Top 10 Underrated Fantasy Movies

Not every movie is "The Lord of the Rings." And you know what? That’s okay. Join www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the top 10 Underrated Fantasy Movies. Check us out at / watchmojo , / watchmojo and / watchmojo . Also, check out our interactive Suggestion Tool at www.WatchMojo.com/suggest :)
Special thanks to our users jkellis and WittyIntellect for submitting the idea on our Suggestions Page at WatchMojo.com/suggest.
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[@RobleViejo]

HOLY SHIT, The Last Unicorn was made by studio TopCraft, they did the LOTR animated movies from the '80s, this studio worked with Miyazaki to make Nausicaa in the Valley of the Winds, and THEN it was bought by Miyazaki and named, yes... STUDIO GHIBLI!!!! Its amazing because they were doing western cartoons-like movies AND anime movies at the SAME FUCKING TIME. And you can see it in The Last Unicorn, both styles, merging into anime-like faces, but with western lore and setting. My brain is exploding right now. Imagine a world were this studio kept making animation movies mixing both cultures.

[@elm6090]

Pedro Merlo *Mindblown* Well I knew about the Hobbit the animation and music was very similar to me as a child lol. Did not get the myazaki connection it all makes sense to me now I didn't see a Miyazaki until about a year ago and I had this eerie feeling I had returned to my childhood , but couldn't figure out why .....

[@Wolfen443]

The High Quality is undeniable on these productions for sure.

[@Erethras]

+Pedro Merlo this is so geek and so cool!

[@traffy269]

woahhh No wonder I really adore Studio Ghibli animation movies production a lot.. because I really love The last unicorn! the animation is top tier and so beautiful!

[@idratherbe_inspace5430]

If that's the case then it just jumped a few spots on my list of movies to see! Awesome!

[@taye9457]

I DON'T CARE I LOVED NEVER ENDING STORY AND LABYRINTH! RIP DAVID BOWIE ( GOBLIN KING) AND JONATHAN BRANDIS!!!

[@burpie3258]

Dance magic dance....

[@taye9457]

waaaah!:(

[@dootnoot6052]

+Tay E 8'(

[@isobelduncan]

They were mentioned on one of their other lists

[@srogers500]

Pretty sure everybody loved The Never Ending Story and Labyrinth. Not really underrated.

[@c.j.b.2878]

I wish more people knew that the Black Cauldron was based on a book by Lloyd Alexander, which is part of an entire series called the Chronicles of Prydain. It's an AMAZING fantasy series.

[@aro5490]

books are wonderful. much better than the movie.

[@littlesongbird1]

it is..Disney should get the rights again to that series and do a live action/cgi version of those books.

[@deannavestal1394]

I just realized how much of a geek I really am I've seen every single one of these Underrated Fantasy Movies including the honorable mentions :D

[@melodye14]

So much agreement, except Stardust should've gotten a top spot. It deserves so much more than an honorable mention.

[@loughkb]

+Melody Weckel Yep, Stardust was such a surprising delight. I can't say anything bad about it. I also thought it should have made the list.

[@Fusako8]

+Melody Weckel I can't really argue The Dark Crystal having gotten it, but I consider The Dark Crystal, Stardust, and Legend to be the top 3 under-rated or forgotten fantasy movies of the last 3 decades.

[@MrGreatDane2]

It isn't really underrated though

[@themaskedredbandit]

+Melody Weckel I loved Stardust so much but I don't think it's underrated

[@JuliannaFashionland]

I specifically clicked on this video hoping it got a top spot.

[@Vinylrebel72]

I'm surprised there was no mention of Labyrinth!

[@AnavelJay]

I was to, but then I thought maybe it's because it's not underrated, it's quite a popular movie.

[@Vinylrebel72]

Yeah, true, but it didn't do well at all at the box office, and The Dark Crystal and Legend are more popular than that one. I don't know....maybe they just couldn't fit it in.

[@ShadowMasterT]

I think Labyrinth was actually included in another top 10 list of fantasy movies quite favorably, so it can't technically be "underrated". I think it's quite popular, since it's quite a cult hit, whereas "The Dark Crystal" is still somewhat buried in obscurity (Probably due to the lack of closeups on David Bowie's crotch).

[@Vinylrebel72]

Ha Ha Ha...yah, nobody wants to see a naked Gelfling playing the flute.

[@merloon]

ShadowMasterT The Dark Crystal certainly wasn't underrated when it came out. It was a nominee for the Hugo Award that year for Best Dramatic Presentation, up against E.T., The Road Warrior, The Wrath of Khan, and that year's winner, Blade Runner (1983 was a very good year.) I was at that Worldcon (ConStellation) and got to meet Jim Henson, as well as getting to screen all five films. Not quite sure why it's slipped into obscurity since then, though.

[@rafaelfuentescortes5318]

Another underrated movie is "The Pagemaster", an animated /live action film starring Macaulay Culkin. It tells the story of a shy boy who goes into a library and is transported magically by the Pagemaster into three literature classic books, so he can develop his character. I adored that film when I was a child! Maybe it wouldn't make it into this top ten, but, man, still it was so underrated.

[@littlesongbird1]

I have never seen that movie...I remember seeing the previews as a kid and thinking it was just a cash grab with Macauly and a psa for libraries but now I would like to see it because so many of my friends tell me they loved it as a kid.

[@dreamguardian8320]

That movie had a beautiful song, "Whatever You Imagine."

