(DML Top 20 Lists - Heroic Fantasy Films ranked)

Honorable Mention

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), Director: Nathan Juran, rated G

The Sheer Magic of DYNARAMA Now Re-creates the Most Spectacular Adventures Ever Filmed!

Starring: Kerwin Mathews, Torin Thatcher, Kathryn Grant, Richard Eyer, Alec Mango, Danny Green, Alfred Brown

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"From the land beyond beyond. From the world past hope and fear. I bid you, genie, now appear." - Sokurah the Magician

Why watch this? The mythical creatures are a treat, especially the hungry Cyclops!

Plot Summary: When an evil wizard shrinks a princess, Sinbad must journey to a dangerous island to find the only cure. This perilous quest is crucial, not only to save the princess, but also to prevent a war between two kingdoms. Sinbad and his crew face terrifying creatures and overcome magical obstacles in their quest to restore the princess to her normal size.

Dad's Preview: This is Ray Harryhausen's first Sinbad film, of three. I was never a fan of casting a Caucasian in the role of the famed sailor Sinbad, whose an Arab from the Middle East, but I can let that go. The featured special effects and creatures include a two-headed roc, a man-eating Cyclops, and an awesome fire-breathing dragon. These fantastical films were my childhood's Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter.

Morningside Productions; Columbia Pics

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #20 Top

The NeverEnding Story (1984), Director: Wolfgang Peterson, Rated PG

A boy who needs a friend finds a world that needs a hero in a land beyond imagination!

Starring: Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Tami Stonach, Patricia Hayes, Sydney Bromley, Gerald McRaney, Moses Gunn

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"He doesn't understand that he's the one who has the power to stop it. He simply can't imagine that one little boy could be that important." - The Empress

Why watch this? Fairytale films are usually just for kids. This will inspire adults as well.

Plot Summary: Young Bastian, escaping from bullies, finds refuge in a bookstore and steals a mysterious book titled "The NeverEnding Story". This magical book transports him to the whimsical world of Fantasia. As Bastian reads, he becomes immersed in the adventures of Atreyu, a young warrior tasked with saving Fantasia from a malevolent force known as the Nothing.

Dad's Preview: This wonderful German fantasy film has it's share of heroic figures, elves and unique creatures. It even has a talking dragon. What separates it from the rest is that there are truly dark and scary moments (all good fairytales should be a little scary). When the story's evil becomes more powerful, all we can do is root for the heroes and pray for a happy ending. By all means, watch this with your kids, just be sure to pull them close when the brave prince Atreyu reaches the lair of the evil Gmork!

Neue Constantin Film, Bavaria Film,
Producers Sales Org.; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #19 Top

Shrek (2001), Directors: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson, rated PG

The greatest fairy tale never told.

Starring: (the voice talents of) Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Vincent Cassel, Peter Dennis, Chris Miller, Cody Cameron

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We can stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning, I'm making waffles!" - Donkey

Why watch this? Just when you think Disney owns everything, Shrek hits the scene and starts a franchise.

Plot Summary: The grumpy ogre Shrek wants his swamp back after the diminutive Lord Farquaad banishes fairytale creatures to it. Shrek, accompanied by a talkative Donkey, strikes a deal with Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded tower in exchange for his solitude. Their journey to bring Fiona back to Farquaad leads to unexpected adventures and a burgeoning connection between Shrek and the princess.

Dad's Preview: Thanks to Dreamworks Animation, we received this animated treasure. Here, the traditional "villain", a green ogre, becomes the most honorable of heroes. The premise is creative and tons of fun. Though made for kids with many sight-gags based on familiar fairy tales, it also features some mature humor. The talented voice work performed by Myers, Murphy, Diaz and Lithgow make this film easy to sit back and enjoy.

DreamWorks Animation, PDI/Dreamworks;
DreamWorks Pictures

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #18 Top

Doctor Strange (2016), Director: Scott Derrickson, rated PG-13 for superhero violence

Open your mind. Change your reality.

