Many magical stories were told in cartoons on TV before Harry Potter books came along. If you're looking for a less-hyped alternative to Harry Potter, try watching these animated cartoons about magical worlds.
1. The Hobbit
The Hobbit was my introduction to the Lord of the Rings story. As a child, Gollum and the dark riders terrified me. Though the animated version cannot compare to the grounded and masterful films of Peter Jackson, it still holds up. The storytelling is fluid and enjoyable. The Hobbit and its animated sequels also exude an innocence I associate with the '70s.
2. The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe
Before Harry Potter and before Tilda Swinton froze the screen as the White Witch in Disney's Chronicles of Narnia, the animated version of The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe enchanted me. I saw it more than once on television as a child, and every time the kids stepped through that closet into a snow-covered world, thrills went through me. This '70s version of C.S. Lewis' magical story still casts a spell.3. Last Unicorn
The Last Unicorn may come close to capturing the feeling of tragic loss that is a constant thread in the Harry Potter books. Amalthea, the alleged last unicorn, embarks on a journey to find out if there are others of her kind. She is lonely, without family or ties to the world in which she lives, and she is in danger. The story, again like Harry Potter, works as a story for children and adults. The Last Unicorn boasts superb voice talent, including Mia Farrow, Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, Christopher Lee and Angela Lansbury.4. The Dark Crystal
Okay, The Dark Crystal isn't animated. I don't care. The Dark Crystal is a compelling story told with puppets. The quality of the film is such that I just had to included it. Jim Henson and Frank Oz tell a dark, dark tale that captured my imagination as a child. Jen and Kira are two young Gelflings who try to fulfill the prophecy of the Dark Crystal. It's got danger, magic and protagonists that maintain their optimism and innocence, regardless of the fears they face. The Muppets this ain't.5. Dungeons and Dragons
Believe it or not, Dungeons and Dragons lasted three years on TV. Based on the popular, yet ridiculed, game of dice and spellcasting, the cartoon followed kids that took a ride on a roller coaster that landed them in the magical world of, well, dungeons and dragons. They are given new identities and weapons to help them survive in this new world. Dungeons and Dragons is meant for children, so adults might yawn a bit. But there is no limit to the magic woven in the stories.6. Smurfs
The Smurfs, those little blue creatures who live in mushroom houses, are part of magical stories. Papa Smurf, himself, works very powerful magic. Gargamel, the wizard nemesis, isn't very successful with his magic. There are also a slew of other magical characters that pop up, including fairies, gnomes and other wizards. I have a very soft spot in my heart for Smurfs, as my son now watches them on Boomerang. Finding or buying DVDs is difficult. Usually they are imported. But if you have children or grandchildren, they will enjoy The Smurfs as much as I did.7. Heavy Metal
Okay, including Heavy Metal on this list is a stretch. Heavy Metal is more of a science fiction story than a magical one, but every plot revolves around a magical green sphere. There's a lot of sex depicted in this cartoon, so keep the kids away while you're watching it. The stories and art are taken from a magazine of the same name. The overarching story is just a convention used to tie together disparate stories, but the style lends itself to the imaginative and surreal stories.