[@Halpin2006]

Dark Crystal was directed by the masters Henson and Oz, but also was produced by Gary Kurtz, producer of Star Wars. I loved Dark Crystal when it came out in 1982, and knew it was a creative cult classic from the start. But unlike Star Wars, the general public did not really clique with it, mostly for its plot. But even 35 yrs later, any geek, cosplay, or medeival person loves this film. What is even more sad is that Henson Productions wanted to make a sequel to Dark Crystal in 2008, with Jen and Kira as 1000 yr old king and queen of a brand new Gelfling race. But this project never made it past the storyboards. Rest in peace Auhgra.

[@robart1979]

Netflix baby

[@chantellgermain4297]

It's basis like The Labyrinth were from art work by Brian Froud. BTW Brian's son plays Toby Sarah's baby brother for a full connection of his hand in those works. Fantastic movie although The Labyrinth is my favorite of the two.

[@laserblast92]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npe4hKylf8iVrrc The Crystal Method Was influenced by The Dark Crystal

[@jenksd]

It's getting a Netflix TV sequel

[@littlesongbird1]

@@chantellgermain4297 I never knew that was Brian Froud's son! I knew the baby's name was also Toby. How cool is that!

[@ToplessTopics]

Witches screwed me up as a kid. Every time I tried to explain it to people later on they assumed I was talking about Hocus Pocus, but HP isn't even scary -_- I STILL have nightmares about scaley bald old women cursing me to death.

[@dreamingsophie5792]

yeah , same with me. the first nightmare i had that i can remember was about a witch trying to murder my whole family ( by... tickling us, but yeah, was still terrifiying ...)

[@rexgrl3]

And that painting with the little girl stuck in it? Damn, that was scarier than Tim Curry's Darkness!

[@aguirronunbound]

It almost did the same thing to me, except I was 11 or 12 the first time I saw it and the character of the grandma (she's awesome just as her grandson) made it enough to avoid having nightmares, I really cool movie that makes HP a joke

[@enterthevoid3504]

ToplessTopics I've been emotionally scarred by the Witches, although the scariest part for me was the paintings story in the beginning.

[@MarthadelPilarMoreno]

Yes, that story marked the pace for the entire film. It's one of the most creepiest movies I've ever seen.

[@HorroRviXenKate]

STARDUST is criminally underrated ,its frikkin fantastic

[@joyusdivisionus]

Gaiman sure can write. American Gods needs a movie adaption.

[@Wolfen443]

I liked Stardust, The Fountain is fantastic I have in DVD too. The Last Unicorn looks impressive, The Witches IS JUST SCARY. Number 6 is very impressive story telling wise, The German Version is very good and Mature. I love Willow it is charming fantasy story, number 4 I have not seen. Legend is AMAZING, Cruise has dismissed this little gem from his resume for no clear reason except that he was upstaged, number 2 I have to watch for sure now. The Beas Master is a classic, Reign Of Fire I have seen too. I own the Dark Crystal and I love it in every possible way.

[@bansshan7306]

+HorroRviXenKate Totally agree!! It would've been my pick for #1 The effects were not as lame as most of these above :/

[@My2Cents1]

+Wolfen443 Whatever happened to the sequel to Dark Crystal??

[@carlpopow9043]

Even on this countdown it's under rated :/ it should've been #1

[@danaegore3815]

Willow, The Last Unicorn, Legend: three of my very favorite movies of all time. They along with Princess Bride, Labyrinth, and Never Ending Story were my childhood.

[@captainbryce1]

The Dark Crystal, Legend, and Willow are not "underrated". They are essentially all in the same category as Labyrinth. Everyone from that era remembers all of these movies in the same light. Stardust and Beastmaster should have been on this list, and how could you forget Ladyhawk?

[@zaizen4359]

Posts like this is why I always scour the comments section of these videos. Thanks for sharing these recommendations!

[@stevenwilliams1805]

"Stardust" got a mention.

[@scarlatradu]

And Ladyhawk is not really fantasy, just medieval chivalry, and stuff.

[@captainbryce1]

@@scarlatradu Ladyhawk is fantasy in that the central premise revolves around a supernatural curse that has two people affected by magical shapeshifting. Medieval stories that involve the supernatural fall into the "fantasy" realm. Merlin, Game of Thrones, etc are all fantasy as well, even though they have a medieval setting.

[@li-limandragon9287]

*True fact*: "Legend" is the close thing to a live action Zelda we're gonna get in a long time.

[@Ichi-iu8ks]

One year before

[@nickmontoya3001]

Li-Li Mandragon I never thought of it that way...now I do

[@johntumahab323]

Forest dwelling teenager meets up with a princess who gets captured by a dark lord with horns and cloven feet who also steals a golden power to give him dominion over the world. Teenager goes into a cave to claim a magic sword and shield and then goes to battle the dark lord, assisted by various different magic creatures. The princess ends up being useless to the plot save as a MacGuffin to rescue, and hero defeats the dark lord hitting him with an attack that bears the power of light, which he’s able to do by solving a sophisticated light-reflecting puzzle throughout the dark lord’s lair. Then he restores the golden power and his world with it, which also involves breaking the princess out of an enchanted sleep. Even though he saves the princess, she pretty much just smiles and says goodbye rather than marries him at the end. Oh, and one of his companions is a fairy who flies around his head like a blip of light and shouts out obnoxious things in a tiny voice. Yup...you're right. :)

[@kevinclapson]

Finally saw it, it was remarkably cheesy. There was a lot of ground work there but it felt over edited.

[@ssjsmith8879]

It's more like Lunar than Zelda.

[@dinkmartini3236]

Um....Ladyhawke, anyone?

[@comical9587]

How about no. That movie was girly shit.

