7 Enchanting Fantasy Films That Definitely Deserve A Remake
Like its futuristic counterpart in science fiction, fantasy offers a distinct means for people to enter other worlds far beyond their own understanding.
Escaping from mundane problems of everyday life, fantasy whisks viewers away to the magical daydreams of their childhood, cobbling together elaborate plots involving gallant knights, colorful sorcerers, stalwart princesses, and all manner of dangerous creatures taken straight from folklore and mythology.
As with most cinematic genres, fantasy has continually ebbed and flowed in popularity, ushering in peak eras like the fantasy films of the 1980s and renaissance periods in the early 2000s (Harry Potter, The Lord of The Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean). As rumors swirl about Nosferatu director Robert Eggers’ supposedly planned remake of the David Bowie-led Labyrinth, it’s worth wondering which other past fantasy films might provide the basis for a sensational remake in their own right. From light-hearted high fantasy movies to obscure Disney animated films, here are seven bewitching fantasy films we’d love to see receive a modern remake.
Dragonslayer (1981)
Overshadowed by its fellow 1981 summertime release Raiders of the Lost Ark, Dragonslayer nevertheless forms a wondrous fantasy epic straight from the pages of the Brothers Grimm, J.R.R. Tolkien, or George R.R. Martin. Relying on a more grounded approach to the traditional fantasy story, Dragonslayer balances out its fairy tale-inspired setting with realistic characters and ahead-of-its-time special effects. Between its iron-clad knights, conniving kings, ancient dragons, and eccentric wizards, all the telltale aspects of a fable are present in Dragonslayer. With that in mind, we can only cross our fingers in the hopes of seeing a full-fledged Dragonslayer remake at some point in the near future.
The Black Cauldron (1985)
We’re not going to exaggerate and call Disney’s The Black Cauldron an unsung classic in the company’s filmography. If anything, it’s a messy, inconsistent fantasy film that doesn’t come close to matching the appeal of Disney’s more well-known movies. But there is still plenty of promise that lies behind this little-seen 1985 medieval epic. Based on a series of novels by Lloyd Alexander, The Black Cauldron could indeed provide the basis for either a fascinating live-action or animated remake. With Alexander creating his own high fantasy landscape with his Prydain series, we can only hold out hope of one day seeing a judicious version of The Black Cauldron brought to the big screen. (After all, can you imagine how downright terrifying a live-action iteration of the Horned King would be?)
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Dedicated film aficionados might balk at the idea that a movie as universally beloved as The Seventh Seal should ever be remade. But if Robert Eggers’ 2024 Nosferatu is any conciliation, it is indeed possible for a modern filmmaker to implement their own creative vision on a classic film like The Seventh Seal. Set amidst Medieval Europe’s Black Plague epidemic, The Seventh Seal offers a stunning study of fate, luck, destiny, and our ability to influence others’ lives through acts both benevolent and ill-intentioned. Often cited as one of the greatest movies of all time, it’s a bittersweet drama filled with meaningful lessons and poignant topics of discussions, with many citing it among the finest movies ever made by the legendary director Ingmar Bergman.
Ladyhawke (1985)
Before he was lip-synching on Chicago parade floats and staying one step ahead of his authoritarian principal, Matthew Broderick appeared in the little-watched but exceptionally well-crafted 1985 fantasy film, Ladyhawke. Appearing alongside Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer, Broderick helps Ladyhawke transition from a forgettable ‘80s adventure film into one of the most underrated movies of its respective decade. With an unorthodox plot involving corrupt bishops, industrious thieves, and a married couple suffering from a monstrous curse, Ladyhawke could provide the material for a captivating remake from the right director, breathing fresh life into this tragically underappreciated cult classic fantasy film.
Excalibur (1981)
Given its importance in British culture, King Arthur and his accompanying Knights of the Round Table have found their way into an assortment of novels, comic books, TV series, and movies over the last several centuries, including 1981’s extraordinary epic, Excalibur. Providing a more realistic take on Arthurian legend, Excalibur paints its leading characters not as mighty figures of antiquity, but as living, breathing individuals with their own distinct flaws and weaknesses. With such recent releases as The Green Knight reigniting interest in Arthurian mythology, it’s worth wondering what a full-fledged remake of Excalibur might look like, especially if it were produced by a company like A24 or Focus Features.
Legend (1985)
Ridley Scott has seemingly made as many disappointing films as he has universally praised ones, the director’s filmography evenly split between award-winning projects like Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator and underwhelming ventures like Napoleon, Robin Hood, and Exodus: Gods and Kings. Falling more so into the latter category is Scott’s ambitious dark fantasy, Legend, a sprawling medieval adventure film involving goblins, dwarves, swamp witches, and Tim Curry’s devilishly memorable Lord of Darkness. While some choose to view Legend as an underrated release from Scott’s early career, it’s obvious that the movie has its share of problems, including a lackluster script, bland story, and gratingly slow pace. With that being said, we can only wonder what a skilled director can do with Legend’s underlying material, allowing them to combine first-rate special effects with an engaging story about a world torn apart by war and the threat of a never-ending night sweeping across the land.
The Dark Crystal (1982)
If Netflix’s short-lived prequel series Age of Resistance is any proof, The Dark Crystal can certainly find renewed life among modern audiences, if only for its immersive canonical universe and its ingenious special effects. Directed by the legendary Jim Henson, The Dark Crystal forms a beloved pillar of the 1980s fantasy genre, living side-by-side with Henson’s equally well-liked work on 1986’s Labyrinth. A fantasy epic as grand in scope as The Lord of the Rings and as densely-populated as the Star Wars universe, any continuation of The Dark Crystal would be a welcome surprise for modern viewers, be it in the form of a prequel, sequel, or full-blown remake.
