Autumn’s hit at a breakneck pace this year, and I couldn’t be more excited. With the Mission Ren Faire on the horizon as I write this — struck by the first crisp days of September — I long to be cozied up by the fire with stories and cider. To binge the classic fantasy media of my past as fall descends and get myself in the right state of mind for costumes, lore, and questionable purchases.
So if, like me, you’re eager to discard the misery of summer and be brought a step or two closer to the world of early-2000’s fantasy nostalgia, this is the media care package for you!
The Last Unicorn (1982)
There are so many works of 80s and 90s fantasy that absolutely deserve a spot on this list — like Labyrinth (1986), The Dark Crystal (1982), The NeverEnding Story (1984) — but I told myself I was going to try and stick to early-2000’s media. Still, if there were ever a film to make an exception for, it would be The Last Unicorn.
This 1982 animated adaptation of Peter S. Beagle’s novel comforted me when I was sick, delighted me when I was down, and lit the way when nights felt long and scary. In terms of animated fantasy nostalgia, it’s right up there alongside Studio Ghibli for me. And if you’re unfamiliar with it, congratulations, you have homework now.
Stardust (2007)
I know what I said BUT, speaking of 80s fantasy, how could we forget about The Princess Bride (1987)?! Though perhaps more importantly to this list, its spiritual successor: Stardust! Ever heard of it? Oh man, this thing is star-studded, vibrant, and nostalgic (even upon first viewing). It’s an adaptation of a Neil Gaiman work — who isn’t exactly in public favour as of late, deservedly so — but the cast and crew bring so much life to it that the film feels quintessential early-2000s fantasy. So IMO, it’s mandatory viewing.
Eragon (2006)
OKAY LISTEN. Is it a horrible adaptation of The Inheritance Cycle (2002-)? Without question. But as a movie on its own, you can pry it out of my cold, dead hands. Jeremy Irons as Brom??? Eat shit — he’s perfect.
There may be a new adaptation in the works, with much closer collaboration from Christopher Paolini, but Eragon is one of those stories that (no matter the format) cannot help but win me over. My teenage heart still yearns to ride a dragon and do magic that’s basically just repackaged science.
Give this movie a second try and THEN go read the books again, because surprise surprise, 15 years later I’ve learned Paolini is still writing and releasing them???
BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012)
Don’t get me wrong, the 1998 mini series of the same name (with Sam Neill) is GREAT. Excalibur (1981) is fucking fantastic. But Merlin just hit at the right time for me. Sure, there’s Arthurian fantasy out there that does a much better job. But if you ignore the whispering words of Thomas Malory in your ear, the mid-2000s version starring Colin Morgan (Merlin), Anthony Head (Uther), Katie McGrath (Morgana), etc, is a brilliant romp through Camelot.
Ignoring my youthful preoccupation with Merlin/Arthur fanfiction, the procedural villain-of-the-week format is still beloved to me, and it provides nostalgia right up there with Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003), Charmed (1998-2006), Supernatural (2005-2020) (the early seasons anyway), and — well, you get the idea. WATCH IT!
The 10th Kingdom (2000)
Speaking of TV mini series, why does no one talk about The 10th Kingdom? I’ve seen this thing a hundred times, and though it’s technically a mini series, I fully recommend sitting down and watching it as one long, epic movie. It’s a retelling of the fairy tales you know and love, but with a modern-day twist, and it’s awesome. It’s everything the later series Once Upon A Time (2011-2018) (also great) wanted to be and more.
Maybe it’s niche, but it’s right up there with the slightly more Christmas-y Snow Queen (2002), another mini series that’s in regular rotation for me. Actually, go watch them both. Get cultured. It’s good for you.
The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
I fear I’d be a poser if I didn’t include at LEAST Fellowship (2001). I mean, what is there to say? Tolkien’s work synthesized by Peter Jackson onto the silver screen — it’s foundational to everything that’s come after, especially my childhood brain formation and D&D-loving youth. Granted, there’s The Hobbit (2012-2014) movies, there’s Rings of Power (2022-), and The Hunt for Gollum (2027) coming out, but man, nothing has ever felt quite like the original trilogy, and I fear nothing really will again.
Well… there is one particular television program that nearly had the same staying power, but for certain finale-related-reasons the title simply escapes me.
