Entertainment
10 Greatest Fantasy Action Movies of All Time, Ranked
If there’s one genre that has proven to blend perfectly with action over the decades, it’s fantasy. It’s quite easy for these tales of magic, mythical creatures, and grand quests to incorporate some kind of action into the mix. Regardless of whether it’s large-scale combat scenes between rival armies, a swordfight between a hero and a villain, or a literal housefly fighting the man who wronged it, fantasy-action films are some of the most fun of each of those two genres.
But while there have been many great fantasy action movies over the years, only a handful can be considered genuine masterpieces to the full extent of the term. Whether it’s a comedy like Eega, an animated family film like How to Train Your Dragon, or a blockbuster epic like the now-iconic Lord of the Rings trilogy, these movies are definitive proof that fantasy and action are partners in crime like no other duo of genres.
10
‘Eega’ (2012)
The Telugu-language Indian dramedy Eega is probably the wildest fantasy action masterpiece ever made, and that constantly works in its favor. Directed by S. S. Rajamouli, one of the greatest filmmakers currently working in India, the story follows a man who’s murdered by a wealthy magnate over the love of a woman. The protagonist then reincarnates as a housefly who has to take revenge and protect the woman he loves from this obsessive villain.
It’s not that Rajamouli takes the concept of a vengeful fly seriously, since he definitely has tons of ridiculous fun with it, but he does take the premise earnestly.
It may sound like the premise of a so-bad-it’s-good cult classic, but Eega is genuinely one of the best low-budget fantasy movies ever made. It’s not that Rajamouli takes the concept of a vengeful fly seriously, since he definitely has tons of ridiculous fun with it, but he does take the premise earnestly. This distinct approach makes for a surprisingly moving and high-stakes revenge thriller whose 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes is well-deserved.
9
‘The Crow’ (1994)
Alex Proyas‘ The Crow is today perhaps best known for Brandon Lee‘s tragic on-set death after a prop gun failed during filming. Even so, the greatest show of respect that one can offer Lee’s legacy is to appreciate that The Crow is, in fact, one of the best R-rated fantasy movie masterpieces ever made. Dark, stylish, and energetic, it’s a film that deserves far more recognition for its own merits.
Bolstered by the tremendous power of Lee’s now-mythic performance, the film has a sort of campy charm that never overshadows its bleak atmosphere or the edgy, stylish-to-a-fault tone. The Crow is a cold, urban, Gothic rock revenge story unlike any other, and the way the fantasy and supernatural elements of the plot blend with the intensity of the action sequences is as seamless as it is compelling.
8
‘Kung Fu Hustle’ (2004)
Roger Ebert once described Stephen Chow‘s martial arts comedy Kung Fu Hustle as “Jackie Chan and Buster Keaton meet Quentin Tarantino and Bugs Bunny,” and frankly, there’s no better possible way to describe this action fantasy extravaganza. Full of the same kind of over-the-top humor and physics-defying action that you’d expect to see in a cartoon, it’s easily among the goofiest action movies the world has ever seen.
Chow has full control over that goofiness, however, resulting in a martial arts spectacle that’s absolutely hilarious while also being unexpectedly emotionally compelling. It’s definitely one of those genre movies that favor style over substance, but in the case of movies like Kung Fu Hustle, the style is the substance. After all, nowhere else will fans of action fantasy get combat sequences even remotely similar to what this comedic masterpiece has to offer.
7
‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ (2006)
Disney had made other movies based on their iconic theme park rides before they released Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003, but never with the same level of success. A franchise stemming from this beloved fantasy swashbuckler was inevitable. When Dead Man’s Chest finally hit theaters three years after its predecessor, it was very famously disliked by critics in general, but audiences loved it so much that it became one of Disney’s highest-grossing live-action films in history.
Two decades later, it’s time to officially admit it: critics got this one wrong, as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is easily one of the best adventure movies of the 21st century. It’s the last true swashbuckler epic of its kind produced in Hollywood, a perfectly-paced two-and-a-half-hour parade of showstopping action sequences, emotionally stirring character moments, absurdist humor, and delightful plot twists.
6
‘Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust’ (2000)
Based on the 1985 novel Vampire Hunter D: Demon Deathcase by Hideyuki Kikuchi, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is one of the best anime movies of the 2000s. This dark fantasy vampire adventure was made with the intention of showing it specifically in American theaters, which is why it was only released theatrically in an English-language version. Even when it came out in Japan, it was in English with Japanese subtitles. This singular approach makes it the highest-grossing Japanese film ever in a language other than Japanese.
