Dungeons & Dragonshas been the premiere fantasy role-playing game (RPG) since its creation in 1974. A text-based medium, the game revolves around adventure and magic in a medieval landscape and allows players to craft complex characters and explore a lush imaginative world.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesis the upcoming film adaptation of the famous RPG, starringChris PineandMichelle Rodriguezand directed byJohn Francis DaleyandJonathan Goldstein. Longtime fans of the game need no further reasons to see the film, but non-players curious about how to prepare for this medieval fantasy should queue up the following films.
10’Dragonslayer' (1981) — Dir. Mathew Robbins
The beginning of many ’80s fantasy-cinema,Dragonslayeris the story of a kingdom living in the shadow of the dreaded Vermithrax, a dragon whose wrath is stayed only by repeated virgin sacrifices. When the next sacrifice is revealed to be the King’s daughter, the youthful Valerian (Caitlin Clark) convinces the wizard Ulrich (Ralph Richardson) and his apprentice Galen (Peter MacNicol) to slay Vermithrax once and for all.
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This film was one of the first to use the special effect method “go-motion,” which implanted computer-operated mechanics into puppets. Filmmakers no longer had to rely on tedious stop-motion frame-by-frame modules but instead, remote-operate a robot.
9’Warcraft' (2016) — Dir. Duncan Jones
Based on the acclaimed online multiplayer video gameWorld of Warcraftfrom Blizzard Entertainment,Warcraftdepicts the fictional planet Azeroth and a mighty war between humans and Orcs. However, the war is being instigated by a mysterious third party whose dark magic threatens the world. Despite its high fantasy clichés, the film is a surprisingly poignant tale of the disillusionment of war and is one ofthe most faithful video game adaptations put to screen.
StarringTravis Fimmel,Paula Patton,Ben Foster, andDominic Cooper,Warcraftembodies the character-driven adventures seen in the game. The movie is filled with easter eggs only true fans will notice, such as “summoning stones” and famous Orc chieftains Kilrogg Deadeye and Kargath Bladefist from the games.
8’The Dark Crystal’ (1982) — Dir. Jim Henson and Frank Oz
One ofJim Henson’s most defining works,The Dark Crystalis one of themost creative dark fantasy films ever made,depicting a magical world in chaos due to the fracture of the all-powerful Dark Crystal. Jen, a small Gelfling orphan, is tasked with reforging the Dark Crystal and bringing peace to his war-torn planet. Made with beautiful sets and intricate puppets,The Dark Crystalis one of few live-action films to include zero human characters.
Though the film was successful, a follow-up wasn’t made during Henson’s lifetime: in 2017,Netflixindependently began production onThe Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and many companion novels have been published since the film’s release.
7’Willow' (1988) — Dir. Ron Howard
A cult hit among George Lucas fans,Willowis about the titular farmer who endeavors to save the life of a baby from the clutches of an evil queen.Willowevokes feelings ofThe Lord of the Ringsnovels while reflecting themes fromStar Warsof a chosen one able to dismantle an imposing empire.
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Warwick Davisstars at Willow, who has appeared in numerous George Lucas projects, alongsideVal KilmerandJoanne Whalley. Only 17 years old in this film, Warwick Davis has returned to the role at the age of 53 for theDisney+series of the same name.
6’Excalibur' (1981) — Dir. John Boorman
One of many retellings of the legend of King Arthur,Excaliburis a fantasy drama depicting Arthur Pendragon’s rise to power and the sinister forces aiming to undo his honor.Nigel Terryplays Arthur alongsideHelen Mirren’s Morgana andNicol Williamson’s Merlin. Although lacking in dragons and other mythical beasts, this legend is a trueDungeons & Dragonsspiritual adaptation and boasts additional performances fromPatrick Stewart,Gabriel Byrne, andLiam Neeson.
The film was still a success for Boorman, who had previously flopped withExorcist II: The Heretic. The production also made Helen Mirren a proper movie star who was already an acclaimed stage actress.Excaliburis one of thebest King Arthur movies ever made.