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, Scott Adkins, Zara Phythian, Alaa Safi, Katrina Durden

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You cannot beat a river into submission; you have to surrender to its current, and use its power as your own." – The Ancient One, regarding magic

Why watch this? This film helped me understand the mysterious Marvel magician, Dr. Strange.

Plot Summary: Dr. Stephen Strange is a brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon, whose life is shattered after a car accident damages his hands and ends his career. Desperate for a cure when Western medicine fails him, he embarks on a journey that leads him to a mysterious enclave in Nepal where he discovers a hidden world of mystic arts and alternate dimensions. As Strange trains to become a sorcerer, he is drawn into a battle against dark forces that are trying to destroy reality.

Dad's Preview: It is nearly impossible to know the origin story of every super-hero out there. I knew of Dr. Strange, but that was it. This film does a really nice job of telling a story that is unique, engrossing, visually incredible and flat-out a lot of fun. Somehow, in the mass super-hero film market, and namely the MCU, this effort finds a way to be fresh and innovative. Some credit must go to lead actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who is emerging as a versatile actor in his own right (I feel he is this generation's Daniel Day Lewis). He can be numbingly serious, then crack a snarky joke without missing a beat. I also enjoyed both Tilda Swinton's and Chiwetel Ejiofor's supporting performances. This film, rooted in Eastern mysticism, is a perfect addition to the crowded Avengers' team, bringing unique powers matched only by the Scarlet Witch. It's smart and entertaining, so feel free to get a little strange on this one.

Marvel Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pics

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #17 Top

300 (2006), Director: Zack Snyder, rated R for graphic battle, sexuality, nudity

Prepare for Glory!

Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West, Vincent Regan, Tom Wisdom, Michael Fassbender

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"No retreat, no surrender. That is Spartan law. And by Spartan law, we will stand and fight... and die." – Leonidas

Why watch this? Snyder's film-making fingerprint is on full display in this testosterone-packed adventure.

Plot Summary: In ancient Greece, King Leonidas leads 300 brave Spartan warriors to defend their city-state against the massive invading Persian army led by Xerxes. They take a stand at the narrow mountain pass of Thermopylae to hold back the vastly outnumbered Greeks. Despite the overwhelming odds, they fight fiercely and inspire the rest of Greece to unite against their common enemy.

Dad's Preview: This retelling of a great Spartan battle is intense and highly stylized. It is a hero's epic showcasing the fighting skills and bravery of a small group of soldiers who are betrayed by their own country. Like most Zach Snyder films, it is visually unique, with a certain heavy feel to it. Everyone in the film is gorgeous, and they have the CGI-enhanced abs to prove it. Though unrealistic, it's still a stunning film to behold. This was Gerard Butler's break-out film, as the stern Leonidas.

Legendary Pictures, Virtual Studios,
Atmosphere Pictures; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #16 Top

Howl's Moving Castle (2004), Director: Hayao Miyazaki, rated PG

A magician, a witch, a castle that has life. A fantastic journey into the world of imagination.

Starring: (the American voice talents of) Emily Mortimer, Jean Simmons, Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall, Billy Crystal, John Hutcherson, Blythe Danner, Jena Malone, Mari Devon

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Knowing you'd be there gave me the courage to show up. That woman terrifies me. I can't face her on my own. You saved me, Sophie. I was in big trouble back there." - Howl's reply to Sophie's question why she had to go meet with the sorceress Suliman

Why watch this? It's a creative, beautiful fantasy to behold.

Plot Summary: After being cursed with old age by a witch, a timid young hat maker named Sophie seeks a cure and finds refuge in the strange, walking castle of the notorious but insecure wizard, Howl. Assuming the role of a cleaning lady, she gradually grows closer to Howl and his quirky companions, while also trying to break a mysterious contract he has with a fire demon that powers the castle. As Sophie begins to develop her own confidence, she helps Howl confront his deepest fears and protect them both from the dangers of a senseless war engulfing their world.

