Category: Fantasy

Freaky Friday

Freaky Friday on VHS. Movie starring Barbara Harris, Jodie Foster, John Astin, Dick Van Patten, Kaye Ballard, Ruth Buzzi. Directed by Gary Nelson. 1976.

Freaky Friday on VHS. Movie starring Barbara Harris, Jodie Foster, John Astin, Dick Van Patten, Kaye Ballard, Ruth Buzzi. Directed by Gary Nelson. 1976.

From the VHS box cover:

It could only happen on Friday the 13th! That’s when the tomboyish Annabel (award winning actress Jodie Foster) switches bodies with her mother, Ellen — and suddenly finds herself responsible for running the household! And Ellen, now in her daughter’s body, faces the challenges of school, including a typing test, field-hockey practice and more!



The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas on VHS video. Starring Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page. Written and produced by Tim Burton. Directed by Henry Selick.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas on VHS video. Starring Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page. Written and produced by Tim Burton. Directed by Henry Selick.

From the VHS clamshell case:

Enter an extraordinary world filled with magic and wonder — where every holiday has its own special land… and imaginative one-of-a-kind characters!

The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the heartfelt tale of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town and all things that go bump in the night. Bored with the same old tricks and treats, he yearns for something more, and soon stumbles upon the glorious magic of Christmas Town! Jack decides to bring this joyful holiday back to Halloween Town. But as his dream to fill Santa’s shoes unravels, it’s up to Sally, the rag doll who loves him, to stitch things back together.

This critically acclaimed movie milestone captured the heart and imagination of audiences everywhere with its Academy Award-nominated stop-motion effects, engaging Grammy-nominated music, and the genius of Tim Burton. The Nightmare Before Christmas — a delightful treat the whole family will enjoy!

DVD upgrade: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Watch now (Amazon Instant Video): Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

Bring the Nightmare home (and display it on the shelf): Tim Burton’s the Nightmare Before Christmas Trading Figure Series 1 Set of 6




Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on VHS video. Starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Alan Howard, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, Cameron Rhodes, Sarah McLeod, Christopher Lee, Cate Blanchett, Sala Baker. Directed by Peter Jackson. From the book by J.R.R. Tolkien. 2001.

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on VHS video. Starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Alan Howard, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, Cameron Rhodes, Sarah McLeod, Christopher Lee, Cate Blanchett, Sala Baker. Directed by Peter Jackson. From the book by J.R.R. Tolkien. 2001.

From the VHS box:

With the help of a courageous fellowship of friends and allies, Frodo embarks on a perilous mission to destroy the legendary One Ring. Hunting Frodo are servants of the Dark Lord, Sauron, the Ring’s evil creator. If Sauron reclaims the Ring, Middle-earth is doomed.

DVD upgrade: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Two-Disc Widescreen Theatrical Edition)



Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on VHS. Starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen. With Christopher Lee, Brad Dourif, Sean Astin, Bruce Allpress, Andy Serkis. Directed by Peter Jackson. 2002.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on VHS. Starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen. With Christopher Lee, Brad Dourif, Sean Astin, Bruce Allpress, Andy Serkis. Directed by Peter Jackson. 2002.

From the VHS box:

The Fellowship has broken, but the quest to destroy the One Ring continues. Frodo and Sam must entrust their lives to Gollum if they are to find their way to Mordor. As Saruman’s army approaches, the surviving members of The Fellowship, along with people and creatures from Middle-earth, prepare for battle. The War of the Ring has begun.

DVD upgrade: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Widescreen Edition) (2002)



Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on VHS. Starring Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Andy Serkis. With Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Dominic Monaghan, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, John Noble, Miranda Otto, David Wenham. Directed by Peter Jackson. 2003.

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on VHS. Starring Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Andy Serkis. With Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Dominic Monaghan, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, John Noble, Miranda Otto, David Wenham. Directed by Peter Jackson. 2003.

From the VHS box:

The final battle for Middle-earth begins. Frodo and Sam, led by Gollum, continue their dangerous mission toward the fires of Mount Doom in order to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn struggles to fulfill his legacy as he leads his outnumbered followers against the growing power of the Dark Lord Sauron, so that the Ring-bearer may complete his quest.

DVD upgrade: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Two-Disc Widescreen Theatrical Edition)



Warlock: The Armageddon

Warlock: The Armageddon on VHS. Horror fantasy movie starring Julian Sands, Chris Young, Paula Marshall. Directed by Anthony Hickox. 1993.

Warlock: The Armageddon on VHS. Starring Julian Sands, Chris Young, Paula Marshall. Directed by Anthony Hickox. 1993.

From the VHS box:

When he comes… all Hell breaks loose.

