20 Most Underrated Fantasy Movies of All Time

We as humans seek an escape from reality now more than ever. And to be transported into worlds full of magic, adventure, and childlike wonder is nothing short of delightful. The fantasy genre delivers just that. For quite some decades now, fantasy movies have plucked us from the comfort of our homes and sent us to realms with endless possibilities. Yet within this broad genre of imagination, some movies have been overlooked and underappreciated compared to major blockbusters.

Don’t get us wrong, we obviously love mainstream crowd-pleasers like The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter franchise. But there is also a deeper trove of fantasy gems that arguably deserves more love and a revisit. Through this list, we aim to shine a light on 20 underrated fantasy movies that slipped the radar. From melodramatic fairy tales to shape-shifting adventures, these titles feature stories that are ready to captivate you all over again.

20 The Green Knight (2021)

Written and directed by David Lowery, The Green Knight is a medieval fantasy adventure that centers around Sir Gawain, who is attending dinner at the Round Table with the king, when a mysterious knight appears and dares any man to strike him with an ax, but in exchange, the man must receive the same strike one year later on Christmas at the Green Chapel.

On an impulse, Gawain rises and decapitates the Green Knight. This results in a year-long journey of heroic trials, a display of courage, romance, and some haunting revelations for Gawain.

Genuinely Hypnotic Revisionist Fantasy

The only reason The Green Knight is so underappreciated is that it was released during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its box office numbers failed to meet expectations, and the revisionist fantasy flew under most radars.

Fortunately, critics were keen enough to admire the visually stunning classic tale told with modern filmmaking techniques. Dev Patel stars as Gawain and delivers a brilliant and grounded performance. Supported by period-accurate elements and rich locales, the movie uncovered its mysteries at a hypnotic pace. Stream on Max.

19 Dracula Untold (2014)

Dracula Untold walks the tightrope between being absolutely weird and surprisingly unique, and inclines more towards the latter.

Set in 15th-century Transylvania, it introduces us to Vlad Tepes, a young child who trained hard and became the most feared warrior of his time. In order to protect his land and family from the evil Ottoman Empire, he makes a deadly pact with a mysterious force and gains the abilities of a vampire. Vlad’s power eventually drives back the invading Turks.

A Fresh Take on a Familiar Story

Luke Evans delivers a truly complex performance as Vlad/Dracula. His immense physical presence and hidden vulnerability provide a brilliant contrast to his inner demons, as well as the threat outside Wallachia’s borders. Under the direction of Gary Shore, the familiar story, which had Gothic origins, sees an infusion of gritty realism that feels both epic and intimate. The outstanding production values, character designs, and big battle sequences make Dracula Untold absolutely worth watching. Stream on Netflix.

18 Trollhunter (2010)

Blending elements of fantasy, horror, and comedy, Trollhunter tells a story about trolls. After reports of some bears being found dead arrive, three university students try to investigate the matter while also making a documentary about a suspected bear poacher named Hans. However, as they get Hans to reluctantly cooperate with their project, the group’s footage reveals more than you’d expect – that Hans is actually a trollhunter.

A Fantasy Mockumentary Like No Other

Filmed as a “fake documentary,” Trollhunter parodies found footage horror movies. Director André Øvredal brings a much-heard-of Nordic folklore to life using clever CGI techniques and uses a camera work that is fresh, shaky, and awe-inspiring.

Beyond the entertaining scares and frights, the fantasy movie also features a cast of relatively unknown actors alongside well-known Norwegian comedians. Overall, the movie is an inventive genre, holding its own against monster-themed blockbusters. Stream on Prime Video.

Related: 10 Underrated Fantasy TV Series That Deserve More Love

17 Stardust (2007)

Based on Neil Gaiman’s 1999 novel of the same name and directed by Matthew Vaughn, Stardust takes place in the fictional town of Wall in England, which is separated by the magical kingdom of Stormhold. Tristan is a young man who vows to win the heart of his beloved, Victoria, by retrieving a fallen star for her.

He crosses the barrier and enters Stormhold only to find out that the star has personified into a woman named Yvaine. With both being pursued by princes, witches, and bounty hunters, Tristan and Yvaine embark on a magical journey.

Takes You Through Enchanting Lands

An intricately woven, fairytale-like adventure starring an ensemble cast that features Claire Danes, Sienna Miller, Charlie Cox, Rupert Everett, Michelle Pfeiffer, Peter O’Toole, Ricky Gervais, Robert De Niro, and Ian McKellen, Stardust is known to deliver doses of humor, heart, and action in equal amount.

There are folklore references in the narrative, visual grandeur to inspire awe, escapist storytelling, and a charming romance that anybody can fall for. Stream on Prime Video.

