Fantasy movies have brought to life some of the most magical lands and creatures fiction has to offer, transporting us to their mythic worlds and entertaining us all the while. Of these many films, there are several that have dominated the cinematic landscape over the years and are now renowned today as some of the best fantasy movies of all time.

While many of these films are considered cinematic masterpieces, we’re more interested in the all-time greatest fantasy franchises that have rocked box offices for decades. Whether you’re a fan of the classics or find yourself gravitating more toward newer epics, the following movies prove that the fantasy genre is alive and well today.

10

The Chronicles of Narnia

The C.S. Lewis adaptation made its big screen debut with the 2005 hit The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, introducing audiences to the high-epic fantasy that thrilled readers for decades with the mythic world of Narnia. Based on the classic 1950s novels, this trilogy follows four British children as they navigate the strange, fantastical, and often perilous realm.

Perhaps the greatest thing about the three films in The Chronicles of Narnia trilogy is their faithfulness to the source material, capturing the vision that drove C.S. Lewis’ novels and made them an international sensation. This creative fidelity paid off at the box office too, with all three films grossing a combined total of over $1.5 billion worldwide.

9

Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them

Though the Fantastic Beasts franchise didn’t catch on with the public like the original Harry Potter films, they remain some of the best entries to come out of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. Delving into the years leading up to Voldemort’s return, these films help enrich the timeline while providing backstories for Dumbledore and even the Elder Wand.

One of the best things about the Fantastic Beasts franchise is that it gives us a glimpse into wizarding life outside of England, with key characters traveling to France, the United States, and even Germany. Furthermore, the films also introduce several new magical insтιтutions, including MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) and the International Confederation of Wizards.

8

Conan The Barbarian

John Milius’ Conan the Barbarian is one of the most iconic films of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career, highlighting the actor’s potential as a leading man as he burst onto the early 80s’ action scene. Yes, combining the classic sword-and-sorcery tale with Arnold’s physique was a stroke of genius, making for a killer cinematic viewing that’s bound to boost your adrenaline.

Arnold is not the only actor to take up the mantle of Conan, however. Jason Momoa, also known as the man finally able to make Aquaman cool, played the тιтular Barbarian in a 2011 reboot starring him and Ron Perlman. If there were ever a franchise slated for revival, the three Conan films are it—and more than deserving of a follow-up.

7

Twilight

It’s hard to forget the sheer impact Twilight had on generations of kids and adults alike, spawning countless copycats and even inspiring the creation of 50 Shades of Grey. Adapted from Stephanie Meyer’s multi-novel series, the Twilight films defined over a decade of storytelling in both the fantasy genre and young adult romance alike.

Furthermore, the Twilight saga is also revolutionary in prompting one of the first social media debates over whom Bella should end up with. For those of you still arguing over #TeamEdward or #TeamJacob, kudos to you for your part in contributing to one of the most divisive love-triangle arguments to ever grace the silver screen.

6

Percy Jackson & The Olympians

Whether you’re a fan of the original two Percy Jackson films or are eating up the recent Percy Jackson and the Olympians series on Disney+, Rick Riordan’s vision is one that’s captivated both literary and cinematic audiences since the release of The Lightning Thief twenty years ago.

Combining Greek mythology with the young adult fantasy genre, Percy Jackson carries the torch of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter to an American setting, entering the world of demigods, monsters, and mythic quests that continue to entertain teens and the adults that grew up reading Riordan’s fantastical novels.

5

Shrek

Beyond its many memes, Shrek is unironically one of the greatest modern fantasy franchises of recent memory, taking the best of the Disney and Brother Grimm fairy tales and combining them into one hilariously chaotic universe that pits good against evil—all from the perspective of one grumpy ogre.

Famous for its satirical tone and many pop culture references, the Shrek franchise walks the line between irreverent and heartfelt humor, not to mention its many memorable side-characters, including the daring and adorable Puss in Boots. Plus, with the recent news that there will be a fifth Shrek installment in 2026, the Mike Myers-led franchise is far from being finished.

4

How To Train Your Dragon

One of the more surprising fantasy franchises is DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon, a multi-film-spanning series that arose out of the hit 2010 movie of the same name. Following a young Viking named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), How to Train Your Dragon sees the teen make a friend of dragons in the faraway age of fierce Nordic warriors.

Recently, the franchise has transitioned from feature animation to live-action with the 2025 remake of the original film, bringing the mythic world to life through real actors and set pieces. Gerard Butler reprised his role as Hiccup’s father, Stoick the Vast, for the film, donning the full mane, beard and Viking costume in the process.

3

Harry Potter

It’s hard to think of a modern fantasy series more impactful than Harry Potter. From books, to films, video games, and even state-of-the-art theme parks, J.K. Rowling’s captivating tale of “The Boy Who Lived” has cemented itself as the quintessential young adult fantasy franchise, producing countless imitators since its silver-screen debut in the early 2000s.

Moreover, the eight-film saga that catapulted Daniel Radcliffe to superstardom proved to be far more than your typical movie franchise—it was a broad cultural movement that has yet to be cinematically rivaled. With a spinoff trilogy, an acclaimed stage production, and a new television series on the way, Harry Potter is easily the most powerful fantasy franchise today.

2

Star Wars

While not strictly a fantasy installment per-se, Star Wars brings George Lucas’ magical vision to the forefront with callbacks to the serials of Flash Gordon and other pulp characters. Yes, the space-faring epic does lean more into sci-fi territory, but its fantasy elements can be found right there with the brave Jedi Knights and the mysterious power of the Force.

Furthermore, the millennium-spanning battle between dueling clans of magical space wizards is about as fantastical as a narrative can get, without even mentioning Force Ghosts, lightsabers, and the Chosen One prophecy. Much like how The Terminator is a slasher flick dressed up as a sci-fi thriller, so too is Star Wars a fantasy movie disguised as a space opera.

1

The Lord Of The Rings

If Harry Potter is the quintessential young adult fantasy franchise, The Lord of the Rings is the greatest fantasy series from which all budding storytellers—J.K. Rowling included—have drawn their inspiration.

Neither original epics nor modern adaptations have come close to rivaling Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings, which dominated box offices in both its initial run in the early 2000s and its revival with The Hobbit trilogy. The series didn’t only succeed financially, however, as the franchise has accumulated a total of 17 Academy Awards and 35 nominations.

Once called unfilmable, The Lord of the Rings now reigns supreme above all other fantasy franchises, with an armada of books, films, video games, and even a spinoff television series as part of its vast, unparalleled empire. Even today, despite the mᴀssive influx of fantasy content, there’s still only one franchise to rule them all.