Fantasy isn't as well represented in film as genres like science fiction, horror, westerns, and so forth. But over the years audiences have grown increasingly attached to strange new worlds like Middle-earth and Narnia. They've become more willing to accept elves and dragons alongside their traditional warrior heroes. Everyone needs a little escapist fare in today's world, and fantasy films offer just that.

The Neverending Story



Warner Bros. Pictures

In this countdown, we celebrate our 25 favorites fantasy films from years past. The list includes traditional fantasy like The Lord of the Rings and The Neverending Story, as well as more eclectic efforts from directors like Terry Gilliam and Ray Harryhausen... and even a few animated gems.Read through our list and be sure to tell us your fantasy favorites in the comments section below.

Willow



Lucasfilm

The effects and giddy synthesizer score may feel dated, but the world of Neverending Story feels timeless. A young boy reads a book with Narnia Wardrobe-like properties - a book that introduces both him and us to a place populated by Luck Dragons, giant sneezing turtles and Rock Biters. A place where some great Big Bad called The Nothing (which turns out to be an animatronic wolf thing) threatens both our world and the fantasy one. How this all plays out may hold up better through a nostalgic lens, but it works better than most fantasy films grounded in very 1980s sensibilities.

Jason and the Argonauts



Columbia Pictures

J.R.R. Tolkien's stories aren't the only place where fantasy lovers can see a small and humble hero rise up to save the world. That was also the premise behind Willow, a 1988 fantasy adventure directed by Ron Howard and written/produced by George Lucas. Warwick Davis was finally allowed to ditch his Ewok costume and take on the role of the diminutive but noble Willow. The movie didn't become the next Star Wars, but it does maintain a well-deserved cult following even today.

The Secret of NIMH



Don Bluth Productions/United Artists

When hearing the name Ray Harryhausen, most movie lovers think of Clash of the Titans. But long before that showpiece of monster effects and Greek mythology, Harryhausen delivered an even better work in the form of Jason and the Argonauts. Jason's legendary quest for the Golden Fleece unfolded with then-state of the art special effects that still hold up surprisingly well today. And as always, the imagination and energy of Harryhausen's work overshadows whatever technical limitations there are.

The Witches



Warner Bros. Pictures

The 1980s were marked by the temporary decline of Disney's animated wing and the accompanying rise of Don Bluth. This former Disney animator struck out on his own in 1979, and The Secret of NIMH was his first and most successful attempt to create a new voice in the realm of American animation. NIMH stands for the National Institute of Mental Health, a place the heroine mouse Mrs. Brisby seeks out in order to save her ailing child.NIMH didn't really strike a chord with audiences at the time, coming as it did on the heels of ET: The Extra-Terrestrial. But it stands the test of time and proves that Disney isn't the last word on family-friendly animated fare.

Roald Dahl wasn't just an author of children's stories, he was a legitimate fantasy storyteller. The Witches is the first of two films on this list to be based from his work. The Witches is a film about a boy and his grandmother who discover a group of actual witches while vacationing by the sea. Though not as dark as the original book, it still carried an eccentric quality that helped it stand out among the sea of children's films in the early 1990s. The Witches is also notable for being the last project Jim Henson worked on before his untimely death.