Wolfgang Petersen's The Neverending Story was the German director's first English-language work and went on to become one of the most beloved yet underrated fantasy movies in the history of the genre. At the time, it was the most expensive movie made outside the US or the USSR and was a commercial success, which was a significant achievement.
Unfortunately, the two sequels that followed couldn't capture the magic that the original had. Nevertheless, there are some similar magical fantasy movies to check out after watching The Neverending Story - and these movies won't disappoint.
Hook (1991) - Available On Netflix & USA Network
Steven Spielberg's Hook has a troubled history: it received mixed reviews and underperformed at the office, while Spielberg himself seemed to be disappointed with his work later on. And yet, the movie has developed a cult following since then and is still an incredibly enjoyable watch, both due to its magical fantasy elements and the performances of the lead actors.
Instead of focusing on a young Peter Pan, the movie depicts an adult Peter who completely forgot about his past. He now lives in the real world under the name of Peter Banning, works as a lawyer, and has a wife and two children. But suddenly, Captain Hook kidnaps the kids, which forces Peter to return to Neverland and remember his childhood.
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (2005) - Available On Disney+
Adapted from the iconic fantasy book series, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and its two sequels are beautiful magical fantasies, with the first movie particularly capturing the wonder of what it would be like to visit Narnia.
The story follows four British siblings who are evacuated from London to the countryside during WWII. The four take refuge in a professor's country home and discover that a magical wardrobe in one of the rooms leads to a different world known as Narnia.
Jumanji (1995) - Available On DirecTV, Sling TV, FuboTV, & Freeform
Starring the amazing Robin Williams and even a young Kirsten Dunst, Jumanji is a classic 1990s magical fantasy movie beloved by kids and adults alike. Though its visual effects look outdated by today's standards, it is still a fun watch. Moreover, there is a spin-off and two sequels to check out after the original.
In the movie, Jumanji is a supernatural board game which makes various challenges from the game real and inflicts them upon the players. Two siblings play the game and release a man who was trapped in it as a kid, but they now have to finish the game to escape its influence.
Bridge To Terabithia (2007) - Available To Buy From Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes, DirecTV, YouTube, & Vudu
Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking magical fantasy movies ever made, The Bridge to Terabithia starts off as a seemingly fun movie, but it gradually starts covering more serious and mature topics, which is why it has been so acclaimed.
Adapted from the novel of the same name, it follows two 12-year-old kids who become neighbors and eventually friends after bonding over being bullied at school. The two like playing in the woods and pretending that they are the rulers of a fictional world known as Terabithia.
The Dark Crystal (1982) - Available On DirecTV, FuboTV, & Starz
Often considered to be a dark fantasy movie, The Dark Crystal has many elements of the magical fantasy genre and has become a cult classic over the years. Interestingly, the movie was puppet-animated and the animatronics used in it were considered groundbreaking for their time.
The story follows the Gelfling named Jen, who embarks on a quest to overthrow the ruling Skeksis by finding the artifact known as the Crystal. By doing so, Jen seeks to restore balance in the world.
Labyrinth (1986) - Available On HBO Max
One of David Bowie's most well-known roles, Labyrinth was actually a collaboration between the two creators who made The Dark Crystal (director Jim Henson and concept artist Brian Froud), which is why the two movies are so similar in tone and style.
The story follows a 16-year-old girl named Sarah, whose infant brother was taken by the evil Goblin King. Now, Sarah has to reach the center of the magical labyrinth that the Goblin King resides over in order to save her brother.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - Available On Sling TV
Much like The Chronicles of Narnia series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and its subsequent sequels are a magical fantasy franchise known to pretty much everyone. With its lead characters played by such actors as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint and its beautiful depiction of the Wizarding World, it was an inevitable critical and commercial success.
Adapted from the first book of the Harry Potter series, it follows the 11-year-old Harry Potter, who discovers that he is a wizard and is sent to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But not all is well and Harry must now solve numerous mysteries with his newfound friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971) - Available To Buy From Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes, DirecTV, YouTube, & Vudu
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is probably the best Roald Dahl adaptation to date with its magical fantasy story, outstanding performance by Gene Wilder, memorable songs, and near-perfect execution.
The story follows a poor kid named Charlie Bucket who finds a Golden Ticket in a chocolate bar. The Ticket lets Charlie visit Willy Wonka's renowned chocolate factory, which has been closed to visitors for many years.
The Wizard Of Oz (1939) - Available On HBO Max, DirecTV, TNT, & TBS
The musical magical fantasy movie, The Wizard of Oz, has been a classic for many decades now and will likely continue being watched and praised for many years in the future. Everything from its performances and the music to its special effects and makeup is done on an absolutely different level, which is why the movie is still so beloved today.
Based on the classic children's fantasy novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, it follows a girl named Dorothy whose house gets carried from Kansas by a tornado and dropped in the magical land of Oz. Dorothy befriends many unusual beings and goes on a journey to find her way back home.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006) - Available On Netflix
Like some previous movies on this list, Pan's Labyrinth likes using elements of dark fantasy and magical fantasy to create a unique experience with its incredibly realistic practical effects and strong direction from the masterful Guillermo del Toro.
Set during the summer of 1944 sometime after the Spanish Civil War, it follows a young girl named Ofelia, who lives with her pregnant mother and strict stepfather. Ofelia discovers a mysterious labyrinth where she meets the mythical faun that lives there.