3 Underrated Fantasy Movies That Every 1970s Kid Remembers

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If you’re thinking about classic fantasy films from the 1970s, movies like *Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory*, Ralph Bakshi’s *Lord of the Rings*, and *Bedknobs and Broomsticks* – especially with its memorable scene of Angela Lansbury using magic to defend England from Nazis – probably come to mind. However, there were other great fantasy films from that era that don’t get as much attention, and many kids who grew up in the 70s have fond memories of them.

We’ve chosen three fantastic fantasy films from the 1970s that we enjoyed as kids and still cherish today.

3) Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger

While not as well-remembered or as good as 1973’s *The Golden Voyage of Sinbad*, 1977’s *Eye of the Tiger* still offers plenty of charm. It features impressive stop-motion animation by the renowned Ray Harryhausen, and a strong supporting cast, including a familiar face for *Doctor Who* fans – Patrick Troughton, who also appeared in *The Golden Voyage* alongside Tom Baker.

This movie features terrifying creatures from the natural world, which is perfect for anyone who wants to see a group of determined characters fight a massive wasp and a giant walrus. They’ll also encounter a caveman-who actually helps them-and battle a prehistoric saber-toothed cat brought back to life.

Even though it’s not the best of the Sinbad films, *Eye of the Tiger* is still an enjoyable movie, and that scene with the wasp is unforgettable.

2) The Point!

The Point! is a cartoon movie originally made for television, and it’s based on a musical album by Henry Nilsson. Interestingly, Nilsson first came up with the idea for the story while under the influence of drugs – a common origin for many children’s programs from the 1970s.

This animated film, with narration by either Dustin Hoffman, Alan Barzman, Alan Thicke, or Ringo Starr depending on the version, follows Oblio, a boy who’s different because he’s the only one with a round head in a land of pointed shapes. A mean count tries to get rid of Oblio, believing he’s useless, and sends him and his dog, Arrow, to a strange forest. There, they discover that everyone and everything has value, even if it doesn’t seem obvious. It’s widely believed this story originated from a very creative imagination – aided by recreational drugs.

The Point is a cheerful and enjoyable film with a positive message, though its central idea is pushed a little too much. Overall, it’s a pleasant experience.

1) The Phantom Tollbooth

This animated film, co-directed by animation great Chuck Jones, is based on a popular children’s book. It tells the story of Milo, a listless boy in San Francisco who doesn’t seem to care about much. His life changes when a mysterious package arrives – a tollbooth that magically transports him to the Kingdom of Wisdom, a fantastical place beyond his world.

The story starts and ends with real actors, but when Milo goes on his adventure, it becomes animated. The characters he encounters are voiced by famous actors like Mel Blanc, Daws Butler, and June Foray.

Despite not being a popular book when it came out, and despite the author, Norton Juster, actually disliking it, we still enjoyed *The Phantom Tollbooth*. That’s what matters to us.

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2025-09-26 01:13