[@dinkmartini3236]

What makes you think I'm not a girl?

[@nancyomalley6012]

That's your opinion, not fact

[@bekahclarkbooks]

Absolutely! That movie was amazing. The soundtrack is a bit dated, but other than that, it is a great movie.

[@haveyougotyourtowel]

When it came out, the soundtrack (done by Alan Parsons) was amazing and fairly popular, but I can see how its combination of synthesizer, electric guitar, and orchestra can feel overly 80s.

[@ohpaperbacks5195]

If you don't want to sit through all of the annoying clips, here's the list: 10. The Gate 9. The Fountain 8. The Last Unicorn 7. The Witches 6. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen 5. Willow 4. Bedknobs and Broomsticks 3. Legend 2. The Black Cauldron Honorable Mentions: Stardust, Trollhunter, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, The Beastmaster, Reign of Fire. 1: The Dark Crystal

[@mikedukes4915]

Thanks! this also helps cause sometimes i miss the name of the movie😝😊😉

[@werewolf74]

Isn't that why we are watching this video? Seems kind of weird to break it down to a list... Also people may not have heard of them or it might jog their memory to see a clip.

[@journeyaroundtheworld697]

Thanx this chix voice Is way too annoying!!!

[@bootsdamugger6630]

Fire and Ice belings on rhis lust not black cladron

[@FFMMA]

thanks!

[@willlyon7129]

The 2003 version of Peter Pan is probably the most underrated hidden gem and best adaption of the story.

[@lukebeaulieu3794]

How are you gonna mention Baron Munchaussen and not Time Bandits!?!

[@srogers500]

Time Bandits wasn't underrated. It was a huge success. Baron Munchaussen was a box office flop. Like all of Gilliam's work, it is a masterpiece and will have a die hard cult following forever.

[@ilovebutterstuff]

Damn, totally forgot about Time Bandits! Awesome!

[@sdjohnsononyoutube]

Time Bandits was awesome! Loved it as a kid! I liked "Under the Rainbow" with Carrie Fisher, too!

[@ChristianFantana]

THANK YOU!

[@thor3399able]

Quotting All Terry Gilliam's movies are great, hard to put 2 of him. He deserves an special documentary.

[@danemassie3750]

You totally forgot the secret of nihm

[@AntiNubDevice]

+Dane Massie - Secret of Nimh is widely considered (critically speaking, that is) to be one of the best animated films of all time, to this day... I don't think they forgot it, it just has no place in an "underrated films" list, being as it was critically successful.

[@gammaechofoundationproductions]

It's nice to see that "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" and "The Dark Crystal" made the list, they are one of the best fantasy films ever made! :)

[@ewokgrl]

Fizzgig!! The Dark Crystal was by far my favorite. Surprised that Labyrinth with David Bowie isn't on the list.

[@brianlogsdon4824]

Labyrinth was popular and still is

[@cdbtheclaw]

I'll just throw "The Never Ending Story" in here.

[@cdbtheclaw]

Stan Morgan Well, at least in my country no one seems to know that gem anymore and at least to me a movie which no one knows is definetly underrated.

[@kgoblin5084]

The Neverending Story was popular enough to spawn 2 sequels, so calling it underrated is a bit of an exaggeration. It is also worth noting that Michael Ende, author of the original book; disowned the film, so it suffers under that tarnish.

[@cdbtheclaw]

m. William buda It was a popular Film when it released, but it lost much of that today and now almost nobody is talking about it and it doesn't get shown many times in TV either. If you ask anybody to name really good fantasy movies chances are almost zero, that The Never Ending Story will be named, so I would say, that today it is pretty underrated.

[@und3c1ph3r3d]

m. William buda And the book was truly genius, as well!

[@warreng675]

When was The Never Ending Story underated

[@jpelletier03]

The Last Unicorn . . . O.M.G. . . am I the only one who wasn't aware that The Last Unicorn was an underrated movie??? I know it's old now, but when I have children I'm going to sit them down and let them watch it. No child should grow up without ever having seen it.

[@shannonmatthews5471]

Just watched TLU with my daughter the other night. I bought it on DVD before I even had kids and they grew up watching it along with all their Disney classics.

[@saymynameice-zen-berg511]

Even watchmojo overlooked a criminally underrated fantasy Film Dragonslayer(1981)

[@CPlusKaraoke]

Willow is still one of my favorite fantasy films of all time.

[@palatine7013]

The Flight of the Navigator was a childhood favourite of mine

[@jasonbrown4526]

+Jon Kelly Same here.

[@JIMRbach193]

+Jon Kelly Good one, but I would probably stick that in Scifi vs fantasy. Space ships vs Magic and wizards.

[@OukamiShoujo]

+Jon Kelly Same!! I had it on VHS tape, recorded right after Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on the same tape. So after watching Wonka it would quickly roll to that one. And I would almost always end up watching it too. I loved it as a kid.

[@Kevinintheback]

Jon Kelly YES!

[@untrue7295]

Compliance

[@pompoen0666]

No one said anything about 'Krull (1982 I believe).

[@witchknox]

Exactly! I can't believe that wasn't even mentioned. My sister and I watched that all the time as kids.

[@Jillbles]

That movie scared me terribly as a kid, but I love it, now. And it totally belongs on this list. It is NOT sci-fi.

[@michalomatek4057]

Krull should be on this list.

[@XiongGou]

I loved that movie! So many good characters, the cyclops death always made me sad...

[@waynestephens9797]

Krull....one of the best fantasy/sci-fi films ever!

[@czoloman8871]

You REALLY need to redo this one! The Last Unicorn, Legend, Willow and The Dark Crystal have become MAJOR cult classics.

