When it comes to fantasy movies, I consider myself an expert, as this genre has been a huge part of my life since I was young. Whether they’re animated, in black and white, or one of the darkest additions to the genre, there isn’t a niche of the fantasy world that I haven’t encountered and engaged with. While some audiences aren’t interested in fantasy and think of it as a monolith, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Fantasy isn’t all sword and sorcery, even though that is a great part of the genre.

When someone says they don’t like fantasy, I immediately think of my go-to movies to rewatch, as they all bring something fresh and engaging to the table. Though nostalgia plays a part in my adoration for these films, they’re also some of the greatest тιтles within the genre. Some of them are underrated classic fantasy movies, while others are iconic тιтles that have been highly influential in not just fantasy filmmaking but cinema in general. For a fantasy film to be worth rewatching, it should be visually stunning, emotionally compelling, and have something important to say about the real world.

10

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004)

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

The best fantasy movies of the 2000s and the best installment of the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, is my go-to fantasy comfort movie. If you’re going to watch any of the Harry Potter films as a standalone project, The Prisoner of Azkaban is definitely the one to go with. It’s a strong break in the action with Voldemort and sees Harry go through critical emotional development. The fact that Sirius Black is one of my favorite characters in the series also increased my enjoyment of the film.

Alfonso Cuarón only directed The Prisoner of Azkaban, but his style and vision deeply impacted the rest of the movies, establishing the look and feel of Hogwarts and the magical world in indescribable ways.

Alfonso Cuarón only directed The Prisoner of Azkaban, but his style and vision deeply impacted the rest of the movies, establishing the look and feel of Hogwarts and the magical world in indescribable ways. While the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the first two films is a great introduction to the franchise, it’s in Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban that the stakes begin to feel real, and we realize that Harry is becoming a young man with new responsibilities.

9

Shrek 2 (2004)

Directed by Andrew Adamson, Conrad Vernon, & Kelly Asbury

Shrek 2 is the best installment of the franchise, which has enjoyed an iconic legacy and cultivated a loyal fanbase since the first Shrek movie premiered in 2001. While the first movie is about Shrek letting other people into his life and accepting that he doesn’t want to be alone, the second movie sees him grapple with his acceptance of himself. Though it’s iconic for many reasons, Shrek 2‘s metatextual references and satire of the fairy tale genre always make me smile.

Shrek 2 boasts some fantastic musical numbers and an unforgettable villain in the Fairy Godmother, who makes me laugh as much as she makes me wish for her downfall. In some ways, I credit the movie for my appreciation of fairy tale retelling, which would later develop into a love of the TV series Once Upon A Time. Though I often rewatch Shrek 2 for a laugh and some fun, it has a surprisingly poignant emotional message.

8

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro’s dark fantasy masterpiece, Pan’s Labyrinth, is the movie that helped me bridge my childhood love for fantasy with my emerging tastes as a young adult. It still had all the transcendent visuals and magical escapism of the movies I grew up loving. However, it also was in conversation with relevant social issues and had a gripping message. While the story is the biggest draw for me when I’m rewatching Pan’s Labyrinth, one of my favorite aesthetic pieces of the film is the practical effects del Toro uses so well within the story’s world.

While every actor gives a gripping performance in Pan’s Labyrinth, Sergi López’s portrayal of the horrible Captain Vidal never ceases to terrify me. His commanding presence onscreen sucks me into the story as much as Ofelia’s adventures with the Faun. As time has pᴀssed, Pan’s Labyrinth and its ability to be rooted in reality while taking the viewer on an unforgettable quest has remained relevant to my life and the larger world, making it one of the greatest contemporary fantasy films.

7

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Though Spirited Away is objectively the best Studio Ghibli movie, Howl’s Moving Castle is the most romantic and my favorite. I’m not afraid to say that a large part of Howl’s Moving Castle‘s charm is the central relationship between Sophie and Howl and the lush romantic world they inhabit. However, Howl’s Moving Castle is much more than a story about a shy young woman being swept off her feet by a charming stranger; it’s about Sophie’s personal development more than anything.

Watching her evolve and gain confidence throughout the story is one of the most rewarding parts of Howl’s Moving Castle​​​​​​ and gives me reason to root for her to find her happiness, wherever that may be. Of course, it’s impossible to talk about one of Hayao Miyazaki’s movies without bringing up the gorgeous animation style. Being introduced to Studio Ghibli at an early age imbued me with a preference for hand-drawn animation that’s endured well into adulthood.

6

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

Directed by Peter Jackson

The first installment of Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, isn’t the most action-packed Lord of the Rings movie. However, it is a fantastic introduction to the world of the story and completely immerses me in the universe of Middle-earth as soon as I sit down to watch it. I love the early part of the story when we get to spend time in the Shire and Rivendell, two of the most beautifully realized parts of Middle-earth.

It’s also impossible for me to get tired of the score.

