Summary
- Fantasy movies are rare due to budget constraints, audience appeal, and comparisons to the LOTR trilogy.
- Hidden gem fantasy movies like City of Ember, MirrorMask, and Legend deserve recognition.
- These underrated films offer unique storytelling, visuals, and standout performances.
It’s rather unusual to find many movies based on fantasy themes. This could be due to the high costs involved in their production or the fact that they may not attract a wide audience. Additionally, any fantasy film is likely to face comparisons with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy and might seem inferior as a result. Nevertheless, it’s intriguing to note how underrepresented this genre is in the world of cinema.
Speaking of which, I’ve come across some fantastic fantasy movies beyond the realm of Hobbits. Some of these gems have dedicated fan bases, while others seem to have vanished into obscurity. Regardless, they are hidden treasures in the genre that you might not have encountered yet – little-known masterpieces of fantasy cinema.
9. City Of Ember
Two Brave Teens Must Restore Light To Their Underground City
In the novel named “City of Ember,” penned by Jeanne DuPrau, the story unfolds 200 years following a worldwide disaster that compelled a group of people to seek refuge underground. The heart of this subterranean city, Ember, is now grappling with the imminent failure of its power source, posing threats to vital resources such as food and air supply. Two students from Ember School, Doon and Lina, stumble upon a long-forgotten box from the past. Inside this relic, they find a set of instructions that hint at an exit strategy to emerge back above ground.
Regardless of its impressive lineup with Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Saorise Ronan, and Toby Jones, City of Ember flopped at the box office and soon became forgotten. Although it may not be the most accurate adaptation of the original story, this film remains a quality production boasting some breathtaking visuals and a fresh take on urban fantasy narratives.
8. MirrorMask
Mask-Themed Surrealist Dark Fantasy
In terms of fantasy films, MirrorMask might come across as somewhat enigmatic due to its heavy use of surreal imagery. The narrative centers around a young character named Helena, who’s on a journey to discover her place in the world, much like other Neil Gaiman works. However, the film’s visual strangeness is so pronounced that it feels as much like a feast for the eyes as it does a soulful tale.
Helena toils in her family’s circus, yearning for a more conventional existence. A disagreement between them leads to her mother falling ill, prompting Helena to escape from the hospital. Along the way, she stumbles upon an enigmatic troupe of performers. As they put on their act, a sinister force invades them, annihilating two performers and forcing the remaining one to hastily depart with Helena towards the City of Radiance. In this metropolis, Helena is erroneously identified as a royal figure who purloined a potent talisman from the city’s monarch, leaving its populace susceptible to the darkness. Remarkably produced on a budget of merely $4 million, the film failed to resonate with audiences, earning less than $1 million at the box office. Nonetheless, MirrorMask, an unconventional fantasy movie, is hailed by many as one of the most distinctive in its genre, and for those who find a connection with it, it will soon become cherished.
7. Legend
How Ridley Scott Chose To Follow Up Blade Runner
In 1985, Director Ridley Scott was quickly gaining fame when he produced the film “Legend,” a unique dark fairy tale specifically designed for cinema. While it shares similarities with “The Lord of the Rings,” particularly in its naming patterns, “Legend” adopts a more traditional fantasy style. The narrative opens with the character of the Lord of Darkness, brilliantly portrayed by Tim Curry once again, who aims to plunge the world into eternal darkness by obtaining the horns of every living unicorn.
In the film “Legend”, 23-year-old Tom Cruise portrays Jack of the Green who encounters Princess Lili and falls deeply in love with her. Unfortunately, Lili gets kidnapped by the evil Lord of Darkness. Jack is destined to become a legendary hero as prophesied by a unicorn mare, and his mission is to retrieve the unicorn’s horn before the goblins under the Lord of Darkness can harm her. The movie may not have been popular with critics initially, with Gene Siskel describing watching it as similar to remembering a disturbing dream. However, over time, “Legend” has developed a cult following. Its stunning visuals and Tim Curry’s remarkable performance make the ticket price a worthwhile investment.
6. Dragonheart
Sean Connery Showed The Potential Of Voice-Acted CG Characters Before Andy Serkis
For some people, Dragonheart was a significant movie from their childhood, particularly for those growing up in the 90s. However, it might be unfamiliar to others. Nevertheless, Dragonheart played a crucial role in the development of live-action fantasy, as its success paved the way for films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Game of Thrones series.
In this film titled “Dragonheart,” Dennis Quaid portrays Bowen, and Sean Connery lends his voice to Drago, a computer-generated dragon. The narrative revolves around an old dragonslayer who comes across the last known living dragon in a cave. After their fight ends inconclusively, they form an alliance. At first, it seems like they’re pulling off a scam by staging dragon attacks, with Bowen always saving the day. However, things take a turn as they are drawn into a larger journey, tasked with defeating the wicked emperor Einon, who discovered a means to achieve immortality.
Released in 1996, “Dragonheart” was financially successful, earning twice its production cost. Although critics were divided, it has since gained cult-classic status. Moreover, this film played a crucial role in demonstrating that audiences could still empathize with a completely computer-generated character, paving the way for Andy Serkis to take on the CG role of Gollum only 5 years later.
