Dark Age of 80s Fantasy Movies Before The Lord of the Rings | Top 10 Most Underrated Fantasy Movies

Ready for more enchanting tales? If you haven't already, don't forget to check out part one of our journey through the underrated fantasy films. Click the link below to discover the magic that came before:
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*Part one*

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0:00 - 10. Quest for Fire (1981)
1:31 - 9. Hawk The Slayer (1980)
2:30 - 8. The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
3:45 - 7. Dragonslayer (1981)
5:48 - 6. Flash Gordon (1980)
7:36 - 5. Return to Oz (1985)
9:12 - 4. Clash of the Titans (1981)
10:37 - 3. Conan the Barbarian (1982)
12:08 - 2. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
13:42 - 1. Willow (1988)

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First, the primal world of "Quest for Fire" (1981), directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, a captivating tale of survival starring Ron Perlman and Everett McGill, known for their roles in "Hellboy" and "Twin Peaks" respectively.

Next, we encounter the epic saga of "Hawk The Slayer" (1980), directed by Terry Marcel, featuring Jack Palance as the sinister Voltan and John Terry in the titular role, known for his later work in "Lost" and "24."

Then, we wield the mystical blade of "The Sword and the Sorcerer" (1982), helmed by Albert Pyun, featuring the talents of Lee Horsley, Kathleen Beller, and Richard Lynch in a gripping tale of magic and revenge.

Prepare to face the fearsome dragon in "Dragonslayer" (1981), directed by Matthew Robbins, where Peter MacNicol and Caitlin Clarke set off on a quest to defeat the mythical beast. Joining them is Ralph Richardson, adding his seasoned talent to this epic tale of heroism and magic.

In 'Flash Gordon' (1980), directed by Mike Hodges, brace yourself for a cosmic adventure where Sam J. Jones channels the heroic spirit to save the universe from the Ming the Merciless, portrayed by Max von Sydow. Joining the ensemble are Timothy Dalton, Melody Anderson, and Ornella Mut.

Experience the haunting return to the Land of Oz in "Return to Oz" (1985), directed by Walter Murch, starring Fairuza Balk as Dorothy as she encounters new friends and old foes in a darker, more surreal Oz. Other cast members of the movie include Nicol Williamson and Jean Marsh.

Witness the clash of gods and monsters in "Clash of the Titans" (1981), directed by Desmond Davis, featuring Harry Hamlin as Perseus, alongside a stellar cast including Laurence Olivier as Zeus, Maggie Smith as Thetis, Judi Bowker, and Ursula Andress.

Follow the barbaric hero in "Conan the Barbarian" (1982), directed by John Milius, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in his breakout role as the mighty Conan, battling against James Earl Jones' Thulsa Doom.

Enter the world of "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" (1988), directed by Terry Gilliam, with John Neville portraying the legendary baron alongside a stellar cast including Eric Idle, Uma Thurman, Sarah Polley, Robin Williams, and Jonathan Pryce.

Finally, the magical realm of "Willow" (1988), directed by Ron Howard, starring Warwick Davis as the unlikely hero alongside Val Kilmer in a classic tale of good versus evil.

#fantasymovies #80sfantasy #movies #fantasy #underratedmovies #arnoldschwarzenegger #terrygilliam #ronperlman #flashgordon #maxvonsydow #ReturntoOz #laurenceolivier #HarryHamlin #conanthebarbarian #jamesearljones #umathurman #warwickdavis #willow #valkilmer #JohnMilius #adventuremovies #EricIdle #JohnNeville #Conan #magic #robinwilliams
#swordandsorcery #disney

[Underrated-Cinema]

This is Part 2 of our underrated fantasy list! If you're interested in Part 1, you can find it here:

In Part 1, we covered films like Time Bandits, The NeverEnding Story, Excalibur, Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Legend, The Beastmaster, Krull, Ladyhawke and The Fall.

