Most Classic Adventure And Fantasy Hard to Find Movies To Watch Repeatedly

Movies have been a part of our life as early as the 1888s. The first world’s earliest surviving motion-picture film of measly 2.11 seconds long shot of a horse galloping, titled “Roundhay Garden Scene”. It was a testament to the possibility of capturing motion and playback at later stages. Nearly three decades later, ‘ Don Juan (1926), became the first major motion picture to premiere with a full-length synchronized soundtrack. Some movies hold a special place in your heart owing to the gripping story while others become evergreen as they teleport you to a unique world every time. However, with time, certain movies fade into oblivion and only remain in the memories of their patrons. 

Here are 10 such rare and exclusive adventure and fantasy hard to find movies that you can watch repeatedly:

Sammy Going South

Also known as ‘A Boy Ten Feet Tall’, Sammy going south is a British adventure movie released in 1962. It is based on a novel 1961 novel by W. H. Canaway and is the story of 10 year Sammy Hartland. When Sammy becomes an orphan during the Suez Crisis bombing, he sets out to reach his only living relative, an aunt who lives in Durban. The entire movie revolves around the adventures Sammy has on his 5000 miles journey and his encounters with a gruff old hunter/diamond smuggler, Cocky Wainwright. Sammy Going South has an IMDb rating of 7.0 and is the answer to a lazy Saturday afternoon movie choice.

By the Sword

An action movie with a gripping storyline, ‘By the Sword’ is a 1991 movie about the nuances of fencing. Maestro Villard is the head of a fencing academy and Maximillian Suba is a mysterious fellow who gets a janitorial job in the academy. As the movie progresses, Suba’s past unfolds and you learn about a past connection between Suba and Villiard. When challenged in a fencing bout, Suba’s expertise in fencing is revealed and this fight is much more than a fencing bout – it’s a fight to the death. With a strong cast of experienced actors such as Eric Roberts, Mia Sara, F. Murray Abraham, ‘By the Sword’ has an IMDb rating of 6.5.

Thief of Baghdad

There have been multiple instances of ‘Thief of Baghdad’ with each director trying their own interpretation of the story. However, the one released in 1961 directed by Arthur Lubin is an interesting take on the story of Karim, the Thief of Baghdad. The story follows Karim as he enters the palace to steal jewels and ends up in Princess Amina’s quarters while fleeing the guards. The princess mistakes him to be Prince Osman, who was due to arrive to ask for her hand for marriage. Soon, both profess their love for each other but unfortunately Karim, while climbing down into a courtyard, lands in between a group of slaves condemned to slave in the desert mills. Osman, in an effort to woo the princess and usurp the throne, gives a potion to the princess. Unfortunately, the princess instead falls fatally ill and only a blue rose from someone who truly loves her and vice versa. The rest of the movie is about how Karim escapes from the mill and joins in the search for the blue rose. The movie has an IMDb rating of 6.4.

Run

A star-studded action and adventure movies of 1991, ‘Run’ is surely a masterpiece that you can watch repeatedly. Starring Patrick Dempsey and Kelly Preston, the plot of the movie revolves around how Charlie, a law student is on the run from the mob and the police after he is wrongly accused of killing the son of a mob boss, Matt in a fight. He is relentlessly pursued by the mob and the police and ends with Charlie and Matt face to face. A gripping movie with a renowned star cast, the ‘Run’ has an IMDb rating of 6.2.

Savage Islands (a.k.a Nate and Hayes)

Savage Islands (a.k.a Nate and Hayes) is a swashbuckling adventure of 1983 starring Tommy Lee Jones and Michael O’Keefe. Missionary Nathaniel “Nate” Williamson is taken to an island along with his fiancee Sophie for an island mission. Their ship is captained by William “Bully” Hayes and he becomes a part of the love triangle when he also falls for Sophie. When slave trader Ben Pease kidnaps Sophie, both Nate and Hayes team up to find her. It’s a worthwhile movie for some classic swashbuckling action mixed in with a classic love triangle formula. The movie has an IMDb rating of 6.2.

Crossed Swords

Il Maestro di Don Giovanni (“The Teacher of Don Juan”) is an Italian movie released in the US as Crossed Swords in 1954. The movie revolves around the two central characters, Renzo and Raniero, who return back to Sidona after a two-year absence. They uncover a ploy the antagonist to drive Renzo out of Sidona and to take over Sidona and surrounding areas as well. Using the help of a former lover of Renzo, the protagonists manage to thwart the plan and come out successful. The movie has an IMDb rating of 6.0.

Duel of the Titans

A periodic drama set pre-Roman Italy, the ‘Duel of the Titans’ is a classic adventure movie released in 1961. The movie is based on the legend of Remus and Romulus. The two brothers were born out of a union of a God and a mortal. After 20 years, the brothers are reunited with their birth mother, who prophecizes that they are destined to be the founders of a great city, before dying. The rest of the movie is about how the prophecy along with a minor misunderstanding leads to a rift between the two brothers and ultimately their demise. The movie is rated 5.9 in IMDb.

The Moonraker (1958)

A British swashbuckling movie released in 1958, the ‘Moonraker’ is set in the English Civil War era. After the execution of Charles I, General Oliver Cromwell aims to capture Charles Stuart, the son of the executed to become the ruler. However, a Royalist hero nicknamed ‘The Moonraker’ prepares to smuggle him to France under the watchful eyes of Cromwell’s soldiers. Over the course of the story, it is revealed that Moonraker is the Earl of Dawlish, who leads a double life. The Moonraker has an IMDb rating of 5.9.

Return of the Musketeers

The musketeers were immortalized by Alexander Dumas and the ‘Return of the Musketeers’ is a movie retelling one of their adventures. It is safe to state that any of the Musketeer movies never have any dull moments and this movie stays on the premise. Twenty years after the events of Four Musketeers, D’Artagnan teams up with Arthos, Porthos, and Aramis for another mission. Daughter of Milady, Justine has been constantly clashing with the musketeers and the movie plot revolves around the same. It is a worthy suggestion for fans of the Musketeers and new to the series as well. The movie has an IMDb rating of 5.9

Race for the Yankee Zephyr

Also called the “Treasure of the Yankee Zephyr”, it is an edge-of-the-seat action-adventure movie released in 1981. Gibbie Gibson discovered plane wreckage in the mountains of New Zealand while deer hunting. He believes it was carrying a cache of gold. However, to get his hands on the submerged gold, he has to outrun a group of treasure hunters led by Mister Theo Brown. He partners with his pilot colleague, Gilbert Carson, and his daughter Sally Carson for his race to find the wreckage first. The movie has an IMDb rating of 5.7.

Wrapping Up

For an avid movie buff, opinions may be different and this list may not even barely scratch the surface. However, these are some of the greatest adventure & action classic movies that you can watch repeatedly.