Dad's Preview: After watching of few of Miyazaki's films, you start to realize that you are seeing individual works of art, each one more elaborate than the last. His fantasy world-building skills are second-to-none. Everywhere there are steam-punk contraptions, the bustle of people, and beings from other realms. It is a lot to take in. Here the universal themes at play are war's senseless price, seeing things with different eyes, and the ever-present relationship between man and nature. Though the plot meanders a bit in the second half, there are always new, breathtaking cityscapes, or semi-organic warships or mountain vistas around the next corner. Kids will enjoy the fantastical story, and adults will appreciate the complexities of its plot.

Studio Ghibli; Toho

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #15 Top

Ladyhawke (1985), Director: Richard Donner, rated PG-13 for medieval violence

The magical legend of an unforgettable love.

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Leo McKern, John Wood, Alfred Molina, Ken Hutchison

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Do you know that hawks and wolves mate for life? The Bishop didn't even leave us that... not even that." - Etienne

Why watch this? This fantasy film is tragic, sad, then finally enrapturing.

Plot Summary: Phillipe "The Mouse" Gaston is a young thief who escapes prison in medieval Aquila. He becomes intertwined with Captain Navarre and Lady Isabeau, a pair of star-crossed lovers under a powerful curse. This curse, inflicted by a wicked Bishop, causes Navarre to become a wolf at night and Isabeau a hawk during the day, keeping them eternally together yet apart. Phillipe, an unlikely ally, joins their quest to confront the Bishop and break the enchantment.

Dad's Preview: Hauer, Pfeiffer and Broderick were at the height of their popularity in the mid 80's. This small film saw only moderate success and was deemed a box office failure. Regardless, I am captivated by its plot - a cruel curse keeps two lovers from ever being together. The quest in this lovely fairytale is to find a way to break the spell. The film was praised for its photography, and nominated for two Oscars for Sound and Sound Effects Editing. And seriously, is there anyone more beautiful than Michelle Pfeiffer?

20th Century Fox, Laren Shuler
Prod.; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #14 Top

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Director: David Hand, Rated Approved

Walt Disney's new characters in his first full-length production!

Starring: (the voices of) Adriana Caselotti, Lucille La Verne, Roy Atwell, Pinto Colvig, Otis Harlan, Scotty Mattraw, Billy Gilbert, Eddie Collins, Harry Stockwell

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Famed is thy beauty, Majesty. But hold, a lovely maid I see. Rags cannot hide her gentle grace. Alas, she is more fair than thee." - Magic Mirror

Why watch this? This Disney classic was the first cartoon feature film. Yes, it started it all.

Plot Summary: The tale follows the orphaned princess Snow White whose wicked stepmother, the Queen, cannot contain her jealousy for the young girl's beauty. The queen orders her Huntsman to take Snow White into the forest and kill her. The burly hunter cannot do the deed and tells the princess to flee and never return. Along her way, Snow White is befriended by the forest's animals, and seven pint-sized miners.

Dad's Preview: Walt Disney's stellar career began with this cinematic re-telling of an 1812 German fairy tale. This animated treasure covers many themes that Disney would continue to explore: evil stepmothers, true love's kiss, and catchy musical numbers. For 1937, film was unequaled and extremely popular throughout the world. It ushered in the golden age of animation, and remained as the highest-grossing animated film for 55 years! It has some fairly scary moments, but it is adorably cute, too.

Walt Disney Prod.; RKO Radio Pictures

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #13 Top

The Dark Crystal (1982), Directors: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, rated PG

Another World, Another Time... In the Age of Wonder.

Starring: Stephen Garlick, Lisa Maxwell, Billie Whitelaw, Percy Edwards, Barry Dennen, Michael Kilgarriff, Sean Barrett, Joseph O'Conor

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"When single shines the triple sun / What was sundered and undone / Shall be whole, the two made one / By gelfling hand or else by none." - Jen

Why watch this? This wonderful fantasy movie is visually stunning.

