Epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that has a few notable characteristics. For one, it has a heavy emphasis on the hero’s journey, whether it be a physical adventure or spiritual/emotional evolution. Secondly, like all movies classified as epics, it features an enormous, sweeping scale, with a lot of extras, intricate set and prop designs, and a hefty amount of world-building to supplement the story.
There have been a lot of epic fantasy movies, although it’s recently been more common to see in TV, which allows for longer, more in-depth stories. Still, many films have tried their hand at this subgenre of fantasy, many of which have bombed pretty badly, but there are a few diamonds in the rough out there, which are totally worth your attention. These are the best epic fantasy films of all time; note that for this list, only one film per franchise will be considered.
‘Legend’ (1985)
Legend is a movie by Ridley Scott that was a critical and box office bomb upon its release. In recent years, however, it has come to be seen as a cult classic and a forgotten gem of the 1980s that, in hindsight, is actually pretty awesome. The 2002 Director’s Cut really helped its reputation, too. Sure, it’s a little goofy at times, but it’s very ambitious and has some decent star power behind it, too.
The story is about a demon called the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry), who is intent on destroying sunlight itself, plunging the world into an eternal darkness. The only one on his way is Jack (Tom Cruise), a forest child who wants to save the world and his love, a young woman kidnapped by Darkness. Legend has all the makings of a classic fairytale, supported by a huge scale, and, of course, the physical and emotional journey undertaken by the hero. It might not be the best epic fantasy ever made, but it’s a forgotten wonder that deserves better.
‘Excalibur’ (1981)
As the name implies, Excalibur is based on the Arthurian myth, with the title coming from King Arthur’s (Nigel Terry) famous sword. There have been so many movies based on King Arthur that it’s hard to count them all, but this one is absolutely unmatched in terms of scale, excitement, and overall emotional impact. Excalibur is kind of underrated, but it’s adored by many who have seen it.
Sure, it has some noticeable flaws that are even more apparent today, but overall, this ’80s gem gets more right than it gets wrong. Excalibur really is the ultimate film based on Arthurian myth, and one of the few to depict it through a more adult lens rather than a kid-friendly one. For its massive scale, focus on the hero’s journey, and sense of adventure, Excalibur definitely earns its place among the greatest epic fantasy films ever made.
‘Willow’ (1988)
Willow is an Oscar-nominated epic fantasy that is riddled with veteran actors and which, surprisingly, had no source material to fall back on, which is unusual since many epic fantasy stories are adaptations of novels or other fantasy IPs. With a story by George Lucas and direction by Ron Howard, Willow really does well for itself, with a deeply immersive universe that’s easy to get lost in.
The story follows a dwarf farmer who embarks on a quest to protect a baby born with magical powers from an evil sorceress, teaming up with a travelling swordsman on the way. Willow‘s scale is really impressive for being nearly four decades old, and its story is emotional and exciting in equal measure. Featuring the underdog rising up to become a figure of legend, enthralling action sequences, and an exhilarating adventure, Willow is one of the most underrated yet brilliant epic fantasy films ever.
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ (2011)
Most of the Harry Potter films don’t quite fit the genre of epic fantasy due to having smaller scales early on. However, the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, certainly fits the bill. The eight-film series culminates in a gigantic showdown at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with nearly every living character from the prior films making an appearance.
The special effects are incredible, even today, and the amount of destruction and action during the thrilling climax definitely gets the blood pumping. Like all epic fantasy films, this movie doesn’t just include large-scale theatrics, but also showcases Harry’s (Daniel Radcliffe) personal journey as the Boy Who Lived. Of course, it also features the physical journey that he embarks on with his closest friend in his crusade against the Death Eaters. This last entry isn’t every fan’s favorite Harry Potter film, but it is generally seen as one of the best, as well as one of the only ones that can truly be considered an epic.
‘Jason and the Argonauts’ (1963)
Jason and the Argonauts is a classic epic fantasy based on the Greek myth, following the hero Jason (Todd Armstrong) as he journeys across the sea in search of the Golden Fleece. Along the way, he encounters numerous beasts and beings from Greek mythology, with his efforts culminating in a thrilling showdown between him and some reanimated skeletons. Even though the camera quality is dated, it’s widely regarded as one of the greatest fight scenes in the fantasy genre.
