The Rings of Power on Amazon has brought fans of The Lord of the Rings back to Middle-earth with all the fantasy tropes, trimmings, and trappings that come with it. Swords, magic, elves, dwarves, and other epic fantasy elements festoon the first two episodes alone, but there likely wouldn't be a series of this caliber if it wasn't for rich, lore-filled fantasies of film and cinema.
From the standard-issue swords and sorcery films to the large-budgeted epics with grand battles and special effects, the fantasy genre has pushed the limits of what movies can be like. While it's true many films in the genre are incredibly cliché by modern standards, that doesn't make them any less beloved.
The Lord Of The Rings (2001-2003)
Getting the most obvious out of the way, Peter Jackson's adaptation of Tolkien's epic is by far the golden standard for fantasy films. From the comfortable hills of the Shire to the fiery summits of Mount Doom, the saga of the One Ring is heavily saturated with everything a great fantasy flick needs.
A quest involving an ancient treasure, a party of adventurers of various fantasy races and classes, and large-scale battles against the forces of darkness that seek to conquer the realm. To say that it set the bar for dozens of fantasy projects that followed would be a glorious understatement.
Clash Of The Titans (1981)
The Harryhausen films were revolutionary in the evolution of film both in and out of the fantasy genre, but no project captured the imagination quite like Clash of the Titans. Although it might rely heavily on the Greek mythology elements and creatures, the film still keeps several iconic fantasy elements seen across the genre.
A young hero aided by his friends must go up against gods and monsters on a great quest to defeat the last of the Titans and save various kingdoms in a plot orchestrated by the Olympians. Although the 2010 remake certainly has its audience, nothing compares to the timelessness of the original.
Hawk The Slayer (1980)
The best way to describe Hawk the Slayer would be a medieval version of Star Wars. Whether it was intentional or not, there are direct parallels between the events concerning the battle between Hawk and Voltan and those of the galaxy far, far away.
To avenge the death of his father and defeat an evil one-eyed warlord, the titular Hawk must gather his allies and build an army of resistance fighters against the forces of Voltan. With elves, magic swords, and tons of swordplay, it covers the bases of the genre but uses an all-too-familiar plot line.
Legend (1985)
Although he will always be ed for his contributions to the sci-fi genre, Ridley Scott's foray into fantasy was indeed something of an interesting experiment. Although it wasn't particularly well-received at the time, it's still an absolutely stunning film that relies on traditional fantasy elements.
The plot concerns an elf warrior who must battle the Lord of Darkness to prevent him from conquering the realm. Mix that basic plot line with unicorns, fairies, goblins, and magic, and the result is a cocktail of mystical fantasy that fans of the genre will absolutely devour.
Onward (2020)
Pixar's Onward can best be described as a loving cliché, as the film is a gorgeously animated tribute to the entirety of the fantasy genre as a whole. Ian and Barley's quest to complete a spell to be reunited with their father is stuffed to the gills with references to all manner of fantasy media from Fantasia to Dungeons and Dragons.
The film itself is a very balanced production, mixing both modern comedic scenarios and situations with fantasy elements. Elves live in the suburbs, the Manticore runs a pizza t, and dragons can be constructed out of playground equipment, but heroes still go on life-changing journeys of healing and self-discovery.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Guillermo del Toro's fantasy masterpiece has been called an alternative fairytale for adults, and that's not an inaccurate description. While the '40s setting and period might be a little out of place, the mystical realm lying beneath the ruins of an ancient labyrinth is positively mystifying with its fauns, fairies, and other magical creatures.
Similar to stories like Alice In Wonderland, young Ofelia is whisked away to a magical realm after she discovers the entrance to the Faun's labyrinth. Before she can take her place on the throne of the underworld, she must complete three quests, jump through the hoops of the hero's journey, and overcome demons in both the mystical world and the real one as well.
The Dark Crystal (1982)
Considered by many to be Jim Henson's Middle-Earth, The Dark Crystal is absolutely overflowing with legends and lore in its extended universe. So much so that both a film and a TV series could hardly contain it all. With such iconic races as the Gelflings, the Mystics, and the Skeksis, the cast list alone is mind-boggling.
The quest to restore balance to a cosmic crystal, defeat the council of evil Skeksis, and restore balance to the realms of Thra is certainly a tall order, but it's one that comes with such weight and scale that it cannot be ignored. A lot to take in for some, but the film is still considered an absolute masterpiece.
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (2005)
The Chronicles of Narnia could easily be called the studio's answer to The Lord of the Rings, which is only logical considering both Tolkien and Lewis were colleagues. Like the journeys in Middle-earth, the Pevensie children's adventures in the magical land of Narnia come with a legion of familiar fantasy flavors that have since been standards across the genre.
To put it in the simplest , the film and book that inspired it are prime examples of the plight of good versus evil. Watching the forces of Aslan battle the minions of the White Witch mixed with their allegories and motifs is a pastime veterans of the genre have enjoyed since the books were first published.
Excalibur (1981)
This '80s gem is what would happen if someone took the tale of King Arthur, a Dungeon Master's guide, and a heavy metal album cover and threw them all in the blender. This take on the Arthurian legend is as over-the-top as a medieval fantasy can get, and the results are absolutely awesome.
Unlike most adaptations of Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, this version takes a much more swords-and-sorcery approach with a heavy focus on magic, prophecy, and everything that gives the original tale a fantasy element. Nicol Williamson's portrayal of Merlin is perhaps one of the most enigmatic and mystifying versions of the character, and his contributions to the plot are what push it into the high-fantasy territory.
The Lord of the Rings (1978)
Ralph Bakshi's attempt at a true-to-form adaptation of Tolkien's novels laid the foundations for many fantasy films that followed, including Jackson's Oscar-winning trilogy. The reason being is that Bakshi's adaptation went the extra mile in trying to stick as close to the source material as it could be.
Not to say that Jackson's wasn't accurate, but many lines and scenes from Bakshi's adaptation come straight from the text, almost verbatim. Pair that with the designs and animation pulled straight off a medieval tapestry, and it's truly one of the most textbook examples of a classic fantasy film.
