By Hannah Saab , Collider Staff & Diego Pineda Pacheco
Updated
Follow
Followed
Thread 1
Link copied to clipboard
Sign in to your Collider account

Fantasy movies provide a true escape from reality, bringing viewers to faraway lands with magical powers, creatures, and beings. The farthest depths of imagination are brought to the surface in the different stories that fall under the category of fantasy. The extraordinary becomes the ordinary!
The best fantasy movies ever made are those that often inspire massive franchises, introduce novel aspects to the oversaturated genre, or are impactful and memorable enough to stay with audiences for years. These are also the ideal movies for viewers looking for must-see fantasy films, as they defined and continue to change the enduring genre. From recent adaptations of timeless classics like The Green Knight to old seminal masterworks like Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, it's easy to see that the best fantasy movies ever made tend to have an enduring influence on cinema. Thankfully, there's no shortage of the very best films from the fantasy genre that fans should consider essential viewing.
55 'Peter Pan' (1953)
Directed by Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi, and Wilfred Jackson

One of the best Disney classics of the '50s, Peter Pan is a loving adaptation of Scottish writer J.M. Barrie's book. It's the magical story of a girl and her brothers who are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland by its hero, Peter Pan, a dashing young boy who can never grow up. Though the story has been adapted for the screen on numerous occasions, this remains one of the best.
This beautifully animated movie is as timeless as classics come, enchanting for audiences of all ages. It's one of the best fantasy adventure movies of its time, thanks to charming direction and a screenplay whose imagination and innocence soar far above whatever flaws the film may have. It may not have the complex themes or groundbreaking innovations that make other Disney classics far superior fantasy films, but it definitely comes close.

Peter Pan
G
Fantasy
Animation
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- February 5, 1953
- Director
- Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson
- Cast
- Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Bill Thompson, Heather Angel, Paul Collins
- Runtime
- 77 minutes
54 'Conan the Barbarian' (1982)
Directed by John Milius

Back in the '80s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was at the peak of his career as an action star, starring in increasingly wild and explosive films that allowed him to show off his strength (both literal and figurative). One of his best movies from this period is Conan the Barbarian, about a powerful warrior who sets out to avenge the genocide of his people at the hands of a cult.
This fantasy epic is one of the most entertaining sword & sandal films ever, with brutal yet delightful action and a fun B-picture tone. It was the movie that cemented Schwarzenegger's place in the contemporary action movie canon, and nowadays, it's still remembered as one of his most bewitching roles. While some directors could have chosen to make this a campy adventure, John Milius goes for a darker and more serious tone — which somehow works magnificently.
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
53 'Barbie' (2023)
Directed by Greta Gerwig

Back when the live-action Barbie movie was first announced, no one expected it to be anything special. Even when the always-outstanding Greta Gerwig was announced to be attached to the project, people weren't sure what to expect. As it turned out, Barbie proved to be worthy of the title of the most successful film of 2023. Colorful, quirky, and shockingly smart, it's an emotionally complex story about Barbie and Ken having to travel from Barbie Land to the real world, where they discover both the joys and perils of being human.
Philosophically profound but also fully able to have tons of silly fun with itself, Barbie is one of the best comedies of the 2020s thus far. Its fantasy elements are kept relatively low-key throughout, but they do add a sweet air of imagination and innocence to the story. All in all, what Gerwig was able to achieve with Barbie is genre filmmaking at its finest.

Barbie
PG-13
Comedy
Adventure
Fantasy
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- July 21, 2023
- Director
- Greta Gerwig
- Cast
- Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Ariana Greenblatt, Helen Mirren, Nicola Coughlan, John Cena, Will Ferrell, Ritu Arya, Michael Cera, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Kate McKinnon
- Runtime
- 114 Minutes
52 'The Green Knight' (2021)
Directed by David Lowery

A visually stunning movie based on the 14th-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," director David Lowery’s 2021 masterpiece is an underrated story of courage, mortality, and what it means to be human. The Green Knight follows Gawain (Dev Patel), as he embarks on a perilous journey to keep his word to the titular character. Along the way, he meets otherworldly creatures and people with bad intentions.
With an enchanting atmosphere that holds viewers’ attention throughout Gawain’s magical odyssey, it’s easy to overlook The Green Knight’s philosophical themes and pressing questions about life and death. The protagonist’s journey is as much a quest to prove himself as it is to discover who he really is, pointing the mirror at audiences and their own paths forward.

