The fantasy musical genre has given us some of the best films of all time . Where would we be withoutLord of the RingsorThe Wizard of Oz ? Those are simply scratching the control surface . There are one C of brilliant flick from every ten within the writing style , but sometimes the real gems get overlooked .

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The eighties was a specially ripe fourth dimension for fantasy . In those ten year , The Neverending Story and Labyrinth were both made . But what about all the fantasy films that went unnoted ? We ’re taking a look at ten you should n’t miss .

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

Willow (1988)

ConsideringWillowis based on a story by the legendary George Lucas ( Star Wars ) you would expect it to get more tending . it is also boost by being directed by Ron Howard . However , Willowhas mostly flown under the microwave radar .

The film is a in high spirits phantasy epic feature about the wizardly globe of Willow . Warwick Davis stars in the leading part as a farmer who must protect an babe from an evil queen . Despite its historic period , the film is also known for possess special effects that still retain their magical spell all these years later .

The Dark Crystal (1982)

If you make up aid to Netflix offerings , then you might have seen the newprequel serial . Jim Henson , who direct the originalDark Crystalfilm in 1982 , take back for the prequel serial too , instilling it with its classic charm . But if you have n’t seen the first movie , it ’s worth checking out .

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The Dark Crystalis known for its ability to add non-white fantasy elements to a film for shaver . It has gained quite the furor following over the geezerhood but is still mostly unknown to the general public . If you enjoy dark phantasy and picture , including tool animation , then you should check this one out .

Sidious, Tyranus, Maul, and Vader.

The Black Cauldron (1985)

Despite being a Disney picture , The Black Cauldronnever receive the proper plaudit and attention from the public that other Disney features did . It was created at an awkward period of Disney ’s existence . It is also one of the saturnine film in Disney ’s animated repertoire .

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The motion picture follows a young Fannie Merritt Farmer named Taran , who is tasked with looking after a charming pig with a opine 6th sense . But when the squealer is kidnapped by the Horned King , Taran must unite with his brother Gurgi   to redeem him and kill the grievous man .

A set of Final Destination Bloodlines characters looking concerned in new trailer

Time Bandits (1981)

Terry Gillian directed this well - look back film from 1981 . It focuses on the story of a new man who is shocked to discover dwarves live in his closet . These dwarves have access to a function that allow them to inscribe through unlike rips in the fabric of space and time .

They ’re using their endowment to slip priceless hoarded wealth and artifacts . WhileTime Banditsreceived an approval percentage of 89 % on Rotten Tomatoes , it has all but vanished from the pop civilisation conversation . The flick star John Cleese , Shelley Duvall , Ian Holm , and Sean Connery .

The Last Unicorn (1982)

The Last Unicornis based on the novel of the same name by Peter S. Beagle . The story follows a lonely unicorn who recognize she could be the last of her kind and embarks on a mission to discover if that ’s the truth or if more like her exist somewhere . The picture is a Japanese - American animated feature that was released in 1982 .

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It has a principal - studded cast with actors like Mia Farrow , Jeff Bridges , Alan Arkin , and Robert Klein all necessitate . The film stands out for being untraditional , unique , and yet solely enrapture and magical . If you missed out on it while growing up , it ’s still enjoyable as an adult .

Underrated Fantasy Movies From 1980s

Dragonslayer (1981)

manoeuvre by Matthew Robbins , Dragonslayeris an excellent fantasy movie star Ralph Richardson , John Hallam , and Peter MacNicol . Dragonslayer is another forgotten Disney gem . Perhaps with the introduction of Disney+ some of their lesser - know phantasy titles might be introduced to the mainstream once more .

Dragonslayer , likeThe Black Cauldron , was more matured than many other Disney films at the meter . It follow the narrative of a kingdom call Urland . For centuries , Urland was terrorized by a flying lizard . The duty to slay the creature falls to a adept ’s learner .

Ladyhawke (1985)

Michelle Pfeiffer , Matthew Broderick , and Rutger Hauer lead the mould of this imaginative medieval fantasy from 1985 . Broderick plays Phillipe Gaston , a stealer who is enlisted to assist a captain and his lady after unwrap they have fallen victim to a demonic jinx .

Ladyhawkefailed to make waves at the box part , but it did very well with critic . Over time , fan have total to appreciate its visual effects and singular story . Broderick is weigh a cast standout . Not only does the film create rich mythology of its own , but it also contains plenty of humor .

Return To Oz (1985)

Return to Ozis the " unofficial " sequel to the classicWizard of Oz . While most people have heard of the original movie follow Dorothy and her friends to the magical solid ground of Oz , many have never see this follow - up .

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Like we mentioned antecedently regarding Disney ’s other lesser - love film , regress to Ozis disconsolate than many of their other picture show . It follows Dorothy on a missionary post to save her old crony tin military man , the lion , and the scarecrow after the yellow brick road is destroyed , and the world she once knew has fall into chaos .

Willow (1988)

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

This splendid and screaming fantasy film is all about the adventures and effort of Baron Münchhausen , a German blue blood . The movie begins with an elaborate yield of his life history . But then the genuine Baron Münchhausen demo up and claims that the play is full of lies and inaccuracies .

He promise to fill them in on the truth . Despite being a boxful office bomb , the pic went on to earn several Academy Award nominations . It also has a great casting with actors like Oliver Reed , Uma Thurman , and Jonathan Pryce all star .

Splash (1984)

Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah lead the shape of this romanticist fantasy film about a man who fall in love with a mermaid . alas , their road to paradise is break by a scientist who plans on capturing the beautiful mermaid , Madison ( Hannah ) , and experimenting on her . Splashalso stars Eugene Levy and John Candy .

It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and received a Certified Fresh grievance from Rotten Tomatoes at the time of its release . All that enunciate , it has n’t stopped the film from being regrettably forgotten . Surprisingly , Hollywood has n’t even tried to redo it , although other mermaid - centrical films have certainly taken inspiration fromSplash .

Next:10 Pre - Lord Of The Rings High - Fantasy Movies That Are Still Worth Watching

The Dark Crystal (1982)

The Black Cauldron (1985)

Time Bandits (1981)

The Last Unicorn (1982)

Dragonslayer’s Galen with a spear and shield in the 1981 movie

Ladyhawke (1985)

Dorothy sits with Scarecrow in Return To Oz

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)

Splash

Movies