The 1990s were a great decade forfantasymovies, but since there are so many, some of them have flown under the radar in recent years. Part of this is because these projects weren’t originally box office successes or were considered critical failures upon their initial release. However, time has demonstrated they’re worth watching, as many have become cult classics in recent decades.Featuring incredible performances from iconic actors like Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, and Robin Williams,these films boast significant star power that has helped increase their longevity.
Some of these areobscure fantasy movies that hardly anyone remembers, which is too bad since they have some of the best visual effects and intricate production designs of the ’90s. Though it’s easy to look back on older fantasy films and criticize their dated look and feel, these projects have stood the test of time, with visuals that feel fresh and original, especially compared to some contemporary additions to the genre. Exploring fantasy movies from decades past helps showcase how the genre has evolved and why it connects so deeply with audiences.
Any movie that features Robin Williams is worth watching, but his 1998 fantasy movieWhat Dreams May Comeis one of his most overlooked projects.Williams plays Chris Nielsen, a doctor who dies not long after his childrenand waits for his wife in the afterlife. A grim and dark movie,What Dreams May Come, follows Chris' attempts to rescue his wife, Annie (Annabella Sciorra), from hell. Based on the book by Richard Matheson,What Dreams May Cometackles different religious and theological ideas throughout its run, engaging with high-concept discussions of philosophy and morality.
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Lauded for its beautiful and well-designed visual effects and production design,the story ofWhat Dreams May Comeshouldn’t be overlooked. A recurring motif throughoutWhat Dreams May Comeis that we create our own realities, and our personal beliefs are what will shape the afterlife. The central plot point of Chris being willing to spend eternity in hell as long as he’s with Annie is a touching sentiment that never gets old, even all these years later.
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The somewhat unsettling and uncanny animation ofJames and the Giant Peachallows the animated movie to stand out among similar works from the 1990s and now. The director, Henry Selick, is well-known for his contributions to the stop-motion genre, as he helmed iconic works likeThe Nightmare Before ChristmasandCoraline. However,James and the Giant Peachis largely overlooked. Based on the novel by Roald Dahl,James and the Giant Peachis an intense children’s film.
James and the Giant Peachis ananimated movie that’s pretty dark, as James, the protagonist, goes on a terrifying journey across the world to escape his terrible aunts. However, even though the art style ofJames and the Giant Peachis a little unsettling, it ends on an ultimately uplifting note, with James finding the family he always wanted. Though it received good reviews,James and the Giant Peachdidn’t perform well at the box office, leading to its relative obscurity (viaBox Office Mojo).
James and the Giant Peach (1996)
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In the 1996 dramatic fantasy filmPhenomenon, John Travolta plays George Malley, a young man suddenly imbued with incredible powers of intelligence. After his fateful encounter with what George believes might have been alien life,his world is turned upside down as he becomes increasingly smart and powerful,drawing the attention of doctors, scientists, and the government. However, all George wants is to do right by the people in his town and develop a relationship with Lace (Kyra Sedgwick).
ThoughPhenomenonis sentimental, the film never pretends to be anything but a classic tale of love and connection, with a fantasy element thrown in for good measure.
ThoughPhenomenonis sentimental, the film never pretends to be anything but a classic tale of love and connection, with a fantasy element thrown in for good measure. Of all of Travolta’s projects,Phenomenonhas largely been forgotten about, though it successfully challenged the actor and took him out of his comfort zone. The twist in the final act will come as a surprise to audiences, but this darker ending doesn’t undercut the overall message of the movie.
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Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn lead the campy cult classicDeath Becomes Her.Dark, satirical, and offbeat,Death Becomes Herwas well ahead of its timein directly addressing the expectations and pressures put on women to achieve impossible beauty standards as they age. The hilarious and poignant performances by Streep and Hawn as the immortal rivals Madeline and Helen anchorDeath Becomes Herin emotional realism. The film features some of their most overlooked performances.
Using the immortal nature of the lead characters to take the slapstick genre to the extreme,Death Becomes Heruses plenty of physical comedy to shock the audience as the movie leans into its gory moments. With time,Death Becomes Herhas become a favorite in certain film circles.Recent projects likeThe Substancehave been a great reminder to revisitDeath Becomes Herfor its stylish sensibilities and focus on women’s experiences aging in Hollywood.
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Before Alfonso Cuarón made a splash with his adult drama,Y Tu Mamá También, the director was behind the screen adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novelA Little Princess. Though Cuarón takes liberties with the original story, the heart of the narrative is present throughout the film. Like much of Burnett’s work,A Little Princesssees its protagonist thrust into unimaginable circumstances and make the best of things by escaping to imaginary, fantastical worlds.
Between Cuarón’s beautiful direction and the arresting nature of the story,A Little Princessdeserves to be a classic.
