Entertainment
Only 5 Fantasy Movies From the 2010s Can Be Considered True Masterpieces
Every decade is home to some fantastic films, and one of the greatest genres that fans have been enjoying for centuries is fantasy. The sense of adventure paired with the mystical worlds, fascinating creatures, and overall feeling of wonder is unrivaled. The best part of the genre is that it can be so many different things, from epic high fantasy films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy to a more grounded movie that bends realism into fantasy, such as Life of Pi. Whatever fans want, this genre can provide.
Out of all the decades, the 2010s are one of the most peculiar when it comes to fantasy films, providing a mix of animation, high fantasy, and altered fantasy. There may be a lot of great movies, such as A Monster Calls, but there are only a handful of masterpieces. That is why this list will determine the only five fantasy movie masterpieces from the 2010s based on originality, story, influence, staying power, themes, directing, acting, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality. The status of masterpiece is a title few movies achieve, but these five films wear it proudly.
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010)
Live-action remakes are here to stay, unfortunately, creating soulless rehashes of beloved animated classics. One of the most recent adaptations is How to Train Your Dragon, and even though it was almost entirely one-to-one, the original is still far better. The village of Berk is home to some of the strongest Vikings in the land, but they have been at odds with dragons for as long as time. It is a rite of passage to slay a dragon, but the Chief’s son, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), is against the murder of these creatures, leading to a rough relationship with his father. After finding a rare dragon, Hiccup decides to befriend it, leading to the realization that humans and dragons can coexist. However, he is going to have a lot tougher time trying to convince the people of Berk.
DreamWorks used to be known for its pop-culture gags that, while relevant at the time, didn’t always age well. However, How to Train Your Dragon moved away from this, instead delivering a family movie that aged perfectly. The flight scenes were absolutely gorgeous, using revolutionary technology to create a kinetic sense of action that was both beautiful and exhilarating. Technical craftsmanship aside, this movie also features a classic story with emotional weight. The characters are endearing, the humor is funny, and the scale is magnificent, all coming together to make How to Train Your Dragon an iconic staple of the 2010s and a universally beloved animated film.
‘Midnight in Paris’ (2011)
Woody Allen is a controversial figure, but no matter what fans think of him, they have to at least acknowledge his proficiency in filmmaking, specifically in the romance genre. One of his best modern works is Midnight in Paris, which blends his usual style of romance and comedy with a little fantasy spice. Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) is a Hollywood screenwriter and aspiring novelist, but he and his fiancée (Rachel McAdams) are in a tough spot. Vacationing in Paris, Gil takes to wandering the streets alone at night, only to find himself transported back in time to the 1920s. Here, he meets icons like Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll) and F. Scott Fitzgerald (Tom Hiddleston), who may help solve his problems.
Midnight in Paris is a forgotten fantasy film, but that doesn’t take away its status as a masterpiece; it just means more fans need to rediscover this flawless movie. Magic and fantasy go hand in hand, but where most films use them for spectacle and mysticism, Midnight in Paris uses them as a precise storytelling tool to explore the philosophical nature of the film and its themes. This profound touch creates a distinct fantasy masterpiece that is much different than the other movies on this list, but this separation further proves its genius. By deconstructing the Golden Fallacy, Midnight in Paris creates a psychological evolution of its protagonist that is grounded and bittersweet.
‘The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’ (2013)
Anime is one of the biggest media as of late, and it also contains some of the greatest fantasy films, mostly from the acclaimed animation studio, Studio Ghibli. However, out of their impressive catalogue, the only fantasy masterpiece of the 2010s they have is The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Based on a 10th-century Japanese folktale, it follows the titular princess born from a bamboo shoot. Now forced to live in luxury with a restrictive life, she must choose a suitor to spend the rest of her life with. However, Kaguya only wants to be free and live a normal human life.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya doesn’t use the whimsical narrative style as other Studio Ghibli films do, but rather adopts a tragic and somber story. This timeless tale works perfectly with this modern adaptation because it uses a sketch-like watercolor style that mimics the sumi-e style, creating a visual masterclass with one of the most engaging art styles in animation. The narrative reflects its themes in the art, thus providing a beautiful contrast that highlights the excellence of The Tale of Princess Kaguya. The technical innovation, when paired with its emotional story, creates an unforgettable movie that might be Studio Ghibli’s best.
‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ (2016)
This list features a good amount of animated films, which is only natural since the fantasy genre works best in this creative and ambitious medium. How to Train Your Dragon is a Western animation, and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is an anime film, so Kubo and the Two Strings perfectly rounds out this trifecta as a stop-motion masterpiece. When the titular character accidentally summons an evil spirit, he must travel around ancient Japan in search of his father’s spirit, hoping to defeat the Moon God.
When done right, stop-motion is one of the most visually stunning mediums ever, and Kubo and the Two Strings is the height of the genre. Putting together intricate characters, creations, and one of the largest set pieces with a giant skeleton, this movie builds an immersive world that is a spectacle to witness. Furthermore, the painterly woodblock aesthetic makes Kubo and the Two Strings feel more authentic, accentuating the style and themes. By blending CGI with its puppets, Kubo and the Two Strings becomes one of the greatest fantasy adventure films, not to mention its profound themes of grief and memory that create a daring and captivating masterpiece.
‘The Shape of Water’ (2017)
Guillermo del Toro is a cinematic mastermind, creating some of the most unique, bizarre, and creative fantasy films that have all become cult classics. However, the one that won him the Oscar was The Shape of Water. Set in the 1960s, it follows a mute cleaner at a government facility, who discovers the secret they have been harboring: a mutated fish-man creature from the Amazon. Instead of being afraid, Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is fascinated by the monster and forms an unlikely bond with it, eventually orchestrating an escape when it doesn’t have much time left.
The Shape of Water might not be for everyone, but its distinct atmosphere and unique story make for a touching tale that uses del Toro’s signature style in its favor. Here, the renowned director flipped the classic Monster Movie formula into an endearing romance that was fresh, daring, and bold. The Shape of Water cemented itself as one of the best modern fantasy movies because it blends genres so masterfully, mixing spy thriller in the Cold War era with monster madness, romance, and fairy tale. It may not be a traditional fantasy movie, but that is exactly why it is a masterpiece from the 2010s that will be remembered forever.
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