look forward to revisiting. Those I haven't seen will be a welcome step back in time. With all the advances in special effects etc., something has been lost. Like the difference between vinyl records and digital music. There is a richness and depth and the people don't look like plastic dolls or rubber stamps of some ideal. They look real...whilst in a fantasy.

[@benbishop1131]

This was great! I love the quality of practical effects used in 80s movies. Definitely revisiting a few of the films on this list!

[@MSheen-ef3ly]

Krull, Labrynth, Excalibur and Layhawke were some of my favorites. In these movies are young Liam Neeson, Helen Mirren, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rutger Hauer and many other excellent actors that had excellent careers ahead of them

[@JeffreyDeCristofaro]

For me, Excalibur, Conan the Barbarian, and Highlander are the Holy Trinity of 1980's Fantasy Films.

[@Why_o_Why]

Didn't expect the Fall to be in this list, but so glad that it is. Such an overlooked gem. Truly a masterpiece in what film media can do.

[@GilezDavidson]

I have seen all the movies, except for The Fall, which I have to watch. I need to watch all the others again, thank you very much for sharing. Very well made video. 😊

[@spacetoast2491]

This is like a list of all my favorite movies as a kid.