What makes a movie take a spot in the best fantasy movies list? Hollywood has always loved the fantasy genre. Some of the first movies involved monsters, swords, and magic. Even before the advent of sound, it was easy to convey those classic themes on film. Of course, it also didn’t take the movie industry long to start adapting iconic fantasy novels and stories. And that’s when the genre exploded. This has resulted in Hollywood producing some of the best fantasy films.
One of the things that set fantasy movies apart from some other genre is that they tend to get more critical recognition. Also, they certainly earn more awards. Whereas genre films are often written off as fun, light, popcorn fare, fantasy films seem to get a lot more genuine respect and acclaim. At least, when they are done well, that is. Fantasy is also capable of going very wrong, and few bad movies are worse than bad fantasy movies.
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This is a list of some of the best fantasy movies.
30 Best Fantasy Movies
30. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
IMDb Rating: 8.0
This dashing and adventurous tale follows the mission of two people; Captain Jack Sparrow, a shrewd pirate, and Will Turner, an ingenious blacksmith. They are in search of Elizabeth Swann. Elizabeth, the daughter of the governor and the lover of Will, has been abducted by the dreaded Captain Barbossa. Little do they know that the vicious and smart Barbossa has been cursed. He, along with his gigantic crew, is under an age-old curse, damned forever to either live nor die. That is unless a blood sacrifice is made. Now, Jack and Will must embark on an adventurous journey to retrieve Elizabeth. Also, Jack intends to end the long feud between him and Barbossa.
The first “Pirates” is one of the most entertaining and daring adventure movies to ever grace the big screen. Everything from acting and the acting is top-notch. It is a movie that you should check out and that’s why it earns a place in our best fantasy movies list.
29. Ratatouille
IMDb Rating: 8.0
In spite of being an amazing sniffer and his brilliant palate, Remy’s fantasies of becoming a chef seem very bad. It is simply due to the fact he’s a rat! Through a series of accidents, he ends up in the world-renowned restaurant of his late legend, Auguste Gusteau. With a dash of culinary strength and the help of a garbage boy Linguini, Remy comes up with exquisite meals. Also, these meals impress even the unkind chef Skinner and food critic Anton Ego. Together they rule the kitchen and show that big dreams can come true no matter how tiny you are.
This is a very fun and touching tale about a rat and its ambitions. Also, it deals with the way humans view rodents and how they treat them. It also talks about how one should follow their dreams no matter how outlandish it is. Thus this takes a spot in our best fantasy movies list.
28. The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
IMDb Rating: 8.0
Found inside a shimmering stack of bamboo by an aged bamboo cutter and his spouse, a tiny girl grows fast into a lovely young woman. The enigmatic young woman captivates all who meet her. But eventually, she must face her fate and the punishment for her crime.
There is a lot of things to love about this movie. It is a very innovative movie, for sure. It earns a place in our best fantasy movies list for this reason alone.
27. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
IMDb Rating: 8.1
At a carnival in the village of Hostenwall, Dr. Caligari gets a permit to set up his show. Also, It stars the twenty-three-year-old Cesare. She is a Somnambulist and she has been asleep for 23 years. Francis and his friend Alan visit the admired show. Also, Alan asks Cesare in his dazed state to tell him about his future. Cesare foresees that he will die that very night. And Alan is found dead in the morning it appears to be just one of many such offenses recently. Francis is dead set to find his friend’s murderer. Also, he is determined all the more so after Cesare tries to abduct his fiancée. He follows him to an insane asylum and not everything is as it seems.
This a very old film but that does not mean it is not effective for today’s audience. It is a timeless classic and has terrified generations of viewers. and thus, it earns a spot in our best fantasy list.
26. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
IMDb Rating: 8.1
This is an animated fantasy movie. Set a thousand years in the past, the Earth is damaged by pollution and war. In the Valley of the Wind exists Nausicaä. She is the Princess of her people. Their land adjoins a noxious jungle, brimming with dangerous over-sized insects. Also, two neighboring nations are agonizingly engaged in a war and the Valley of the Wind is caught up in the middle.