[@joshcantrell4720]

Merlin with Sam Neill, super underrated movie and flight of dragons with James Earl Jones

[@josephpa05]

The dark crystal scared the shit out of Me when I was a kid

[@zteevydood870]

It still scares me

[@AleynaRainbows]

+josephpa05 lol

[@idratherbe_inspace5430]

Yup, scares me too, and I'm a horror movie junkie.

[@mike112769]

+Aoife Barniskis ...My daughter loves this movie.

[@omegagilgamesh]

I found it on Netflix, it scares the shit out of me still. There's just something intricately WRONG with the main two characters, and they're the ones that are not supposed to be scary.

[@Hazzmanisawesome]

Time Bandits is an underrated gem. Watch it and you will know what I mean.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

Adam Hunt Thank you!

[@Hazzmanisawesome]

No worries did you watch it ??

[@Wolfen443]

Time Bandits is a hidden fantasy Gem, I agree the characters are so enjoyable.

[@Biczeschlappe]

+Adam Hunt How is it a hidden gem? It's pretty popular.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

Lord Cottington Has a meager 7.0 on IMDB. That's criminal. It's one of those films that people who appreciate film... appreciate, while the masses sort of shrug in indifference.

[@DragonsOfSnow]

Legend and The Gate were my two favorite movies as a kid. My mom would always call me in the room whenever either would come out on TV (she let me watch horror even as a kid, lol). I was always so surprised when most people I came across had not even heard of those movies when I'd mention them throughout my life, let alone watched them. This was an awesome list, most of which I, myself, have loved for many years, and they *are* underrated. On one hand, it's unfortunate...but on the other, it makes them feel that much more special because hardly anyone knows of or talks about them. 😋

[@thomasedwards6641]

Stardust should have been number 1 it is fantastic.

[@mariageorge5398]

I agree. Stardust was lovely... so entertaining!

[@Thornbloom]

YOU ALSO FORGOT TO MENTION DRAGONSLAYER.

[@johns6958]

Exactly my thoughts.

[@SoaringTrumpet]

Thank you! That's one of my favorites.

[@srogers500]

Good call!

[@ciceromeridius-decimus9641]

OMG! This movie was historic!!!

[@timothyhouse1622]

Another Disney movie people have forgotten.

[@CasTigers-vl5cb]

Not sure Dark Crystal rivals Tolkien's work, Tolkien created entire histories and languages for every type of people. Each elf branch had a different language. He wrote countless books and drew countless maps and created an entire universe with gods (valar), that is why the books and films are so majestic because the mythology and history is so dense, powerful and layered. It is hard to express how immense and elaborate the history of MIddle-Earth is, there are four eras and one of which has four ages. LOTR and The Hobbit is only a 1/4 of the Third Age, they need to make more films!!

[@RosieSquall]

^ Word. The Simarillion alone is a work of art, even in its raw stage.

[@WHEREISTHEREASON]

CasTigers 2014 The category for the video was "under-rated". That is a movie whose negative reputation is undeserved. Tolkien's work suffered no negative reputation since it was so universally acclaimed. Cheers.

[@CasTigers-vl5cb]

Irrelevant. They said that Dark Crystal's fantasy universe was EQUAL to the universe Tolkien created. An absurd comment.

[@AJStarhiker]

WHEREISTHEREASON There were the older, animated versions of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings that don't get much love.

[@ladytanuki]

CasTigers 2014 Yeah, and I don't think it was ever a book like LOTR was, so by definition the world isn't going to be as complex. There's not a lot of room for expository detail in a film compared to a book, after all (even the LOTR films can't show that much detail). The world of the Dark Crystal certainly has the potential to be described in a more complex fashion, though. I think the OP is comparing apples to oranges here.

[@edsonvieiraa]

The Witches (1990) was not underrated or forgotten in Brazil, believe me. Every Brazilian who grew up in the 90's will agree with me

[@Pancrasio-it9qd]

The movie 'Brazil" is great

[@oriondx72]

how bout dragonslayer? time bandits? or my favorite clash of the titans or maybe it did good back in the day.

[@celestyn05]

Man... What about Ladyhawke?

[@rikk319]

+celestyn05 That was a well-paced story...and it gave me my teenage crush on Michele Pfeiffer.

[@celestyn05]

+rikk319 It is one of my favorite movies. I had/have a major crush on Rutger Hauer since I saw it, haha.

[@celestyn05]

+rikk319 It is one of my favorite movies. I had/have a major crush on Rutger Hauer since I saw it, haha.

[@lewisleckliter147]

+celestyn05 it was popular in box office and def video eh

[@jenmeilj7918]

that one is one of my fav too :)

[@willowdevereaux]

The last unicorn and for that matter the flight of dragons are both fantasy masterpieces as far as animated fantasy.

[@myem0459]

Yes, Lady Hawke and Sea Prince and the Firechild

[@auravergeldedios8311]

Sea Prince and the Fire Child, I love that animated movie.

[@angelsinger4574]

Fun fact: the romance on "Willow" actually happened! Val Kilmer (Madmartigan) and Joanne Whalley (Sorsha) were married from 1986-1996 and have two kids. Whalley also had an underrated role as Vanozza, mother to Cesare, Juan & Lucretzia, on "The Borgias." Another fun fact, this time for "Bedknobs and Broomsticks": The song and scene for "On the Bottom of the Beautiful Briny Sea" was originally written for "Mary Poppins," but was cut for time. I've often hoped Angela Lansbury and Julie Andrews would perform it together.