16 The Fountain (2006)

An epic fantasy romance written and directed by Darren Aronofsky, The Fountain tells a story that spans the past, present, and future. It intertwines three narratives that are linked by one man’s search for eternal life. First is a 16th-century conquistador and his ill-fated queen in Spain. Second is a present-day scientist desperately wanting to cure his wife’s cancer. And third, is a time traveler who seeks to rebirth his love among the stars.

Explores Meaning of Life and Death

The Fountain is a masterful genre blend brought to visceral and moving life by Clint Mansell’s evocative score. Wrapped in visual splendor, it holds a striking romance at the core of its dramatic, science-fiction-infused narrative. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz are truly remarkable as the leads, their performances bold and imaginative. While its thematic ambition made the movie misunderstood by many, The Fountain explores the meaning of life, death, and human connection in a way few movies do. Rent on Apple TV.

15 Pleasantville (1998)

Pleasantville is a forgotten teen fantasy drama. It centers around two siblings, high schooler David and his rebellious sister Jennifer, who often fight over the TV remote.

One day, David’s love for Pleasantville, a black-and-white 1950s sitcom about the idyllic Parker family, transports him and his sister to the Parkers’ house, with George and Betty Parker believing them to be their own children. But David and Jennifer’s presence in town brings color and questions, and instead of facing the wrath of town residents, they must find a way back home.

Deconstructs our Collective Nostalgia

A four-star earner from Roger Ebert, who calls the movie “one of the best and most original films of the year,” Pleasantville is extraordinary because of how it blends social commentary and themes of expression, diversity, and identity, into its seemingly hilarious, fish-out-of-water premise. The deconstruction of nostalgia, the winning costumes, and the dazzling performances from Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, and William H. Macy, all come together to make the film timeless. Rent on Apple TV.

14 A Little Princess (1995)

Adapted from a 1905 novel of the same name written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess follows Sara Crewe, a little girl whose adventures are as big as her dreams.

Living in a boarding school in 1900s London, Sara is an imaginative girl who loves myths and magic. But when her father is presumed dead in World War I, her headmistress reduces her to a servant by confining her to the attic. Sara, however, embraces the idea of home and faces the hardship with grace.

A Young Girl’s Tale of Self-Discovery

A beautiful and bittersweet take on a classic story, A Little Princess is one of the most affectionate and inspirational fantasy movies on the list. It features Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham, Liesel Matthews, and Vanessa Lee Chester in the lead cast. Their empathetic performances build an engaging scenario. Paired with shots of forests of India and streets of old London, it infuses magic, warmth, humor, and messages of hope and joy into Miss Burnett’s story. Rent on Apple TV.

13 Death Becomes Her (1992)

Death Becomes Her is a black comedy/fantasy movie directed by Robert Zemeckis. In it, Meryl Streep plays the role of Madeline, a Broadway actress willing to go to desperate measures to maintain her perfect physique as well as win against her rival, an aspiring writer named Helen, who also loves the man Madeline loves. They both see a magic potion that promises eternal youth, but their prolonged use makes them immortal instead.

Features Groundbreaking Visuals

Death Becomes Her was unlike anything audiences had ever seen before. Zemeckis pushed his own standards higher by crafting a revenge fantasy that is satirical as well as subversive.

The remarkable effects work and the clever dialogue redefined what the fantasy genre would achieve. Along with Streep, the movie stars Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis, who are simply irresistible in their respective roles. Stream for free on Tubi.

Related: The 10 Highest-Grossing Fantasy Movies of the 1990s

12 The Witches (1990)

The Witches is based on the classic Roald Dahl story. Jasen Fisher stars as eight-year-old Luke, who is vacationing with his grandmother, Helga, in Norway. Having been warned about witches who disguise as ordinary women by his grandmother, Luke is always wary of his surroundings. One day, he stumbles upon a convention of witches that wants to poison all the world’s children. With his grandmother, Luke tries to outwit the Grand High Witch.

Jim Henson’s Most Spectacular Outing

Director Nicolas Roeg brings to life a creepy fantasy adaptation for a family audience in deliciously evil ways. Beyond the fantastic source material, what elevates The Witches to a cult status was Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and Oscar-winning make-up done to bring the witches and their transformations to the screen without the use of CGI.

Anjelica Huston portrays the Grand High Witch by leaning hard into malevolence and increases the quality of dark fantasy as a genre. Rent on Apple TV.

11 The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

Despite being helmed by the great Terry Gilliam, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen was a box office bomb. But the numbers clearly do injustice to this fantastical autobiography. In the movie, Baron Munchausen recounts his exploits in an unnamed war-torn European city. When the Turkish army was invading his town, he teamed up with his talented henchmen and an exuberant girl to save it.