Plot Summary: This fantasy film, directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, is set on the fantastic alien world of Thra. It tells the story of Jen, a young Gelfling, who is tasked with a quest to find a missing shard splintered from a powerful crystal and heal his world. This endeavor is crucial to ending the tyrannical reign of villainous, bird-like creatures known as the Skeksis.

Dad's Preview: TV's legendary Jim Henson (Sesame Street and The Muppet Show) created this imaginative world for his first film. All scenes, beings, and masterful details are amazing to take in - all characters, beings and creatures were crafted before CGI was a thing. You don't have to be a fantasy or sci-fi nerd to enjoy this treasure, with it's universal themes of good and evil.

ITC Ent., Henson Associates;
Universal Pictures Assoc. Film Dist.

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #12 Top

How to Train Your Dragon (2010), Directors: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois, rated PG

What started as fire and fury will become friendship.

Starring: (the voice talents of:) Jay Baruchel, Randy Thom, America Ferrera, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, T.J. Miller, David Tennant

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Most people would leave. Not us. We're Vikings. We... have stubbornness issues." - Hiccup

Why watch this? It's a wonderful, action-filled tale about Vikings and air-borne dragons.

Plot Summary: Viking 101: They kill dragons - all of the many kinds. On the island village of Berk, chieftain Stoick the Vast, has a teen son, Hiccup, who is a wiz with creating mechanical devices, yet weak by dad's brawny standards. When Hiccup shoots down a rare Night Fury dragon, nobody believes him. After searching the nearby forest for the dragon's body, Hiccup finds the downed beast very alive and kinda friendly. Meanwhile, Stoick enrolls the lad in dragon-fighting class, as he once sails away to destroy the monsters' nests. Hiccup desperately seeks his dad's approval, but can he actually take a dragon's life?

Dad's Preview: This beloved animated treasure features misunderstood flying monsters, and the Scottish norse-folk, who have killed the beasts for as long as they can remember. There's also a loveable cadre of teenage Vikes who strive to be the best dragon-slayers. However, for me, the core of this film is a broken relationship between a father and his son. Once again, DreamWorks has put forth a delightful, high-quality children's film. It also should resonate with many adults, especially fathers who might have been too hard on their sons. But rest assured folks, in this colorful adventure, all will be put right by the end credits.

DreamWorks Animation; Paramount Pictures

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #11 Top

Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Director: John Carpenter, rated PG-13 for language, sci-fi violence

Some people pick the darnedest places to start a fight!

Starring: Kurt Russell, Dennis Dun, James Hong, Victor Wong, Kim Cattrall, Kate Burton, Donald Li, Carter Wong, James Pax

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"... it's all in the reflexes." - Jack Burton

Why watch this? It's packed full of action, sci-fi, martial arts and laughs.

Plot Summary: Trucker Jack Burton gets pulled into a supernatural conflict when his friend Wang's fiancée is kidnapped in San Francisco's Chinatown. They discovers an ancient sorcerer named Lo Pan is behind the abduction, seeking to break a curse that keeps him in spirit form. Jack, Wang and their allies must battle mystical forces and formidable foes to save the girl and stop Lo Pan's sinister plan.

Dad's Preview: This was Carpenter's last great film IMHO. It has a little bit of everything: heroes, damsels, martial arts, Chinese mysticism, hairy 8-foot monsters, floating zombie heads, you know, the usual. Russell is iconic as Jack T. Burton, an over-confident truck driver who waaayyy over-estimates his charm. Still, there's a lot to love about him. Dennis Dun, as Wang, keep's Burton under control, while James Hong is also superb as the evil sorcerer Lo Pan.

Larry J. Franco; 20th Century-Fox

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #10 Top

Princess Mononoke (1997), Director: Hayao Miyazaki, rated PG-13

The Fate Of The World Rests On The Courage Of One Warrior.

