Best Fantasy Film (1975-1999) episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 14, 2025 · 49 MIN

Best Fantasy Film (1975-1999)

from Great Pop Culture Debate

While fantasy films have existed almost as long as cinema, the genre cast a particularly potent spell on the movies of the 1970s and especially the 1980s. Studios needed new horizons for adventure films, and bigger budgets led to awe-inspiring tales of warriors and wizards, magic and dragons. Fans of high fantasy films were awash in epic tales in the last quarter of the 20th Century. So strap on your shield and sandals as the Great Pop Culture Debate begins its quest to name the Best Fantasy Film from 1975 to 1999. Movies discussed: The NeverEnding Story, Ladyhawke, The Princess Bride, The Hobbit, Legend, Masters of the Universe, The Last Unicorn, Labyrinth, Willow, The Beastmaster, The Black Cauldron, Conan the Destroyer, Clash of the Titans, Army of Darkness, Excalibur, The Dark Crystal Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Bob Erlenback, Kevin Dillon, and Michael Schwarz as they discuss 16 of the most fantastical movies from the end of the 20th Century. Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours! For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss even more fantasy films we love that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today. Looking for more reasons to become a Patreon supporter? Check out our Top 10 Patreon Perks. Want to watch the episode instead? As of Season 12, we now have full video episodes up on YouTube. Subscribe to our channel for even more original, exclusive episodes! Want to play along at home? Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours! Sign up for our weekly newsletter! Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox! Vote in more pop culture polls! Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates! Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next. Episode Credits Host: Eric Rezsnyak Panelists: Bob Erlenback, Kevin Dillon, Michael Schwarz Producer: Derek Mekita Editor: Bob Erlenback Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch #film #movies #fantasy #fantasyfilms #80smovies #1980s #80sfilms #highfantasy #thehobbit #labyrinth #neverendingstory #thebeastmaster #conan #conanthedestroyer #thelastunicorn #legend #excalibur #mastersoftheuniverse #clashofthetitans #theblackcauldron #thedarkcrystal #willow #theprincessbrideSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While fantasy films have existed almost as long as cinema, the genre cast a particularly potent spell on the movies of the 1970s and especially the 1980s. Studios needed new horizons for adventure films, and bigger budgets led to awe-inspiring tales of warriors and wizards, magic and dragons. Fans of high fantasy films were awash in epic tales in the last quarter of the 20th Century. So strap on your shield and sandals as the Great Pop Culture Debate begins its quest to name the Best Fantasy Film from 1975 to 1999. Movies discussed: The NeverEnding Story, Ladyhawke, The Princess Bride, The Hobbit, Legend, Masters of the Universe, The Last Unicorn, Labyrinth, Willow, The Beastmaster, The Black Cauldron, Conan the Destroyer, Clash of the Titans, Army of Darkness, Excalibur, The Dark Crystal Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Bob Erlenback, Kevin Dillon, and Michael Schwarz as they discuss 16 of the most fantastical movies from the end of the 20th Century. Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours! For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss even more fantasy films we love that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today. Looking for more reasons to become a Patreon supporter? Check out our Top 10 Patreon Perks. Want to watch the episode instead? As of Season 12, we now have full video episodes up on YouTube. Subscribe to our channel for even more original, exclusive episodes! Want to play along at home? Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours! Sign up for our weekly newsletter! Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox! Vote in more pop culture polls! Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates! Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next. Episode Credits Host: Eric Rezsnyak Panelists: Bob Erlenback, Kevin Dillon, Michael Schwarz Producer: Derek Mekita Editor: Bob Erlenback Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch #film #movies #fantasy #fantasyfilms #80smovies #1980s #80sfilms #highfantasy #thehobbit #labyrinth #neverendingstory #thebeastmaster #conan #conanthedestroyer #thelastunicorn #legend #excalibur #mastersoftheuniverse #clashofthetitans #theblackcauldron #thedarkcrystal #willow #theprincessbride See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Best Fantasy Film (1975-1999)

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This episode was published on October 14, 2025.

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While fantasy films have existed almost as long as cinema, the genre cast a particularly potent spell on the movies of the 1970s and especially the 1980s. Studios needed new horizons for adventure films, and bigger budgets led to awe-inspiring tales...

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