He’s back and meaner than ever! Satan’s only son, the “Warlock,” is plotting even greater mayhem in this spine-tingling, pulse pounding shocker! The Warlock’s single goal is to free his father from the fiery chains that imprison him and unleash Satan’s wrath upon the world. The only ones who can prevent complete world destruction are two warriors who alone possess the supernatural powers to challenge the Warlock… and stop the inevitable Armageddon. they must outsmart and defeat the Warlock before the prophesied eclipse, sending Satan and his son back to Hell.

DVD upgrade: Warlock: The Armageddon

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea on VHS. Classic Disney movie starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre. Based on the novel by Jules Verne. Directed by Richard Fleischer. 1954.

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea on VHS. Adventure drama fantasy movie starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre. Based on the novel by Jules Verne. Directed by Richard Fleischer. 1954.

From the box:

Plunge into the most spellbinding undersea adventure ever filmed! The evil, renegade mastermind Captain Nemo (James Mason) pilots the fantastic submarine Nautilus on a memorable, adventure-filled journey beneath the seven seas in this Academy Award-winning classic. Held aboard the craft are three survivors of a shipwreck who, as involuntary guests of the sinister genius, witness the spectacular beauty and terrifying dangers of Nemo’s world — from an attack by a giant squid to the captain’s [spoiler removed].

DVD upgrade: Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Free 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Free e-book): Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea

Look, a non-sun bleached VHS copy: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea




Fantastic Planet

Fantastic Planet on VHS. Starring Barry Bostwick, Cynthia Alder, Jennifer Drake, Eric Baugin. Music by Alain Goraguer. Animation by Roland Topor. From the book by Stephan Wul. Directed by René Laloux. 1973.

Fantastic Planet aka La Planète Sauvage on VHS. Starring Barry Bostwick, Cynthia Alder, Jennifer Drake, Eric Baugin. Music by Alain Goraguer. Animation by Roland Topor. From the book by Stephan Wul. Directed by René Laloux. 1973.

From the VHS box:

This acclaimed animated science-fiction/fantasy classic from France weaves a spell with its colorful imagery and strange beings. The inhabitants, 39 feet high Draags, have tiny human looking creatures called Oms, as pets. Education is obtained electronically through headsets. When one on the Oms escapes with the educational device, he rallies the others to resist the giant Draags.

Upgrade the Fantastic Planet: Fantastic Planet on DVD

Read the Fantastic Planet: Fantastic Planet Paperback by Stephan Wul

Listen to the Fantastic Planet: La Planete Sauvage Soundtrack by Alain Goraguer




Big Fish

Big Fish VHS box cover art. Adventure drama fantasy movie starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Alison Lohman, Robert Guillaume, Marion Cotillard. With Steve Buscemi, Danny DeVito, Deep Roy, Miley Cyrus. Directed by Tim Burton. 2003.

Big Fish on VHS. Adventure drama fantasy movie starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Alison Lohman, Robert Guillaume, Marion Cotillard. With Steve Buscemi, Danny DeVito, Deep Roy, Destiny Cyrus. Directed by Tim Burton. 2003.

From the VHS box:

An Adventure As Big As Li[obscured by sticker]

Throughout his life Edward Bloom has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales. In his later years, portrayed by five-time Best Actor Oscar nominee Albert Finney, he remains a huge mystery to his son, William. Now, to get to know the real man, Will begins piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of his amazing adventures in this marvel of a movie.

DVD upgrade: Big Fish (Special Edition, with Collectible Book)

Altered States

Altered States VHS cover art. Drama fantasy horror movie starring William Hurt, Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, Charles Haid. Based on the novel by Paddy Chayefsky. Directed by Ken Russell. 1980.

Altered States on VHS. Movie starring William Hurt, Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, Charles Haid. Based on the novel by Paddy Chayefsky. Directed by Ken Russell. 1980.

From the VHS box:

IN THE BASEMENT OF A MEDICAL SCHOOL DR. JESSUP FLOATS NAKED IN TOTAL DARKNESS. THE MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIMENT IN THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE IS OUT OF CONTROL… AND THE SUBJECT IS HIMSELF.

Research scientist Eddie Jessup (William Hurt) believes other states of consciousness are as real as everyday reality. Using sensory deprivation, then adding powerful hallucinogenic drugs, he explores these altered states… and endures experiences that make madness seem a blessing.

Academy Award winner William Hurt as Jessup (his film debut) heads a solid cast featuring Blair Brown, Bob Balaban and Charles Haid. Working from Paddy Chayefsky’s novel, director Ken Russell guides us with a sorcerer’s skill through Eddie’s magical and horrific journey as Altered States gyrates with dazzling visual bravado and rumbles with John Corigliano’s all-stops-out, Oscar-nominated score. Unlock the doorways of your mind — if you dare.

DVD it in your mind: Altered States

Read it in your mind: Altered States: A Novel

Hear it in your mind: Altered States (1980 Film)