So Bizarre and Imaginative

John Neville leads an all-star cast made of Sarah Polley, Eric Idle, Jonathan Pryce, Oliver Reed, Robin Williams, and Uma Thurman, and all of them deliver truly memorable performances to elevate this surreal masterpiece to greater standards. A feverish combination of stop-motion, matte paintings, and imaginative screenplay, the movie invited audiences to a work that was initially considered bizarre but is all the more revisit-worthy now. Rent on Apple TV.

10 The Gate (1987)

Best friends Glen and Terry are always up for adventures. When Glen’s parents leave town for a few days, the two friends discover a mysterious glowing rock in Glen’s backyard. Apparently, it opens a portal to another dimension that is inhabited by a swarm of demons. As the mischievous creatures begin to crawl out, multiply, and wreak havoc in the human world, Glen and Terry must figure out a way to stop the invaders and close the portal.

A Creepy Coming-Of-Age Classic

Directed by Tibor Takács from a screenplay written by Michael Nankin, The Gate is a low-budget creepfest that combines elements of science-fiction, horror, fantasy, and comedy.

Stephen Dorff, Louis Tripp and Christa Denton are the young leads that carry this nostalgic slice of ‘80s magic with their fantastic performances. The movie only generated a cult following years after its release, but was considered by critics to be a film that families can show their kids to introduce them to horror films. Stream on Prime Video.

9 The Black Cauldron (1985)

Moving to a Disney animated fantasy that remained criminally overlooked amidst a swarm of classics the studio dropped during the era, The Black Cauldron transports you to the magical land of Prydain, where a crazed wizard named The Horned King is hunting for a black cauldron that can create an invincible army of undead warriors. Only Taran, a teenage assistant pig keeper, has the courage and skill to stop the titular artifact first and stop the evil king.

An Overlooked Disney Classic

An epic fantasy adventure based on Lloyd Alexander’s first two books in a series of novels, The Black Cauldron was unfortunately considered too dark and scary for kids at the time. As the most expensive animated film ever made in the ‘80s, its underperformance at the box office led Disney to downplay darker features for decades.

Still, it was admired for its epic scope and phenomenal animation. The empowering messages about courage and loyalty resonate more with fans now. Stream on Disney+.

8 Ladyhawke (1985)

Fans remember Matthew Broderick for his driven roles in WarGames and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but the actor starred in another film during that decade. Ladyhawke is set in medieval Italy, where a shady thief that goes by the name of Phillipe Gaston is captured by the Bishop of Aquila. He escapes and teams up with a mysterious captain, Etienne Navarre, who tells him about the Bishop’s curse, and together they try to overthrow him.

Beautiful Adventure About a Love That’s Doomed

Epic and beautiful, Ladyhawke immerses its views into the medieval world laced with magic and curses. Its moody lens is made of aquamarine, amber, and subtle hues of teal, which stirs the soul. At the core of the narrative is a tender love story between Michelle Pfeiffer and Rutger Hauer, which leaves a lasting impression because it pays homage to the beauty and power of love. Overall, Ladyhawke is a perfect and decorative fantasy masterpiece. Stream on Tubi.

Related: 10 Forgotten Fantasy Movies to Revisit for Nostalgic Vibes

7 The Last Unicorn (1982)

Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, The Last Unicorn is another animated fantasy movie that deserves to be revisited. The premise goes something like this: A beautiful unicorn learns that she may be the last of her kind in the world, and that a malevolent entity called the Red Bull has gathered all others somewhere on the Earth.

Leaving her enchanted forest, she ventures into a realm of men, has strange encounters, and is eventually accompanied by a magician and a woman on her mission to find the truth about other unicorns.

Gives Timeless Lessons About Life

Brought to vibrant life from Peter S. Beagle’s 1968 novel of the same name, the fun little musical fantasy features breathtaking animation work and storytelling. Apart from having a critically acclaimed original score, the movie also features an outstanding voice cast, including prominent names like Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, and Christopher Lee. Its central theme is that of a mythical creature discovering what makes life worth living, which is why it resonates with audiences of all ages. Stream on Hulu.

6 Dragonslayer (1981)

Another underrated fantasy movie is Dragonslayer. Set in a medieval sixth-century post-Roman kingdom, it first introduces a 400-year-old evil dragon that threatens people. Believed to be unkillable, King Casiodorus makes a pact with the dragon – he must provide the dragon with sacrificial virgins to appease him. However, when his daughter is next in line, an old wizard decides to venture into the dragon’s volcanic realm and save her.

Breaks Barriers With Its Visual Effects

Dragonslayer arrived at the beginning of the ‘80s, long before the industry was using CGI to demonstrate dragons. The movie was the first one outside the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises to use special effects created by Industrial Light and Magic.