Starring: (English voice cast:) Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver, Billy Bob Thornton, John DeMita, John DiMaggio, Jada Pinkett Smith, Gillian Anderson, Debi Derryberry, Keith David, Tara Strong

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Now watch closely, everyone. I'm going to show you how to kill a god. A god of life and death. The trick is not to fear him." - Lady Eboshi

Why watch this? It is yet another wonderful animated treasure from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.

Plot Summary: Set in the Muromachi period of Japanese history, young Prince Ashitaka is cursed by a demonized boar god and must journey to the west to find a cure. There, he becomes embroiled in a conflict between Iron Town, a community encroaching upon the forest and its inhabitants, and the forest spirits, led by the enigmatic Princess Mononoke. Ashitaka attempts to mediate between the opposing forces, seeking a path to coexistence before the escalating violence consumes both humans and nature.

Dad's Preview: If you enjoyed Dorothy's journey in Oz, or Charlie's adventure in Willie's factory, then this amazing fantasy fare might be right up your alley. Director/Writer Miyazaki creates such incredible visuals that, at first, you might be overwhelmed. This quest through Japanese mythology, where demons and forest gods hold considerable power over humans, plays like a Greek tragedy. As man moves becomes more dominant, nature and the gods of nature, must be destroyed to enable man to essentially rape the natural world of its resources. Standing in the way are a brave warrior, and a wolf whisperer, both determined to stop the human's rampant destruction. The animation is off-the-charts amazing, and the story rich with allegory. A visit to this world will leave you wondering about humankind, and our role in preserving the natural world we live in. James Cameron said this film influenced his meta-hit, Avatar (2009).

Studio Ghibli; Toho

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #9 Top

Wonder Woman (2017), Director: Patty Jenkins, rated PG-13 for super-hero violence

Power. Grace. Wisdom. Wonder.

Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, Ewen Bremner, Eugene Brave Rock, Saïd Taghmaoui

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I'm going, Mother. I cannot stand by while innocent lives are lost. If no one else will defend the world from Ares, then I must. I have to go." - Diana Prince

Why watch this? It's more than a great super-hero film... Diana is a superb role model.

Plot Summary: Princess Diana, raised on the hidden island of Themyscira, trains as an Amazonian warrior. When an American pilot crashes on her shores during World War I, he reveals a devastating conflict consuming the outside world. Convinced she can stop the war and believing the god Ares is responsible, Diana leaves her home to join the fight, discovering her true heroic destiny.

Dad's Preview: It embarrassingly took Hollywood this long to get one of their key female super-heroes right. Thank god it was Wonder Woman! This origin story of Diana Prince is a wonderful epic. The scenes in Themyscira are beautiful and poignant. The footage from World War I is powerful. Since her debut in Batman v Superman, Gal Gadot has catapulted into international stardom. Watching this transports me back to my childhood, where my heroes came alive, and stood for good!

DC Films, RatPac-Dune Ent., Atlas Ent.,
Cruel and Unusual Films; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #8 Top

Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Director: Taika Waititi, rated PG-13

Thunder Will Reign.

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Hopkins

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I don't hang with the Avengers anymore. It all got too corporate." - Thor

Why watch this? This takes the Thor story in a fresh, and funnier, direction. I instantly loved it.

Plot Summary: Imprisoned on a distant planet, Thor must escape a gladiatorial contest against the Hulk to return to Asgard. Upon his return, he faces his powerful and ruthless sister, Hela, who seeks to destroy his home world and its civilization. To save his people, Thor must confront Hela and prevent the cataclysmic event known as Ragnarök.

Dad's Preview: Kevin Feige, to keep new ideas coming, decided to turn Thor over to upstart, quirky, director Taika Waititi. It proved to be a wise move. This film is bright, light and so much more fun than the second Thor film. Our blonde hunky Asgardian hero is transported to a slave planet, where he unexpectedly encounters an old friend... The green, raging Hulk, who has been missing. After a massive battle in the gladiator arena, the two devise a plan to get themselves back home to Earth, and back to the Avengers.

