25 Forgotten Fantasy Films of the 1980s, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

Whether these films were critically acclaimed or not, they all share one common trait: they dared to dream big and bold. So, prepare to be spellbound, enchanted, and maybe a little bewildered, as we count down these 25 overlooked and underappreciated fantasy films of the 1980s.

25. "Sheena" (1984)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 13%

A female Tarzan-type who can communicate telepathically with all creatures, Sheena must protect her African home from modern-day threats.

24. "Conan the Destroyer" (1984)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 26%

Conan is tasked with escorting a princess on a quest to retrieve a magical gemstone, facing monsters and sorcery in his adventure.

23. "Krull" (1983)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 35%

A prince must rescue his bride from an alien invader known as the Beast, using a magical weapon, the Glaive, and assembling a band of allies to save his planet, Krull.

22. "Hawk the Slayer" (1980)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%

After his evil brother murders their family, Hawk the warrior embarks on a quest for vengeance, armed with a magical sword.

21. "Legend" (1985)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 42%

A young hero, with the help of mystical creatures, must rescue a princess and defeat the Lord of Darkness, who seeks to plunge the world into eternal night.

20. "The Beastmaster" (1982)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 46%

A sword-and-sorcery epic about a young man who can communicate with animals, seeking vengeance against the evil warlord who slaughtered his family.

19. "Willow" (1988)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%

A young farmer with aspirations to be a sorcerer must protect a special baby from an evil queen, leading him on an epic journey with warriors and witches.

18. "The Black Cauldron" (1985)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%

In this animated Disney film, a young pig keeper and his friends must prevent an evil Horned King from acquiring a mystical cauldron that can summon an army of the dead.

17. "Return to Oz" (1985)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 58%

Dorothy returns to a deteriorated Oz and must save her friends from the Nome King and Princess Mombi, facing new and old allies and enemies.

16. "Clash of the Titans" (1981)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%

A retelling of the myth of Perseus, as he battles both Medusa and the Kraken to save Princess Andromeda.

15. "Fire and Ice" (1983)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%

In this animated fantasy film, a young hero and a princess join forces to fight against a tyrannical sorcerer and his army of mutants.

14. "Excalibur" (1981)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%

A retelling of the Arthurian legend, focusing on King Arthur's rise to power, the knights of the Round Table, and the search for the Holy Grail.

13. "Labyrinth" (1986)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%

A teenage girl embarks on a quest through a magical labyrinth to rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King, facing various challenges and meeting unusual characters.

12. "The Dark Crystal" (1982)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%

In a mystical world, a young Gelfling embarks on a quest to find a missing shard of a powerful crystal to restore balance and thwart the evil Skeksis.

11. "The Last Unicorn" (1982)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%

In this animated tale, the last unicorn sets out to discover what has happened to the others of her kind, encountering friends and enemies on her quest.

10. "Ladyhawke" (1985)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

A young thief aids a knight and his lover, who are cursed to be separated forever, with the knight turning into a wolf by night and the lady into a hawk by day.

9. "Conan the Barbarian" (1982)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

A young boy, enslaved after his parents are killed by an evil warlord, grows up to become a fearsome warrior seeking revenge.

8. "The Sword and the Sorcerer" (1982)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

A mercenary with a three-bladed sword sets out to overthrow a tyrannical king who had slain his family.

7. "The NeverEnding Story" (1984)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%

A bullied boy reads a mysterious book, entering a fantasy world where he embarks on a journey to save the land of Fantasia from being devoured by The Nothing.

6. "Dragonslayer" (1981)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%

A young wizard's apprentice embarks on a perilous quest to kill a dragon terrorizing a kingdom, facing challenges of courage and magic.

5. "Time Bandits" (1981)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

A boy joins a group of dwarfs as they jump through time and steal treasures, pursued by the Supreme Being and Evil itself, leading to whimsical and dangerous adventures.

4. "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" (1988)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

An elderly nobleman known for his tall tales embarks on a fantastical journey to save a city from Turkish invaders, encountering mythical beings and figures.

3. "The Flight of Dragons" (1982)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%

In this animated film, a young man from the 20th century is transported into a fantasy world to fight an evil wizard with the help of dragons and magic.

2. "The Secret of NIMH" (1982)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

A widowed mouse seeks the aid of genetically enhanced rats to save her home, uncovering the mysteries of NIMH and her late husband's past.

1. "The Princess Bride" (1987)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%

A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love, who must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited.