27 Fantasy Movies Like The Lord of the Rings that are Fantastic.
If you’re a devoted fan of The Lord of the Rings, you’ve likely journeyed through the lush landscapes of Middle-earth alongside hobbits, elves, and wizards. But what if you crave more fantastical adventures beyond the Shire and Mordor? Fear not! Here are five captivating movies that will ignite your imagination and transport you to realms teeming with magic, mythical creatures, and heroic quests.
27 Fantasy Movies Like The Lord of the Rings that are Fantastic.
The Hobbit Trilogy
Synopsis: A fairly obvious starting point, The Hobbit Trilogy carries the same enchanting DNA as its predecessor. Follow Bilbo Baggins, a reluctant hobbit, as he joins a band of dwarves on an epic quest to reclaim their homeland from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Expect whimsical moments, thrilling battles, and a dash of nostalgia.
Why Watch?: It’s a delightful return to Middle-earth, with Martin Freeman as our endearing guide.
Willow (1988)
Plot: In a world where magic and destiny collide, a humble farmer named Willow embarks on a life-changing journey. Alongside a brave swordsman, he must protect a special baby from dark forces. Think epic battles, mystical creatures, and Val Kilmer at his swashbuckling best.
Why Watch?: Warwick Davis shines as the unlikely hero, and the film’s heartwarming spirit lingers long after the credits roll.
Tolkien (2019)
Story: This biographical drama delves into the life of J.R.R. Tolkien, the brilliant mind behind Middle-earth. Witness his friendships, love, and the harrowing experiences that shaped his iconic tales. Nicholas Hoult portrays the young Tolkien, revealing the magic behind the man.
Why Watch?: Gain insight into the creative genius who birthed hobbits, elves, and the One Ring.
Legend (1985)
Premise: Darkness threatens to engulf a magical kingdom. Enter Jack (Tom Cruise) and Princess Lili (Mia Sara), who embark on a perilous quest to save their world. Tim Curry’s portrayal of the malevolent Lord of Darkness is unforgettable.
Why Watch?: Ridley Scott’s visually stunning fairy tale is a feast for the eyes and a testament to classic fantasy.
Beowulf (2007)
Overview: Based on the ancient epic poem, Beowulf pits a heroic warrior (Ray Winstone) against the monstrous Grendel and a seductive sea witch (Angelina Jolie). Expect epic battles, Norse mythology, and stunning animation.
Why Watch?: Dive into a world of legendary heroes, mythical beasts, and timeless sagas.
Thor(2011)
Much like Jackon’s trilogy, Thor is dripping with Medieval influences and mythological flair. This Marvel take on high fantasy really hits a crescendo with the epic Ragnarok from 2017. Still – this origin story for the hero Thor is equally gripping and full of fun moments.
The film balances cheeky comedy with action and fantasy, rounding out this bombastic entry in the Marvel cinematic universe. The film excels in its dazzling visuals and a memorable performance by Chris Hemsworth as the hammer-wielding hero.
Tolkien and Jackson fans are sure to be into Thor‘s sense of mysticism and magic, along with its colorful, atmospheric set-pieces.
The Eagle (2011)
Being a historical drama, there won’t be any dragons or spell-casting wizards in 2011’s The Eagle. Still, director Kevin Macdonald captures much of the essence and feel of LOTR with his own adventure. Channing Tatum takes the role of a young Roman officer tasked with retrieving a relic – the coveted gold eagle lost by his defeated father.
After sustaining an injury, he and a slave companion embark on a journey across the vast wilderness of Roman-occupied Britain. Along the way, they run into various trials and hurdles. The Eagle stands as a simple, but entertaining odyssey, enhanced by atmospheric settings and gripping drama.
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
Marvel seemingly came out of nowhere with this sci-fi superhero film centered around an odd band of characters. While fans didn’t quite know what to expect, 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy captivated with its own unique charm. To critics and fans alike, it remains one of their strongest efforts to date.
The thrilling adventure is brought to life with rich landscapes and a likable “fellowship” of heroes comprising different backgrounds banding together to fight the good fight.
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Gladiator (2000)
The subject of gladiators is almost sure to set the stage for an exciting romp, and the visually-minded Ridley Scott delivers in this classic.
Russell Crowe convincingly plays a scorned leader of the Roman army and the gladiator in question. He is betrayed by the pompous, corrupt son of the slain emperor (Joaquin Phoenix) and must fight his way to prominence and vengeance.
Much like LOTR – the sleek, authentic visuals and chaotic battles are coupled with a memorable cast and nuanced writing.
The Hunger Games (2012)
Epic action scenes and a range of cool weapons make up the DNA of LOTR, and this dystopian sci-fi has these traits in spades.
Jennifer Lawrence takes center stage as this memorable saga’s downtrodden, sharpshooting hero. Much like Frodo Baggins, she’s pulled from her humble, isolated homeland and forced to fight. Katniss Everdeen must battle for her very survival – for the amusement and tribute of the ruling class.
