The over-the-top nature and endless potential of thefantasy genremean not every movie will be a timeless masterpiece, but even underwhelming fantasies can still be super entertaining. From swords and sorcery stories to epic tales of revenge and retribution, It’s always exciting to watch heroes embark on death-defying journeys or see wizards battle for the fate of the entire universe. With releases frommajor action stars like Arnold Schwarzeneggerand Dolph Lundgren, even fantasy box office bombs have their redeeming qualities.
While none of these movies will rank among thegreatest fantasy filmsof all time, they still hold that special quality that means they’re lots of fun to watch and laugh along to with a crowd. Not every fantasy can reach theBest Picture-winning status of Peter Jackson’sThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, and instead have built up reputations as quiet cult classics. Whether it’s a so-bad-it’s-good release, a movie that was wildly ahead of its time, or just a guilty pleasure,all these fantasy films have something magical about them.
While the live-actionSuper Mario Bros.movie was long considered one of the most baffling and outrageous video game adaptations ever, looking back, it’s hard not to be won over by this dark reimagination of the iconic platformer. Featuring Bob Hoskins as the titular plumber and Dennis Hopper as the ruthless President Koopa, the husband-and-wife directing duo Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel played fast and loose withMario’smythos in a strange, dystopian, dinosaur-centric fantastic adventure set in a parallel universe.
With a plot that saw the Italian-American brothersMario and Luigi cross over into a dystopian world that separated from ours sixty-five million years ago,Super Mario Bros.blended the game aesthetics with ideas taken from fairytales and contemporary American culture. As a cult favorite that has to be admired for its absolutely wild storyline, now that there has been a more faithful adaptation of the games through the animated reboot,The Super Mario Bros. Movie, we can finally look back on this bizarre movie fondly.
From the T-800 Terminator to the elite paramilitary soldier Dutch Schafer, Arnold Schwarzenegger has had plenty of iconic film roles across his acclaimed career in action, fantasy, and sci-fi filmmaking. However, Schwarzenegger’s breakout success came as the swords and sorcery heroConan the Barbarian. While the original 1982 movie has rightfully earned its status as a cult classic, the sequelConan the Destroyerrarely gets its due as a fun-filled epic set during the fictional Hyborian Age.
With Grace Jones as the powerful warrior bandit Zula, this outrageous story may have lacked the gravitas that made the original such a success, but it was replaced by a sillier, more tongue-in-cheek sense of humor.Conan the Destroyerwas a campy sequelthat could have been expanded with more sequels and spin-offs. However, it sadly marked the final time that Schwarzenegger played the titular hero, although he’s stated he’s open to returning for a legacy sequel.
The action horrorVan Helsingwas a unique take onDracula’smythos that shifted its focus to the titular monster hunter, played by Hugh Jackman. As a vampire slayer and the archnemesis of Dracula, it was thrilling to watch as Van Helsing not only encountered his old foe but also butted heads with Frankenstein’s monster, Duergar, Mr. Hyde, and werewolves in a film thatpaid tribute to the classic Universal Monsters of the 1930s and 1940s.
WhileVan Helsingsuffered from CGI overload and was certainly a product of its time, if you can look past its dated, overused visuals, it’s hard not to be won over by its spectacular and silly nature. From writer and director Stephen Sommers,Van Helsingwas a worthy successor to his work onThe Mummy, which similarly walked the fine line between outrageous camp and engrossing entertainment.
A fantastic story about an adult woman reencountering her childhood imaginary best friend who has the potential to fall flat on its feet, and critics at the time were not kind toDrop Dead Fred. While it’s true this movie had its issues, Rik Mayall’s astounding performance has to be admired as he brought the same frantic and over-the-top energy he exhibited in adult-oriented sitcoms likeThe Young Onesto this child-friendly feature.
WhileDrop Dead Fredwas packed with crude humor and some juvenile sequences, hidden below the surface was a thoughtful exploration of anxiety, emotional abuse, and trauma. Phoebe Cates delivered a believable performance as a woman whose life was falling apart, which was balanced byMayall bouncing off the walls through his imaginary antics that nobody else could see. Looking back onDrop Dead Fredall these years later, it was a wildly entertaining film whose deeper themes weren’t appreciated by critics at the time.
Highlanderwas a fantasy adventure that received mixed reviewsand failed to even recoup its budget when it was first released in 1986. WhileHighlanderboasted an engaging mythology that told of immortal swordsmen beheading one another and embroiled in an eternal war, there was a feeling at the time of its release that this Russell Mulcahy movie was ripping off other, more successful franchises likeBlade RunnerandThe Terminator.
However,Highlanderwas also packed with plenty of original ideas, and its iconic quote, “There can be only one,” has become one of the best-known phrases in all of fantasy cinema. With a cheesy and bombastic style and rich mythology that put forward the ancient beliefs of the Highlanders,Highlander’sreputation has grown over time, and it’s quietly carved out a legacy as a well-loved franchise.
