5 Underrated Fantasy Movies That Every 1980s Kid Remembers

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The 1980s were a fantastic decade for pop culture, delivering many now-classic movies. Those who grew up in the ’80s enjoyed exciting new installments in sci-fi series like Star Wars and Star Trek, and a surge in popularity for superhero stories. These films were a huge part of many ’80s kids’ childhoods, and while some of the most famous movies from that era are still widely known, there are plenty of other great films that deserve more recognition from those who remember them.

Fantasy films have a history of telling amazing stories, and the movies from the late 80s and early 90s are a great example. Sadly, even some of the best ones from that time have been overlooked, though many who grew up in the 80s still remember them fondly. Here are a few fantastic fantasy films that deserve more recognition.

5) Legend (1985)

The 1980s saw a lot of creatively ambitious movies do well, especially in horror and science fiction. But one fantasy film from that era, despite having a unique, folklore-inspired world and a talented team behind it, hasn’t gotten the recognition it deserves. Released in 1985, Legend, starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, and Tim Curry, was directed by Ridley Scott, but remains a little-known cult classic.

Legend tells the story of Jack and Princess Lili, who work together to stop the evil Lord of Darkness from covering the world in endless darkness. While the movie didn’t receive great reviews or do well at the box office when it came out, it’s remembered as a fantasy film that has held up remarkably well over time, and many who grew up in the 1980s have fond memories of this dark adventure.

4) The Witches (1990)

Roald Dahl, a famous British author, wrote many stories that have become popular movies. His imaginative and magical tales have captivated audiences worldwide, and the 1990 film version of The Witches was particularly memorable for many children. While it’s a film those who grew up in the ’80s remember fondly, it sometimes sparks debate about how scary it was!

As a lifelong movie fan, I can tell you there are certain films that just stick with you – and not always for the right reasons! For those of us who grew up in the ’80s, The Witches from 1990 was a big one. I remember being genuinely terrified by that scene where the witches reveal what they really are. It was so intense and horrifying! What’s crazy is, it was disguised as a family movie, which made it even more shocking. For a lot of kids my age, it was the first time a movie really scared us.

3) Ladyhawke (1985)

In the 1980s, several acclaimed directors explored the fantasy genre. Richard Donner’s 1985 film, Ladyhawke, was one such example. Starring Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, and Michelle Pfeiffer, the medieval fantasy tells the story of a young thief who gets caught up in the troubles of a cursed knight and the woman he loves. He eventually joins them on a dangerous mission to defeat a wicked Bishop.

I have to admit, Ladyhawke is a bit of a hidden gem. Critics generally liked it when it came out, but audiences didn’t quite turn up, and it flopped in theaters. It never really broke into the mainstream, which is a shame, though those of us who grew up in the ’80s remember it with a lot of affection. It’s honestly one of those great fantasy films that’s slipped under the radar, and I worry its quality is being forgotten.

2) The Pagemaster (1994)

As a critic who grew up in the ’80s, I have a soft spot for The Pagemaster, even though it didn’t actually come out until the mid-’90s. It really resonated with my generation. The cast is incredible – Macaulay Culkin, Christopher Lloyd, Patrick Stewart, Leonard Nimoy, Whoopi Goldberg… it’s packed with talent! The film cleverly mixes live-action with animation, and I think it paved the way for a lot of the beloved films we got in that era. The story centers around Richard, played by Culkin, who’s a pretty anxious kid. He finds himself on a fantastical journey when he gets stuck inside a library, and it’s a really charming adventure.

Despite receiving mostly negative reviews and failing to make much money in theaters, The Pagemaster connected with a lot of young viewers thanks to its imaginative story and distinctive animation. It remains a cherished memory for many who grew up in the 1980s, and while it’s not a classic, it’s a sadly overlooked film that ’80s kids still remember with fondness.

1) Willow (1988)

Despite being a highly enjoyable and rewatchable fantasy film from the 1980s, Willow often gets overlooked. The movie centers on Willow Ufgood, an ambitious young magician played by Warwick Davis, who must join forces with the rough-around-the-edges mercenary Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) to safeguard an infant princess from a wicked queen. Created with a story by George Lucas and directed by Ron Howard, Willow perfectly captures the spirit of 1980s high-fantasy adventures.

Let’s be honest, Willow isn’t a forgotten film, but it never quite reached the iconic status of movies like Labyrinth or The Princess Bride. It got a bit of a mixed reception when it first came out, and I think that’s led to it being seriously underrated. But as someone who grew up in the ’80s, I can tell you it holds a special place in a lot of our hearts. For many of us, it was a huge part of discovering the magic of movies.

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2026-02-06 21:14