The first film is particularly renowned for its plot that’s at once grand and focused, rife with action and emotional moments. Katniss must fight for every inch in order to survive in the vast, outdoor arena of the Hunger Games.
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
While LOTR fans have used the title of this ’84 adventure to describe the ending of Return of the King, it’s also the title of a classic fantasy ride that should resonate for those who love Jackson’s epic.
Much like that film saga, this movie hones in on a young humble protagonist who finds himself swept away by an adventure originating from a fantasy book. In this case, however, the book exists in the film as well as in real life. In fact, it serves as a portal to a colorful new dimension of adventure and wonder, which the protagonist Bastian gets pulled into. Despite its age, the visuals still hold up today, thanks to its detailed special effects and high production value.
Eragon (2006)
Despite its rather mixed reception critically, this 2006 fantasy film shines as a fun dragon-laced adventure tale and a fitting alternative for fans of LOTR with its similar themes. The fact that Eragon is based on a novel written by an author who was still a teenager at the time is impressive enough.
But even disregarding this context, this film impresses with some sleek visuals and a fun, classic fantasy premise involving wizards, magic, and fire-breathing dragons. It’s a classic tale of adventure and heroism rife with thrilling action.
Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)
LOTR, and particularly Return of the King, is largely renowned for its flashy visuals and awe-inspiring battle scenes. It’s not easy to replicate that film’s level of detail and grandiosity, though if there’s anyone who can make a valiant effort in coming close, it’s Ridley Scott.
As it happens, this historical epic has more in common with its LOTR brethren aside from starring Orlando Bloom.
While it might not be as critically acclaimed as Jackson’s trilogy, Kingdom of Heaven similarly rises to the occasion when it comes to its thrilling, large-scale battles and cinematography. The sieges on Jerusalem definitely bring flashbacks of the breathtaking battle for Minas Tirith.
The Chronicles of Narnia Series
The Chronicles of Narnia is one of the best-known fantasy movie series of all time. Based on C. S. Lewis’ series of novels of the same name, the franchise adapted three of his books into live-action features, namely – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), Prince Caspian (2008), and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010).
The Chronicles of Narnia movie series is similar to Lord of The Rings/The Hobbit in a lot of ways: young, seemingly harmless adventurers (in this case four little kids) venture off into Narnia, a magical world filled with mythical beasts, talking animals, and legendary weapons.
Though the series took a darker turn later on, the first movie The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, reminds you of Frodo and Sam’s adventure from The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring, when the Pevensie children tumble into the mystical world of Narnia through a wooden wardrobe, and quite unknowingly, set out on a dangerous journey that pits them against a great evil.
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
Of course, when we are talking about fantasy movies, how can we forget about the age-old mythical tale of the legendary king of England. So many characters of modern movies and stories have been inspired by King Arthur’s saga, and the movie in focus is the most recent film adaptation of his tale. Starring Charlie Hunnam in the titular role, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword shows King Arthur’s rise to the throne of England.
This film shares a lot of similarities with Lord of The Rings: The Return of The King, as both feature a legendary sword, the rightful heir to the throne, and a wise, white-haired powerful wizard. The tale of King Arthur might have been a source of inspiration for J. R. R. Tolkien when he was writing the novels, as we can clearly see a connection between Aragorn and Arthur.
The Monkey King Series
The Monkey King is a legendary mythical figure with a historical background that’s on par with the likes of King Arthur. Based on the fantasy novel Journey to the West, a 16th-century Chinese literary classic written in the Ming Dynasty by Wu Cheng’en, the film tells the story of a legendary monkey God, named Sun Wukong (Donnie Yen).
Wukong, after falling down to earth from heaven, has to learn about his purpose in life, and hence starts on an epic journey of his own, like The Fellowship of The Ring, that takes him to heaven and hell (quite literally). Sun Wukong might sound very familiar to you, as he is also the inspiration behind Son Goku, the famous protagonist of the Dragon Ball anime series.
Harry Potter Series
The Harry Potter movies are perhaps the greatest sorcery-based film series of all time. The 8-part adaptation is based on J. K. Rowling’s fantasy novels of the same name and achieved enormous success globally. The fantastical tale of Harry Potter takes the fans into the magical world of Hogwarts, which is very similar to Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends learn various magical spells, meet mythical creatures and fight great evil during the course of eight movies, and have a huge fan following even though the last film was released a decade ago.
The NeverEnding Story Series
Based on the 1979 novel of the same name by Michael Ende, The NeverEnding Story was a 3-part series, of which the first and second adaptations were from the same book, while the third one was an original story. Much like the Lord of The Rings movies, The NeverEnding Story tells the tale of a young and humble protagonist who accidentally finds himself pulled into an adventure via an old fantasy book. It serves as a portal to a colorful and magical world, and the hero is tasked with saving the imaginary world.
Willow
Willow is a 1988 American dark fantasy drama film produced by George Lucas and written by Bob Dolman. Lucas originally came up with the idea in 1972, but could only begin working on it in 1985.
