10 Underrated Fantasy Movies That Deserve Another Look

Great fantasy movies transport audiences to magical worlds or places where magic and supernatural abilities are real. But fantasy isn’t limited to faraway lands – some of the most compelling stories happen right here and now, in the modern world.

Classic high-fantasy films aren’t made as often as they used to be. Plus, many great ones have been forgotten by fans or aren’t talked about much anymore, simply because they’re older. This list highlights a fantastic collection of fantasy movies that deserve more recognition today.

Van Helsing (2004)

Van Helsing is an exciting action-fantasy film with some spooky moments and a great cast. While it received negative reviews when it came out in 2004, it’s gained a dedicated fanbase over time.

Van Helsing, played by Hugh Jackman, is a monster hunter working for the church. He’s dispatched to Transylvania to destroy Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh), but the film offers much more than just a typical vampire story.

Van Helsing is a visually exciting and action-packed movie. The film follows Van Helsing and Anna (Kate Beckinsale) as they battle vampires and encounter unique versions of other classic monsters.

The special effects look a bit dated now, but the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is part of what makes it so much fun to watch.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

Big Trouble in Little China is a fun, action-packed fantasy movie that takes place in the present day. It stars Kurt Russell as Jack Burton, a confident truck driver who soon realizes he’s in over his head.

When Wang Chi’s (Dennis Dun) girlfriend is kidnapped by a street gang, he and his friend Burton attempt a rescue. Their efforts quickly lead them into a dangerous world of seemingly invincible enemies, supernatural beings, and David Lo Pan (James Hong), a powerful and cursed ancient sorcerer.

This movie lives up to its over-the-top reputation, filled with silly action, big fights, and memorable lines. While fans love quoting Jack Burton, the film wasn’t a commercial success and remains popular mostly within its dedicated fanbase.

The Neverending Story 2: The Next Chapter (1990)

The Neverending Story is a beloved fantasy movie about a boy who finds a special link between himself and the story he’s reading in a book.

While many fans enjoyed the first movie, much fewer have seen the sequel. The Neverending Story 2: The Next Chapter picks up where the original left off, with Bastian (Jonathan Brandis) returning to the book only to find that the story inside has changed.

The sequel continues the story of the first movie, adding new creatures, friends, and a more clearly defined villain compared to the abstract threat in the original. While reviews weren’t positive when it came out in 1990, the film does add to the world of The Neverending Story.

Legend (1985)

The film Legend features a young Tom Cruise in a grand quest to prevent the Lord of Darkness from killing two magical unicorns. If the Lord of Darkness succeeds, it will upset the existing balance between good and evil.

The plot is simple to follow, filled with memorable characters you’ll love and hate. Tim Curry delivers an outstanding performance as the villain, Lord of Darkness, and truly dominates every scene he’s in.

Legend often feels like a dark and frightening fantasy, featuring truly creepy monsters that are still effective today. The film relies heavily on practical effects, which means the visuals remain impressive despite being decades old.

Willow (1988)

Willow made a quick comeback in 2022 with a new series, but it was soon removed from streaming platforms, effectively returning the show and character to relative unknown status.

Even though the TV series didn’t fare well, the 1988 movie Willow remains a fun and wholesome fantasy film that’s enjoyable even today, despite its older special effects. The story follows Willow (played by Warwick Davis) as he discovers a unique baby drifting down a river and sets off on an epic quest to protect her from numerous enemies, including a wicked sorceress.

Willow’s character develops wonderfully throughout the story, and he teams up with the talented swordsman Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), creating a funny and unexpected partnership. Kilmer is particularly memorable with his witty lines, and the movie is a surprisingly exciting fantasy adventure that’s fun for everyone.

The Last Unicorn (1982)

As a huge animation fan, I absolutely adore The Last Unicorn. It’s a really moving story about a unicorn who goes on this incredible fantasy journey to discover if there are any other unicorns left in the world. It’s just beautifully done and always gets to me.

As a huge fan of both the book and the film, I’ve always loved how incredibly faithful the movie is to Peter S. Beagle’s original story – it really helps that he wrote the screenplay too! What struck me most about The Last Unicorn when I first saw it was how different it felt from other animated films of the time. It’s a fantasy world, sure, but it’s not bright and cheerful; it’s actually quite melancholy and delicate, a world that feels like it could shatter at any moment.

The story has layers of meaning that will appeal to different ages. While younger readers will enjoy the unicorns and other magical creatures, adults will find deeper themes. Many fans consider The Last Unicorn a truly memorable story, and it continues to be a beautifully complex and thoughtful tale about magic even today.

The Golden Child (1986)

The Golden Child is a funny and fantastical movie from the 1980s. Eddie Murphy plays Chandler Jarrell, a detective who finds lost kids.

Jarrell unexpectedly finds himself on a mission to find a child with extraordinary abilities. A dangerous enemy, Sardo Numspa (played by Charles Dance), has kidnapped the child, and Jarrell must rescue them.

Eddie Murphy is very funny in The Golden Child, and the movie is full of genuinely hilarious scenes. He teams up with Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis), who often balances out his wild behavior.

If you like fantasy movies with a bit of humor, The Golden Child is a great choice. Eddie Murphy is fantastic as the villain, and the film’s comedy still holds up well.

The Dark Crystal (1982)

Most people familiar with Jim Henson’s work know his film Labyrinth, featuring Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie. But fewer remember The Dark Crystal, another fantasy movie he created a few years earlier.

Unlike the more whimsical Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal is a significantly darker story. It remains impressive today because of its use of puppets and creature effects. The film follows Jen, the last of his kind, as he sets out to find a missing piece of a powerful crystal.

His journey is full of peril, and he’s being pursued by dangerous enemies like the Skeksis. The special effects are very well done, but some scenes and creatures might still frighten younger viewers. The Skeksis, especially, are unsettling, vulture-like beings that stand out in what is otherwise a delightful and magical world.

With its unique atmosphere and visuals, The Dark Crystal is enjoyable for both adults and older children. It also tackles surprisingly complex ideas that still resonate with audiences today.

Krull (1983)

Krull is an exciting fantasy adventure that blends science fiction with a sweeping quest to rescue a planet from alien invaders.

The story takes place on the planet Krull, which is being invaded by a fearsome creature called ‘The Beast’ and its forces. Prince Colwyn, played by Ken Marshall, gathers a diverse team of fighters and those with magical abilities to find an ancient weapon – their only hope of defeating the powerful enemy.

This movie is special because it successfully combines fantasy and science fiction. The villains use high-tech weapons, but our heroes fight back with traditional swords and daggers. Similar to films like The Dark Crystal and Krull, it has held up well over time, largely due to its use of practical effects, and has become more popular years after it first came out.

Stardust (2007)

Stardust is a recent film featuring a fantastic cast and a heartwarming fantasy story that everyone in the family can enjoy. Although critics liked it and it had a promising start, it didn’t do very well in theaters initially, but it eventually gained a dedicated following.

In the movie Stardust, Charlie Cox stars as Tristan, who embarks on an epic journey to retrieve a fallen star for the woman he loves. Things get complicated when he realizes the star has transformed into a human, Yvaine, played by Claire Danes, and that he’s not the only one searching for her.

The story is built on a straightforward idea, but it’s done exceptionally well. As Tristan and Yvaine journey onward, they encounter a cast of memorable characters, like the charismatic Captain Shakespeare, played by Robert De Niro.

Stardust is a fun and imaginative fantasy adventure with a touch of romance and a positive theme. It’s become a beloved film for many, and it’s easy to understand why it has such a dedicated fanbase.

2026-03-19 19:12