A Little Princessmight be for children, but it’s a heartwrenching project from beginning to end, as the main character, Sara (Liesel Matthews), is forced to work as a servant in a boarding school after her father dies in World War I, leaving her destitute. However, Sara’s penchant for storytelling and her imagination buoy her throughout the most devastating moments of the film, keeping the audience invested. Between Cuarón’s beautiful direction and the arresting nature of the story,A Little Princessdeserves to be a classic.
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Tim Burton puts his characteristic and stylish twist on the familiarLegend of Sleepy Hollowin the 1999 movieSleepy Hollow, starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. The production design and gorgeous atmospheric setting ofSleepy Holloware consistently praised.Sleepy Hollowwon the Academy Award for Best Art-Direction, andthis attention to detail in the physicality of the film has helped it stand the test of time, holding up today compared to other horror-fantasy projects.
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ThoughSleepy Hollowisn’t discussed with the same reverence as Burton’s iconic fantasy films likeEdward ScissorhandsorBeetlejuice, it still warrants watching today.Perfect to watch during the fall months in preparation for Halloween,Sleepy Hollowis one of Burton’s most underrated movies. Incorporating classic character-driven drama alongside otherworldly magic and murder,Sleepy Hollowis an engaging thrill ride. While the visual elements are easy to praise, the narrative is just as fun to dive into.
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A young Brad Pitt stars inMeet Joe Black, an offbeat fantasy drama about becoming human and the meaning of life. Though it has a morbid premise,Meet Joe Blackis surprisingly sensitive and romantic, as it follows Death (Pitt) after he takes the form of a human man and sees what life is like through his eyes. As he learns to navigate the world,it doesn’t take long for Death, now known as Joe Black, to fall in love with the daughter of the man he’s come to collect.
The three-hour runtime takes its time setting up its plot lines and gives the actors lots of room to breathe in their emotional scenes.
Using Death as a protagonist is an interesting trope, andMeet Joe Blackputs a unique spin on the concept as Death eventually learns why people are so invested in living.Meet Joe Blackis a long movie. The three-hour runtime takes its time setting up its plot lines and gives the actors lots of room to breathe in their emotional scenes. Though it’s a commitment to watch the fantasy drama, it’s interesting to return to this early foray in the genre by Pitt.
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Based on the seminal children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the 1993 adaptation ofThe Secret Gardenis a gorgeously crafted and emotionally raw movie. One of thebest live-action children’s fantasy movies,The Secret Garden, sees Mary (Kate Maberly), the protagonist, escape her circumstances through a hidden garden she imagines being full of magic and wonder as she restores it to her former glory. Through Mary’s eyes,the world is full of supernatural dangers and fantastical joys, showcasing the inherent magic of childhood.
However,The Secret Gardenis deeply engaged with the themes of loss, isolation, and neglectthat play significant roles throughout the story. Mary and the other characters in the story are so scared of losing the ones they love that they never open themselves up to it. As the narrative progresses, Mary learns that, like the garden, her relationships can blossom and flourish when they’re cared for. A deeply moving portrait of childhood,The Secret Gardenshould be better remembered.
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Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey lead the cast of Peter Jackson’sHeavenly Creatures. The film is a fantastical thriller directed by Jackson before he became famous for directingLord of the Rings.The relationship between Juliet (Winslet) and Pauline (Lynskey) takes center stage inHeavenly Creatures,and the chemistry between the young women is astounding. A fictionalization of the Parker–Hulme murder,Heavenly Creaturesuses fantasy elements to get inside the minds of the young women and understand what drove them to commit unspeakable acts.
Despite the fact thatHeavenly Creaturespremiered to strong critical and audience acclaim, it’s not as well remembered as the blockbusters the cast would later be a part of.
Fantasy serves as an aspect of the script that uplifts the relationship dynamic of the women, playing a significant role in the film. However,Heavenly Creaturesis often liked more closely with the crime and thriller genres, allowing it to be overlooked as time has progressed. Despite the fact thatHeavenly Creaturespremiered to strong critical and audience acclaim, it’s not as well remembered as the blockbusters the cast would later be a part of.
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Pom Pokois one of Studio Ghibli’s most underrated projects. Though it wasn’t directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the studio’s iconic visionary artist, the director, Isao Takahata, crafts a charming and intimate story that everyone can enjoy. In conversation with environmental concerns and the importance of preserving the natural world,Pom Pokohas a strong message at the heart of its genial narrative.Following a group of raccoon dogs who fight to save their home,Pom Pokomakes it easy to fall in love with these shape-shifting characters.
ThroughoutPom Poko, there are references to the impact that industrial development and technology have had on the importance of traditions and community. As the story progresses,Pom Pokobecomes more serious and reflective about the disappearance of the natural world and the belief in magic. ThoughPom Pokowould later be overshadowed by Ghibli’s 1997fantasymovie,Princess Mononoke, this doesn’t change the fact thatPom Pokois well worth watching.
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