Fantasy movies of the 1960s are a time capsule of an age of imagination that has gone on to inspire some of the best fantasy movies and performances of all time. While these films blend a variety of genres and story types, many of the most prominent fantasy movies of the decade were produced by Walt Disney Studios. Both animated and live-action films garnered great success for Disney during the ’60s, but this family-friendly fare isn’t all the decade has to offer. Darker and more adult fantasy films drew older audiences to theaters and are great projects to rewatch today.
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One of the reasons it’s so fun to look back on works of speculative fiction from the 1960s is because the filmmakers had to be so creative with the use of visual effects. These projects use miniatures and beautifully constructed practical sets and make early forays into the use of animation in live-action projects. When movie effects are practical instead of CGI, it immerses the viewer into the story’s world and creates a unique aesthetic that differentiates the film from other fantasy projects. Returning to the fantasy films of the ’60s transports the audience to another time.
10 Doctor Dolittle (1967)
Directed by Richard Fleischer
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Doctor Dolittle (1967) GComedyFantasyMusic
Director Richard Fleischer Release Date December 19, 1967 Writers Hugh Lofting , Leslie Bricusse Cast Rex Harrison , Samantha Eggar , Anthony Newley , Richard Attenborough , Peter Bull , Muriel Landers , William Dix , Geoffrey Holder , Portia Nelson , Norma Varden , Frank Baker , Edward Cast , Phyllis Coghlan , Robert Cole , Cyril Cross , Peter Crowcroft , John Dolan Character(s) Dr. John Dolittle , Emma Fairfax , Matthew Mugg , Albert Blossom , General Bellowes , Mrs. Blossom , Tommy Stubbins , William Shakespeare X , Sarah Dolittle , Lady Fetherington , Trial Spectator , Prison Guard , Courtroom Spectator , Roustabout , Charlie , Assistant Judge , Fisherman Runtime 151 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
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Rex Harrison plays the magical Doctor Dolittle in the 1967 adaptation of Hugh Lofting’s novel series. It was a complicated and cumbersome undertaking to bring the film to life, and the disappointing box office performance made for a complicated legacy for Doctor Dolittle. However, the project has a lot of heart, and the many animals the movie used to create the magical world of Dolittle. Despite the underwhelming reception, Doctor Dolittle was nominated for several Academy Awards, winning for Best Song and Best Effects.
Harrison’s performance is considered a highlight of the film, and the music is engaging for audiences of all ages.
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Doctor Dolittle has been adapted for the screen many times, and while the 1967 iteration has its issues, it’s incredibly nostalgic, especially for fans of great classic movie musicals. Harrison’s performance is considered a highlight of the film, and the music is engaging for audiences of all ages. The almost surrealist tone of Doctor Dolittle makes it stand out from the other Disney live-action projects and gives it an edge that translates well to the modern day.
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Doctor Dolittle (1967) |
29% |
57% |
9 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
Directed by Ken Hughes
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang GComedyAdventureFamilyFantasyMusical
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*Availability in US Director Ken Hughes Release Date December 17, 1968 Writers Ian Fleming , Roald Dahl , Ken Hughes , Richard Maibaum Cast Dick Van Dyke , Sally Ann Howes , Lionel Jeffries , Gert Fröbe , Anna Quayle , Benny Hill Runtime 144 minutes
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Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes have amazing chemistry in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as Caractacus Potts and Truly Scrumptious. Van Dyke cements his legacy as an iconic musical and children’s performer, playing the romantic lead and caring father with just as much believability and care. The frame story of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang allows the viewer to imagine that they could easily be carried away by a fantastical flying car and have the adventure of a lifetime.
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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is an amazing movie musical that feels straight out of a child’s imagination, but that’s not to say that the film doesn’t have some emotional depth. The Child Catcher is one of the most genuinely scary villains in any children’s movie, adding significant stakes and tension to the story. However, these moments of fear are easily outweighed by the striking visuals and technicolor dream that make Chitty Chitty Bang Bang a familiar favorite for generations of viewers.
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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) |
70% |
71% |
8 The Sword In The Stone (1963)
Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, Clyde Geronimi, & David Hand
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10/10 The Sword in the Stone GAnimationComedyFantasyMusical
Disney’s animated classic The Sword in the Stone spins a new take on the tale of King Arthur of Camelot’s origins as a humble squire named Wart who wishes to become the Once and Future King. Though many have tried and failed, Wart, with the help of the all-powerful (but bumbling) magician Merlin, will embark on a quest to pull the sword form the stone and lead his country to a prosperous future.
