When you think of popular fantasy movies, chances are they're adapted from books. Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Dune – they were all based on novels. But that doesn't mean there aren't good original fantasy films out there. These five prove it.
Legend (1985, 6.3 on IMDb)
Available on: Apple TV+, Disney+, Amazon Prime
Ridley Scott's epic dark fantasy stars Tom Cruise as Jack, a forest dweller and guardian, and Mia Sara as Lily, a princess in love with Jack. As a true hero, Jack must foil the plans of the Lord of Darkness to bring eternal darkness to the world, rescue a unicorn that protects the world's magic and light, and free his beloved from the villain's dark prison.
Time Bandits (1981, 6.9 on IMDb)
Available on: Apple TV+, Max, Amazon Prime
Terry Gilliam's fantasy adventure follows Kevin, a young boy with a keen interest in ancient history who is neglected by his parents. Kevin's life is dull, but one night a group of six dwarves emerge from his closet in search of a portal in his room. Pursued by the Supreme Being, from whom they have stolen a magical map, they take Kevin on a journey through time and space, visiting and plundering many places in the world during different periods of history.
The Dark Crystal (1982, 7.1 on IMDb)
Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime
This dark fantasy movie is set in a magical world inhabited by the kind humanoid Gelflings and the vicious reptiloid Skeksis. The world was once kept in balance by the mythical Dark Crystal, but one day it was broken and the Skeksis managed to enslave the Gelflings. If the artifact isn't restored before the Great Conjunction of the Three Suns, the evil Skeksis will maintain their rule over the world forever. And two young Gelflings, Jen and Kira, must embark on a perilous journey to save the world.
Willow (1988, 7.2 on IMDb)
Available on: Apple TV+, Disney+, Amazon Prime
Conceived by George Lucas as a short story, this fantasy film became a blockbuster. The dark fantasy drama centers on Willow, a dwarven sorcery novice who one day finds a human baby on a raft in a river. As it turns out, the baby is the prophesied savior destined to rid the world of the evil queen. And Willow and his family and friends have no choice but to protect the baby girl from whoever the villain sends to kill her.
Labyrinth (1986, 7.3 on IMDb)
Available on: Apple TV+, Amazon Prime
Jim Hanson's musical fantasy stars David Bowie as goblin king Jareth and Jennifer Connelly as sixteen-year-old Sarah, who inadvertently wishes for her younger brother Toby to be taken away by goblins. To save her little brother, Sarah follows Jareth into his realm, but to get to his castle, she must pass through a vast and dangerous maze inhabited by hordes of vicious creatures.