As noted in various contemporary sources, including a 1974 article in Tour De Force, the film was the second Sinbad film to be released by Columbia Pictures in association with producer Charles H. Schneer and special effects innovator Ray Harryhausen after The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. The Golden Voyage of Sinbad was followed by a third and final film in the Sinbad series, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger.

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad was credited as the first feature film to utilize Dynamation, a technique of stop-motion animation combined with live action actors created by Harryhausen, who went on to be a story writer and producer of the next two Sinbad films.

Although Schneer and Harryhausen had a prolific partnership and co-produced many of their collaborations, including Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and their last film, Clash of the Titans (1981), The Golden Voyage of Sinbad and Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger were the only pictures for which Harryhausen received a “Story by” credit.

      The Golden Voyage of Sinbad took three years to produce, with one year dedicated entirely to Harryhausen’s special effects. A 29th March 1972 Var news item announced that principal photography was scheduled to begin in the summer of 1972, and the film’s first appearance on HR production charts was 30th June 1972.

A 28th June 1972 HR news item stated that actor Tom Baker had been signed to the role of “Koura” and shooting was already underway in Majorca and Madrid, Spain. HR production charts added London, UK as another primary location. Robert Shaw, a friend of Hessler's, voiced the Oracle in a sound studio in Madrid and asked to be left off the credits.

Locations on the island of Majorca included the Arta Caves, the Pueblo Español in Palma, and the beach of Torrent de Pareis, which had also served as a location for The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. In addition, the film was shot on sets built at the Verona Studios near Madrid.

Although a 14th August 1972 HR news item reported that photography was almost complete, Var announced on 11th October 1972 that Schneer moved the production to Malta in response to the country’s campaign to attract filmmakers.

      A 27th February 1974 DV news item announced that Columbia promoted the film with, in the studio’s words, “’one of the most ambitious merchandising projects in Columbia’s recent history.’”

Merchandise included an adaptation of the film published in a Marvel Comic Group comic book, a novelization of the story in paperback, t-shirts and decals, as well as educational resources about mythology and literature related to the character Sinbad.

According to a 25th October 1973 HR report, Schneer and Columbia were engaged in multiple meetings about marketing the film in both the United States and England. A Christmas release was planned, but the picture did not show in U.S. theaters until April 1974.

      Although critical reception was generally negative, the film made $397,500 in its first four days at the New York Deluxe Showcase, according to a 10th April 1974 advertisement in Variety magazine.