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*Availability in US Director Wolfgang Reitherman Release Date December 25, 1963 Studio(s) Walt Disney Productions Writers Bill Peet Cast Rickie Sorensen , Karl Swenson , Junius Matthews , Sebastian Cabot , Norman Alden , Martha Wentworth Runtime 79 Minutes Expand
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The 1960s were a transitional period for Disney animation, as the studio wasn’t yet in the era nicknamed the Disney Dark Age, a period from 1970 to 1988 (via MovieWeb). Though it was a hit at the box office, The Sword in the Stone wasn’t a critical smash the way other Disney projects had been in the past. Despite this, it’s garnered a cult following in the decades since it first premiered and is remembered for its unique style and the fact that the film took on such complex material.
The Sword in the Stone
abridges White’s book and makes the narrative more child-friendly, but the spirit of the legend of King Arthur is still present in the project.
A large part of The Sword in the Stone‘s enduring nature is due to the amazing novel it draws its story from, The Once And Future King by T.H. White. Of course, The Sword in the Stone abridges White’s book and makes the narrative more child-friendly, but the spirit of the legend of King Arthur is still present in the project. With fun songs and imaginative animation, The Sword in the Stone is easy to rewatch today, sparking enjoyment for contemporary audiences.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
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The Sword in the Stone (1963) |
66% |
73% |
Related Every King Arthur Movie, Ranked Worst To Best
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The Arthurian legend infused with magic and mysticism remains a popular choice for filmmakers to adapt, but which King Arthur movie ranks best?
7 Blackbeard’s Ghost (1968)
Directed by Robert Stevenson
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Blackbeard’s Ghost GComedyFantasyFamily
Director Robert Stevenson Release Date February 8, 1968 Writers Ben Stahl , Don DaGradi , Bill Walsh Cast Peter Ustinov , Dean Jones , Suzanne Pleshette , Elsa Lanchester , Richard Deacon , Stefanie Powers , Joby Baker , Elliott Reid , Norman Grabowski , Kelly Thordsen , Michael Conrad , Herbie Faye , George Murdock , Hank Jones , Ned Glass , Gil Lamb , Alan Carney , Ted Markland , Lou Nova , Charlie Brill , Herb Vigran , William Fawcett , Betty Bronson Character(s) Captain Blackbeard , Steve Walker , Jo Anne Baker , Emily Stowecroft , Dean Wheaton , Marian Sheeta , Silky Seymour , TV Commentator , Virgil , Motorcycle Officer , Pinetop Purvis , Croupier , Head Official , Gudger Larkin , Teller , Waiter , Bartender , Charles , Leon , Edward , Danny Oly , Mr. Ainsworth , Old Lady Runtime 106 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
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The offbeat buddy comedy Blackbeard’s Ghost isn’t as well-remembered as some of Disney’s other live-action projects of the 1960s. Worlds collide in Blackbeard’s Ghost as the mild-mannered professor, Steve Walker, inadvertently summons the ghost of the infamous pirate Edward Teach. Though Teach’s blustering manners are shocking to Walker, the pair quickly join forces to save a local inn to set Blackbeard free from his curse and bring Walker closer to his love interest, Jo Anne.
The director, Robert Stevenson, previously helmed some of the studio’s most successful live-action fantasy movies, and he brings the characteristic charm and whimsy to Blackbeard’s Ghost as he does his other works. Despite the somewhat unconventional story, Blackbeard’s Ghost uses its premise well and mines it successfully for classic comedic moments. Fun and well-performed by Peter Ustinov, Blackbeard, and Dean Jones, Walker, Blackbeard’s Ghost has plenty to recommend it. Both a pirate adventure and a morality tale, Blackbeard’s Ghost hits all its marks.
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Blackbeard’s Ghost (1968) |
82% |
71% |
6 Yellow Submarine (1968)
Directed by George Dunning
Yellow Submarine GAnimationAdventureComedy
Yellow Submarine is a Beatles film from 1968. In the animated movie, John, Paul, George and Ringo travel in a yellow submarine to Pepperland to free its people from the music-hating Blue Meanies. Yellow Submarine was one a handful of Beatles movies released during the height of the band’s popularity.