25. Castle in the Sky
IMDb Rating: 8.1
A young lad trips into an enigmatic girl who glides down from the sky. The girl’s name is Sheeta and she was pursued by the pirates, the army and government secret agents. By saving her life, they start a high flying journey that goes through all manner of flying machines. Also, they eventually look for Sheeta’s identity in a drifting castle of a long lost civilization.
24. Wings of Desire
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Damiel and Cassiel are two angels visible only to their kind and to human children. They have lived even before mankind. Along with many other angels, they presently roam around West Berlin, mostly on their own. They roam around observing and protecting life, sometimes trying to give comfort to the worried. Also, those efforts are not always prosperous.
Among those they are presently noticing are the cast and crew of a movie. It is a detective story set in WWII in Nazi-ruled Germany. The cast and crew include a sensitive and insightful Peter Falk; an old man called Homer looking for life long peace; and the ensemble of a financially failing circus, which has ended sooner for the season because of those financial issues.
One day, Damiel tells Cassiel that he wants to turn into a human. He asks this to realize not only the sensory side of physical beings but also the emotional side of them. He ponders on this thought with the full understanding that there is no turning back if he decides to do so. His thoughts are mainly because he has fallen in love with Marion, the aerobatics artist with the circus. If he does want to become a human, there is no assurance that as a human that he will be able to locate Marion. Also, he doesn’t even know if she will return his affection. His angels, however, may be searching the Earth for him.
This is a movie that takes the “Movie within a movie” concept and blows it out of the park. Also, it is a touching story about angels wanting to experience what it means to be a human. And such intriguing storylines earns it a place in our best fantasy movies list.
23. The Princess Bride
IMDb Rating: 8.1
A benevolent grandfather sits down with his sick grandson and reads him a story. This story is one that has been passed down from father to son for generations. As the grandfather reads the story, the action comes alive. The story is a classic narrative of love and adventure. The pretty Buttercup, betrothed to the repulsive Prince Humperdinck, is abducted and held against her will to start a war. It is up to Westley (her childhood sweetheart, now returned as the feared Pirate Roberts) to rescue her. On the way, he meets a thief and his hired helpers; a masterly swordsman and a huge, extremely powerful giant, both of whom become Westley’s partners in his quest.
22. Monsters, Inc.
IMDb Rating: 8.1
A city of monsters with no humans named Monstropolis centers around the city’s power corporation, Monsters, Inc. The adorable, strong, furry blue colossus-like giant monster named James P. Sullivan and his witty best friend, short, green Cyclops monster Mike Wazowski, find out what happens when the human world interacts with theirs. They find out in the form of a 2-year-old baby girl they call “Boo”. Boo fortuitously sneaks into the monster world along with Sulley one night. And now it’s up to Sulley and Mike to escort Boo back to her world before someone finds out. They especially want to hide Boo from two evil villains; Sulley’s main rival as a scarer, chameleon-like Randall, who holds the ability to change the color of his skin; Mike and Sulley’s boss Mr. Waternoose, the chairman and chief executive officer of Monsters, Inc.
21. How to Train Your Dragon
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Long ago up North on the Island of Berk, a youth Viking, Hiccup, yearns to join his town’s battle against the dragons that continuously raid their town. However, his father and village leader, Stoik the Vast, will not let his young, awkward, but a creative son to do so. Regardless, Hiccup goes out into battle and brings down a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention. But he can’t bring himself to murder it. Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he calls Toothless, start a friendship that would open up both their worlds. The observant boy comes to know that his people have misjudged the dragons. But even as both of them take flight in their way, they realize that they must fight the devastating ignorance tormenting their world.
This is where it all started. How to Train Your Dragon series is one of the best animation trilogies out there and this first installment is arguably the best among them. It deserves a place in our best fantasy movies list.
20. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Harry, Ron, and Hermione carry on with their quest of discovering and eliminating the Dark Lord’s three remaining Horcruxes. The Horcruxes are mystical items responsible for his immortality. But as the magical Deathly Hallows are discovered, and Voldemort comes to know about their operation, a colossal battle begins. And life as they know it will never be the same again.
This is one of those franchises that needs no introduction. Harry Potter is one of the most influential franchises of our time. People should watch it just for the impact it has on the current generation. It is also an amazing finale. It deserves a spot in our best fantasy movies list.