[quantumparadox]

I’d throw in She, Krull, the beastmaster, ladyhawke, the death stalker films, but I love all the films on this list for sure. Staples of my childhood

[snorpenbass]

The funniest part about Flash Gordon is how they actually managed to bring the original comics to life - the vibrant colors, the designs, even the cheesy bits. They didn't "update" the look to fit the new post-Star Wars vibe everyone else was going for, they went full on bright colors and gold everywhere. I have a few old collections of the colorized versions of the comic strips, and they look _exactly_ like the movie.

[martineldritch]

Excalibur was a personal favorite, and Ladyhawke

[Sirchud]

Fire and Ice, Heavy Metal, Wizards…
Can’t forget the animated classics…

[Farold_Haltermeyer]

My Dad worked on a few of those, happy memories of going to work with him and wondering Elstree and Pinewood studios and seeing many of the others being prepped or shot. An amazing time for cinema...and glad I’m not alone in viewing the LotR films as being the death knell for analogue filmic experiences

[RetroFutureArts]

Wow I'm just blown away by how visually striking Return to Oz is. I would never even have considered watching it because of its title (and obviously its underlying universe) but now I absolutely have to get it. Thanks!

[chichiboypumpi]

I love all the movies featured here, Willow, Dragonslayer, and Baron Munchausen being top

[JJJulesToo]

The Dark Crystal, Neverending Story, Beastmaster, Krull, Red Sonya, Ladyhawke, The Last Unicorn, Excalibur, The Black Cauldron....all the stuff of childhood dreams and nightmares.

[LangRieper]

So happy you included The Adventures of Baron Munchausen!!

[AnytimeBaby]

I looked for Hawk the Slayer so long, nobody remebered the movie, felt like i was the crazy one for recalling some scenes but nobody else did, thank you so much for this list

[MrTureson]

"a period when storytelling was as boundless as our dreams, and special effects served the story, not the other way around" sadly words that have been forgotten by Hollywood and others.

[waynezimmerman]

Clash of The Titans was the swan song; of sorts, for Harryhausen(who would still be consulted forever by those fans who would become movie idols themselves). My only issue with Clash was the studio decision to spend more money on big name cameos(for the Gods) instead of letting Ray go wild on the creature FXs; which were fine. The previous Jason & The Argonauts(1963); my very favorite among his movies, did it and still brought in amazing actors.
A personal fan moment is that back in the early 90s I met Ray at a sci fi con in Philadelphia, PA(Philcon). I had come out of the dealers room; having just bought a book on the man and his movies, when I spotted him standing against a wall; by himself. I politely asked if he could sign my book and Ray did; before giving a smile as he told me that his handlers would be coming by to take him to dinner, but we could chat until then. It turned out to be the most amazing half hour; just two artists(one pro and one struggling) going on about the craft; with Ray more interested in my projects as discussing his own.

[TheOtherKine]

ERIK the VIKING, 1989
hardly anybody knows about it, which is the weirdest thing. It's one of my faves. What Terry Jones managed to do with it was remarkable, actually.

[atp]

Legend. Tom Cruise, Tim Curry, Mia Sara and more. Currently free 3/10/24 on YouTube.

[TheDRODOR]

The dark crystal was a great movie too!!

[marijandesin]

Time Bandits, The Princess Bride, Excalibur, Red Sonia and don't froget The Barbarians twin brothers 😂 if you want a good laugh

[wbbartlett]

War Wick and his brother Candle Wick set off on an adventure. Pronunciation pedantry aside, this was a great list.

[GKViddingHD]

Return to Oz made me shiver even as an adult. ♥ Thank you for your Top 10

[adrianbuckvideo]

You missed out Ladyhawke (1985) starring Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Broderick IMHO the most romantic fantasy of the 80s with some iconic scenes, one even copied in a Game of Thrones episode. This was Hauer's character riding his horse defiantly into a church right up to the alter. The sound of hooves on the stone is the only soundtrack needed. Charles Dance does the same in GoT (with the same emphasis on the sound of hooves on stone) but this time in the Throne room right up to the throne where Joffrey is sitting somewhat intimidated by his grandfather unexpected presence.