Vampire Hunter D: Blodlust is a darkly gorgeous, uniquely surreal action horror film unlike anything else that cinema has seen since. It’s a film as spooky as it is badass, full of stunning visuals and immersive sound design. Indeed, it is a true triumph of the animated medium that should appeal to fans and non-fans of the source material alike, making it a must-see for all those who love vampire action.
5
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010)
Only a handful of 2010s fantasy movies are true masterpieces, and DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon is right up there as one of the best. It’s one of the greatest family fantasy films of modern times, a nearly-perfect adventure which understands that there’s plenty of room in children’s media for dark tones, emotional complexity, and artistic merit.
With its impressive score of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, How to Train Your Dragon remains the most critically acclaimed film in DreamWorks Animation’s catalog, and for good reason. It’s a rousing father-son story, a celebration of forbidden friendship, and a love letter to Viking fantasy. Its visuals have aged beautifully, John Powell‘s score is one of the best of the 21st century as a whole, and the sense of nostalgia permeating the tale of Hiccup and Toothless remains unbeatable, with very few modern animated films achieving the same level of emotional storytelling.
4
‘Castle in the Sky’ (1986)
For all those who are even the slightest bit familiar with anime, neither Studio Ghibli nor Hayao Miyazaki should need any introduction. The former are arguably the leading studio in anime filmmaking, and the latter is among the greatest Japanese filmmakers in history. You could tell how great he was from very early on in his career: Castle in the Sky was only his third-ever movie, yet it’s still one of the most beloved masterpieces in the history of anime cinema.
Castle in the Sky is one of those underrated fantasy movie masterpieces that everyone should watch at least once. Its blend of fantasy, action, and steampunk aesthetics has aged like fine wine, resulting in a story that’s beautifully imaginative in its worldbuilding yet also refreshingly human in its storytelling. Action fantasy is frequently at its best when it’s within the nearly limitless medium of animation, and Castle in the Sky is proof of why.
3
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)
The concept of The Lord of the Rings originated as a simple sequel to J. R. R. Tolkien‘s legendary 1937 children’s book The Hobbit, but soon evolved into a far larger work. Devised as a single high fantasy epic but published in three volumes, Tolkien’s trilogy remains the most important and groundbreaking work of literary fantasy from the 20th century. Anyone would have assumed that it was impossible to live up to such a huge legacy with a big-screen adaptation—but that was before Peter Jackson and his team came onto the scene.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring might be the weakest of the three Lord of the Rings films, but it’s still one of the greatest fantasy films ever made, which only speaks to the unprecedented quality of this entire trilogy. If this went on to become the best blockbuster trilogy in movie history, it’s largely because Fellowship laid the foundations as perfectly as it did. Marvelously written, technically faultless, and full of memorable moments, it’s action fantasy at its most imaginative.
2
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’ (2002)
Sandwiched in between two of the greatest fantasy epics in history is another one of the greatest fantasy epics in history, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. It may be best remembered for the Battle of Helm’s Deep, easily one of the best climaxes of any epic movie, but this sequel is defined by far more than just its final act.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is full of emotionally stirring character arcs, jaw-dropping action sequences, and admirably perfect bits of writing. It’s Hero’s Journey storytelling at its very best, gorgeously expanding the world and the enthralling story of Fellowship while also gorgeously adapting Tolkien’s work. Furthermore, it set the stage for the final chapter of the trilogy and offered plenty of a distinct and now-iconic spice.
1
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)
There’s really not much question about it. With a whopping 11 Academy Awards under its belt, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is tied with Ben-Hur and Titanic as the biggest Oscar winner in history, and for good reason. We’re talking about not just the most perfect adventure movie of the last 40 years, but perhaps even the greatest fantasy film of modern times.
At the very least (emphasis on very), The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is the peak of action fantasy filmmaking. Incredibly long ending be damned: this trilogy-capper succeeds at bringing every element of its predecessors to a cathartic close while still standing on its own two feet as an individual film. It’s visually impressive, boosted by Howard Shore‘s score, packed with stunning action sequences, and full of beautiful conclusions to deeply compelling character arcs. Fantasy movies don’t get much better than this.
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