While Paul Schrader may be best known for writing the screenplays for Martin Scorsese classics likeTaxi DriverandRaging Bull, he’s also carved out an impressive career as a director in his own right. With a filmography filled with some great movies and even more questionable ones, one of Schrader’s strangest releases was the horror movie remakeCat People. Telling the story of a woman who learns she’s descended from an ancient race with hidden feline characteristics, the sheer ridiculousness ofCat Peoplewas part of its charm.
Through strange visuals and a highly sexualized aesthetic,Cat Peopletook the erotic subtext of the original movie and pushed it to the extreme. Nastassja Kinski as Irena Gallier, the woman discovering her cat-like nature, in a unique movie that walks the fine line between erotic thriller and horror fantasy. While there’s a lot that people can criticize aboutCat People, its great performances, unusual visuals, and its astounding theme song from David Bowie meant it was super entertaining.
Whileit’s been enjoyable watching Lindsay Lohan step back into the spotlightwith her multi-picture deal with Netflix, the harsh truth was that movies likeIrish Wishweren’t great. As a formulaic rom-com that got a lot wrong about its Irish setting, this rural switcheroo about an American publisher changing places with her best friend and becoming an Irish writer’s bride-to-be had plenty of issues that meant it paled in comparison to Lohan’s glory days in similar movies likeFreaky Friday.
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While it’s true thatIrish Wishwas far from perfect, it also made for enjoyable, turn-off-your-brain viewing and was the perfect movie to watch when you want something that strikes the perfect balance of humor and ridiculousness. Lohan gave a great performance inIrish Wishand reminded audiences that nobody can do rom-coms quite like her, and that’s really all you’re able to ask from a fun but forgettable Netflix romance.
WhileKrulldid not receive the appreciation it deserved in its own time, the way this swashbuckling adventure blended sci-fi and fantasy was super entertaining. Set on the planet of Krull and beginning with an evil monster kidnapping Princess Lysette, the maiden’s beloved Colwyn sets off on a quest to defeat the Beast and save his bride. However, Colwyn and his soldiers must first find the magical weapon called the Galiave, which is the only weapon that can defeat the Beast.
Krullwas widely criticized at the time of its release as derivative and unoriginal, although looking back, it was an ambitious and entertaining take on classic fairytales and damsel-in-distress storylines. As a rollercoaster of fun and excitement, there was never a dull moment inKrull,and the way it combined elements of fantasy and space opera means itwill appeal to fans of bothStar WarsandThe Lord of the Rings.
Masters of the Universe
Cast
Masters of the Universe follows the battle between He-Man and the evil Skeletor, who seizes Castle Grayskull with the mysterious Cosmic Key. As Skeletor gains power, He-Man allies with locksmith Gwildor to recover the weapon, leading both forces to Earth, where it inadvertently lands in the hands of two teenagers.
Long before Margot Robbie achieved unprecedented box office success with her live-action portrayal of Barbie, Dolph Lundgren proved the potential for Mattel toys on the big screen withMasters of the Universe. As the universe-saving warrior He-Man,Lundgren made the perfect big-screen version of this swords and sorcery iconas he faced off against Frank Langella’s Skeletor as he attempted to seize control of Castle Grayskull. WhileMasters of the Universewas a commercial failure, it rightfully built up a reputation as a cult classic among fantasy lovers.
As Lungren’s first leading role after achieving worldwide recognition fromRock IV, the failure ofMaster of the Universesadly negatively impacted his potential as a major mainstream leading man.Masters of the Universeblended elements of screwball comedy with intense action sequences and makes for the perfect fun-filled movie to watch with a group of friends. While it may not be high art, watching He-Man face off against Skeletor will always be wildly entertaining.
The Beastmaster
The Beastmaster is a 1982 fantasy film directed by Don Coscarelli. It follows Dar, played by Marc Singer, a warrior with the ability to communicate with animals, as he embarks on a quest to defeat the evil sorcerer Maax. Tanya Roberts and Rip Torn co-star in this tale of adventure and mystical powers. The film combines elements of sword-and-sorcery with themes of heroism and destiny.
The swords and sorcery classicThe Beastmasterstarred Marc Singer as Dar, a young man who can communicate with animals on a quest for revenge. Released the same year asConan the Barbarian,The Beastmastersadly failed at the box office but later built up its reputation due to repeated airings on American TV on channels like TBS, TNT, and HBO. With an epic story that saw Dar face off against an evil wizard with the help of his animal allies,The Beastmasterwas equal parts wild and ridiculous.
While the acting inThe Beastmasterwasn’t great, and its special effects left a lot to desire, this did not mean it wasn’t super entertaining. With a unique lore and lively narrative, the retrospective reverence thatThe Beastmasterreceived meant it even earned a sequel,Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time, in 1991, and a third made-for-TV movie calledBeastmaster III: The Eye of Braxusin 1996.
