If The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance sent you looking for more imaginative worlds, strange creatures and unlikely heroes, these eight films from 1982–1988 make a strong next watchlist. The closest match is The Dark Crystal itself; Labyrinth shares a creative link through designer Brian Froud, while the rest range from puppet-filled quests to animation and darker live-action fantasy.
How to choose your next 1980s fantasy
These films are an editorial selection, not an objective ranking of the decade’s best or only fantasy films. They differ in what they offer: some foreground puppets and practical creatures, others lean on animation, visual design, comedy or peril. Cheryl Eddy’s 2019 Gizmodo roundup arranged them from eight to one; the order below follows that list, while the guide highlights what each might offer a viewer drawn to Age of Resistance.
![The Dark Crystal - Limited Edition Collector's Set 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41a9u8UVJbL._SL160_.jpg)
![The Dark Crystal [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61DoJDjkZRL._SL160_.jpg)
| Film | Best fit if you want | Creature or style angle |
|---|---|---|
| The NeverEnding Story (1984) | A wonder-filled story with a sadder edge | Memorable puppet creatures |
| Willow (1988) | A broad, lively quest | Magical creatures, sorcery and action |
| The Princess Bride (1987) | Fantasy with comedy and quotable lines | Live-action adventure |
| Legend (1985) | Dark visual fantasy and a theatrical villain | Live-action, sometimes campy fantasy |
| The Secret of NIMH (1982) | A perilous, emotional story in animation | Animated animal characters |
| Return to Oz (1985) | A more unsettling return to a familiar world | Dark fantasy with puppet characters |
| Labyrinth (1986) | Puppets, design and a direct creative connection | Jim Henson fantasy with Brian Froud designs |
| The Dark Crystal (1982) | The closest continuation of the prequel’s world | Puppet-centered world-building |
Eight films to try
1. The NeverEnding Story (1984): wonder with a shadow
A lonely child reaches Fantasia through reading, and the film sets its imaginative creatures against a current of sadness. Falkor, Gmork and Rock Biter are among the figures that make it especially appealing to viewers who want memorable nonhuman characters. Its practical effects may feel less slick by modern standards, but the creatures remain compelling.
2. Willow (1988): a quest with a little of everything
Warwick Davis plays an unlikely magician drawn into a mission to protect a baby with a consequential destiny. The adventure mixes magical creatures, action, romance, comedy and sorcery, giving it a broader, more playful feel than a grim fantasy. The story credit goes to George Lucas, and Lucasfilm contributed effects work.
#1 Best Overall
- Number of Discs: 2
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 93
- Rating: PG
- Director: Frank Oz^Jim Henson
3. The Princess Bride (1987): the witty crowd-pleaser
Rob Reiner directed this adaptation of William Goldman’s novel. It brings comedy and adventure to fantasy, with the quotable quality that has made it a familiar genre favorite. It is the choice here for viewers who want an imaginative tale without making puppets or eerie atmosphere the main attraction.
4. Legend (1985): dark scenery and a grand villain
Ridley Scott’s fantasy pairs Tom Cruise as a forest-dwelling young man with Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness. The film’s appeal is its dark visual world and Curry’s theatrical antagonist; its tone can also tip into camp. It offers a different route into 1980s fantasy than The Dark Crystal’s puppet-centered craft.
5. The Secret of NIMH (1982): an animated story of danger and resolve
Don Bluth’s animated adaptation follows a widowed field mouse trying to protect her children, with help from intelligent rats and other creatures. Its peril and emotional stakes make it a useful change of pace from live-action fantasy and puppet characters. Choose it when you want a vividly imagined world in animation rather than a quest staged with actors and puppets.
6. Return to Oz (1985): a damaged, unsettling Oz
Walter Murch’s film takes a darker path back to Oz, drawing on L. Frank Baum’s books rather than simply returning to the tone of the 1939 movie. Dorothy finds a damaged world and allies that include puppet characters. It is the pick for viewers curious about fantasy that makes a familiar setting feel strange and perilous again.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
7. Labyrinth (1986): puppets and a shared design lineage
Jim Henson directed this fantasy, with George Lucas as executive producer and Brian Froud responsible for conceptual designs. Froud’s work on both Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal gives the films a particularly useful creative connection for fans of the series. The puppet characters and production design are central attractions, alongside Jennifer Connelly as Sarah and David Bowie as Jareth.
8. The Dark Crystal (1982): return to the source world
If you have not revisited the original since watching Age of Resistance, start here. The film’s world-building and puppets make it the most direct match on this list. Its creatures may look less polished than those in the later series, but Cheryl Eddy described them as “eerie and expressive” in her 2019 Gizmodo roundup. It is a chance to see the world that the prequel expands, rather than a separate substitute for it.
Rank #4
Which film is closest to Age of Resistance?
For the most direct franchise connection, watch The Dark Crystal (1982). For another Henson-and-Froud fantasy with puppets and distinctive design, choose Labyrinth. If what you want is less about shared creative lineage and more about atmosphere, Return to Oz and The NeverEnding Story offer unsettling or sorrowful edges; Willow and The Princess Bride move toward a lighter, more playful adventure.
This is a viewing guide, not a current availability list: the 2019 roundup’s release-day context does not establish where any title streams today. Check the services or libraries available in your region for current options.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