[@monkstoy]

I would add Ralph Bakshi's "Wizards" as one of the most underrated fantasy movies of all time.

[@sjbrooksy45]

Great Movie! Not sure if it is considered underrated but the old animated Lord of the Rings movie was fantastic. I kept waiting for the sequel :(.

[@Anthraxinternational]

sjbrooksy45 There was, but not by Bakshi. It was made by Rankin/Bass Productions. And it suuuuuuuuucked.

[@natalieholeman146]

Anthraxinternational Actually Bakshi did "The Lord of the Rings", Rankin/Bass did a version of "The Hobbit". Unfortunately Bakshi's version of "The Lord of the Rings" only went about 1/2 way though the series. I remember hoping for the second part to be done. In my opinion, Bakshi for what he did, was better than Peter Jackson's version. I do admit Bakshi cut/abbreviated some scenes but then so did Jackson (just not as many). From what I understand one of the reasons the rest was not done was that Bakshi insisted the residuals for the movie be paid to Tolkien's family. MGM did not want to only get the money from the theatrical release.

[@Bfdidc]

Wizards was a flawed film but still one that I remember with fondness.

[@therestingrancor8259]

Noone ever mentions Wizards😔 They killed Fritz! for God sake!!😄

[@BPBrutalPenguin]

The Black Cauldron is my favourite Disney film

[@madampluto3092]

Mine too.

[@TechPriest97]

I remember watching it, and at the same time I don't... I liked Atlantis though...

[@xBrolomx]

While the film has some faults, the highlight for me was the villain. It was the first Necromancer-like character I saw as a kid, and got me interested in the Fantasy genre. Plus, he is voiced by John Hurt, and who can't like John Hurt?

[@GloryPatriot]

TechPriest97 I'm remember watching it too when I was 4 or 5.

[@Queenmoreta]

Brolom it was a movie I saw in my teens but I just adored how dark it was for a Disney movie. I think the villains death is the most grisly out of Disney deaths. I mean we see his flesh rip off his bones! 8D

[@erinrutherford1374]

Princess and the Goblin?? A Troll in Central Park?? The Pagemaster??

[@dellcruz]

Willow is one of my favorites from the '80s,such a great film,i kinda wish they'd make a sequel or at least reboot it

[@sospeciallyme9096]

That film was actually meant to be the lead actor who played Willow (can't think of his name at the minute) big acting debut. The guy making the film had met and really liked the young actor and made the movie with him in mind. He really felt that the young dwarf actor was going to be a star. It was hopefully going to start his movie career but, even though over the years the actor has appeared in many, many films, I think one of his latest roles I have seen him in was as one of the bank goblins in Harry Potter) .. he never went on to be a star. However, saying all of that, I LOVE Willow and it is one of my all time favourite films and that lead actor who played Willow is fantastic in the role and he SHOULD have gone on to be a big star. HE and not the movie itself was under rated I reckon. Anyway .. off my soapbox now. I just thought you may like to know a little bit of Willow trivia.

[@ixiairisborne1695]

Yeah, but remember that, if they reboot it, the reboot won't be the film you loved.

[@dildoswaggins6665]

They are doing a sequel on Disney plus with the original cast I believe!

[@karenhall4645]

People always criticize the CGI baby in Twilight. Then you watch Willow and this real baby is absolutely adorable and with her facial expressions you could almost believe she knows what's going on. Willow is one movie I rewatch over and over again. And Warwick Davis is the actor who played Willow.

[@dreamguardian8320]

They tried to make a sequel series, but it failed badly.

[@MrWolf-ln1gi]

Legend was my favorite childhood movie

[@tommykimon]

That devil guy terrified me, I could only watch it once.

[@Gingergryphon]

Krull should have been on the list, too.

[@jdkenada]

I loved Legend as a kid. 20 years later I showed it to my wife. I can't say that it's underrated as I found it did not age well at all. Atlantis is one of Disney's better films and a LOT darker than people realize. Loved Reign of Fire as well. Can't disagree with number one either.

[@Dreadnaught1985]

I remember watching the Last Unicorn when I was a kid, it was one of my favourite films. I watched it over and over so many times. Seeing it again in this brought back so many nostalgic memories.

[@JustinPinter]

Great list! The Last Unicorn was a great animated classic. I need to watch The Fountain again. Ohhh! And Witches. So scary when I was a kid. Still kinda scary now. Lol

[@sud6646]

that movie got me shook asf

[@MrBracey100]

I would have also added Dragonslayer to this list.

[@LordKohaegan]

I love that you put Legend (my favorite of movie of all time) is your thumb nail. I loved it as a kid and love it even more today. I've rewatched a few times a year for the past 5 years. It's just such a great dark fantasy and the acting is so great, especially Tim Curry as Darkness.

[@storungz]

Hugh Jackman should have been nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Fountain... such an AMAZING film with a soundtrack to match!

[@EzraSchwartz1]

I'd suggest John Carter, which was just OK in my opinion, but certainly didn't deserve to be on some critics' top 10 worst movies of the year. Also, Hook. That movie inexplicably has a 30% on Rotten Tomatoes. I don't understand.

[@knifegetsrusty]

They all rated it low so we could say it was ... Panned by critics

[@INameIsGood]

knifegetsrusty i'm not fun at parties, explain joke please so i would be fun. please

[@INameIsGood]

John carter is in my top 5 Sci-fi movies list. I loved that movie immensely .

[@0n1baka]

Hook was a good movie

[@jimtreebob2096]

Knifegetsrusty, you deserve to be president of the world if only for that single comment.