Marvel Studios; Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #7 Top

The Princess Bride (1987), Director: Rob Reiner, rated PG

The story of a man and a woman who lived happily ever after. Even though the courtship almost killed them.

Starring: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Robin Wright, Peter Faulk, Fred Savage

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”– Indigo Montoya

Why watch this? ... True 'tis a fairy tale, but it's laced with wisdom adults will enjoy.

Plot Summary: The story unfolds as a grandfather reads a fantastical tale to his sick grandson about a beautiful woman named Buttercup and her true love, Westley. After Westley is believed lost at sea, Buttercup is unwillingly betrothed to the nefarious Prince Humperdinck. However, Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio of outlaws, but is relentlessly pursued by a mysterious man in black and Humperdinck himself, leading to a series of unexpected encounters and adventures.

Dad's Preview: This wonder found me late in life, and long after its theatrical debut. I could not believe how much I loved what I thought would be somehow childish. It's directed by Rob Reiner, and has an almost Monty-Python-esc feel to it. Kids will love it, but there's a lot of intelligent wit, too. Each scene is memorable including small cameos from Billy Crystal and Wallace Shawn. And be sure to keep an eye out for the R.U.S.es!

Act III Communications, Buttercup Films;
20th Century Fox

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #6 Top

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974), Director: Gordon Hessler, rated G

Sinbad Battles the Creatures of Legend in the Miracle of Dynarama!

Starring: John Phillip Law, Tom Baker, Takis Emmanuel, Caroline Munro, Douglas Wilmer, Martin Shaw

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel." - Sinbad

Why watch this? This is vintage, wonderful Ray Harryhausen - it may be his best work.

Plot Summary: Sinbad discovers a magical golden amulet that sets him on a dangerous quest to find the legendary Fountain of Destiny located on the uncharted island of Lemuria. He is joined by a vizier and a mysterious slave girl as they embark on a journey filled with mythical creatures, tempests, and dark interference from the evil sorcerer Koura. Sinbad must battle Koura and his magical creations to unlock the amulet's power and reach the fabled fountain.

Dad's Preview: This treasure almost made DML Top50, but lost out to Valley of Gwangi (1969). This is the best of Ray's Sinbad films. As Sinbad and his crew work to restore the Grand Vizier to this rightful throne, they must battle a sorcerer and his powerful magic and monstrous giant creatures. The acting feels natural, the villain is deliciously evil, and the special effects - well... they're freakin' awesome! Also, an un-credited Robert Shaw lent his talents to portray the ghastly "Oracle of All Knowledge" (The British actor felt this cameo was "beneath him", so he insisted on being uncredited).

Morningside Productions; Columbia Pictures

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #5 Top

Highlander (1986), Director: Russell Mulcahy, rated R for violence, language

There can be only one.

Starring: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, Roxanne Hart, Alan North, Beatie Edney, Sheila Gish, Jon Polito, Hugh Quarshie

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"The Kurgan. He is the strongest of all the immortals. He's the perfect warrior. If he wins the Prize mortal man would suffer an eternity of darkness." - Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez

Why watch this? ... the wonderful blend of history and sci-fi sets this action film apart.

Plot Summary: Connor MacLeod, a 16th-century Scottish Highlander, discovers that he is immortal after surviving a seemingly fatal battle wound. He is trained by another immortal named Ramirez, who explains that immortals can only be killed by decapitation and are destined to fight each other until only a few remain for The Gathering. In 1985 New York City, Connor must face his ancient nemesis, the evil Kurgan, in a final battle for the ultimate Prize.

Dad's Preview: The mid 80's hatched a sea of action films ranging from good to bad, most of the bad films being rip-offs of something that was a surprise success. Highlander was definitely one of the good ones thanks to its creative plot and, of course, Sean Connery. It is part old-world adventure, science fiction and gritty crime drama. It covers a lot ground (and time periods), but never stops being fun. I love the performances from Connery and the over-the-top Clancy Brown, as the demonic immortal, Kurgan.

