When crafting a movie, the writers and directors need to consider how much of the storyline is believable. Will an audience be able to relate to the characters? Do the interactions, relationships, and emotions feel authentic? This is a daunting task even for those who work on pieces that focus on regular, everyday life. Now imagine what those same professions have to ask when creating a fantasy film.
Audiences are asked to suspend their belief in everything they know to be true about magic, supernatural creatures, and much more when it comes to the fantasy genre. People who are already fascinated by the paranormal and fantastic worlds often want a temporary escape from reality. With CGI evolving and new techniques emerging to blend real actors with computer graphics, many critics are starting to come around. From classics in the genre to the continued re-invention of it, these are the 20 best fantasy movies.
20
‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
Judy Garland plays Dorothy Gale, who finds herself and her rascally dog, Toto, in the land of Oz after a tornado tears through their property. She meets some interesting characters that remind her a lot of the guys back home. While Dorothy professes that she wants to go back home, her new friends all admit that they, too, want something.
Off To See the Wizard
The Scarecrow wants a brain, the Tin Man wants a heart, and the Cowardly Lion longs for some courage. Together, the three set off down the yellow brick road in search of a great wizard who could grant their wishes. The Wizard of Oz, the adventurous tale of Dorothy and Toto ending up far away from Kansas, is a true classic.
19
Mary Poppins (1964)
Mary Poppins (played by Julie Andrews) is one of the most iconic and magical characters in the history of film. She arrives at the porch of the Banks’ residence after “finding” an ad for a sweet and kind nanny for two children. After she meets Jane and Michael, harmless chaos ensues as she transports them through pictures and introduces them to an imaginative world that mixes live-action and animation.
The World Is a Stage
The children, along with Mary Poppins and her friends, sing and dance their way through their problems and curiosities. With Mary Poppins around, there is never a dull moment. The film’s incorporation of fantasy elements to explore broader themes of economic and social hardship, while also establishing the power of family values in conflict, has made it an endearing favorite for mature audiences as well.
18
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
In The Princess Bride, while a young boy is sick, his grandfather pulls out a novel and begins to read aloud. The tale is one of evil princes, mythical creatures, and damsels in distress. Buttercup loses the love of her life, Westley, and ends up betrothed to the rude and cruel Prince Humperdinck. Three men later kidnap her, but a masked savior swoops in and reveals himself to be her true love from years ago. The two must fend off the kidnappers and the prince to be together, but hilarity and hardships ensue, which slow down their mission.
A Fairy Tale Come to Life
A masterful mash-up of genres — adventure, romance, comedy, and fairy tale — The Princess Bride has become an endearing classic in the fantasy genre. Moreover, the rich cast of eccentric characters, memorable one-liners, and emotional resonance with its fandom have made the Rob Reiner classic a film that viewers come back to time and time again.
17
‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ (1988)
From the mind of Terry Gilliam, who was best known at that point for his work with the comedy troupe Monty Python, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen presents an episodic fantasy film with stories told by the larger-than-life figure that is Baron Munchausen (played by John Neville). Here, Baron tells tales ranging from his trip to the moon to a face-off with death itself, all delivered with a witty, comedic flair.
A Fully Immersive Fantasy Adventure
The ’80s fantasy standout excels in its world-building, with the entire world Munchausen places himself in through his tales feeling fully realized and lived in. The movie is one of those rare, complete escapes from reality, guided by a masterful storyteller that is easy to get lost in — the idyllic goal of any fantasy movie. As such a unique visual experience, the film remains a classic that can still be appreciated by children and adults decades after its release.
16
‘Jumanji’ (1995)
A young Alan Parrish discovers a board game named Jumanji, which sucks him into a magical world. Cut to decades later, siblings Judy and Peter Shepherd find the board game and, in playing it, release a now adult Alan Parrish (Robin Williams). With Alan comes a bunch of fantastical creatures and settings from the game that overtake the real world. Together, the three must finally beat Jumanji to restore order.