Director George Dunning , Robert Balser , Jack Stokes , Dennis Abey , Al Brodax Release Date November 13, 1968 Studio(s) Apple Films , King Features Syndicate , TVC London Writers Lee Minoff , Al Brodax , Jack Mendelsohn , Erich Segal , Roger McGough Cast Paul McCartney , George Harrison , Ringo Starr , John Lennon , Paul Angelis , John Clive , Dick Emery , Geoffrey Hughes , Lance Percival Runtime 85 Minutes Expand
Although A Hard Day’s Night was the first feature film that the seminal rock band The Beatles performed in, Yellow Submarine is by far their most memorable foray into the movie business. It uses a distinct animation style, incorporating the contemporary hits by The Beatles and weaving them into the narrative that appeals to the counter-cultural revolution of the 1960s. Like many other classic jukebox musicals, Yellow Submarine uses the words and themes of the original songs to influence the visuals and narrative arc of the film.
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Yellow Submarine
came out during a much more experimental time in The Beatles’ career, which influenced the psychedelic visuals and surreal storytelling.
Yellow Submarine came out during a much more experimental time in The Beatles’ career, which influenced the psychedelic visuals and surreal storytelling. The film is an early example of the slow transition animation has made into an art form for everyone rather than just a genre meant for younger audiences. The Blue Meanies added to this more adult atmosphere, as the antagonists are a terrifying addition to the movie. Both critical and audience reception for Yellow Submarine has propelled the project into prominence today.
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Yellow Submarine (1968) |
97% |
84% |
5 Barbarella (1968)
Directed by Roger Vadim
Barbarella pg-13Sci-FiAdventure
Barbarella is a 1968 sci-fi movie based on Jean-Claude Forest’s eponymous comic book. Jane Fonda stars as the titular space adventurer, who goes on a mission to stop the evil scientist Durand Durand in the 41st century.
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*Availability in US Director Roger Vadim Release Date October 22, 1968 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Roger Vadim Cast Jane Fonda , John Phillip Law Runtime 98minutes Expand
Barbarella has gone down in history as a classic fantasy sci-fi sex comedy that’s become beloved for its campy style and storytelling. Jane Fonda stars as the titular Barbarella, a space traveler from Earth looking for the movie’s antagonist, Durand Durand. Throughout her travels, Barbarella meets many interesting people and finds herself in tricky situations that she has to use her wits, and often sexuality, to get out of. While the gender dynamics of Barbarella are undoubtedly dated, they poke fun at the exploitation genre more than they uphold it.
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The details of the Barbarella remake starring Sydney Sweeney are still up in the air, but the project would certainly be updated considerably for modern audiences. However, there are parts of Barbarella that are too iconic to be changed, like the amazing sets and costumes that bring the source material of the comic books to life. The influence of Barbarella has spanned generations, as both sex comedies and adaptations of comics have a lot to owe to the legacy of Barbarella.
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Barbarella (1968) |
75% |
56% |
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4 Fantastic Voyage (1966)
Directed by Richard Fleischer
fantastic voyage pg-13 Sci-FiAdventure
An animated sci-fi series, Fantastic Voyage follows a secret government organization comprised of several unique individuals like a biologist, a scientist, and a man with mystical powers that are shrunk down to miniature size to fight against several threats that the world cannot see. The series is based on the 1966 film of the same name but only ran for one season in the 1960s.
Director Richard Fleischer Release Date August 24, 1966 Studio(s) 20th Century Writers Richard Fleischer Cast Raquel Welch , Stephen Boyd Runtime 100minutes Expand See at Amazon
Fantastic Voyage is set against the backdrop of the Cold War, a conflict that influenced many of the best films of the 1960s. The premise of the story is something out of a Magical School Bus special, as a team of military personnel and scientists are shrunk down to miniature size and injected into the body of a pivotal scientist, Dr. Jan Benes. They have one hour to fix the blood clot in Benes’ brain until they revert to normal size.
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While this premise is undeniably outlandish, it’s dealt with perfectly in terms of tone and style, making Fantastic Voyage a classic of fantasy and sci-fi. The time constraint, coupled with the stakes that Benes is the only person who knows how to properly expand the usage of the shrinking technology, gives the film an edge and keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. Using natural elements of the human body as the antagonist in the movie is a fun subversion and makes for memorable visuals.
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Fantastic Voyage (1966) |
92% |
68% |
3 Planet Of The Apes (1968)
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner
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6.5/10 Planet of the Apes G Sci-FiAdventure
Planet of the Apes follows astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) who awakes from suspended animation to find his ship crash-landing on a mysterious planet. He soon discovers that the planet is inhabited by talking apes, who have enslaved their native human population. As the only human with the capacity for speech, he resists the oppressive ape regime, all the while hoping that he can eventually find his way home.