Thorn EMI Screen Ent., Highlander Prod.,
Davis-Panzer Prod.; 20th Century Fox

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #4 Top

Excalibur (1981), Director: John Boorman, rated PG for some nudity, Medieval violence

Forged by a god. Foretold by a wizard. Found by a King.

Starring: Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Nicol Williamson, Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Cherie Lunghi

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #38 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Excalibur

"You will be the land, and the land will be you. If you fail, the land will perish; as you thrive, the land will blossom." - Merlin

Why watch this? ... because it is the Arthurian legend in vivid, wonderful detail.

Plot Summary: Told here is the epic tale of King Arthur, tracing his journey from humble beginnings to the throne of a unified Britain. Guided by the enigmatic wizard Merlin, Arthur establishes the legendary Round Table and builds the realm of Camelot, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. However, the kingdom's glory is threatened by internal strife, including betrayal, forbidden love, and the insidious plots of Arthur's treacherous half-sister, the sorceress Morgana.

Dad's Preview: You've heard the stories... the wise King Arthur... the sword in the stone... the mysterious sorcerer Merlin... Sir Lancelot the brave. British director John Boorman masterfully wrought this film about those legends, and it is perfection to behold. Like a spell's dream, we witness each event in many instances through Merlin's eyes. It's hypnotic, heroic, tragic, and wonderfully allegorical. It really is a fable come to life.

Orion Pictures, Cinema '84; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #3 Top

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Director: Gore Verbinski, rated PG-13 for undead violence, scary scenes

Prepare to be blown out of the water.

Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Pryce, Jack Davenport, Kevin R. McNally, Zoe Saldana

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #49 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Curse of the Black Pearl

"You best start believin' in ghost stories, Miss Turner. You're in one!" - Capt. Barbossa

Why watch this? It's piraty. It's spooky. It's Knightley. It's Deppy.

Plot Summary: Blacksmith Will Turner and eccentric pirate Captain Jack Sparrow team up to rescue Elizabeth Swann, the daughter of Governor Swann, after she is kidnapped by pirates of the Black Pearl. This perilous journey involves commandeering a ship, recruiting a motley crew, and confronting the treacherous Captain Barbossa, a former ally of Jack, who stole his ship.

Dad's Preview: I like heroes. I also like them covered in dirt. They need a murky past. Tattoos are good - and a quirky personality. This film struck a gold mine by casting Johnny Depp (BTW, Hugh Jackman was the first choice) as Captain Jack Sparrow, and his performance knocks the film out of the Disney theme park ride that inspired it. The plot and special effects are superb in this swashbuckling, supernatural, pirate adventure.

Walt Disney Pics, Jerry Bruckheimer Films;
Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #2 Top

The 13th Warrior (1999), Director: John McTiernan, rated R for bloody battles and carnage

An Ordinary Man...An Extraordinary Journey!

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora, Vladimir Kulich, Dennis Storhøi, Omar Sharif, Richard Bremmer, Mischa Hausserman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #40 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The 13th Warrior

"Your fate is fixed. Fear profits a man nothing." - Herger, the Joyous

Why watch this? It took McTiernan and Crichton to create superb Viking film.

Plot Summary: In 922 A.D., an Arab envoy named Ahmad Ibn Fadlan travels north and encounters a group of Viking warriors. When a nearby village is threatened by a mysterious and deadly foe, Ibn Fadlan is compelled to join the Vikings as the thirteenth warrior to face this unknown enemy. Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to protect the innocent and confront the formidable force terrorizing the land.

Dad's Preview: Antonio Banderas and director John McTiernan, somehow pull off perhaps the greatest film EVER about Vikings. The superb plot comes from prolific writer Michael Crichton's book, Eaters of the Dead. Director McTiernan was wise to spend time early on to develop these characters. We get to know each Viking warrior, their unique personalities and skills. As the various skirmishes ensue, we feel genuine loss when one loses a head or takes a quiver full of arrows into their chest. This often overlooked epic is vast, heroic, and so much fun to experience!

