Within the diverse fantasy genre lies a considerable offering of hidden gems that are entertaining from start to finish. There are several components in a fantasy film that must come together seamlessly for audiences to buy into its otherworldly premises, including strong character writing, logical rules within their fantasy worlds, and convincing special effects.

Some of the best fantasy movies of all time, like Pan’s Labyrinth and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, succeed in each of these areas, making sense of their long-standing popularity in the genre.

However, plenty of hidden gem fantasy movies have similar feats as well, from contemplative films about the meaning of life to those with expected call-to-action narratives that see a protagonist shape into a true hero. These masterful films may not be as well-known, but they feature the genre’s best qualities and are undeniably great.

Ladyhawke (1985)

Led by Matthew Broderick, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Rutger Hauer, Ladyhawke is a grand medieval fantasy film with an effective love story at its center. Ladyhawke revolves around Broderick’s Phillipe, a recently escaped thief, who teams up with Pfeiffer and Hauer’s on-screen couple to lift a dreadful curse that turns them into animals.

Ladyhawke‘s set design and costuming immerse audiences into its fantasy tale, and the film’s endless amount of stunning visuals are some of its best components. Ladyhawke has a strong adventurous tone and provides audiences with plenty of thrilling sequences, but it’s the romance between Pfeiffer and Hauer’s characters that best holds the film together.

Tale Of Tales (2015)

Tale of Tales is an anthology film based on the poet Giambattista Basile’s fairy tales. The film focuses on three of Basile’s tales in particular —The Enchanted Doe, The Flea, and The Flayed Old Lady— each with an equally fascinating and layered premise that director Matteo Garrone says feeds into the concept of how overpowering and dangerous obsession can become.

While each story in Tale of Tales has its strengths, the undeniable standout of the group is The Enchanted Doe, starring Salma Hayek as a Queen wishing to have a child. As her character gradually descends into a state of madness, Hayek delivers one of her best performances.

The Company Of Wolves (1984)

Considered one of the best werewolf movies of all time, The Company of Wolves remains somewhat of a hidden gem in the fantasy genre. The Company of Wolves puts a dark spin on the well-known Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale, infusing its narrative with several mini-plots that tie into its overarching story.

The Company of Wolves unveils the horrors within the classic fairy tale not only through its storytelling but through its visuals as well. A series of frightening werewolf transformations is sure to leave audiences spooked. Balancing out such scares are The Company of Wolves‘ sweeping, dreamy visuals that blur the line between fantasy and reality.

Pleasantville (1998)

Performing poorly at the box office upon its late ’90s release, Pleasantville has gone overlooked for far too long. The fantasy comedy film stars Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon as siblings whose lives are turned upside down after they’re trapped in a beloved 1950s sitcom. Pleasantville cleverly switches between color and black and white to highlight the siblings’ effect on the fictional townspeople.

Wrapped up in Pleasantville‘s unique premise are plenty of comedic moments and sharp social commentary that touch upon the freedom of expression, or lack thereof, and the obsession with nostalgia. The urgency in Pleasantville‘s themes continues to be relevant today, making the film all the more rewarding with every viewing.

Stardust (2007)

With a star-studded cast, Stardust triumphs as a solid fantasy romance movie. Stardust is based on a fantasy novel of the same name and sees its protagonist (Charlie Cox) travel to a magical world to retrieve a fallen star as a gift for the woman he loves. Alongside Cox, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, and Claire Danes also star in the film.

Stardust effortlessly balances its various tones. The film features truly hilarious moments and an exciting series of action sequences that depict the efforts of Cox’s character to evade those after him in the fantasy kingdom of Stormhold. Stardust also has a lot of heart thanks to its love story, which is wholly compelling and easy to root for.

Dragonslayer (1981)

Co-produced by Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Productions, Dragonslayer is an unexpectedly dark fantasy movie from the latter company. The film follows a young wizard’s (Peter MacNicol) attempt to defeat an infamous dragon. Admittedly, the hero’s journey that Dragonslayer‘s protagonist goes on isn’t unlike anything seen in the fantasy genre before.

However, it’s a formulaic narrative that has proven time and time again to thrive and is fortunately elevated by Dragonslayer‘s convincing special effects and star-stealing dragon, Vermithrax Pejorative. The mechanics that went into bringing the dragon to life were innovative and helped sell the threat of Vermithrax Pejorative to audiences, more so than other dragon-related films at the time.

Dream Scenario (2023)

Swapping out fire-breathing dragons and quests to prove one’s bravery, Dream Scenario is a fantasy film with a lot more to say about the real world. Dream Scenario is led by Nicolas Cage as college professor Paul Matthews. Throughout the film, Paul’s unexplained appearances in others’ dreams become increasingly intense, altering the public’s perception of him.

Cage delivers one of his best performances in Dream Scenario, effectively depicting Paul’s transition from a pᴀssive, slightly awkward man to one feared as a result of his violent behavior. Dream Scenario is witty and analyzes the price of fame in a well-thought-out manner, consciously easing audiences into its darker themes.

Nine Days (2020)

Compared to the other movies mentioned, Nine Days takes a more serious approach to the fantasy genre. Nine Days follows Winston Duke’s Will, whose job is to interview a group of souls wishing to be born, deciding which will be allowed to live on Earth. Duke delivers a phenomenal performance as his character begins to confront the meaning of life.

Despite its heavier premise, Nine Days thankfully never feels too heavy-handed with its messaging, nor does its sentimentality ever overwhelm. Nine Days‘ profound exploration of what makes one’s life full is touching and captured superbly in director and writer Edson Oda’s script and the performances of Nine Days‘ cast.

Suzume (2022)

Director Makoto Shinkai found great success with his 2016 romantic fantasy film, Your Name, and his projects have since continued his streak of critical acclaim, including 2022’s Suzume. Considered one of the best anime films of the decade so far, Suzume follows its тιтular character as she helps a stranger on his mission to close doors across Japan before disaster strikes.

Suzume pairs neatly alongside Shinkai’s two prior films, Your Name and Weathering with You, but stands apart just enough to make it a masterpiece in its own right. Like Shinkai’s previous work, Suzume earned critical praise for its striking animation style and innovative premise, as well as its balance of emotional beats and action sequences throughout the film.

The Green Knight (2021)

An adaptation of a 14th-century poem, The Green Knight expertly balances its Arthurian tale with a modern filmmaking style. This combination ensures that, despite the familiarity of its plot, The Green Knight still feels like something entirely brand new within the genre. The strength of the film’s impressive visuals continues with its grand set design and detailed costumes.

Dev Patel shines as The Green Knight‘s Sir Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur, who sets out on a journey to confront the Green Knight. Gawain’s venture tests him in a mulтιтude of ways, shaping him into a well-rounded hero and tying into The Green Knight‘s encompᴀssing themes of courage and honor.