The Green Knight
R
Adventure
Drama
Fantasy
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- July 30, 2021
- Director
- David Lowery
- Cast
- Dev Patel, Emilie Hetland, Ralph Ineson, Helena Browne, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Erin Kellyman, Barry Keoghan, Anthony Morris, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Sarita Choudhury
- Runtime
- 125 minutes
51 'A Monster Calls' (2016)
Directed by J. A. Bayona

Directed by J. A. Bayona, A Monster Calls is a modern classic that tells the heartfelt story of Conor O'Malley (Lewis MacDougall), a young boy who struggles with his mother’s terminal illness. When the titular Monster (Liam Neeson) shows up on his bedroom window one night, the biggest adventure of his life begins.
Visually striking and emotionally powerful, A Monster Calls seamlessly blends reality and fantasy, highlighting the transformative power of magic and imagination (especially in the darkest times). Its unflinching depiction of grief and the healing effect that stories can have is unmatched, and will likely capture fans’ hearts for years to come.

A Monster Calls
PG-13
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- January 1, 2016
- Director
- Juan Antonio Bayona
- Cast
- Sigourney Weaver, Liam Neeson, Geraldine Chaplin, Toby Kebbell, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Lim, Lewis MacDougall
- Runtime
- 108minutes
50 'Orlando' (1992)
Directed by Sally Potter

Orlando is one of the most underrated fantasy films of modern times, starring one of the most chameleonic actors of all time: The incomparable Tilda Swinton. Mixing elements of the biopic, period drama, and fantasy genres, it tells the tale of a young nobleman (played by Swinton) who's commanded by Queen Elizabeth I to not grow old. He obeys, moving through centuries of British history as he experiences crises of identity and love, and even changes sex.
Swinton is as phenomenal as she always is, aided by the script's smart sense of humor and the lavish costumes and sets. It's a dazzling film that overcomes the flimsiness of its story with its gorgeous visuals, delightful concept, and deeply complex themes, proving that fantasy cinema is at its best when it's not afraid to have fun and be wild.
Orlando
PG-13
Drama
Fantasy
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- December 11, 1992
- Director
- Sally Potter
- Cast
- Tilda Swinton, Billy Zane, Lothaire Bluteau, John Wood, Charlotte Valandrey, Heathcote Williams, Quentin Crisp, Peter Eyre, Thom Hoffman, Kathryn Hunter, Ned Sherrin, Jimmy Somerville, Dudley Sutton, John Bott, Elaine Banham, Anna Farnworth, Sara Mair-Thomas, Anna Healy
- Runtime
- 90 Minutes
49 'Marcel the Shell With Shoes On' (2021)
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp

Since shortly after its inception, the movie studio A24 has been praised for spearheading the contemporary indie filmmaking movement. Their library has explored all sorts of genres, including family fantasy. Marcel the Shell With Shoes On is one of A24's best movies to date, following a small sentient shell living in his Airbnb with his friends, who becomes the subject of a documentarian's newest outing.
Cute, charming, and funny, but also surprisingly profound in its exploration of themes of mortality and family, Marcel the Shell is, much like its protagonist, a seemingly small and simple thing with a heart that's multiple times its size. Its fantasy elements are subtle and creatively used, losing no time in trying to give them any more depth than they need.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- September 3, 2021
- Director
- Dean Fleischer-Camp
- Cast
- Isabella Rossellini, Jenny Slate
- Runtime
- 1h 30m
48 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis

A groundbreaking movie that combined live action and animation, director Robert Zemeckis' Who Framed Roger Rabbit takes place in a reality where Toons (cartoon characters) live alongside humans. It follows the story of Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins), an unlucky private detective, as he investigates a murder involving the famous cartoon character Roger Rabbit (voiced by Charles Fleischer).
With its unique mix of film noir and vibrant animation, the 1988 film became an instant hit and introduced fan-favorite characters like the iconic Jessica Rabbit (Kathleen Turner) and the unforgettable Judge Doom (Christopher Lloyd). Who Framed Roger Rabbit was a pioneer in the field of visual effects and animation that's still astonishingly fun to watch today.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit
47 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish' (2022)
Directed by Joel Crawford

With a filmography as large as they have, DreamWorks Animation have certainly had their fair share of ups and downs over the years — but very rarely have they had an up as high as Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. A sequel to the not-particularly-extraordinary Shrek spin-off Puss in Boots, it finds its titular hero finding that his thirst for adventure has taken its toll, as he's now burned through eight of his nine lives. So, he launches on an epic journey to find the mythical Last Wish and restore the lives he's lost.
One of the most visually striking animated movies of all time, The Last Wish is much more than just a great-looking film. An exhilarating existentialist journey that feels like a delightful mutation between Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker and Red Dead Redemption 2, it's a film as rich in its storytelling, theme-building, and character work as it is in its exciting action sequences. It shows that DreamWorks still have plenty of fresh ideas in store.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
PG
Adventure
Animation
Comedy
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- December 21, 2022
- Director
- Joel Crawford
- Cast
- Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Pinault, Olivia Colman, Harvey Guillen, Samson Kayo, Wagner Moura, Anthony Mendez, John Mulaney, Florence Pugh
- Runtime
- 102 minutes
46 'Mary Poppins' (1964)
Directed by Robert Stevenson

Director Robert Stevenson's Mary Poppins is a beloved fantasy musical movie that transcends generations of fans. Set in London, the film revolves around the Banks family, who hire the titular whimsical nanny (one of Julie Andrews' most iconic characters) who has a unique way of caring for the two mischievous children.
Alongside Bert (Dick Van Dyke), a charming chimney sweep, Mary Poppins takes the kids on extraordinary and magical adventures that open up a new world full of excitement and wonder. The influential film is fondly remembered by most as an integral part of their childhood, as it captures the innocent perspective and the imaginative world of young kids. Legendary catchy songs like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" have also helped it maintain its status as a timeless classic.

Mary Poppins
G
Musical
Comedy
Fantasy
Family
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- June 18, 1965
- Director
- Robert Stevenson
- Cast
- Karen Dotrice, Glynis Johns, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Julie Andrews, Matthew Garber
- Runtime
- 139 minutes
45 'Groundhog Day' (1993)
Directed by Harold Ramis

Bill Murray stars as the cynical and self-centered weatherman Phil Connors in director Harold Ramis' Groundhog Day. The iconic film is centered on Phil's seemingly ordinary task to cover the Groundhog Day events in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where he soon finds himself strangely trapped in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again.
Seamlessly combining humor and philosophy, Groundhog Day explores Phil's transformation as he learns to appreciate the small stuff that makes every loop bearable. Murray's standout performance as the protagonist helps his character's arc and the lessons he learns resonate with viewers, who probably won't mind watching this more than once.

Groundhog Day
PG
Comedy
Documentary
Drama
Fantasy
Romance
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- February 11, 1993
- Director
- Harold Ramis
- Cast
- Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brian Doyle-Murray, Marita Geraghty
- Runtime
- 101 minutes
44 'Excalibur' (1981)
Directed by John Boorman

Excalibur is an epic medieval fantasy film that retells the legendary tale of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the titular sword. Directed by John Boorman, the classic movie draws mythic elements of Arthurian legend to tell its story, which is centered on the rise of King Arthur (Nigel Terry), his quest to unite Britain, and the hindrances he faces from the evil sorceress Morgana (Helen Mirren) and his own flawed knights.
The 1981 film is one of the best medieval fantasy movies thanks to the way it captures the grandeur of Arthurian legend thanks to its lush and visually striking cinematography and sweeping musical score. Aside from transporting viewers to a medieval world of magic and brave knights, the fantasy film is also credited with launching the careers of a number of A-list actors today, including Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart.

Excalibur
43 'Millennium Actress' (2001)
Directed by Satoshi Kon

The incredible Satoshi Kon only made four feature films over the course of his career, and all four of them are absolutely outstanding works of anime. Millennium Actress is easily one of his best, telling the story of a TV interviewer and his cameraman, who meet a former actress and travel through her memories and career. Through a time-bending journey of the kind of surreal fantasy that characterizes Kon's work, Millennium Actress tells a deeply moving story about love and identity.
This is one of the best animated fantasy movies of all time, mixing a beautiful visual style with a surprisingly nuanced and profound script. As much of a celebration of the power of stories and the nature of cinema as it is an intimate exploration of a fascinating character's psyche, Millennium Actress is an unforgettable masterpiece that's executed wonderfully by its director's endlessly creative hands.

Millennium Actress
PG-13
Animation
Drama
Romance
Fantasy
- Release Date
- September 14, 2002
- Director
- Satoshi Kon
- Cast
- Miyoko Shoji, Mami Koyama, Fumiko Orikasa, Showko Tsuda, Shōzō Iizuka, Masaya Onosaka, Masane Tsukayama, Koichi Yamadera, Hisako Kyôda, Tomie Kataoka
- Runtime
- 87 Minutes
Watch on Amazon Prime
42 'Wings of Desire' (1987)
Directed by Wim Wenders

Director Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire is a haunting romantic fantasy set in post-war Berlin, where two angels, Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander), silently observe and comfort the city's inhabitants. One day, Damiel discovers newfound feelings for a lonely trapeze artist, who eventually inspires him to embrace mortality in order to experience human love.
Hailed as a philosophical masterpiece and an incredible existentialist movie, Wings of Desire takes the mundane aspects of the human experience and sheds a magical light on them. Damiel's decision to leave behind his life as an angel to become a mere mortal for the sake of love highlights this moving perspective on the human condition.

Wings of Desire
PG-13
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- May 17, 1987
- Director
- Wim Wenders
- Cast
- Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Curt Bois, Peter Falk, Hans Martin Stier
- Runtime
- 128 minutes
- Main Genre
- Fantasy
41 'The Thief of Bagdad' (1924)
Directed by Raoul Walsh

Often hailed as one of the greatest silent movies ever made, Raoul Walsh’s The Thief of Bagdad is a crucial masterpiece in the fantasy genre. It’s an adaptation of One Thousand and One Nights and revolves around the classic story of a poor thief who falls for the beautiful daughter of the wealthy and powerful Caliph of Baghdad.
The fantasy-adventure film is a triumph of visual effects and set new benchmarks not just within the genre, but for cinema as a whole. Its ornate sets, gorgeous costumes, and groundbreaking production design immediately set it apart and cemented its place as an influential masterpiece.

The Thief of Bagdad
Not Rated
Adventure
Fantasy
Romance
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- December 25, 1940
- Director
- Tim Whelan, Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell
- Cast
- Conrad Veidt, Sabu, June Duprez, John Justin, Rex Ingram, Miles Malleson, Morton Selten, Mary Morris
- Runtime
- 107 Minutes
40 'Life of Pi' (2012)
Directed by Ang Lee

Director Ang Lee’s Life of Pi is a beloved classic that needs no introduction. Based on Yann Martel’s eponymous 2001 novel, the film depicts the unlikely bond and wacky misadventures that two shipwreck survivors experience as they drift on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean.
With a stellar performance from Suraj Sharma (who plays the sixteen-year-old survivor Pi Patel) anchoring the magical odyssey, Life of Pi takes audiences on an artful story of resilience and faith. As Pi and the surviving tiger become closer together, the boundless ocean throws life-threatening dangers their way. All in all, the film is a masterful blend of beautiful scenery, thrilling moments, and thought-provoking underpinnings that have made it an award-winning work that has stood the test of time.

Life Of Pi
pg
Adventure
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- September 11, 2012
- Director
- Ang Lee
- Cast
- Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan
- Runtime
- 127 minutes
39 'Dreams' (1990)
Directed by Akira Kurosawa

Akira Kurosawa is undisputedly the greatest and most important Japanese filmmaker ever, but toward the end of his career, his movies started to be a little bit less well-received by critics and audiences alike. That included his third-to-last outing, Dreams. Now, though, cinephiles remember it as one of the auteur's most criminally underrated works of art. It's a collection of fantastical tales based upon eight of Kurosawa's own dreams.
With a gorgeous aesthetic (despite the fact that Kurosawa was almost completely blind by the time he made the film) and a beautiful collection of ambitious themes that the director handles wonderfully, Dreams is one of his highest-rated films on Letterboxd, and for good reason. Grand, artful, and masterfully slow-burning, it's a deeply moving collection of tales packed with beautiful details to enjoy. It also features Martin Scorsese playing Vincent Van Gogh, so there's really no excuse to not check it out.