Despite featuring intricate character designs, heartfelt performances from Peter MacNicol and newcomer Caitlin Clarke, and an Academy Award-nominated original score, Matthew Robbins’ cult classic flopped at the box office. Stream on Kanopy.

5 Time Bandits (1981)

Time Bandits follows a young boy named Kevin, who is fascinated by history. One night, his bedroom wall collapses and an armored knight on a horse appears in front of him. Turns out, his room is a time-travel portal. Later, a group of dwarves who work for the Supreme Being invite him along on their latest heist, where they must rob historical civilizations using a self-assembling map. But the dwarves aren’t the only ones looking for the fortune.

Terry Gilliam’s Madcap Movie

In Time Bandits, Terry Gilliam blended history, fantasy, and childhood wonder. Critics particularly lauded Gilliam for his vision and tone and mentioned how he “utilizes fantastic set design and homemade special effects to create a vivid, original universe.”

The uproarious humor and a sense of absurdity makes Time Bandits more driven and innocent. Additionally, with Craig Warnock playing young Kevin, the movie also featured supporting turns from Sean Connery, John Cleese, and Shelley Duvall. Stream on Max.

4 Excalibur (1981)

The fantasy genre is often associated with swashbuckling adventures and lighthearted fun. Excalibur steers away from the convention and instead makes you rack your brains with its facts and complex narrative. Speaking of which, the movie is about King Arthur, Uthur’s illegitimate son, who succeeds in drawing the titular sword from the stone and becoming the rightful heir to the throne. But foes like his evil half-sister and his son, Mordred threaten his place, so he teams up with the wizard Merlin and puts up a fight.

A True Cinematic Masterpiece

Set against the backdrop of the Dark Ages, Excalibur boasts iconic cinematography. Its lush costumes and long shots of landscapes were only surpassed by the spellbinding direction of John Boorman.

Looking at the cast, Nicol Williamson was magnificent as Merlin, and Nigel Terry and Helen Mirren played King Arthur and Morgana Le Fay respectively. The movie also delivered some dark action in the form of visceral fight scenes and the poetry of Camelot’s rise and fall, making itself a standout in the genre. Rent on Apple TV.

3 Jabberwocky (1977)

Another fantasy comedy set in the depths of the Dark Ages, Jabberwocky introduces us to an innocent young man named Dennis who has big dreams but is stuck pursuing a career as a cooper in his dying father’s workshop. The town he travels to is troubled by a monster, and after a series of misunderstandings in King Bruno’s city, Dennis is believed to be a brave man whose potential and skills will save all from the monster.

A Misunderstood Fantasy That Delivers

Based on a ridiculous poem penned by Lewis Carroll in his novel, Through the Looking-Glass, this odd and funny fantasy movie delivers what it promises.

With no budget or experience, director Terry Gilliam fashions a tale that combines absolutely absurd characters with a bloody peril and allows them to showcase their abilities. Michael Palin shines as the main character. Although ridiculed at the time of release, Jabberwocky has found appreciation from fans of Monty Python. Stream on Prime Video.

Related: 20 Best Fantasy Adventure Movies of All Time

2 The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973)

From the minds of director Gordon Hessler is this stop-motion fantasy adventure movie. It is the second movie in a series of Sinbad films and is based on the Arabian Nights tales of Sinbad the Sailor. The plot sees the legendary sailor and the vizier of Marabia arriving at the coastal town only to be pitted against an evil magician who wants to reach the fabled Fountain of Destiny and use its powers for selfish goals. Sinbad battles formidable enemies on his quest to stop him.

Honors an Iconic Character

When a fantasy infuses dark magic, witty dialogue, excellent sword-action, and a glorious adventure, it is bound to be a success. The Golden Voyage of Sinbad achieves all that and more. It bursts with ingenious stop-motion creatures and exotic backdrops of high seas and majestic thrills.

The captivating scores and massive production values are also a delight for the senses. But what is sure to stun fans even today is the movie’s exploration of ever-lasting themes of honor and charisma. Rent on Apple TV.

1 Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

A family fantasy, Bedknobs and Broomsticks is an undiscovered Disney classic that found a special place in the hearts of many decades after its debut. Set during World War II London bombings, it follows three orphaned children Charlie, Carrie, and Paul Rawlins who are plucked from their home and sent to temporarily live with Miss Eglantine Price. After discovering that Miss Price is a trainee witch and is learning magic from a textbook, the kids cut a deal with her in exchange for keeping her secret.

Sparkles with Signature Disney Magic

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is one of those Disney movies that were overshadowed by the success of other classics. (Mary Poppins in this case.) A madcap adaptation of Mary Norton’s books, it was brought to technicolor life under the direction of Robert Stevenson. Some of the most prominently great elements about the movie were its musical numbers, the glorious production design, imaginative use of magic and mystery, and harmlessly pleasant characters. Stream on Disney+.