[@TheTerre86]

Willow was my favourite movie along with the Goonies when I was a child :D

[@LastBastian]

+TheTerre86 Hell yes! I never knew Willow was a flop? It's *still* one of my favorite movies.

[@annjane5454]

I love Legend! Its one of my favorite films. So romantic and magical.

[@davidk7212]

Agreed

[@amandaskow7316]

Ladyhawke desperately needs a remake. And is completely underrated.

[@AlanOnBass65]

I agree it's underrated, but I'd be scared the remake would be inferior. The music of Andrew Powell/Alan Parsons was a huge part of what made Ladyhawke what it is...for me, anyway. :)

[@peterjobovic3406]

Remake? You are mad? Today remake will be with asia-black actors in middleage France. No thx!

[@anitabonghit2758]

what about The Secret of NIMH?

[@alancarnell2747]

Not even an honorable mention for Krull or Dragonslayer? Poppycock.

[@Jim26D]

I expected to see krull as well

[@DjAether8]

+Alan Carnell Gotta love Krulls glaive weapon and the cyclops. As a kid the scene where they get surrounded by those creatures that hug their victims in a white cloak used to give me nightmares lol

[@alancarnell2747]

+DjEzhel88 Liam Neeson is also in Krill.

[@DjAether8]

+Alan Carnell GUUUUUAAT!!!!! Lol how'd I miss that

[@IndieAnnieJones1]

the Labyrinth? Dragonheart, LadyHawke which is just fabulous, conan the barbarian, the navigator

[@jerryhensley6255]

Beastmaster still my number one. my first hero growing up I remember even trying to call Birds just like he did. and I love the gate

[@caronstout354]

As good as "Beastmaster" is, it was very loosely based on an Andre Norton novel- meaning all that was used was the main character and his animal companions.

[@vt6327]

Tuck Everlasting... watch it and you will never regret... should include in this list...

[@Showtunediva]

That movie s extremely underrated.

[@r.babylon2885]

Stardust was fucking awesome

[@takitogoestoNY]

Return to Oz....hello?

[@PoFFizdaMan]

Awesome list! I absolutely LOVE all of these movies. The Fountain is an incredible film! P.S. Don't forget about Ladyhawk!

[@nicolebaxter824]

Some of my favorite movies! And now i get to share them with my kids, my boys love The Witches more than i did lol

[@ice9planet]

Where the hell is Krull? Krull is good fantasy mixed with some sci-fi. Love that movie.

[@marebear1807]

Yes I'm not the only one wondering about Krull.

[@nielnielsen5983]

Mary Schlener A fun movie but not underrated.

[@nixsis5281]

ice9planet YES!!! thank you. Never ending story should hold a spot also.

[@MrMichaeljay1965]

Krull should take the place of Legend. Krull was an excellent tale, while Legend was one of the most absurd pieces of celluloid ever produced.

[@Cole444Train]

nixsis How is never ending story underrated? that film spawned two sequels, was critically acclaimed, and succeeded at the box office.

[@NoOneArya]

Wait wouldn't the honourable mentions be underrated compared to #1 which is now not underrated compared to the honourable mentions?

[@NoOneArya]

***** Sorry Oreo XD

[@NoOneArya]

***** Thanks Oreo! :D XD

[@NoOneArya]

***** A bit of advertisement for you Oreo? ;)

[@valeriekaren4595]

Okay WatchMojo.com I am beside myself here because I cant believe what you are doing. WHY do you poll anybody for if your just going to make up your own list? Your poll shows complete disregard for what your Mojoholics favor, mostly all of the top 10 polled here (watchmojo.com/suggest/Top+10+Underrated+Fantasy+Films) didnt even make your list, so what are you polling for? Just to get traffic on your site? The biggest thing I am upset about is after your prerequisites for a movie to make the list the first two things I told my self were "legend, top 10 no doubt, LABYRINTH top 3 no less, and it was absolutely snubbed! Now look at that list again and you'll see the voters placed Labyrinth 2nd. YOU SNUBBED LABYRINTH even though it missed the top spot by 2 VOTES however Beauty and the beast (1946) received 3 DOWN VOTES and LABYRINTH NO DOWN VOTES. So basically you just say "screw what our Mojoholics vote, we are going to make our own picks" you are clearly using these polls to bring traffic to your site. Wow not even an honorable mention. I bet my bottom dollar of you poll just "Beauty and the beast" and "Labyrinth" against each other Labyrinth would be the overwhelming favorite. You guys need to get your knowledge together because the voters got this one right and you guys dropped the ball. Ive been subbed for sometime now but these polls your doing just to bring traffic to your site are a waste of the users time now. Unsubscribed!

[@DJDanniDarkness]

Walter Valerie You're right. I checked out the list and a lot of the top ones on the polls were not put in. Not even in the honorable mentions. I think Beauty and the Beast (1946) (a.k.a. Belle et La Bette; spelling might be off) should have been on this list. Most of the movies on the list have had some critical acclaim at some point of their making, but I do find this list good as well. Especially with the Black Cauldron and Last Unicorn.

[@monkwerks]

Krull!

[@grimmquinn2003]

Legend is so underrated. *I'M FINE WITH TOM CRUISE BEING LINK, HELL YEAH.*

[@Lesley_RedRhody]

The Last Unicorn was a staple in my childhood; not just the movie-- which my Mom, Brother and I saw on the big screen-- but also the Peter S. Beagle novel it was based on.

[@goblinb]

+Lesley Wentzell it was for me too, along with the dark crystal, beastmaster, dragonslayer, excalibur, bandits, never ending story, the wizard of oz, the animated hobbit, and legend.

