The Best Classic Fantasy Movies

Ranker Film
Updated June 23, 2023 37.9K votes 1.5K voters 27.2K views
Over 1.5K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Classic Fantasy Movies
Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite old fantasy movies released before 1990.

This list is all about the best classic fantasy movies, ranked from best to worst by user votes. The best classic fantasy films come in many forms. Some good old fantasy movies follow princesses as they look for love while other good classic fantasy movies feature epic battles. Many of the best classic fantasy films have been beloved for generations.

 

What films will you find on this top classic fantasy movies released before 1990 list? Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory has to be near the top. Gene Wilder had whimsy to spare as the candy-loving title character in this 1971 movie. Fantastical plot twists and catchy songs helped to make this musical a classic. Ghostbusters is another good movie that includes elements of fantasy.

Movie-goers found a fairytale fit for the big screen in the 1987 film The Princess Bride. Other good classic fantasy films featured on this list include Mary Poppins, The NeverEnding Story, and The Wizard of Oz.

Vote up your favorite classic fantasy movies to help them reach the top of the list. You can also vote down any that you think other fantasy fans should skip.

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  • The Princess Bride
    1

    The Princess Bride

    Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin
    577 votes
    • Released: 1987
    • Directed by: Rob Reiner
    The Princess Bride is a whimsical blend of adventure, romance, and comedy. Westley (Cary Elwes), a humble farmhand-turned-pirate, embarks on an epic quest to rescue his beloved Buttercup (Robin Wright) from the clutches of the villainous Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Alongside a colorful band of misfits including Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), who seeks revenge for his father's murder, and Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), a cunning Sicilian strategist, Westley must navigate treacherous terrain and outwit deadly foes. This timeless tale, peppered with memorable lines and unforgettable characters, won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedy Motion Picture in 1988. A film that transcends genre boundaries, it remains a classic in popular culture.

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  • Labyrinth
    2

    Labyrinth

    David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud
    575 votes
    • Released: 1986
    • Directed by: Jim Henson
    In Labyrinth, a teenage girl named Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is thrust into a maze-like dimension after wishing her baby brother away to the Goblin King, Jareth (David Bowie). The film combines elements of fantasy and adventure as Sarah embarks on a quest to rescue her brother from the whimsically treacherous world. Navigating through an intricate labyrinth filled with peculiar creatures and unpredictable challenges, she must rely on her wits to solve riddles and puzzles. This 1986 cult classic, directed by Jim Henson and produced by George Lucas, is noted for its imaginative storyline, distinctive puppetry, and memorable musical score. Despite not winning any major awards, Labyrinth has remained a fan favorite and continues to captivate audiences with its blend of fairy tale magic and coming-of-age drama.

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  • Beetlejuice
    3

    Beetlejuice

    Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis
    485 votes
    • Released: 1988
    • Directed by: Tim Burton
    In Tim Burton's quirky comedy-horror, Beetlejuice, a recently deceased couple Adam and Barbara Maitland (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) find their idyllic afterlife disrupted when an obnoxious new family moves into their former home. Desperate to reclaim their peaceful existence, they enlist the help of a raucous spirit named Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton). However, they soon realize that this mischievous ghost may be more trouble than he's worth. The film, known for its unique blend of humor and horror, won the Academy Award for Best Makeup.

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  • Willow
    4

    Willow

    Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis
    470 votes
    • Released: 1988
    • Directed by: Ron Howard
    In the epic fantasy film Willow, Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis), a diminutive farmer with dreams beyond his small village, finds himself on an unexpected journey. When a prophesied infant lands at his doorstep, he steps into a world of magic and danger. Accompanied by the cynical swordsman Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), they navigate treacherous terrains and face formidable adversaries, including the wicked Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh). Directed by Ron Howard, this 1988 cinematic spectacle combines adventure and comedy in a timeless tale about courage and friendship. Willow was nominated for two Academy Awards for its visual and sound effects.

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  • Ghostbusters
    5

    Ghostbusters

    Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis
    477 votes
    • Released: 1984
    • Directed by: Ivan Reitman
    In the 1984 classic, Ghostbusters, three quirky parapsychologists - Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) - find themselves out of work. Unfazed, they establish a ghost removal service in New York City. When Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) reports a supernatural entity in her apartment, the Ghostbusters are thrust into a paranormal storm, battling an ancient Sumerian god, Gozer. The film is a delightful blend of comedy and supernatural thriller, with remarkable special effects for its time. It bagged two Oscar nominations for Original Song and Visual Effects.

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  • The NeverEnding Story
    6

    The NeverEnding Story

    Gerald McRaney, Limahl, Moses Gunn
    520 votes
    • Released: 1984
    • Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
    In the heart of The NeverEnding Story, young Bastian Bux (Barret Oliver) stumbles upon a curious book that transports him into the fantastical world of Fantasia. Filled with an array of peculiar creatures and stunning landscapes, this realm is slowly being consumed by a malevolent force known as The Nothing. Atreyu (Noah Hathaway), a brave warrior chosen to confront this darkness, embarks on an epic quest. Alongside his loyal steed, Artax, and guided indirectly by Bastian's reading, Atreyu faces numerous trials in his mission to save Fantasia from oblivion. This film intertwines elements of fantasy and adventure, spinning a tale that reminds us of the enduring power of imagination and belief.

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