Best Fantasy Movies of All Time
Before you go off on some foolish quest with a bossy old man muttering vague war stories, consider that your yearnings for adventure can be satisfied with the best fantasy movies. Slide off your barstool and slip into a comfy chair in the home theater and ignite the magical player of DVDs.
Fantasy movies often get dismissed by critics who can't stand the thought of anyone's imagination being stimulated. I'll admit that the fantasy genre has coughed up some truly stinking hack jobs, but there are many diamonds in the cinematic cow pies.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - Peter Jackson and his talented crew did an amazingly good job with these ultimate classics of the genre. From the first minute of The Fellowship of the Ring I knew that the movie was going to exceed my wildest hopes. Passionate storytelling, epic battles, and genuine characters came together in all three movies that effectively portrayed the trilogy's core elements of bravery and sacrifice. I recommend the special editions with the extra content. It really adds a lot to the movies, especially all the back story with Faramir and Boromir.
Conan the Barbarian - Back when Oliver Stone could put out a good movie, he really excelled when partnering with Edward R. Pressman. I can remember when this movie came out and critics had a field day making fun of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role of Conan. The truth is Schwarzenegger did a fine job portraying Conan. This movie is amazingly well done. It's well paced. It portrays a fantasy world with lush detail full of magic and adventure. There is plenty of sexiness too. I love a fantasy movie with an R-rating. The orgy of cannibalistic cultists in the mountain palace really makes the movie. The fantasy genre really thrives when it does not aim itself at the family market. Once again, I recommend the special edition. It has some great extra scenes at the end with the princess saved by Conan.
Chronicles of Riddick - This sequel to the movie Pitch Black stars Vin Diesel, who really shines in the role of Riddick. His hardcore killer arrogance is constantly entertaining. This fantasy movie is firmly a study of the anti-hero. Riddick is not a good guy, but when he comes into conflict with the world-destroying Necromungers as they seek the Underverse, you'll know who to root for. Lavish sets, extravagant costumes, and a fast-paced but thoughtful script always keep me engaged until the very end, and I love the ending of this movie. "You keep what you kill."
Excalibur - I consider this the glam rock version of the King Arthur story. The gleaming full suits of armor and the shining halls of Camelot are certainly nothing like the Dark Ages, but that is the whole point. King Arthur and his round table were a beacon of hope and civilization in an ignorant era. The Merlin in the movie is quirky and entertaining. The Lancelot is absolutely over the top. It's almost a relief when he becomes a raving homeless person. This movie has an especially interesting portrayal of the transition from pagan to Christian spirituality, but magic rules the story from beginning to end.
Jason and the Argonauts - I have a soft spot for this old movie from 1963. I suppose most people these days could not tolerate the old school special effects, but they actually represented the absolute best for its time. The famous Ray Harryhausen created skeleton warriors, harpies, the Colossus, and a Hydra. It's well done considering he had no CGI. The story is great. Gods and Goddesses meddle with Jason as he pursues the Golden Fleece. The movie is bold, sexy, well paced, and full of monster-fighting action.
300 - This movie about King Leonidas and his 300 Spartan warriors who defend
Fans of fantasy will surely have other movies to suggest for this list. Pop over to the contact page and let me know your suggestions for the list.