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Robin Wright as Buttercup in "The Princess Bride." | Source: 20th Century Fox
Robin Wright as Buttercup in "The Princess Bride." | Source: 20th Century Fox

6 Movies like 'The Princess Bride' That Will Take You on a Magical Journey

Jana Stevens
Sep 07, 2023
01:15 A.M.

In classic fairy tales and timeless adventures, "The Princess Bride," a fantasy-romantic-comedy-adventure movie, stands as a beloved gem that has captured the hearts of generations. If you love it, you will love these six captivating films that share the spirit of "The Princess Bride."

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"The Princess Bride" had a decent run at the box office when it was released in 1987, grossing $30 million on its budget of $16 million. However, the fantasy, with plenty of romance, comedy, and action that appealed to all ages, became a hit on television.

Based on William Goldman's novel that is a story within a story, the family-friendly fantasy is arraigned in chapters of sorts, making it easy to tune into the feature a few minutes in, a plus point in the days before streaming.

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The story is told by a grandfather reading to his grandchild. He shares an outlandish tale of Buttercup (Robin Wright) and a farmhand (Cary Elwes) falling in love, being kept apart by circumstance, a royal engagement, and more.

The influence of the film can still be seen in modern cinema in its sword fighting scenes (Pirates of the Caribbean), the light mockery of its genres ("Shrek"), and the swooning sincere romance in Disney movies.

Although "The Princess Bride" is over three decades old, some other movies like it promise to transport you to magical realms where love conquers all and the extraordinary awaits.

'Stardust'

Narrated by Ian McKellen, the blockbuster has an all-star cast of Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, and Sienna Miller. A man (Cox) discovers that the shooting star he has been tracking is a woman (Danes) hunted for her powers.

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Together, they go on the run and encounter many fascinating characters, such as pirates, witches, and handsome princes. The source material of the fantastical movie is a Neil Gaiman novel.

The movie won five awards, including the Outstanding Film - Wide Release award at the 2008 GLAAD Media Awards, and had over ten nominations between 2007 and 2008.

'The NeverEnding Story'

Also told in the story within a story format, a young boy escapes from his difficult life where he is bullied when he unearths an enchanted book. He gets lost in the land of Fantasia, where he flies on the back of a luckdragon and meets royalty.

Though there is a sequel, the first, "The NeverEnding Story," is a self-contained tale. The magical story released in 1984 features the acting talents of Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, and Tami Stronach.

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'Inkheart'

The movie is a fantasy adventure film about a man named Mo (Brendan Fraser) who can bring fictional characters into the real world when he reads aloud. However, there's a catch: real people get trapped within the same book to replace the characters that come out.

Capricorn, a villain played by Andy Serkis, becomes released from the pages of a medieval novel called "Inkheart," and wants to destroy the world. Meggie Folchart (Eliza Bennett), who is also like her father, Mo, must stop him from taking over the world. It is one of the newer films on the list and was released in 2008.

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'Time Bandits'

From "Monty Python's" Terry Gilliam comes "Time Bandits." By chance, a boy joins a time-traveling band of thieving dwarfs. He joins them as they jump through time to loot. The adventure comedy's witty one-liners will amuse parents watching it with their kids.

Sean Connery portrays King Agamemnon opposite Shelley Duvall's Dame Pansy and a hilarious John Cleese as Robin Hood. The immersive world of the film could have spawned many sequels.

'Willow'

The George Lucas and Ron Howard film sees a farmer (Warwick Davis) on a quest to protect a baby princess from an evil queen. The mild-mannered hero comes into his own as he gathers companions on his journey in the exquisitely detailed epic.

It is wonderful to see Warwish in a movie without his usual heavy costuming and playing the hero. "Willow" was nominated for its effects and sound at the 1989 Academy Awards. It won the 1990 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Best Costmes award.

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'Robin Hood: Men in Tights'

If Cary Elwes were the best part of "The Princess Bride," his performance in the parody of the Robin Hood tale, specifically "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," would be a treat for more mature fans.

The Mel Brooks film is brimming with silly and tongue-in-cheek laughs. The supporting cast is bolstered by Richard Lewis, Roger Rees, Dave Chappelle, Isaac Hayes, and Amy Yasbeck.

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