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*Availability in US Director Franklin J. Schaffner Release Date April 3, 1968 Studio(s) 20th Century Writers Rod Serling , Michael Wilson Cast Kim Hunter , Charlton Heston , James Whitmore , Roddy McDowall , Maurice Evans Runtime 112 minutes Franchise(s) Planet of the Apes Expand
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Though Planet of the Apes leans into sci-fi as well as fantasy, the revolutionary work of speculative fiction rises to the top in terms of quality and influence in every niche of filmmaking. The fact that the 1968 movie was so revolutionary it inspired a long-running franchise that’s found high levels of success in the 21st century speaks to the enduring nature of the story. Charlton Heston stars as the human George Taylor, who finds himself in another world where apes have become the apex species.
Though the new
Planet of the Apes
films are more high-tech, they owe their success to the original.
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The unbelievable twist at the end of Planet of the Apes holds up as one of the most effective plot twists in sci-fi and fantasy, and the philosophical questions about what it means to be human set Planet of the Apes apart from most kitschy adventure flicks. Additionally, the quality of the sets and prosthetics used to create the apes in the film are well-made and hold up to contemporary scrutiny. Though the new Planet of the Apes films are more high-tech, they owe their success to the original.
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Planet of the Apes (1968) |
86% |
88% |
2 Jason And The Argonauts (1963)
Directed by Don Chaffey
Jason And The Argonauts (1963) GActionAdventureFantasy
Jason And The Argonauts is a 1963 fantasy adventure film directed by Don Chaffey. It follows Jason’s quest to retrieve the legendary Golden Fleece, aided by a band of heroes known as the Argonauts. Along their journey, they face various mythical creatures and challenges. The film is renowned for its groundbreaking stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen. Todd Armstrong stars as Jason, with Nancy Kovack as Medea and Gary Raymond as Acastus.
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*Availability in US Director Don Chaffey Release Date June 13, 1963 Studio(s) Morningside Productions Writers Beverley Cross , Jan Read Cast Todd Armstrong , Nancy Kovack , Honor Blackman , Gary Raymond Runtime 104 Minutes Expand
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Based on the Greek myth about the hero Jason’s adventures,Jason and the Argonauts follows the story of Jason’s quest to find the Golden Fleece and usurp the corrupt king Pelias. Starring Todd Armstrong as Jason, the film features amazing uses of animated and practical effects as Jason and his crew sail the high seas and encounter dangerous gods and monsters. Each installment of his quest sees Jason face a terrible threat but persevere in well-choreographed action sequences that thrill the audience.
Related 10 Great Fantasy Movies Based On Greek Myths
Combining Greek mythology and fantasy films often results in depictions of myths that are both visually pleasing and grand in their storytelling.
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The iconic scene when the characters fight the stop-motion skeletons was a hallmark moment in fantasy filmmaking. Unfortunately, this moment wasn’t enough to help Jason and the Argonauts make a splash at the box office, but time has been kind to the movie’s legacy. Though the monsters aren’t the most realistic, this isn’t the point of a fantasy film like Jason and the Argonauts. While modern adaptations of Greek myths might have more advanced effects, Jason and the Argonauts captures the spirit of its hero with ease.
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Jason and the Argonauts (1963) |
89% |
79% |
1 Mary Poppins (1964)
Directed by Robert Stevenson
Mary Poppins GMusicalComedyFantasyFamily
Based on the classic book series by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins stars Julie Andrews as the famous magical nanny, who arrives under mysterious means to look after the Banks children in early 1900s London. Considered one of Walt Disney’s crowning achievements, the film blends live-action and animation with whimsical storytelling and song and has been a staple children’s movie since its release in 1964.
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*Availability in US Director Robert Stevenson Release Date June 18, 1965 Studio(s) Disney Writers Don DaGradi , Bill Walsh Cast Karen Dotrice , Glynis Johns , Dick Van Dyke , David Tomlinson , Julie Andrews , Matthew Garber Runtime 139 minutes Expand
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Easily one of Julie Andrews’ best movies and best performances, the magic of the 1964 Mary Poppins could never be recreated. Based on the book series about the magical nanny herself, Mary Poppins updated the story and made it a good deal more whimsical and joyous than the novels, establishing the version of Mary Poppins that most modern audiences associate with the character. Though the film received a sequel in 2018 as Mary Poppins Returns, this project failed to live up to the high bar set by the original movie.
Blending animation and live-action, Mary Poppins was well ahead of its time and perfectly balanced the emotional realism of the story with the escapist fantasy elements. A massive critical and commercial success, Mary Poppins swept during awards season and is still considered a classic by many modern audience members. From the beautifully performed songs to the genuinely moving story, there’s little about Mary Poppins that doesn’t hold up well today.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Mary Poppins (1964) |
97% |
86% |
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