The fantasy subgenre has pushed the boundaries of what movies can be, from the usual swords and sorcery flicks to the big-budget epics with epic battles and extraordinary effects. Even if many of the genre’s movies nowadays would be considered highly cliché, their popularity hasn’t diminished despite this. With all of the associated fantasy tropes, trimmings, and trappings, The Rings of Power on Amazon has transported lovers of The Lord of the Rings back to Middle-earth. The cliched fantasy films listed here are still enjoyable and unforgettable.
1. Excalibur (1981)
Director- John Boorman
Excalibur is a legendary sword of power that has been in existence since the beginning of time. It is given to Uther Pendragon by the mighty magician Merlin in order to unify the kingdom under one ruler. However, the violent yearning for a different lady will soon cause chaos, and the priceless Excalibur that intends to heal will get turn to stone. Only the person who can draw it will be able to rule. Now, the Knights of the Round Table and the lowly squire Arthur, Uther’s son via an earlier marriage, are the only ones capable of freeing the sword. Together, they can bring peace and prosperity to the Kingdom. The nation will unfortunately be torn apart once more by ravenous lust and Arthur’s treacherous half-sister, Morgana.
2. The Dark Crystal (1982)
Director(s)- Jim Henson, Frank Oz
The ruthless vulture-like Skeksis have been in charge of the country with an iron fist for a thousand years, drawing their power from a life-giving magical crystal, somewhere in the far-off world of the innocent Gelflings and the gentle lumbering Mystics. Jen, the last of his kind and a fearless Gelfling, sets out on a perilous adventure to repair the Dark Crystal as he follows the hints of an ancient prophecy that predicts the downfall of the evil dictators. However, with a dying emperor and a crucial shard of the gemstone missing, Jen must decide whether to save the emperor or save himself. The risks, however, are numerous, making this a journey that is almost insurmountable.
3. Onward (2020)
Director- Dan Scanlon
Ian Lightfoot, a nerdy sixteen-year-old high school student, is about to learn that magic is still alive in the calm town of New Mushroomton, home to mysterious animals, when he receives a weird wooden staff from his long-deceased father as a birthday gift. After a failed attempt to use the magical artifact’s power, the Lightfoot brothers will have to go on a perilous mission behind their mother’s back. Now that their father has brought back to life, Ian and his elder metalhead brother, Barley, can finally spend the entire day together. However, there isn’t much time left, and in a society that has lost its magic, accomplishing this is more difficult.
4. Hawk The Slayer (1980)
Director- Terry Marcel
After witnessing his father and bride killed at the hands of his evil brother Voltan, Hawk the Slayer seeks retribution and the opportunity to live up to his moniker. With the “mind-sword” at his disposal and a motley crew of warriors that includes a giant, a dwarf, a one-armed man brandishing a machine-crossbow, and an elf wielding the fastest bow in the land, Hawk leads the fight against Voltan in an effort to purge the land of evil forces and exact revenge on those who have wronged him.
5. The Lord Of The Rings (2001-2003)
Director- Peter Jackson
The One Ring was constructed by Sauron, the Dark Lord, and imbued with his own power so that he may govern all others. In ancient times, the Elven-smiths created the Rings of Power. But the One Ring was stolen away from him, and despite his searching throughout Middle-earth, he was unable to find it. It ended up in Bilbo Baggins’ hands by accident after a long period of time. In addition to leaving his young nephew Frodo the Ruling Ring and a dangerous mission—to go across Middle-earth, deep into the shadow of the Dark Lord, and cast the Ring into the Cracks of Doom—Bilbo vanished on his eleventy-first birthday.
6. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Director- Andrew Adamson
During the WWII blitz, four siblings goes away from their homes. Old Professor Kirke, owner of a huge mansion, is assign to keep an eye on them. Once there, they happen across a large wardrobe that carries them away to the land of Narnia. The pleasant land of talking animals, fauns, giants, and dwarves that is now known as Narnia lies under the evil White Witch’s curse of an endless winter. The four, with the mighty lion Aslan’s assistance, plunge Narnia into a full-scale conflict in an effort to defeat the Witch and reestablish peace.
7. The Lord Of The Rings (1978)
Director- Ralph Bakshi
The first chapter of the well-known fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien is presented in this Ralph Bakshi animated animation. The wise old wizard Gandalf gives a magical ring to the little hobbit Frodo. Soon, Frodo will get pursue by dark forces, forcing him to flee his tranquil home and journey to the terrifying Mount Doom, where the ring must get destroy. Frodo gets help from the enigmatic Aragorn in addition to a group of three hobbit buddies and other valiant comrades.
8. Pan’s Labyrinth
Director- Guillermo de Toro
The Allies have invaded Nazi-held Europe in 1944. To clear out the rebels, a Spanish army unit is dispatched to an isolated woodland. They are headed by a murderous sadist named Capitan Vidal, who is accompanied by his new wife Carmen and her daughter from a previous marriage, 11-year-old Ofelia. Ofelia gets sucked into the magical realm of mythological creatures in Pan’s Labyrinth after seeing her stepfather’s brutally violent behaviour.
9. Legend (1985)
Director- Ridley Scott
A fantastical journey with elves, devils, and other fantastical beings. In the realm where this tale is set, the personification of evil known as the Lord of Darkness schemes to bring about perpetual night by putting an end to all unicorns. Despite the fact that he appears invincible, Jack and his companions are willing to do all it takes to prevent this wicked creature from harming the planet and Princess Lili, who Darkness plans to make his wife.
10. Clash Of The Titans (2010)
Director- Louis Leterrier
When he witnesses his mortal family perish, Perseus, the demigod son of strong Zeus, the king of the gods, vows to exact revenge on Hades, the frightening ruler of the Underworld. Perseus was born a deity but was nurtured by mortals. Hades threatens to release the fabled sea monster Kraken unless the fair Princess Andromeda voluntarily offers herself as a sacrifice, turning the doomed city of Argos into a war as the race of men musters the will to rebel against the gods of Olympus. Perseus sets out on a brave, dangerous journey to thwart the forces of evil before Hades throws the world into anarchy and darkness because he has nothing left to lose. Perseus must first accept his destiny in order to survive the never-ending barrage of demons and formidable foes.
