Fantasy films provide a form of escapism not found in any other genre, but there are only a handful of fantasy movies that are indispensable. Whether they’re drawn from books or wholly original, fantasy creates brand-new worlds on the big screen. These worlds are often filled with amazing creatures, exciting magic, and wonderfully imaginative adventures.

From the earliest days of cinema, filmmakers have used the fantasy genre to push the boundaries of what’s possible on the big screen. Even today, modern fantasy epics are usually on the cutting-edge of filmmaking technology and spectacle. However, the heart of the genre has remained unchanged since the beginning.

Though fantasy films are almost always set in fantastical worlds, there is a quintessential human element that makes them so relatable. Even if the hero is fighting a dragon or teaming up with a wizard, the stories reflect real-life. However, the fantasy elements allow these movies to explore complex themes without sacrificing any imagination.

The irreplaceable fantasy films aren’t always the best examples of the genre, but are instead movies that transcend the bounds of fantasy to become beloved cinema. Some are from larger franchises, while others stand alone and hint at a much larger universe within. Regardless, some fantasy movies will live on forever in the hearts and minds of film fans.

10

The Dark Crystal (1982)

Jim Henson’s Spectacular Fantasy Epic

When The Dark Crystal premiered in the early ’80s, the fantasy film was something of a box office bomb. With a world populated exclusively by puppet characters, the cinematic spectacle was unlike anything seen in fantasy before or since. Unfortunately, it took a while for the movie to finally get the attention it deserves.

Besides the technical excellence that goes into crafting the world of Thra, the story is what really makes it shine. So many fantasy films copy elements from J.R.R. Tolkien or other older sources, but The Dark Crystal is wholly original in its concept and execution. The puppets free the film from traditional strictures, and the underrated gem delivers boundless imagination.

9

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

An Unconventional Gothic Fantasy Story

By 1990, Tim Burton had already proven himself to be one of the most refreshing new filmmakers in Hollywood, and Edward Scissorhands is the perfect example of his creativity. The gothic romance fantasy film isn’t set in some fantastical realm, but is instead in an exaggerated version of the real world. This juxtaposition is the key to the movie’s moral.

Edward is a mechanical man created by a well-meaning inventor, and his interactions with regular society are both charming and humorous. Instead of pulling from sources like Tolkien, Edward Scissorhands is a lot like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Edward isn’t a monster, but is judged for his unusual appearance. As such, the movie’s message still resonates over 30 years later.

8

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004)

Where The Harry Potter Series Really Takes Flight

Though it could be argued that the entire Harry Potter franchise is a crucial part of the fantasy movie genre, The Prisoner of Azkaban is where the series hits its stride. Harry’s third year at Hogwarts starts to introduce more adult conflicts, and the characters begin to transition from children and into moody teens.

The brilliant Wizarding World was fleshed-out in the first two movies, but The Prisoner of Azkaban finally begins to utilize the worldbuilding for storytelling purposes. Many of the plot threads that begin in the third film would carry on until the final installment, and director Alfonso Cuarón delivered what is likely the best film in the entire Potter series.

7

The Labyrinth (1986)

The David Bowie Fantasy Epic

Musician David Bowie stars in Labyrinth, Jim Henson’s second attempt at a large-scale fantasy epic in the 1980s. The musical adventure story eschews traditional storytelling and instead goes for an intentionally surreal experience that blends human actors and plenty of Henson’s signature puppet creations. Unfortunately, it too was a mᴀssive box office flop.

Now a beloved ’80s classic, Labyrinth was likely a bit too subversive for its own good. However, the humorous tone and catchy music have made it a genuine cult classic, and it deserves praise as an excellent take on the fantasy genre. Plenty of films borrow classic tropes, but none are so fiercely original as Labyrinth.

6

The NeverEnding Story (1984)

The Quintessential ’80s Fantasy Film

Based on Michael Ende’s eponymous novel, The NeverEnding Story is the quintessential ’80s fantasy film. The story is told through the eyes of a child, and at its heart, it is a film about the power of imagination. That boundless imagination is what drives the film’s narrative, and The NeverEnding Story is unrivaled as a family fantasy story.

While it may have a reputation as one of the scariest children’s movies ever, it has everything to appease both traditional fantasy fans, and younger audiences too. Many of the scenes and images from the movie are forever part of the fabric of fantasy film history, and it spawned a few sequels which attempted to keep the тιтular story going.

5

The Princess Bride (1987)

A Fantasy Comedy That Deconstructs The Genre

The 1980s were stuffed with big-budget fantasy epics, but The Princess Bride was one of the only movies that aimed to deconstruct the tropes of the genre. Framed by a wraparound story about a grandpa reading a story to a young boy, the movie humorously bounds back and forth between the world of fantasy and reality.

However, each half stands on its own, and the main story-within-a-story is actually quite compelling on its own. It has a playful fairytale tone that is both humorous and heartwarming, and The Princess Bride has boundless charm. Few films succeed at being clever parodies while also having all the elements that make the thing they’re spoofing so enjoyable.

4

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

A Dark Modern Fairytale From Guillermo del Toro

Director Guillermo del Toro is known for blending the horrific with the fantastical, and Pan’s Labyrinth can easily be considered his magnum opus work. Set against the events of WWII in Spain, the movie is about the brutalities of the war, and the dark fantasy world that one young girl escapes into.

While most fantasy worlds are fun and fantastical, the world of Pan’s Labyrinth is nightmarish, and features some of the greatest creature effects ever put on film. Fantasy films are usually about escaping from the harsh realities of the real world, del Toro’s film instead holds up a mirror to let all the worst parts reflect.

3

Spirited Away (2001)

The Greatest Animated Fantasy Film

Often considered the crown jewel of the Studio Ghibli filmography, Spirited Away is also one of the greatest animated fantasy films of all time. Director Hayao Miyazaki weaves a fascinating narrative that centers on a young girl who must fight to regain her parents’ humanity after they are turned into pigs by supernatural beings.

Intricately linked to Japanese culture and folklore, Chihiro’s journey is both frightening and thought-provoking, and the Studio Ghibli animation is top-notch. While it might not look like the conventional European fantasy stories, Spirited Away explores a lot of the same themes. Furthermore, it uses fantasy to explore more complex real world issues.

2

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

Peter Jackson Brings Middle-earth To The Big Screen

Decades after the publication of the trilogy, it never seemed possible that a filmmaker could bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings to life on the big screen in live-action. However, The Fellowship of the Ring arrived in 2001, and was even grander than any could have imagined.

Made with genuine love and care, every detail was scrutinized as it was translated onto the screen. Film technology had finally reached the point where the epic fantasy story could become reality, and Jackson’s deft direction gave it heart and magic. Fellowship was only the first of three, but it still remains the most magical modern fantasy epic.

1

The Wizard Of Oz (1939)

The Original Hollywood Fantasy Classic

Great fantasy films usually arrive at transitional periods in film history, and The Wizard of Oz represented a mᴀssive leap forward in the art of filmmaking. Based on L. Frank Baum’s book series of the same name, the Judy Garland vehicle was a technical marvel in 1939, and it continues to impress all these decades later.

Exceeding what was thought possible, The Wizard of Oz is both visually stunning and a brilliantly-crafted story. Each scene has been etched into cinema history, and it’s one of the few films from the ’30s that grows in popularity with each pᴀssing generation. As for its fantasy movie credibility, it’s rarely been rivaled in terms of imagination and cinematic spectacle.