19. Song of the Sea
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Ben and his juvenile sister Saoirse live with their father Conor in a godforsaken lighthouse. Their mother passed away six years back while giving birth to Saoirse. Not able to talk, Saoirse is beginning to show exceptional powers and creatures of the sea seem to respect her. All of this indicates that she is no normal little girl.
18. Wolf Children
IMDb Rating: 8.1
After her werewolf sweetheart unpredictably dies in an incident while hunting for food for their children, a youthful woman must find means to raise her werewolf son and daughter that she had with him while keeping their secret concealed from the others.
17. The Seventh Seal
IMDb Rating: 8.2
A Knight and his attendant are back home from the crusades. Black Death is spreading across their country. As they come back home, Death materializes before the knight and informs him it is his time to die. The knight dares Death to a game of chess for his life. The Knight and Death play as the cultural agitation wraps the people around them. The people try, in different ways, to deal with the disturbance the plague has created.
16. My Neighbor Totoro
IMDb Rating: 8.2
Two youthful girls, ten-year-old Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei, move into a home in the countryside with their father. They do so to be nearer to their hospitalized mother. Satsuki and Mei find out that the nearby forest is occupied by mystical creatures called Totoros (pronounced toe-toe-to). They soon become friends with these Totoros and have various otherworldly escapades.
15. Howl’s Moving Castle
IMDb Rating: 8.2
Young Sophie Hatter is damned by the Witch of the Waste and turns into a withered crone. Embarrassed by how she looks, she runs away into the hills where a moving castle roams the hills. It is said to be the property of the young and attractive sorcerer Howl, who has a nasty reputation.
Inside the castle, Sophie becomes friend with the fire demon Calcifer, who assures to help her turn young again. Also, one catch: she should help Calcifer to be free from Howl, and Calcifer is not able to tell her how. However, Sophie decides to stay and tries to find out about the contract in other ways. Still, Howl can sense that Sophie is under a spell-like Calcifer can. Also, he falls in love with her for who she is and not for how she looks like. Sophie manages to bring life to the moving castle, and she assists Howl to face his erstwhile tutor, Madam Suliman.
14. Pan’s Labyrinth
IMDb Rating: 8.2
In 1944, in the post-Civil War in Spain, rebels still battle in the mountains against the Falangist armed forces. The youthful and creative Ofelia journeys with her pregnant and ill mother Carmen Vidal. They travel to the countryside to meet up and live with her stepfather, the callous and inhuman Captain Vidal, in an old mill.
During the night time, Ofelia encounters a fairy and together they go to a pit in the midpoint of a maze. Also, here they meet a faun that informs that Ofelia is a princess from a realm in the underground. Also, he informs that her father is waiting for her. But she must fulfill three ghastly, tough and risky assignments first. Meanwhile, she befriends the assistant Mercedes, who is the sister of one of the rebels and is providing support to the group. In a dark, cruel and brutal world, Ofelia lives in her mystical world trying to live through the given tasks to see her true dad, the King.
13. Inside Out
IMDb Rating: 8.2
Growing up can be an uneven road, and it’s no different for Riley, who is uprooted from her Middle West life when her dad starts a new life in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is controlled by her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness. The emotions exist in Headquarters, the control center within Riley’s mind, where they assist in advising her through day-to-day life. As Riley and her emotions fight to tune to a new life in San Francisco and confusion spreads in Headquarters. Even though Joy, Riley’s principal, and most major emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions fight on how best to steer through a new city, house, and school.
12. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
IMDb Rating: 8.2
With the last Angel defeated, Nerv has one final foe left to face; the humans under Seele’s order.
Left in a deep melancholy closing the end of the original series, a hesitant Shinji Ikari struggles with the options presented to him; to welcome mankind’s existence or reject humanity’s uniqueness. Meantime, at the center of a compromised Nerv, Gendou Ikari and Rei Ayanami proceed towards Lilith. Also, they do this to realize their plans regarding the future of the world.
The End of Evangelion acts as an alternate ending to the divisive final episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion. With the destiny of the universe hanging in the balance, the ultimate final battle draws near.
This is one of those anime that needs no introduction. Neon Genesis is one of the most influential anime of our time. People should watch it just for the impact it has on the current generation. It deserves a spot in our best fantasy movies list. It’s a classic, guys. Come on!
11. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
IMDb Rating: 8.3
History is turned on its funny head when, in 10th century England, King Arthur journeys the country to find knights who will assist him at the Round Table in Camelot. Assembling the knights is a story in itself but after a bit of a celebration at Camelot, many decide to depart. But they are forced to come to a halt by God who sends them on a mission: to locate the Holy Grail. After a string of individual escapades, the knights are reassembled but must face a sorcerer named Tim, murderous rabbits and sessions in the use of holy hand grenades. Their mission comes to a finish however when the police get involved – just what you would expect in a Monty Python movie.
10. Toy Story 3
IMDb Rating: 8.3
Andy is now seventeen years old and ready to head off to college, leaving Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the others of the toy-box group to think about their futures. When the toys are fortuitously donated to the Sunnyside Daycare center they’re originally ecstatic to once again be played with. But their happiness immediately gives way to horror as they find out the true colors of the establishment. Also, the center is under the control of the illusively welcoming “Lotso” Bear. Now, all of the toys must come together in one last, mad plan to flee their confines and return home to Andy.
09. Princess Mononoke
IMDb Rating: 8.4
While saving his village from raging boar-god/demon, a self-assured young soldier, Ashitaka, is struck by a lethal curse. To protect his life, he must travel to the forests of the west. Once there, he gets involved in a ferocious campaign that humans were executing in the forest. The determined Lady Eboshi and her devoted group use their guns against the gods of the forest. Also, they use a brave young girl, Princess Mononoke, who was raised by a wolf-god. Ashitaka notices the good on both sides and tries to arise from the flood of blood. This is met with strong hostility from both sides as they each see him as supporting the other.
08. Coco
IMDb Rating: 8.4
The unruly Miguel, a 12-year-old Mexican boy, and a positive musician are not able to understand the family’s continuing prohibition on all music. This is more bothering especially when his idol and the greatest guitar player to ever live, the departed Ernesto de la Cruz is the town’s hero. However, an unintentional mistake on the Holy Day of the Dead will mystically take Miguel to the faraway and busy Land of the Dead. This is a place where the rogue skeleton, Hector, will guide the way through the lively underworld. Also, he will aid the young intruder to find a lost ancestor. But can they do it before dawn?
07. Your name
IMDb Rating: 8.4
This movie is a brilliant masterpiece about time, the theme of fate, and the lives of two young souls. The day the stars fell, the lives of two people changed forever. High-school students Mitsuha and Taki are total strangers living completely different lives. But one night, they instantly switch bodies. Mitsuha awakens up in Taki’s body. Also, Taki wakes up in hers. This weird incident continues to occur out of nowhere, and the two should tune their lives around each other. Still, somehow, it works. They construct a connection and speak to each other by leaving notes, messages, and more significantly, an impression.
When a glaring comet illuminates the night’s sky, something changes. And they seek each other out wanting something more – an opportunity to finally meet. But as hard as they try, something more formidable than distance stops them. Is the string of fate between Mitsuha and Taki powerful enough to bring them together? Or will forces not within their command keep them separated forever?
06. It’s a Wonderful Life
IMDb Rating: 8.6
George Bailey has used up his whole life giving of himself to the folks of Bedford Falls. He has repeatedly wanted to travel but never had the chance as he had to stop the rich miser Mr. Potter from taking control over the whole town. All that stops him from doing so is George’s humble building and loan enterprise, which was established by his lavish father. But on Christmas Eve, George’s Uncle Billy loses the business’s $8,000 while wanting to secure it in the bank. Also, Potter finds the lost money and conceals it from Billy. When the bank inspector finds the shortage later that night, George finds out that he will be held responsible. Also, this means that he will be sent to jail and the company will shut down, ultimately letting Potter take over the town.
Thinking of his wife, their little children, and more people he loves will be well off with him dead, he considers suicide. But the devotion of his loved ones results in a kind angel named Clarence reaching to earth to aid George, with the assurance of earning his wings. He shows George what things would have been like if he had never been born.
