NerdiPop’s top 5 original Fairy-Tale movies countdown

We’ve been treated to a number of original fairy-tale-based films over the years. As you can see from our list, a lot of the really good fairy-tale movies came out in the 1980s. The NerdiPop top 5 original Fairy-tale movies are listed below.

#5. Enchanted (2007)

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Enchanted is a musical live-action/animated fantasy romantic comedy film released in 2007 by Walt Disney Pictures in collaboration with New York Academy, Barry Sonnenfeld, and Josephson Entertainment. The film, directed by Kevin Lima and written by Bill Kelly, stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey, and Susan Sarandon. The story revolves around Giselle, a stereotypical Disney Princess who is forced to transition from her traditional animated world of Andalasia to the live-action world of New York City.

The film is an homage to, as well as a self-parody of, traditional Walt Disney Animated Classics, making numerous references to Disney’s past and future works through the use of live-action filmmaking, traditional animation, and computer-generated imagery. It marks the return of traditional animation to a Disney feature film following the company’s decision in 2004 to switch entirely to computer animation. Enchanted’s songs were produced by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who had previously written songs for Disney films. Menken also composed the film’s score.

The long-awaited sequel, Disenchanted is goingDisenchanted, the long-awaited sequel, will be released in November 2022.

Plot summary:

Once upon a time, a lovely young woman by the name of Giselle lived in a cottage in the woods in the kingdom of Andalasia. Giselle is sent plummeting down a magical well, before she can wed the handsome Prince Edward. She then finds herself in the lifeless, utterly disenchanted world of contemporary New York City. She becomes friends with Robert, a cynical divorce lawyer who isn’t so confident that her prince will appear to save her, there. As she waits for Prince Edward, Giselle charms everyone around her with her impromptu singing and fairy-tale manner. But she’s about to learn that finding love in the real world isn’t always as simple as exchanging a single True Love’s Kiss, and that if she’s going to succeed, she’ll need courage, sass, and perhaps a little magic.

Watch the trailer here:

#4. Legend (1985)

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The 1985 British-American fantasy action movie Legend, starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry, David Bennent, Alice Playten, Billy Barty, Cork Hubbert, and Annabelle Lanyon, was directed by Ridley Scott. It has been called a return to more inventive, occasionally unsettling fables from the oral tradition of history, before reading and writing were widely used. It is a darker fairy tale. The movie has gained cult status since its debut and the subsequent release of the Director’s Cut edition.

Plot summary:

A fantastical adventure with elves, demons, and other mythical creatures. Darkness, the personification of evil, intends to disperse eternal night in the land where this story takes place by slaughtering all unicorns. Despite the fact that he appears unbeatable, Jack and his friends are willing to go to any length to save the world and princess Lili (who Darkness intends to make his wife) from the clutches of this evil monster.

Watch the trailer here:

#3. Ladyhawke (1985)

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Richard Donner’s 1985 fantasy film Ladyhawke stars Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, and Michelle Pfeiffer. 
Ladyhawke received two Academy Award nominations, for Best Sound Editing (Robert G. Henderson) and Best Sound Mixing (Les Fresholtz, Dick Alexander, Vern Poore, and Bud Alper), but did not win either. 
It received a Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film and was nominated for Best Actress (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Best Music (Andrew Powell).

Plot summary:

Captain Etienne Navarre carries a terrible curse on his shoulders. As a punishment for their love, Navarre must transform into a wolf at night, while his lover, Lady Isabeau, transforms into a hawk during the day. They must work together with the thief Philippe Gaston to overthrow the corrupt Bishop and break the spell.

Watch the trailer here:

#2. Willow (1988)

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Willow is a 1988 American fantasy film directed by Ron Howard, produced by and starring Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, and Billy Barty. In a sword and sorcery setting, Davis plays the eponymous lead character and hero: a reluctant farmer who plays a critical role in protecting a special baby from a tyrannical queen. The visual effects sequences were created by Industrial Light & Magic, which resulted in a revolutionary breakthrough with digital morphing technology. Willow received mixed reviews from critics when it was released in 1988, but it was a modest financial success and received two Academy Award nominations. 
We can’t wait for the Willow TV series premiere in November 2022.

Plot summary:

Ranon and Mims, the children of Willow Ufgood, a dwarf farmer and magician, discover a baby girl in a river, and the baby girl is taken into Willow’s care. 
However, while searching for the baby, a terrifying dog-like creature attacks Willow’s village. 
Willow seeks advice from the village council and the wizard The High Aldwin. 
Willow is given a task by High Aldwin, and she leaves the village to complete the task of delivering the baby girl to a responsible person. 
But Willow soon discovers that the baby is Elora Danan, the baby girl destined to bring down the evil sorceress Queen Bavmorda.

Joined by his allies: swordsman Madmartigan, sorceress Fin Raziel and the Brownies Franjean and Rool, Willow takes it upon himself to protect Elora from Queen Bavmorda, who intends to kill Elora and prevent Elora from fulfilling her destiny.

Watch the trailer here:

#1. The NeverEnding Story (1984)

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The NeverEnding Story (German: Die unendliche Geschichte) is a 1984 West German epic fantasy film based on Michael Ende’s novel of the same name about a boy who reads a magical library book that tells the story of a young warrior whose task is to prevent a dark storm known as the Nothing from engulfing the fantasy world.  Wolfgang Petersen directed and co-wrote the film, which starred Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach, Moses Gunn, Thomas Hill, and Alan Oppenheimer as the voices of Falkor and Gmork. It was the most expensive film produced outside of the United States or the Soviet Union at the time of its release.

 Plot summary:

Bastian is a young boy who lives a bleak existence as a victim of school bullies. 
On one such occasion, he escapes into a bookshop, where the old proprietor shows him an ancient storybook, which he is warned is dangerous. 
Soon after, he “borrows” the book and begins reading it in the school attic, where he is drawn into the mythical land of Fantasia, which is in desperate need of a hero to save it from destruction.

Watch the trailer here: