Entertainment
The 10 Most Enjoyable Fantasy Movies of All Time
Fantasy movies have a unique ability to make audiences forget about the real world for a couple of hours. They can take us to magical lands filled with fantastical beings or transport those fascinating creatures to our world. These movies are often a gamble because they’re so hard to get right, but franchises like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings have become household names and have legions of devoted fans.
In this list, you will find only enjoyable fantasy movies, ranging from beloved animated adventures to epic trilogies and wildly entertaining blockbusters. Some of them are inspired by original stories, and some are exemplary adaptations from their source materials. These movies have the power to connect with the audience and make them wish they lived and breathed the same air as the characters in their world.
‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ (2023)
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves follows Edgin (Chris Pine), who escapes from prison alongside his barbarian friend Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) and sets out to reunite with his daughter. But the wizard Sofina (Daisy Head) has taken over Neverwinter, so Edgin assembles a ragtag crew consisting of Holga, the inexperienced sorcerer Simon (Justice Smith), and the druid Doric (Sophia Lillis) to defeat the wizard and find his way back to his daughter.
Unlike the maligned 2000 movie adaptation that depicts the D&D universe as a generic fantasy world, this Dungeons & Dragons film is able to emulate the experience of playing the popular role-playing game. It has the unique elements and embraces the unpredictability of an actual tabletop adventure: plans go wrong, spells do not work as they’re intended, and characters frequently fail, or even one character is hilariously overpowered. The result is a breezy, fun and funny adventure film that is both rich and entertaining. It’s just a shame that the film did not meet the numbers it needed to reach at the box office, effectively closing the chances for a sequel.
‘Labyrinth’ (1986)
Labyrinth follows Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), a teenager who becomes frustrated with having to babysit her infant half-brother and impulsively wishes for him to be taken away. Her wish is granted by the Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie), who carries Toby into his kingdom and gives Sarah only thirteen hours to find him.
The sheer imagination of Labyrinth is what makes it so satisfying. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets and The Dark Crystal, fills nearly every corner of the film with something strange to look at. The practical creatures are a marvel in themselves to watch, yet the movie is more than a collection of memorable visuals. Jennifer Connelly delivers a breakthrough performance, while David Bowie gives an unpredictable and weird sense of fun to Jareth. The film was not a success at the box office, but it has since been reappraised and emerged as a cult classic.
‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989)
Kiki’s Delivery Service follows the titular Kiki, a thirteen-year-old witch who leaves home with her black cat Jiji as part of the traditional year-long journey for young witches to become independent. She settles in the seaside city of Koriko, where she begins a delivery service using her ability to fly. While she’s excited about living on her own, she also struggles to prove that she can succeed on her own.
Unlike the other fantasy movies on this list, Kiki’s Delivery Service is smaller in scale, a slice-of-life story in a fantastical world. It turns something as simple as delivering a package into a delightful adventure. This coming-of-age film captures the excitement of being young and independent while also acknowledging that freedom can be intimidating and lonely. Kiki becomes a very relatable protagonist because her challenges are so relevant and close to us. Hayao Miyazaki‘s warm touch to everyday details makes the film engaging and heartwarming to watch.
‘The Mummy’ (1999)
The Mummy follows Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser), who joins librarian and aspiring Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) on an expedition to the ancient Egyptian city of Hamunaptra. Their search for treasure leads them to the tomb of Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo), an ancient priest who was condemned to eternal punishment after attempting to resurrect his forbidden lover. When Imhotep is accidentally awakened, Rick, Evelyn and their group must find a way to stop the resurrected mummy from unleashing his wrath.
Put this in the category of “they don’t make movies like this anymore.” Stephen Sommers The Mummy is an unashamedly fun adventure film with a feel and atmosphere rarely found today, combining elements of the monster movie, romantic comedy, and supernatural horror. Fraser’s Rick O’Connell is an immediately likable action hero, Evelyn brings intelligence and enthusiasm to the adventure, and their chemistry gives the movie a surprisingly warm center. With memorable moments, like the Mummy face sandstorm and those creepy beetles, the film is an enduring fan favorite. Fans will be entertained by another adventure in the highly anticipated The Mummy 4.
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
The Princess Bride follows Buttercup (Robin Wright), who believes her true love Westley (Cary Elwes) has been killed, only to discover that he has returned years later as the mysterious Man in Black. After Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio consisting of the scheming Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), the enormous Fezzik (Andre the Giant), and the master swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), Westley sets out to rescue her.
Directed by Rob Reiner, The Princess Bride is an inconceivably perfect fantasy film. It has sword fights, castles, pirates, romance, revenge, and impossible rescues, but it approaches all of them with a playful sense of humor that makes it feel breezy and light. At the same time, its comedy never completely destroys the fantasy because the characters genuinely care about what happens to one another. Audiences can never forget the eccentric trio, especially Inigo Montoya. The film is endlessly quotable and just very cozy to be revisited anytime.
‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ (2005)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows siblings Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anne Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Lucy Pevensie (Georgie Henley), who stumble into a magical world hidden inside an old wardrobe. Lucy is the first to enter Narnia, where she encounters the faun Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy), but her siblings initially doubt her story. When all four eventually enter the wardrobe, they discover a kingdom trapped in an endless winter by the White Witch (Tilda Swinton).
The first Narnia film is a Christmas classic that can also be enjoyed all year round. Its premise that there’s a magical world just behind a wardrobe is every child’s dream. The four Pevensie siblings are also great protagonists. There is something genuinely exciting about watching the world expand from Lucy’s first meeting with Mr. Tumnus into a big high-stakes conflict. Drawing from the rich C.S. Lewis novel, the film is not afraid to be serious, most notably in the final battle, which has an outstanding blend of on-location shooting, practical effects and CGI. A new generation of audiences will be treated to a new Narnia film, directed by Greta Gerwig next year.
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010)
How to Train Your Dragon centers on Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), a young Viking living on the island of Berk, where fighting dragons is considered a necessary part of life. After encountering an injured Night Fury that he names Toothless, Hiccup secretly begins developing a friendship with the creature and discovers that the dragons are not the monsters his community believes them to be.
Based on a popular book series, the movie is a coming-of-age story wrapped in the pure exhilaration of a fantasy adventure. The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless gives the film its emotional center, while the flying sequences are genuinely thrilling, particularly because Toothless feels like a living creature rather than simply a fantasy being. The film also has an excellent sense of humor, a colorful world, memorable supporting characters, and just enough danger to give its emotional moments weight. How to Train Your Dragon became an acclaimed trilogy, and even has a live-action version.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy (2001–2003)
The Lord of the Rings trilogy follows a group of different people uniting to destroy the One Ring, which was created by the dark lord Sauron to conquer Middle-earth. At the center of it all is Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a young hobbit who undertakes the burden of carrying the Ring all the way to Mordor.
Peter Jackson‘s Lord of the Rings trilogy was a game changer in Hollywood, shot back-to-back without any guarantee of success. The cast mostly were not household names, and the films were Jackson’s first foray into big-budget filmmaking. However, the gamble paid off. The trilogy has spectacular CGI, engrossing characters, and large-scale production that is almost unseen in current times. Each film feels like another stage of the same enormous adventure, with events and character arcs building toward genuinely satisfying payoffs. Many attempts have been made to capture the same magic, but the OG The Lord of the Rings trilogy remains untouched.
‘Shrek 2’ (2004)
Shrek 2 picks up after Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona’s (Cameron Diaz) marriage, with the newlyweds returning from their honeymoon only to be invited to meet Fiona’s parents in the kingdom of Far Far Away. The visit quickly becomes awkward when Fiona’s parents discover that their daughter has married an ogre, while Shrek feels that he does not belong in Fiona’s world. Meanwhile, the sneaky Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) wants Fiona to marry her son, Prince Charming (Rupert Everett).
Shrek 2 might be the best animated sequel ever made. It doubles down on its premise that makes fun of the traditional fairy tale stories while also delivering a truly heartfelt story. New characters like Antonio Banderas‘ Puss in Boots, Prince Charming, and the Fairy Godmother are worthy additions to the story. Packed with smart jokes, pop culture references, and a great soundtrack (“Holding Out for a Hero” is now synonymous with this film), Shrek 2 is a truly satisfying and entertaining film for all ages and every generation.
‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ (2003)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl follows Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), who seeks to reclaim his stolen ship from Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). Jack’s path crosses with Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the daughter of a British governor, who is kidnapped by Barbossa to lift the curse that befell his crew. Blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), who is in love with Elizabeth, joins the adventure to save her.
It must be noted that everyone thought adapting a theme park ride was a bad idea, especially a pirate-themed one. Gore Verbinski proved the world wrong with this swashbuckling fantasy adventure. Led by an eccentric yet never annoying performance by Johnny Depp, the first Pirates film is an exemplary feat of filmmaking. It boasts an iconic soundtrack, challenging CGI effects, and an all-round fun atmosphere. Most of the scenes were shot on location, with an actual Black Pearl set built. The franchise went bigger with the next two films, which many argue could be one of the best blockbuster trilogies of all time.
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