Family Game Night
The ’90s certainly had kids yelling “Jumanji.” Still, the film’s staying power has resonated long past its initial release, thanks to its perfect balance of comedy and high-stakes adventure, with Robin Williams delivering one of the best performances of his career. At the same time, the movie addressed themes of overcoming fears and the importance of working together (both as siblings and with adults) to tackle various life problems, both fantastical and grounded in reality.
15
‘Matilda’ (1996)
In Matilda, the titular girl grows up in an unloving household with her mentally and emotionally absent parents and slob of a brother. Once she starts school, she discovers that the principal, Miss Trunchbull, is the biggest bully of all, who takes pleasure in tormenting children. With the help of some heightened emotions, Matilda discovers she can move things with her mind. This marks the beginning of her plan to seek justice for herself and her favorite teacher, Miss Honey.
A Relatable Story of Childhood Struggle and Triumph
From an innocent and bright child to a classroom hero, Matilda learns that good people deserve better than to be treated meanly by individuals. The movie, not only full of fantastical whimsy, offers a story that will resonate with many who have felt helpless as kids in the face of controlling adults. The series has proven to resonate with a broad audience, even seeing a re-invention in a highly praised musical version on Netflix.
14
‘Pleasantville’ (1998)
David (Tobey Maguire) and his sister Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) find themselves trapped in a retro TV series known as Pleasantville, where the 1950s values and style contrast with their ’90s upbringing and sentiments. As the two try to integrate, their less conservative ways and values begin to emerge, slowly transitioning the black and white world into one with color and greater freedom of thought among its inhabitants.
A Truly Unique Fantastical Journey
While initially performing modestly at the box office, Pleasantville’s inventive concept, with layers of deeper meaning, has since garnered appreciation, and it is now regarded as a classic. Notably, the Gary Ross film provided a fully immersive experience that captured the essence of classic TV and its characters, while also using it as a means to address broader issues, such as racism and classism, in a modern context. While there is depth to be found, the movie is at its core a heartfelt journey steeped in visual wonder.
13
‘Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)
After following Frodo, Gandalf, Sam, Aragorn, and many more through two Lord of the Rings movies, The Return of the King perfectly wraps up everyone’s character quests. Audiences have grown to love Middle-earth just as much as the hobbits, so watching the final battle to defend the sacred land had everyone on the edge of their seats. Characters are challenged both mentally and physically to grow and rely on only their own decisions.
A Wonderful Climax to the Best Fantasy Film Series of All Time
The world J.R.R. Tolkien created more than 50 years before it became a visual work of art is nothing short of magical. The culmination of director Peter Jackson’s vision for the franchise is a praiseworthy spectacle that won over both fans and critics alike; it set a benchmark that has yet to be beaten by many attempting to do the same thing.
12
‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ (2005)
The entire Harry Potter franchise does an incredible job at creating the wizarding world with Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and other noteworthy locations. However, The Goblet of Fire takes it up a notch with the fantasy element, and it further introduces various mythical creatures, including dragons and merpeople. Much like a Muggle, Harry is awe-struck by these beasts.
The World of Wizardry at Its Best
By now, Harry should know that everything he ever read about in storybooks is likely to be real in the wizard world, but it is refreshing to see that he still finds magical things new and interesting. The entry into the franchise still showed that there was much to explore and that the franchise was poised to continue its strong momentum.
11
‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ (2005)
Walking through a wardrobe and entering a snowy, magical land would be a dream come true. When Lucy first discovers Narnia in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, it seems like a mystical place where nothing could go wrong. Then, when Susan, Edmund, and Peter joined her, they quickly learnt otherwise. The four siblings discover that a wicked woman who calls herself a queen has taken over the kingdom. With the help of some talking creatures and a God-like lion named Aslan, they battle to the death to restore the magical world to how it should be.
A Faithful Adaptation of a Cult Classic
The world of Narnia will always remain one of the pinnacle achievements in fantasy storytelling, with its rich world-building and lore steeped in Christian values. Themes of good vs. evil, sacrifice, redemption, and forgiveness are all interwoven into a fantastical journey that has withstood the test of time. The movie would remain faithful to the original work and bring the necessary spectacle to make C.S. Lewis’s world come to life.
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