Pop-Culturalist.com

The 1980s was a magical time for fantasy movies. Despite cheesy storylines or lower quality production value than what we are used to today, these movies all allowed audiences to enter new worlds and have fun doing it. Let’s take a look at 8 of our favorite fantasy movies that you should watch (or watch again. And again.).

The Dark Crystal (1982)
Jim Henson was a genius. Not only was he an instrumental force in children’s entertainment by creating Sesame Street, but he also created The Muppets. The Dark Crystal is another one of his puppet ideas. This live-action movie tells the story of the last Gelfling, Jen, on his search for a piece of the dark crystal that, if repaired, can restore peace to the world.

Labyrinth (1986) 
Another gem from Jim Henson! Henson directed this film that was created by Brian Froud (their collaboration began on The Dark Crystal). Sarah (a young Jennifer Connelly) enters another world to find her baby brother who was kidnapped by the goblin king, Jareth (the late, great David Bowie). There’s music. There’s puppets. There’s fabulous costumes.

The NeverEnding Story (1984) 
Honestly, this movie fascinated me because it explicitly showed the power of stories. Bastian hides out with an old book he discovered while he was escaping some bullies. The book is called The NeverEnding Story, and as he reads about the land of Fantasia, Atreyu, and Falkor, he realizes that it may be real.

The Last Unicorn (1982) 
The world’s last unicorn embarks on a quest to discover what happened to all the other unicorns. This cartoon, based on the novel of the same name, was slightly creepy and slightly sad and quite moving. The cast of voices for the animated film are stellar: Mia Farrow, Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, Christopher Lee, and Angela Lansbury.

Willow (1988)
This VHS tape was on constantly in our house. Willow’s adventure with a baby destined to defeat the evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda is chock-full of everything you’d want. There’s magic, love, danger, trolls, brownies, and much more. Val Kilmer plays a wonderful warrior, Madmartigan. Plus, the production team of Ron Howard and George Lucas can’t be beat!

Legend (1985) 
Tom Cruise stars in this movie about–surprise–unicorns. Darkness (Tim Curry) is trying to destroy the last unicorn so Jack (Tom Cruise) and his friends go up against him. You may recognize Princess Lily (Mia Sara) from her big hit the year after Legend (hint: “Bueller…Bueller.”).

Return to Oz (1985) 
Dorothy returns to Oz to find her old friends turned to stone and a new evil Nome King. She obviously sets out to save Oz. If you’ve seen this film, you’ll recall the scene of Mombi/Wicked Witch of the North’s various heads and the Powder of Life…still kind of scared by it!

The Princess Bride (1987) 
Do I need to say anything except, “As you wish!”? Nope, didn’t think so.

Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox