The Enduring Appeal of Classic Fantasy Films
No matter how many fantasy films there are, the world never seems to grow tired of imagining magical worlds, valiant knights, and dangerous monsters. From as early as the 1930s, fantasy has consistently been one of the strongest genres in cinema. Now, a new age of the genre seems to be beginning with reimaginings of old fantasy stories like The Chronicles of Narnia and Highlander on the way.
In the modern age of Hollywood, it seems no beloved film is safe from the reboot treatment. Some fantasy films are simply too perfect for any remake to ever live up to. From standalone fairy tales so magical they can’t be touched to epic masterpieces that still haven’t been topped, these fantasy movies don’t need to be remade.
The Wizard of Oz Has Room for New Stories, But No Remakes
The Wizard of Oz may be one of the most classic films of all time. An adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the 1939 film follows Dorothy Gale’s colorful adventure through the magical land of Oz, accompanied by a trio of memorable personalities, including the witless Scarecrow, the cardiovascularly challenged Tin Man, and an ever-domitable lion.
As one of the earliest films shot in Technicolor, The Wizard of Oz is fondly remembered across generations, even almost ninety years after it was first released. Countless other stories have been told from the Land of Oz, including Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful and the Broadway musical, Wicked. And, while there have been countless reimaginings of the original story, no one has ever tried a direct reboot of the 1939 film. It would be a mistake for any filmmaker to think that they could ever recapture the same magic and whimsy of the original.
Moreover, with so many other stories like Wicked reframing the original tale, no one could ever look at The Wizard of Oz‘s story quite the same way again.
Labyrinth Can Never Be Replicated
Released in 1986, Labyrinth was one of those movies that either traumatized young audiences or instantly won them over with its zany and, at times, incredibly dark story. The film follows the young Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly) as she braves the dangers of the mysterious Labyrinth to rescue her missing brother. On her adventure, she must contend with the frightening Goblin King, Jareth (David Bowie).
Labyrinth is a one-of-a-kind film that could never be duplicated in the modern day. No one is quite like David Bowie, who is the undeniable centerpiece of the 1986 film, and thus any remake would feel incomplete in comparison. While there are reports of a potential sequel in the works, even this seems like a mistake. Labyrinth exists best as it is today and doesn’t need any additional entries or reboots.
The NeverEnding Story Is Too Nostalgic for a Remake
Based on Michael Ende’s novel of the same name, The NeverEnding Story is an epic fantasy film set in the magical world of Fantasia. When Fantasia is threatened by the mysterious entity known as the Nothing, one boy becomes the only thing standing between his world and utter destruction. The 1984 film inspired a franchise, which includes two sequels and a spinoff television series.
Although The NeverEnding Story may feel dated in some places, the film is still filled with nostalgic moments that define the franchise for viewers generations later. Iconic characters like Falkor the Dragon and the young Bastian Bux are still beloved to this day, more than four decades after the film’s release. The NeverEnding Story carries too much nostalgic weight to be remade by any other filmmakers; a reboot would inevitably fail to capture young minds as well as its predecessor did.
Spirited Away Is a Nearly Perfect Movie
Many Studio Ghibli projects dabble in elements of fantasy, including the 2001 adventure film Spirited Away. The Japanese animated movie follows Chihiro, whose life is turned upside down when her parents are transformed into pigs by the evil witch Yubaba. To free her family and set things right, Chihiro must enter the spirit world and defeat the witch.
Spirited Away is an all-time classic, going on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. In an age when almost every beloved animated property is getting a live-action reboot, Spirited Away must be preserved in its original form. It would be an affront to Studio Ghibli’s legacy for any of its films to be remade in live-action. Thankfully, filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki doesn’t seem interested in dredging up old films in new forms, and Studio Ghibli has remained one of the few major animated studios to resist this troubling Hollywood trend.
Shrek Is Still a Family Favorite Franchise
Shrek started as a parody of other fairy tales, but surprisingly became one of the most classic fantasy films of all time. The 2001 animated movie follows Mike Myers’s titular ogre as he travels through a magical land filled with fairy tale creatures on a quest to save a princess from a dragon—but all he really wants is to return home to his swamp.
Along the way, his companions come to see him for more than his verdigris, which hides a heart of gold. Immediately iconic for its tongue-in-cheek humor and lovable characters, Shrek launched a franchise that is still beloved to this day. Audiences who grew up with this very different kind of fairy tale have nothing but love for Shrek and his core cast of supporting characters, many of whom are set to return in DreamWorks’ upcoming Shrek 5. However, this also means that the franchise is very precious to viewers who would disdain any attempt at remaking the classic original film.
The Dark Crystal Works Best as It Is
The Dark Crystal is an underrated 1982 dark fantasy film that never got the attention it deserved. The film combines the unparalleled puppetry skills of the Jim Henson Company with elements of high fantasy and dystopian storytelling for one of the most unique cinematic experiences of all time.
The Dark Crystal follows two young heroes who embark on a quest to save their dying world from the tyrannical grip of a vicious ruling class. While not a box-office success, The Dark Crystal became a cult classic, leading to the short-lived Netflix prequel series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. While many fans of the property would love to see a revival in some shape or form, the painful truth is that The Dark Crystal most likely already exists in its perfect form. Modern-day Hollywood has let the puppet art form slip over the last few decades. A reboot would inevitably attempt to recreate The Dark Crystal with CGI and motion capture, losing the unique flair Henson’s puppets brought to the original film. Without the very thing that made the original movie stand out, it is best to leave The Dark Crystal as it is.
The Princess Bride Caught Lightning in a Bottle
From director Rob Reiner, The Princess Bride is a unique fantasy film that both makes fun of fantasy tropes and leans into them to deliver one of the most enjoyable viewing experiences of all time. Framed through the lens of a grandfather reading a storybook to his grandson, nothing is too ridiculous or over-the-top for the 1987 movie, as it combines high fantasy and romance, intrigue and revenge, and everything else that audiences could ever want from the genre.
The Princess Bride caught lightning in a bottle; with so many seemingly conflicting themes and scenarios, the film should never have worked, and yet it has become one of the most iconic movies ever made. No remake could ever recapture the unique flavor of the original 1987 film. Unfortunately, that hasn’t kept studios from working on a potential reboot, though fan outcry may have saved The Princess Bride from getting a modern-day Hollywood makeover.
The Lord of the Rings Is the Greatest Fantasy Franchise of All Time
Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy of the same name, The Lord of the Rings is the uncontested epitome of the fantasy genre. Directed by Peter Jackson, the film trilogy follows the young Hobbit Frodo Baggins on an adventure to destroy Sauron’s Ring of Power as Middle-earth descends into war. Along the way, he and his companions encounter numerous threats, spark new friendships, and rekindle the dying spark of hope for Men in the West.
All three entries of the Lord of the Rings trilogy are perfect, from beginning to end. Jackson’s films may not include every detail from the books, but they manage to capture the essence of Tolkien’s story. It is for this reason that The Lord of the Rings is considered the greatest book-to-screen adaptation of all time. The films also lean heavily into fantasy themes, inspiring countless other films, shows, spinoffs, and additional entries to the genre. For sheer influence alone, The Lord of the Rings can never be duplicated or repeated.