Greek mythology is sort of where the epic fantasy genre originated, so it makes sense that one of the greatest films in the genre comes from these millennia-old stories. Jason and the Argonauts brings the myth to life in a way that no other film has managed to replicate, and of course, comes with a huge scale and a primary focus on Jason’s personal journey. If you’re a fan of mythology or epic fantasy, then you’ll absolutely love this movie.
‘The NeverEnding Story’ (1984)
The NeverEnding Story is based on the novel by Michael Ende, and is framed through the lens of a boy in the 1980s who reads the story from an old book in a bookshop. The adventure occurs in the world of Fantasia, which is being slowly devoured by a malevolent force called “The Nothing.” In the wake of Fantasia’s darkest hour, young hero Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) travels across the land to prevent the world’s destruction.
Featuring mythical beasts, a sweeping scale, and focusing on the importance of Atreyu’s journey, The NeverEnding Story is a family-friendly epic fantasy that inspires and provokes some profound emotions, from excitement to sadness. It’s not just a nostalgic film; it’s also one of the finest epic fantasy movies ever conceived, and it has held that title for decades now. It also features quite a banger ’80s soundtrack, including the titular song, which remains a fan-favorite.
‘The Northman’ (2022)
The Northman is based on an ancient Scandinavian myth, which also happens to be the same story that William Shakespeare based Hamlet on. The story occurs in the Viking Age, where a Viking chieftain named Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) bears witness to his father’s murder. The culprit is Amleth’s uncle, Fjölnir (Claes Bang), leading the prince to embark on a bloody quest for revenge.
Many creatures and beings from Norse mythology appear in The Northman, all of which come with an unmatched atmosphere that sets the film apart from other epic fantasies. While its scale is a little bit smaller than the other films on this list, it’s still ambitious enough to be considered an epic. Primarily, it’s about Amleth’s journey, which also fits the tropes of the epic genre. It’s one of the finest fantasy films in recent years, and definitely one of the finest epic fantasy films ever made.
‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ (2023)
There have been numerous adaptations of the tabletop RPG Dungeons & Dragons, but this recent film is by far the absolute best. The movie starts as a fantasy heist comedy, almost as if the Ocean’s Eleven crew existed in a fantastical, made-up world. This approach perfectly embodies the spirit of the tabletop game, too. By the end of the film, there is a climactic battle sequence, adding to the scale and making it check all the right boxes for an epic film.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves didn’t exactly perform at the box office — in fact, and quite sadly, it was an outright flop — but in the critical department, it was a resounding hit. Fans of the game loved this movie and appreciated how it brought the world of the RPG to life in a much better way than previous projects. Of course, it also features the hero’s journey, making it one of the most perfect epic fantasy films ever.
‘Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)
A lot of people consider Star Wars to be straight-up science fiction, but series creator George Lucas is adamant that the series is more of a fantasy because the story is more in line with mythology, and less about a futuristic version of Earth. In fact, Earth isn’t featured in it at all. The presence of futuristic tech doesn’t automatically make something sci-fi, after all. In any event, the original Star Wars trilogy was a massive cultural phenomenon and kick-started a long-running franchise that persists today.
The second film (though chronologically, the fifth main film) in the franchise, The Empire Strikes Back, is widely considered by critics and fans to be the best of the series due to its famous plot twist, but also because its scale far outshone its predecessor. It absolutely focuses on the hero’s journey, with protagonist Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) training to be a Jedi and learning about his identity and lineage. On top of that, the movie features lots of extras, huge spectacle, and an exciting battle sequence right out of the gates. Combine this with the fact that it occurs in a unique universe, and it definitely qualifies as an epic fantasy, and a good one, at that.
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)
In terms of sheer scale, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is by far the biggest one in the trilogy, which is only fitting, considering it’s the final film in the series. Based on the novel by J. R. R.Tolkien, this film bears a massive cast, thousands of extras, several large-scale battles, and a few different focal points relating to the “hero’s journey” trope.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King still holds up as one of the most incredible bits of cinema ever created. It wouldn’t be wrong to say it’s the defining epic fantasy film. Sure, it might not be every fan’s favourite one in the trilogy, but the scale of it is quite a bit bigger than the other two, and that’s saying something. For that reason, and for its thrilling conclusion(s), it is by far the single greatest epic fantasy film ever made.