5’Labyrinth' (1986) — Dir. Jim Henson
Jim Henson’s fantastical follow-up toThe Dark Crystal,Labyrinthdepicts the disappearance of an infant boy, Toby, at the hands of Jareth the Goblin King (David Bowie). However, Toby’s older sister Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is hot on the trail and travels through Jareth’s mystical labyrinth to save her brother. Characters from the film, such as Hoggle and Didymus, can be seen as toys in Sarah’s bedroom, and optical illusions of Bowie’s face are riddled throughout the labyrinth.
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Many famous names passed through the production process ofLabyrinth:various celebrities,Michael Jackson,Mick Jagger,Prince, andSting, were considered for the role of Jareth, as documented in the TV documentaryInside the Labyrinth. This was Jim Henson’s final feature film before his passing in 1990.
4’The Hobbit' Trilogy (2012-2014) — Dir. Peter Jackson
Adapted from author J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel,The Hobbittrilogy isPeter Jackson’s second leap into the fictional Middle Earth. Before Frodo carried the ring to Mount Doom, his uncle, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), was hired by a troop of Dwarves looking to reclaim their homeland from the greedy dragon, Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch). Accompanied by Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Bilbo and the Dwarves travel across Middle Earth while being hunted by dangerous foes and lingering evils.
Originally meant to be two parts, Jackson’s prior success granted him a nearly bottomless budget and complete creative control, so it was elongated into a trilogy. Although still enjoyable, it’s, unfortunately, abook-to-movie adaptation that’s unlike the book in the worst ways.
3’Beowulf' (2007) — Robert Zemeckis
DirectorRobert Zemeckisrevisits his motion-capture days onThe Polar Expressto recreate one of history’s greatest epic poems:Beowulf. The year is 507 A.D., and the citizens of Denmark are being tormented and killed by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf, a local warrior, agrees to slay Grendel, but in so doing, provokes the wrath of an even greater threat. StarringRay Winstone,Angelina Jolie, andAnthony Hopkins,Beowulfis a medieval fantasy epic with an anachronistic gothic flair.
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A legend from the early Middle Ages, the poemBeowulfis known to be the very first story written in the English language, yet has neither a recorded author nor any historical proof of a man reflecting the titular character. Popular fantasy novelistNeil Gaimanco-wrote the script withRoger Avary, who had once attempted to adapt Gaiman’sThe Sandmanyears before Netflix produced its own.
2’The Princess Bride' (1987) — Dir. Rob Reiner
A far cry fromDragonslayerandBeowulf,The Princess Brideis part-fantasy adventure, part-romantic comedy. Told through the contemporary lens of a man (Peter Falk) reading the book to his grandson (Fred Savage), the medieval adventure depicts Westley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (Robin Wright) as their courtship takes a deadly turn amidst bandits, pirates, and a dangerous wilderness.
Although lacking in certain magical elements seen inDungeons & Dragons, the collection of bandits Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), and Fezzik (Andre the Giant) reflect the eccentric characters riddled across the famous RPG and provide excellent depth to an already imaginative story.
1’The Lord of the Rings' Trilogy (2001-2003) — Dir. Peter Jackson
Possibly the greatest fantasy epic put to screen, and the most sincere book-to-film adaptation ever,The Lord of the Ringsis essential viewing for any cinephile, let alone anyDungeons & Dragonsfan. As the power of Mordor and its leader, Sauron, grows, the ultimate task of destroying the One Ring becomes increasingly imminent. Coincidentally in the hands of the hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood), he is tasked with taking the ring to Mount Doom while his many allies endeavor to fend off Sauron’s forces across Middle Earth.
The Lord of the Ringsfilms made history due to its overwhelming worldwide acclaim, and its record amount of Academy Award wins forThe Return of the King, which took home all 11 of its nominations. The franchise made several advancements in motion picture sciences, even going as far as establishing a brand-new CGI technique for Gollum (Andy Serkis). Together, the extended cuts of the trilogy span over eleven hours, making for an entire day full of adventure.
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