05. Green Mile
IMDb Rating: 8.6
It’s just one more usual day in the Green Mile for prison police Paul Edgecomb. That is until big John Coffey is sent there. Unlike the hefty beast that Coffey looks like, he is good-natured at heart. While watching over Coffey, Edgecomb comes to know that there is more to Coffey than meets the eyes.
Unlike many Stephen King adaptations, this is a classic. Like The Shining, this movie understands that King’s stories are loved by many not because of the madness but because of the glimmer of hope among the madness. This movie deserves a place in our best fantasy movies list.
04. Spirited Away
IMDb Rating: 8.6
Chihiro and her parents are going to live in a little Japanese town in the countryside, much to Chihiro’s shock. On the path to their new house, Chihiro’s dad makes a wrong turn and drives down an isolated one-lane road which leads them to a dead-end in front of a tunnel. Her parents decide to stop the car and tour the area. They go through the tunnel and find a deserted amusement park on the other side, with its very own small town. When her parents spot a restaurant with great-aroma food but no people, they decide to eat and pay afterward. However, Chihiro declines to eat and wants to explore the theme park a little more. She encounters a boy called Haku who informs her that Chihiro and her parents’ lives are in peril, and they must leave instantly.
She speeds to the restaurant and realizes that her parents have turned into pigs. Also, the theme park turns out to be a place infested with demons, spirits, and wicked gods. In the middle of the town is a public bathhouse where these beasts go to take rest. The landlord of the bathhouse is the wicked sorceress Yubaba. Also, she is determined to taking custody of all intruders as workers, including Chihiro. Chihiro must depend on Haku to rescue her parents in hopes of going back to their world.
This is considered to be one of the best fantasy movies of all time. This movie takes a very outlandish and violent story and gives us a masterpiece. It deserves a spot in our best fantasy movies list for this reason alone.
03. Star Wars: Episode 5 – The Empire Strikes Back
IMDb Rating: 8.7
The tale of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and the other rebels did not conclude with the obliteration of the Death Star. Imperial armies have since caused the Rebels to move and hide in the ice planet of Hoth. But even in such a cold, backward world, they can’t escape the nightmare called Darth Vader for long. He obliterates the Rebel base in a battle with the devastating AT-AT walkers.
Luke escapes to Dagobah to start the Jedi training with Master Yoda. Also, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and C-3PO run the siege of Imperial Star Destroyers in the Millennium Falcon. The Imperials chase them all over the galaxy and in time catch up with them on Bespin. Now Darth Vader intends to use them as bait to lure Luke Skywalker to him. Also, he turns Han Solo over to Boba Fett as a reward to be taken to crime lord Jabba the Hutt. Luke comes to know about a terrible family secret after losing a lightsaber battle with the Dark Lord. Will he, and the others, escape the Empire’s grasp?
This movie is not just one of the best fantasy movies but it is also one of the best movies ever made. It took the lighthearted treatment of the original movie and threw it out of the window. It is a legendary movie and one that every fantasy movie lover should check out.
02. Avengers: Endgame
IMDb Rating: 8.8
After the shocking climax of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in mourning due to the snap of the Mad Titan, Thanos. With the aid of remaining superheroes, the Avengers must assemble for one last time to undo Thanos’s decimation. Also, they must undo the mayhem caused in the universe, no matter what outcome may be in store and no matter whom they fight.
10 years of Marvel Cinematic Universe comes to an end with this epic conclusion. This is not just a movie; it is an experience. What Marvel has done is unprecedented and revolutionary and cinematic universes will never be the same. This is not just one of the best superhero movies ever made but it is also one of the best finales a movie has ever had.
01. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
IMDb Rating: 8.9
Gondor is invaded by the orcs of Mordor, and Gandalf travels to Minas Tirith to help the humans in the war that is to come. Aragorn must understand his true identity and mission as the King of Men. So, he must travel with Gimli and Legolas to gather the Army of the Dead so that the fight against evil can be won. Meanwhile, delusion and intuition rise between Frodo, Sam, and Gollum as they pursue their growingly dark and risky travel to Mount Doom; the one place where the One Ring can be rid of once and for all.
Talk about an epic conclusion to the best trilogy of all time. Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of those achievements where the movies are better than the novels. Trust us and watch this one. It will be the best 12 hours of your life.
With this, we have come to the end of the 30 best fantasy movies list.