Dreams
PG
Fantasy
Drama
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- May 11, 1990
- Cast
- Akira Terao, Mitsuko Baisho, Toshie Negishi, Mieko Harada, Mitsunori Isaki, Toshihiko Nakano, Yoshitaka Zushi, Hisashi Igawa, Chosuke Ikariya, Chishū Ryū, Martin Scorsese, Masayuki Yui, Tetsuo Yamashita, Misato Tate, Catherine Cadou, Mieko Suzuki, Ryûjirô Oki, Masaaki Sasaki, Shû Nakajima, Masuo Amada, Sakae Kimura, Meikyo Yamada, Tetsu Watanabe, Tetsuya Ito, Hiroshi Miyasaka
- Runtime
- 119 minutes
38 'The Seventh Seal' (1957)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman

The film that helped the legendary director Ingmar Bergman become a renowned figure in world cinema, The Seventh Seal is a timeless masterpiece. It follows the story of a disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block (Max von Sydow), who comes home from the Crusades only to be greeted by the harrowing result of the Black Death in his community. When he meets Death (Bengt Ekerot), he challenges him to a chess match that could cost him his life.
A profound and contemplative work of art, The Seventh Seal is a meticulously crafted film that uses symbolism and poetic imagery to discuss philosophical and universal themes like life, mortality, and faith. It’s one of the best existentialist movies of all time, and is a must-see for viewers looking to confront similar tough questions.

The Seventh Seal
NR
Fantasy
Drama
- Release Date
- February 16, 1957
- Director
- Ingmar Bergman
- Cast
- Bengt Ekerot, Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Nils Poppe, Bibi Andersson, Inga Landgré, Åke Fridell, Inga Gill, Maud Hansson, Gunnel Lindblom, Bertil Anderberg, Anders Ek, Gunnar Olsson, Erik Strandmark, Lars Lind, Benkt-Åke Benktsson, Tor Borong, Gudrun Brost, Harry Asklund, Ulf Johansson, Sten Ardenstam, Gordon Löwenadler, Karl Widh, Tommy Karlsson, Siv Aleros
- Runtime
- 96 minutes
37 'The Dark Crystal' (1982)
Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz

The opus known as The Dark Crystal is a fantastical tale chronicling the journey of Jen (Stephen Garlick), the one surviving member of a Gelfling tribe. His grueling quest is to acquire a sliver of the titular crystal, a powerful jewel that, upon breaking, plunged the world into darkness. Jen's mission has one main goal – to reassemble the crystal – while also stopping the ruinous Skeksis, and restoring balance to the cosmos.
The influence of cult classic The Dark Crystal on the fantasy genre is remarkable. The Dark Crystal was a groundbreaking showcase of the latest in puppetry, animatronics, and practical effects, which all seamlessly combine to create a wondrous world of magical creatures and stunning landscapes. It marked an important point in the fantasy genre in the 80s and was a critically re-assessed hot topic of discussion well into the 90s. Its influence is still felt in the craftsmanship behind fantasy films today.

The Dark Crystal
10+
Fantasy
Family
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- December 17, 1982
- Director
- Jim Henson
- Cast
- Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz
- Runtime
- 93minutes
36 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' (1975)
Directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones

The British comedy troupe Monty Python is the source of some of the funniest and smartest comedies of the 20th century. For proof, look no further than their most popular film: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, a spoof of Arthurian legend where King Arthur and his knights embark on a surreal, low-budget quest for the Holy Grail where they encounter a variety of absurd obstacles on the way.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a masterpiece of shoestring-budget filmmaking. The austere filmmaking style adds to the hilarious silliness of the movie's tone, letting the troupe's unique sense of humor shine through even more than it would have otherwise. The way the film pokes fun at Arthurian legend and fantasy, in general, should be an absolute delight for any fan of the genre, leaving some of Monty Python's best quotes playing in their heads for days.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail
PG
Fantasy
Adventure
Comedy
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- May 25, 1975
- Director
- Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam
- Cast
- Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle
- Runtime
- 91 minutes
- Movie
- Spirited Away
Follow
Followed