5. The Black Cauldron
A Controversial Dark Fantasy Animation That Almost Killed Disney
A more compelling explanation for why the film adaptation of “The Black Cauldron” was overlooked by audiences lies beyond mere box office performance and critical reviews. Despite these factors playing a role, the production itself was fraught with difficulties from the outset. Actors were unexpectedly replaced during auditions, technical issues arose when attempting to combine computer-generated (CG) and hand-drawn animation, and one scene was so terrifying that children in test screenings cried in the theater, leading Disney studio executives to intervene and delete the scene themselves, against the director’s wishes. These late changes delayed the film’s release by six months. By the time it hit theaters, it struggled not only to recoup its budget but was outperformed by both “The Care Bears Movie” and a re-release of “One Hundred and One Dalmatians“, earning it the unfortunate nickname “the film that nearly bankrupted Disney.
The movie titled The Black Cauldron, notoriously known, was withheld by Disney on home video releases for 13 years following its theater debut. Yet, this infamy has given the film a solid reputation that makes it easily accessible for streaming today. As for its storyline, The Black Cauldron is essentially a transformation tale about a young man named Taran, who dreams of becoming a renowned warrior. Among the swine under his care, one turns out to be an oracle with the power to foretell the future. Thus, Taran is assigned the duty of safeguarding this oracle from the malevolent Horned King, who yearns to seize the Black Cauldron – a legendary artifact rumored to conjure an army of spectral soldiers.
4. A Monster Calls
A Meditation On Grief And Childhood Helplessness
As a movie buff, I’d put it this way: I, a young English lad named Conor, find myself in the grip of my mother’s cancer battle, and the looming specter of moving in with my stern grandmother should she pass. Haunted by nightmares, tormented by school bullies, and powerless to change my mother’s situation, I feel utterly adrift. Then, on a fateful night, a monstrous figure crafted from an immense yew tree appears before me. This creature vows to visit me for the next three nights, regaling me with tales each time. On the third visit, it demands that I reveal the truth behind my nocturnal fears.
It’s no shock that the film “A Monster Calls” is emotionally impactful. The bond between Conor and his mother, coupled with his school struggles, makes it challenging not to empathize with him, and worry about what could transpire if she doesn’t recover. This emotional resonance lies at the heart of the movie, undoubtedly contributing to the favorable reviews it received. Yet, it failed to recoup its production cost at the box office. Its release in early 2017, a period known for being slow at the movies, might have been a factor, but it’s unclear what exactly led “A Monster Calls” to slip under the radar. Nonetheless, it remains an engaging choice for revisiting today.
3. The Head Hunter
A True Grimdark Fantasy Film With No Frills
Working with minimal resources, a small team, and a small cast, it’s no surprise that The Head Hunter has not received the widespread acclaim it truly deserves. Although it received positive reviews, its theatrical release was limited before moving to on-demand video streaming. The majority of its buzz came from festival screenings, and outside of those events, it seldom garnered attention. It’s unfortunate because it’s one of the rare modern dark fantasy horror films produced, and it’s truly exceptional.
In a secluded dwelling resides an enigmatic figure called simply “The Father,” who is renowned for his work as a bounty hunter, tracking down terrifying creatures and displaying their heads as trophies in his abode – a modern-day equivalent of Geralt of Rivia from the Dark Ages. However, a new assignment catches The Father’s attention: a bounty for the monster responsible for his daughter’s death, whose remains rest nearby. This film, titled “The Head Hunter,” is sparse on narrative but rich in action and ambiance. This minimalism contributes to its power, as it skillfully creates much from very little, resulting in a more impactful viewing experience.
2. The Last Unicorn
Studi Ghibli? Not Quite…
Today’s viewers of The Last Unicorn might spot certain striking resemblances to well-known animated fantasy films from Studio Ghibli – this isn’t a coincidence! The animation for the film was done by Japanese studio Topcraft, and right after its debut, Topcraft disbanded. Subsequently, several gifted members from that studio, including a fellow named Hayao Miyazaki, went on to establish Studio Ghibli.
Despite gaining a devoted fanbase, “The Last Unicorn” hasn’t received the recognition it truly merits. The narrative revolves around a unique female unicorn who embarks on a mission to rescue her kin from the grip of the wicked Red Bull. Packed with spectacle, humor, awe-inspiring moments, emotion, and remarkable world-creation, it embodies all the elements a fantasy film requires. With an impressive ensemble cast featuring Jeff Bridges and Christopher Lee, one might wonder why this movie didn’t become an instant success upon its debut. However, its unfortunate slide into relative obscurity is deeply regrettable.
1. Big Fish
The Power Of Stories
Similar to “Dragonheart,” this movie may resonate differently for various viewers. For certain individuals, “Big Fish” holds significant cultural value and ranks among the top films of the 2000s. However, it often goes unmentioned in conversations. The narrative follows William Bloom, a man disillusioned by life, who has always been skeptical of his father’s fantastic tales. Despite his skepticism, when his father is diagnosed with cancer, William embarks on a journey into his father’s past, encountering all the characters from the stories he grew up hearing, and ultimately discovering that much of what he was told was indeed true.
As a cinephile looking back on cinematic gems, I find it rather puzzling that the enchanting tale of “Big Fish” hasn’t solidified its place as an all-time classic. Given the stellar cast and crew involved – Tim Burton at the height of his directing prowess, and Ewan McGregor during his meteoric rise to stardom – one would expect this fantastical masterpiece to be etched in our collective film memory forevermore. Yet, it seems to have slipped through the cracks for some reason.
However, I implore you all to reconsider and revisit “Big Fish” if you haven’t seen it already or if it’s been a while since your last viewing. This overlooked fantasy film is truly a hidden gem that deserves recognition and appreciation for its timeless storytelling and captivating performances. If you’re seeking an underrated movie to add to your must-watch list, I wholeheartedly recommend “Big Fish.
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2025-07-07 14:36