Though the biggest emotional highs and lows of the series come later on, The Fellowship of the Ring is vital to the development of the stakes and tension since we immediately see that Frodo’s world is one worth fighting for. While I appreciate a proper rewatch of all three movies, it’s the easiest to revisit The Fellowship of the Ring on its own and feel satisfied by its ending. It’s also impossible for me to get tired of the score.

5

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Every film lover is well-versed in the history and importance of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a landmark movie both technically and in terms of storytelling. It features the incomparable Bob Hoskins as Eddie Valiant, a man who’s a simultaneously nostalgic and hilarious reimagining of the Old Hollywood P.I. Who Framed Roger Rabbit might be a slapstick half-animated comedy. However, it’s also a searing critique of the history of Los Angeles and has many relevant social and political commentaries about discrimination.

I would be lying if I said that the director, Robert Zemeckis, is not one of my favorite filmmakers, but he has made a few truly fantastic films, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit is one of them. Who Framed Roger Rabbit appeals to me because it’s fun and easy to watch but doesn’t hold back in terms of its themes and central messages. The film proves that entertainment and cultural critique aren’t mutually exclusive and that they actually work well together.

4

Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)

Directed by Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones

The Monty Python comedy troupe has been enormously influential on the trajectory of modern comedy, and their slate of satirical films will always hold a special place in my heart. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is very loosely based on the legends of King Arthur, as the members of the troupe play various characters from the story and fall into a quest to find the Grail. Though Monty Python’s comedy style didn’t immediately appeal to critics in the 1970s, even its most outlandish moments keep making me laugh.

SH๏τ on a micro-budget, the writers and directors display unmatched ingenuity in taking the biggest budget constraints and making them into something hilarious that furthers the story.

At this point, Monty Python and the Holy Grail can hardly be considered a cult classic. It’s a cultural touchstone for comedians and filmmakers everywhere. Outside the comedy and actors’ appeal, I’m always reminded of how incredible it is that the film got made in the first place. SH๏τ on a micro-budget, the writers and directors display unmatched ingenuity in taking the biggest budget constraints and making them into something hilarious that furthers the story.

3

Mary Poppins (1964)

Directed by Robert Stevenson

Julie Andrews is an actress who defines much of my early exposure to film. Starring in iconic projects like Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, and the lesser-known 1957 adaptation of Cinderella, she fostered my love of musicals and fantasy, two things Mary Poppins easily embodies. Though this movie came out many years ago and is set many years before that, it feels as timeless watching it today as it did the first time I saw it.

With gorgeously choreographed musical numbers and a story rooted in emotional realism, Mary Poppins is everything a children’s fantasy movie should be. While the fact that it’s highly influential and has inspired generations of filmmakers is a significant part of the film’s legacy, I would love it regardless. Even Dick Van Dyke’s comically inaccurate Cockney accent doesn’t take me out of the story. He’s a worthy scene partner for Andrews, as the pair ooze charisma and talent and are icons in their fields.

2

The Princess Bride (1987)

Directed by Rob Reiner

It’s always surprising when I hear that someone hasn’t seen The Princess Bride, or at least heard of it, as the project is well-known within fantasy circles. Adapted from the seminal novel by William Goldman, The Princess Bride strikes a great balance between tongue-in-cheek humor and an earnest depiction of true love. For viewers who are familiar with the tropes of fantasy and adventure genres, The Princess Brides‘ satirical take is hilarious, and it’s tempered by the fact that the filmmakers clearly love these stories as much as I do.

There’s always a new throwaway line or moment between characters that I catch when I rewatch The Princess Bride.

The Princess Bride is a movie that perfectly blends romance and adventure, which is probably why so many people have such an enduring relationship with the film. Even though I know how it ends, every time I revisit The Princess Bride, it’s easy to get swept away by the amazing chemistry between Cary Elwes and Robin Wright as Westley and ʙuттercup. There’s always a new throwaway line or moment between characters that I catch when I rewatch The Princess Bride.

1

Peter Pan (2003)

Directed by P.J. Hogan

Of all the screen adaptations of Peter Pan, the 2003 iteration directed by P.J. Hogan is my favorite. Hogan is also known for iconic additions to the rom-com genre, like My Best Friend’s Wedding and Muriel’s Wedding, two movies that also hold a special place in my heart. Similarly to those films, Peter Pan has a warm and inviting atmosphere that sparked my imagination as a child and hasn’t lost its hold on me or the fantasy genre over twenty years after it premiered.

One of the most memorable parts of the 2003 Peter Pan is the expressive colors that work together with the fantastical script to make the emotional highs and lows of the characters physically tangible. Of course, rewatching Peter Pan today, I can’t help but notice the dated elements and stereotypes, but for me, acknowledging these issues is part of loving this movie. Within the fantasy genre, there are many stories like Peter Pan that appeal to the child in me and illicit strong feelings about growing up while maintaining a love of magic.