[@hindsightpov4218]

+Lesley Wentzell I met Peter Beagle and he was a super cool guy.

[@Lesley_RedRhody]

HindsightPOV Lucky!! That must have been an amazing experience.

[@hindsightpov4218]

Lesley Wentzell It was! He was so patient and nice when I asked him to sign a bunch of things.

[@piggywiggy8608]

+Lesley Wentzell i read the book when I got older then I realized that I'd seen it before so later, I bought the anniversary edition. Still have the book too.

[@MSaint]

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is, like, one of my favourite movies ever. I love it.

[@Showmaann]

same here, seen it has a kid, i simply love it.

[@LastBastian]

+MSaint It's great.

[@Showmaann]

MSaint Evangelion :3

[@stewartgardener8104]

One of the best lists you have put out. Couldn't agree more. Absolutely love Legend, greatest depiction of Satan in my opinion. Willow is a favorite from my childhood as is the Dark Crystal! So happy to see the Black Cauldron on here as well, I had great memories of this dark tale from my Childhood but could never remember the name until they finally released it and the nostalgia came flooding back. I was so happy to hear that Netflix is looking to do a spin off/sequel to Dark Crystal, cannot wait to see what they come up with.

[@chidigoziem1482]

The Fountain has great music too. Incredible sounds..

[@WatchMojo]

Did you know that all of the newest WatchMojo clips are available for subtitling and captioning? Once English language captions have been added then videos become open to subtitling for over 160 languages! So if you want to make WatchMojo content available to your fellow country people then get started by clicking the settings button on the video and selecting "add subtitles/CC" under the subtitles/CC menu. If you need help getting started, email us at watch [at] watchmojo.com and Check out other videos available for subtitling here: kzbin.info/aero/PLmZTDWJGfRq04Igqy81cxkIHd9Pa_tL8V

[@NorrisVaughn]

and don't forget, Watchmojo, that The Witches was also nominated for the Oscar for Best Make-Up when it was released.

[@JulioCesarMarques82]

What about Labyrinth and The Never Ending Story?

[@prizrakgidra1130]

why do witches have to be ugly ?

[@kwong7058]

left out ' return to oz'- what a terrifying and brilliant film at the same time.

[@prizrakgidra1130]

can't they be bad and sexy?

[@darqjade]

I usually check out The Gate at least once a year and I ADORED Willow growing up. I also rewatch Krull often. Don't care what anyone thinks, it is an AWESOME fantasy flick. Good list .

[@lulufan100]

I had Mary Poppins and Bednobs and Broomsticks taped on the same VHS 😂 I loved them both equally

[@Minae2584]

Stardust should have been #1. Or Secret of NIMH.

[@froyaenarvid9935]

i feel like the editors wanted this, too. It had a twinge more presence than the other runner-ups/mentions

[@KidIndigo1]

"Dark Crystal" is a masterpiece. Thanks, Mr. Henson.

[@bakedfresh13]

the fact that stardust isn't on the list is a crime.

[@TallulahLawksley75]

In all fairness though, Stardust wasn't really underrated and did very well at the box office.

[@bakedfresh13]

that's true. but how many people still talk about it? probably more than I think, but still.

[@seagecko]

A list of the films I grew up on (Good-old seventies and eighties flicks)! Thank you for this list.

[@maximillionroivas3893]

There's alot of underrated fantasy movies out there. But my personal favorite is *MirrorMask* I love that film. Even today.

[@EzraStarscale]

MirrorMask was fantastic!

[@Whopsie12]

lord yes that is a really wonderful film. The design/artwork, so dark yet with slices of color and everything slightly off-kilter, and the breezy jazzy soundtrack are so distinctive yet create such a unique and otherworldly atmosphere that's so delightful and breathtaking when you allow yourself the deep dive into it.

[@druidriley3163]

I was so looking forward to MirrorMask but was underwhelmed by the story.

[@joeyk3875]

It was a feast for the eyes, but sadly the story was lacking. Pan's Labyrinth was the same, visually amazing, but missing something. Labryrinth is a good example of a fantasy film that had almost all the right elements.

[@rmismine]

I have always loved the Last Unicorn.

[@RosieSquall]

IKR? It's gorgeous! Even the music is great.

[@rmismine]

Yeah! Its always been one of my favourites. I always had a crush on Prince Lir, even as a child.

[@presidentsnow7315]

I honestly didn't care too much for the animated movie, but have you ever read the book? It was great.

[@rmismine]

No I haven't. But I want to.

[@spellbladeonchoicecraft4741]

I loved the fact that the designs for the movie were inspired by a young artist who was a huge fan of the novel. When she met the author, she showed him her drawings - which were gorgeous - and the animated movie was done in that style.

[@Gothtecdotcom]

The Princess Bride!!!!

[@michaeledwards6683]

The Princess Bride is loved by everyone

[@michaelmellette8245]

+Michael Edwards I hate that damn movie

[@michaeledwards6683]

+Michael Mellette Are you sure you know what movie we're talking about? Because I can't see how anyone could hate The Princess Bride. That's like saying you hate Star Wars.

[@Gothtecdotcom]

I hate Starwars... but I'm a Trekkie...

[@antoniatashquinth2170]

Oh I have that one to (As you wish!!) 😊

[@deadgirldigest5967]

All of these films were my childhood! I think they shouldve added Mirror Mask, Merlin (hallmark film), and The Page Master.

[@roberthofmann8403]

Ferngully and Spirited Away!

[@everetth-top4760]

Was Tom Cruise the beautiful princess or forest boy in Legend?