The film tells the story of a farmer and aspiring sorcerer, Willow, who sets out on a dangerous journey to protect a young princess against the forces of an evil witch, who has sent her army to hunt the baby down. Willow plays the role of both Gandalf and Frodo in the film, and the ending reminds you of the concluding scene in Return of The King, when the hobbits return to their village.
Pan’s Labyrinth
Pan’s Labyrinth is considered one of the best works by Guillermo del Toro. The dark fantasy is set in Spain during the summer of 1944, five years after the Spanish Civil War. The main character, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), owing to her family issues, drifts off into an imaginary world consisting of terrifying mythical creatures, who lead her through the trials of an old labyrinth garden. The film won numerous international accolades, including three Academy Awards and three BAFTA Awards.
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons
A comedic adaptation of a 16th-century Chinese literary classic of the same name written by Wu Cheng’en, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons tells the tale of the origins of a humble Buddhist monk, Tang Sanzang (Wen Zhang). Having no skills and special powers, he sets out on a journey to hunt demons and find his destiny, which often leads him into hilarious and life-threatening problems. Much like Frodo, he is innocent and pure-hearted and is accompanied by a friend who changes his life forever.
Bridge to Terabithia
Bridge to Terabithia is a 2007 fantasy drama based on the novel of the same name by Katherine Paterson. The film revolves around the tragic story of two 11-year-old kids, who manifest their real-life problems in an imaginary world they create in an abandoned treehouse. It provides a deeper perspective of a child’s psychology, and how they come up with their own monsters to tackle them. The children escape to the world of Terabithia, battling the monsters outside as well as the ones inside their minds, much like how Frodo fights the will of the Ring in the Lord of The Rings Films.
Warcraft
Orcs made up the majority of Sauron’s army in The Lord of the Rings movies, and they can be seen in plenty in the world of Warcraft. A film based on the video game series of the same name, it tells the story of the magical realm of Azeroth, as it stands on the brink of war. Its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: Orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another.
As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction, and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, two heroes are set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their family, their people, and their home. Fans will definitely enjoy this movie, as humans join forces with orcs, something that never happened in Lord of The Rings.
The Seventh Seal
The Seventh Seal is a classic historical fantasy film and is considered one of the greatest movies of all time. Written and directed by Ingmar Bergman, the story of the film proceeds like The Lord of The Rings, but on a chessboard, and the antagonist is none other than the personification of death.
It tells of the journey of a medieval knight who lived during the black death, and is forced to play a game of chess with death who has come to take his life. Much of the film’s imagery is derived from medieval art, and hence there are glimpses of existential crisis throughout the story of the film, something that resonates with Lord of the Rings characters like Aragorn and Frodo.
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec
The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec is a fantasy adventure film loosely based on the comic book series The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec by Jacques Tardi. Adele’s fantastic journey resembles a peculiar and enjoyable mix of The Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones movies, as it incorporates various elements of sci-fi and mythical fantasy genre.
Set in the early 1900s, Adele is a journalist and travel writer, and her world consists of mummies, pterosaurs, and pyramids (in one of her adventures, she actually rides a pterosaur, much like Gandalf and company ride the eagles). It received a largely positive response from the critics and audience for being a faithful adaptation of the source material.
Solomon Kane
Solomon Kane is a 2009 action-adventure film based on the pulp magazine character of the same name created in 1928 by Robert E. Howard. The story of Solomon Kane is somewhat of a what-if story, that is, what if Aragorn had decided to go solo on his quest in Lord of The Rings? The plot follows a redemption story for Kane, from the end of his life as a privateer, through the salvation of his soul by rescuing a Puritan girl and the beginning of his life as the Puritan avenger of the source material.
Along the way, he battles countless demons, witches, evil sorcerers, ghouls, and various other supernatural beings in his quest to redeem his soul from the clutches of hell. He also seems to possess an elongated lifespan, just like Aragorn, and decides to spend the rest of it fighting the forces of evil at the end of the movie.
The Hobbit
Of course! The list couldn’t be complete without the film that comes closest to the Lord of The Rings in terms of storyline, battle sequences and overall theme, the prequel The Hobbit itself! The Hobbit trilogy was released a decade after The Lord of the Rings movie series and serves as its prequel.
The films are based on the 1937 novel The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien and show the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Frodo’s uncle, set 60 years before the events of the Lord of The Rings. The story shows why Bilbo is such a respected figure in the community, how the One Ring came into his possession, and why Gandalf trusts Bilbo so much.
The Hobbit series is missing some of the key characters from the Lord of The Rings trilogy, provided it is a prequel, but it is amazing in its own right. The news suggests that Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series will be a prequel as well, so it’ll be interesting to see if there’ll be any familiar faces in the show.
Whether you seek dragons, enchanted forests, or epic destinies, these films beckon you to step beyond the familiar and embrace the extraordinary. So grab your elven cloak, sharpen your sword, and embark on a 27 Fantasy Movies Quest like no other! 🌟🎥✨
