Everyone Talks About Lord of the Rings, But a Perfect Fantasy Movie Came 14 Years Earlier

When fans discuss the greatest fantasy movies ever made, Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies frequently dominate conversation. The acclaimed trilogy transformed the genre, proving that fantasy movies could deliver blockbuster spectacle while still impressing audiences with emotional depth, rich world-building, and excellent performances. It’s been over two decades since The Fellowship of the Ring released in cinemas, but Middle-earth still remains the gold standard of world-building.

The Lord of the Rings’ stellar reputation is entirely deserved. J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterful world-building and epic, sweeping story continue to influence the genre today. More than a decade ago, however, a different fantasy movie was released. It isn’t at all similar to The Lord of the Rings, except for the fact that both are fantasy stories, but it was perfectly constructed with a complete, streamlined story that managed to balance just as much humor, action, romance, and emotion. So, although people often cite The Lord of the Rings as ‘the’ flawless fantasy, they should also be talking about The Princess Bride.

Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Movies Are Nothing Short of Excellent

The Lord of the Rings follows Frodo Baggins as he embarks on the dangerous journey to Mordor to destroy the One Ring before the Dark Lord Sauron can reclaim it. With iconic characters like Gandalf, Aragorn, Samwise Gamgee, and Legolas, the trilogy builds one of cinema’s richest fictional worlds, blending breathtaking landscapes, impressive practical effects, and deep lore. Even casual fans can appreciate that Middle-earth carries the weight of thousands of years of history that extends far beyond what unfolds on screen.

The Lord of the Rings’ epic scope cemented the trilogy as an extraordinary achievement in the fantasy genre, but it was no easy task. Adapting Tolkien’s vast mythology required difficult decisions about what to include, what to leave out, and what to streamline for the sake of cinematic pacing. As a result, some character arcs and narrative threads are condensed on screen: Faramir’s temptation by the Ring is resolved far quicker than it is in Tolkien’s books, Denethor’s descent into despair escalates with limited time, and Sauron’s ultimate fate was cut short in the theatrical cut. Even Frodo and Sam’s journey to Mordor, one of the most important emotional storylines, moves through intense phases of development because it was so compressed.

These don’t hold The Lord of the Rings back, but they do reflect the structural limits of condensing Tolkien’s multi-layered narrative. Major payoffs such as the Paths of the Dead arriving at the Pelennor Fields, or Aragorn’s transformation from ranger to king, are still handled well, but the films simply couldn’t include everything Tolkien built. As a completely different fantasy tale, The Princess Bride faces no such dilemma. The movie doesn’t have to juggle dozens of characters, multiple kingdoms, and thousands of years of mythology, so it can commit to telling one complete fairytale with remarkable precision.

The Princess Bride Deserves As Much Praise As The Lord of the Rings, Even Though the Two Are So Different

Released in 1987, 14 years before The Lord of the Rings, The Princess Bride adapts William Goldman’s beloved novel and follows Westley, a farmhand-turned-pirate who sets out to rescue Buttercup from an unwanted arranged marriage. Along the way, audiences meet Inigo Montoya, whose quest for revenge has become one of the most iconic character arcs in history, the lovable giant Fezzik, the scheming Vizzini, and other memorable supporting characters. In just under 100 minutes, Rob Reiner delivers a fantasy adventure that effortlessly blends romance, action, comedy, sword-fighting, and genuine emotional stakes without ever letting any one element overwhelm another.

Thanks to this seamless combination, The Princess Bride is perfect. Every scene develops the story, advances its characters, or delivers yet another quotable line. The Cliffs of Insanity introduce Westley, Inigo, Fezzik, and Vizzini while showcasing The Princess Bride’s wit, action, and character dynamics in quick succession, while The Fire Swamp combines inventive fantasy creatures with humor and danger without interrupting the film’s pace. Rather than building enormous mythology, The Princess Bride focuses on telling one complete story with no wasted moments. The Lord of the Rings viewers will always admire the scale of Middle-earth, while The Princess Bride favors a more tightly-edited and constructed watch. Both are excellent in different ways, and both boast exceptional performances.

The Lord of the Rings will always be a defining epic, and very few fantasy movies can match its ambition or influence. However, The Princess Bride’s razor-sharp screenplay, which turns even the smallest moments into enduring character beats, deserves just as much praise. Peter Jackson’s trilogy prioritizes breadth and scale across intersecting storylines, and while The Princess Bride doesn’t possess that epic feel, its precision allows every scene to serve multiple functions at once. It creates a sense of complete storytelling that is entirely untouched by excess, and that’s exactly why it’s perfect.

Created by

J. R. R. Tolkien

Where to watch

HBO Max

Movie(s)

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Video Game(s)

The Lord of the Rings Online (dupe), LEGO Lord of the Rings, The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, The Lord Of The Rings: Battle For Middle-Earth

The Lord of the Rings is one of the most iconic names in entertainment. The franchise started with novels from J. R. R. Tolkien before being adapted onto the big screen by Peter Jackson in one of the most critically-acclaimed film trilogies of all time. There have also been numerous The Lord of the Rings video games of varying quality.