[@JIMRbach193]

+Everett H-Top HEH, I loled!

[@guyjin788]

+Everett H-Top Both.

[@michaelasmith4001]

+Everett H-Top LOL!!😂

[@tylerkeller8869]

Everett H-Top Pre-Scientology Tom Cruise. So he wasn't quite as much of a nutcase. He didn't turn to the way of L. Ron Hubbard until Days of Thunder.

[@BeeWhistler]

He was the beautiful forest boy.

[@daenerystargaryen5260]

Oh wow, I remember having the Last Unicorn on VCR that was recorded from TV..

[@desertedvalhalla]

It used my favourite animated movie... I should search for it and watch it again.

[@Zodia195]

desertedvalhalla You can find it on Veoh for free.

[@Slaytounge]

I uploaded my favorite scene so I could show people and have them reminisce but no one ever recognizes it.

[@WrenFaithBridger]

I wore out my tape, but my husband found it for me on DVD. Now I share it with my daughters.

[@Layforce88]

you can watch it on youtube, love that movie especially the music, all done by America

[@BaldingClamydia]

I was just trying to tell someone about "The Last Unicorn" a few weeks ago but what I was actually describing was "Legend." Thanks for helping me straighten that up!!

[@andrewwilliams8496]

What an excellent list! I was agreeing with everyone and was even reminded of some movies that I loved when I saw them, but had forgotten. The top spot is the one I picked when I started watching this, but I would have put The Last Unicorn higher than Legend.

[@weeme5190]

My first introduction into the fantasy genre was the animation Flight of Dragons. Loved it. Love quite a few on this list. Just surprised Ferngully wasn't on the list.

[@richardbowler405]

what about labyrinth?

[@ThePerfectKagome]

+Richard Bowler It isn't underrated, though

[@richardbowler405]

fair enough

[@richardbowler405]

it's about a girl who out of frustrastion wishes for the goblins to take her baby brother so she goes on this mazed adventure to rescue her brother from jareth the goblin king it stars david bowie.

[@RandallDaBear]

+Richard Bowler Actually, they said that this was a list of movies that didn't receive high praise when they first released and, though I am probably the biggest Labyrinth fan you'll ever meet, it really didn't do well at all when it came out. To me, I think Labyrinth is a solid #1. But I do like that The Dark Crystal was put in that spot.

[@guyjin788]

+Richard Bowler Labyrinth sucked and therefore is not underrated.

[@Renvere]

The Last Unicorn was amazing! Minus of course that one little blip of Miya Farrow singing

[@sammykewlguy]

I honestly can't think of any film I would add. Pretty terrific list! Labyrinth was under appreciated during it's initial release, but gained popularity pretty quickly after it's home video release. Personally, I thought The Neverending Story II was a good film (very underrated) though admittedly is no match for the excellent original.

[@Serai3]

I've always thought that Legend would have been just as beautiful if no one had uttered a word. Think about it - a fantasy film that is more a ballet than a play, in that words are not used. So much of the film relies on our memories of fairy tales, anyway, and it's not as if the film adds that much to the stories we all know. It would be a cool experiment to take the dialogue out of the soundtrack and see how well it works.

[@joeltasker6956]

Serai3 OMG Yes! You're totally right! I knew Legend has something holding it back, and that's it. The dialogue. Doing it without dialogue and it would be much more interesting

[@Serai3]

I'm a pagan, so this film was especially painful for me, as it uses a lot of our stories. The first time I saw it, that moment when Cruise first appears was breathtaking. He drops down onto the ground, startling Lilly, and begins to scrabble like an animal in the leaves, looking at her sidelong with this fierce savage look. He LOOKED like Jack in the Green! I held my breath, thinking OMG DID THEY GET IT RIGHT??? Then, of course, he opened his mouth, and my heart just fell. * SIGH * (In my defense, it was only his third film, so we didn't really know yet what kind of actor he'd turn out to be. Kudos to Cruise for later admitting that he wasn't right for the part, that it was a mistake to take the role, and that he fears he may have spoiled the film thereby.)

[@gabrieltrejo2533]

That part when Lily dances with the woman in black is my favorite part. The original movie has the better song, the directors cut uses a different song.

[@candacechildress108]

Gabriel Trejo I cannot watch the director's cut, the original music is part of the experience for me.

[@blackderby80]

Oh, but blix's rhyming dialogue was so cool!

[@Cazanator6000]

Well I'd say LOTR is underrated because it should unanimously considered the greatest films ever made! Haha on a serious note Stardust is one of my favorite films of all time yet it is never really considered a work of art even though its close to being a near perfect film in every way

[@Fritobandito858]

I agree

[@dandelion1469]

ditto

[@Eternalchild]

You nailed it, all are what I would have picked including a few I had forgetten so thanks foe helping remember them.

[@Theri4444]

Willow and Legend are two of my favorite movies, and would have liked to seen a sequel

[@ScarletBlack42]

How is Stardust only a honorable mention?! It's one of the best fantasy films, in my opinion.

[@sammykewlguy]

It's an honorable mention because it's not as under-appreciated as most films on this list. Most people I know recognize how amazing it is.

[@kylephantom4]

Thing is about Atlantis, it was just an animated remake of Stargate (seriously people, compare the plots and characters)

[@Gay_Priest]

And character designs. Still good tho

[@Notsensational]

kylephantom4 OMG i never thought of that, youre right!

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

TIME BANDITS is missing from this list. It's missing from the number 1 spot. That movie is so crazy and had me hooked and weirded out as a kid.

[@kimkreitzer1918]

Thank you! I forgot how much I LOVE these movies!