Touchstone Pics; Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

Top 20 Heroic Fantasy Films #1a Top

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Director: Peter Jackson, Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL.

Starring: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5a - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing." - Boromir, about the ring Frodo has found

Why watch this? The first of Jackson's Tolkien film adaptations will lock you in for more.

Plot Summary: The fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance as the Dark Lord Sauron seeks to regain the One Ring, a powerful object containing a part of his might. The Ring has fallen into the hands of young hobbit Frodo Baggins, who learns from the wizard Gandalf that it must be destroyed. Frodo and eight companions, forming the Fellowship of the Ring, embark on a perilous journey to Mordor, the only place where the Ring can be unmade in the fires of Mount Doom.

Dad's Preview: This is the first film in the most wonderful fantasy trilogy ever made. Here, Middle Earth's diverse main characters are introduced, and the epic journey begins. It starts in the green shire, home to the peaceful Hobbits, then traverses fields, quiet hamlets, dank forests, expansive plains, snowy mountains, and finally the dark, goblin-infested labyrinths of the Mines of Moria. It's epic and emotionally taxing, as the fragile Fellowship trudges onward on its quest to destroy the one thing that is evil manifested - the ring of power, which makes it a target of the burning eye of Sauron, the evil Lord who craves it the most.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema

Top 20 Jim Films #1b Top

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), Director: Peter Jackson, Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH BEGINS!

Starring: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, Bernard Hill

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5b - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Two Towers

"So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?" – King Théoden before the Battle of Helm's Deep

Why watch this? The second film perfectly stands on its own with attention to story and amazing battle sequences.

Plot Summary: The Fellowship is now scattered as the fight against Sauron and his allies intensifies. Frodo and Sam continue their perilous journey to destroy the One Ring, while being trailed by the enigmatic creature Gollum. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli unite with a resurrected Gandalf to rally the forces of Rohan against Saruman's growing army and defend the stronghold of Helm's Deep. The hobbits Merry and Pippin find themselves in the ancient Fangorn Forest and encounter the tree-like Ents, whom they must convince to join the fight against the encroaching darkness.

Dad's Preview: The brave Fellowship has been torn asunder, their wise leader dragged into fiery darkness. Director Peter Jackson continued his beloved film adaptation of J. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings with determination to get it right. The middle film adds richness to each Fellowship member, and brings new players (some heroic, some tragic) into focus. We also are introduced to a key antagonist, the sinister Golem, who desires the return of his ring. The massive battle at Helm's Deep is unforgettable. But the war is not over and we are left wanting a conclusion to this fantastical tale.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema

Top 20 Jim Films #1c Top

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), Director: Peter Jackson, Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence

THE EYE OF THE ENEMY IS MOVING.

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #5c - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of LOTR: The Return of the King

"We come to it, at last. The great battle of our time." - Gandalf the White

Why watch this? After two massive films, this delivers on all open plot threads and every moment is a treasure.

Plot Summary: The forces of good launch a final, desperate struggle against Sauron's overwhelming armies as Frodo and Sam undertake the harrowing final stages of their quest to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn embraces his destiny as the rightful king of Gondor and leads the forces of men in battle, while Frodo and Sam, guided by the treacherous Gollum, navigate the perilous lands of Mordor towards Mount Doom. As the fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance, each character faces their own trials of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice in the hope of defeating the Dark Lord and restoring peace to the land.

Dad's Preview: As the principal characters inch ever closer to their fates, we feel the weight, Frodo's weight, and it is almost too much to bear. With Gimli, Legolas and Aragon lost inside the mountain pass, the army of man, led by Gandalf and King Théoden, must prevail in the final battle at the foot of towering Minas Tirith, the White City. All this is to buy time for two hobbits, Frodo and Sam, to reach the fires of Mount Doom and destroy the ring. They encounter danger at every turn, the worst being the betrayal of Golem.This Oscar-winning final chapter is without question the finest fantasy film ever made.

WingNut Films; New Line Cinema