When creating a new show or movie, it is important for the writers and directors to consider how much of the storyline is believable. Will an audience be able to relate to the characters? Do the interactions, relationships, and emotions feel authentic? This is a daunting task even for those who work on pieces that focus on regular, everyday life. Now imagine what those same professions have to ask when creating afantasyfilm.
Audiences are asked to suspend their belief in everything they know to be true about magic, supernatural creatures, and much more when it comes to the fantasy genre. People who are already fascinated by the supernatural and fantastic worlds often want the temporary escape from our own reality. Then there are skeptics who need the extra push to invest in the films.With CGI evolvingand new techniques coming out to ensure real actors and green screens seamlessly look like completely different things, many of those critics are starting to come around.
Here are the 20 best fantasy movies of all time.
20The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz, the adventurous tale of Dorothy and Toto ending up far away from Kansas, is a true classic. Judy Garland plays Dorothy Gale who finds herself and her rascally dog, Toto, in the land of Oz after a tornado tears through their property. She meets some interesting characters that remind her a lot of the guys back home. While Dorothy professes that she just wants to go back home, her new friends all admit that they too want something. The Scarecrow wants a brain, Tin Man wants a heart, and the Cowardly Lion longs for some courage. Together, the three setoff on down the yellow brick road in search of a great wizard that can grant their wishes.
19Mary Poppins (1964)
Mary Poppins (originally played by Julie Andrews) is one of the most iconic and magical individuals in the history of film. She arrives at the porch of the Banks' residence after “finding” an ad for a sweet and kind nanny for two children. After she meets Jane and Michael, harmless chaos ensues as she transports them through pictures and introduces them to an imaginative world thatmixes live-action and animation. The children, along with Mary Poppins and her friends, sing and dance their way through their problems and curiosities. WithMary Poppinsaround, there is never a dull moment.
18The Princess Bride (1987)
InThe Princess Bride, while a young boy is sick, his grandfather pulls out a novel and begins to read aloud. The narrative then takes over the screen. The tale is one of long ago when evil princes, mythical creatures, and damsels in distress were around. Buttercup loses the love of her life, Westley, and ends up betrothed to the rude and cruel Prince Humperdinck. She is later kidnapped by three men, but a masked savior swoops in and reveals himself to be her true love from years ago. The two must fend off the kidnappers and the prince to be together, but hilarity and hardships ensue which slow down their mission.
Related:Best Fantasy Movies of the 1980s, Ranked
17Matilda (1996)
When a young girl is surrounded by bullies, it is only natural for magical powers to find her. InMatilda, the titular girl grows up in an unloving household with her mentally and emotionally absent parents and slob of a brother. Once she starts school, she discovers that the principal, Miss Trunchbull, is the biggest bully of all who takes pleasure in tormenting children. With the help of some heightened emotions, Matilda discovers she can move things with her mind. This begins her plan to get justice for herself as well as her favorite teacher, Miss Honey. From innocent and bright child to classroom hero, Matilda learns that good people deserve better than obeying mean individuals.
16The Green Mile (1999)
The late Michael Clarke Duncan had his breakout role as the larger-than-life but sweeter-than-pie John Coffey inThe Green Mile. Set during the Great Depression, John was accused of a horrible crime he did not commit, and he was sentenced to jail. Given his size and the color of his skin, John knew fighting the false allegations was a dead end. Instead of shutting down and accepting his fate, John chose to help those around him. Using his supernatural abilities, John cured people’s illnesses, and he even brought a beloved mouse back to life. While the setting may not be of the fantastic nature, John’s special powers still make for an incredible fantasy tale.
15Peter Pan (2003)
When children first hear the story ofPeter Pan, they instantly want to go to the faraway land where they never have to grow up. From pirates and Indians to mermaids and magic, who would not want to be is such a fanciful place? While there aremany variations of the story, P. J. Hogan’s adaptation of the screenplay and novel is nothing short of brilliant. Neverland is captivating with its wooded forests, blue waters, and magical presence. When Wendy, John, and Michael first arrive, they, much like the audience, are in awe. Peter proudly shows off his home while he hopes to make it seem appealing enough for them to stay.
14Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
After following Frodo, Gandalf, Sam, Aragorn, and many more through twoLord of the Ringsmovies,The Return of the Kingperfectly wraps upeveryone’s character quests. Audiences have grown to love Middle-earth just as much as the hobbits, so watching the final battle to defend the sacred land had everyone on the edge of their seats. Characters are challenged both mentally and physically to grow and rely on only their own decisions. The world J. R. R. Tolkien created more than 50 years before it became a visual work of art is nothing short of magical.
13Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
The entireHarry Potterfranchise does an incredible job at creating the wizard world with Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and other noteworthy locations. However,The Goblet of Firesteps it up with the fantasy element, and it further introduces different mythical creatures like dragons and merpeople. Much like a muggle, Harry is awe-struck by these beasts. By now, Harry should know that everything he ever read about in storybooks is likely to be real in the wizard world, but it is refreshing to see that he still finds magical things new and interesting.
Related:Best Magical Movies That Aren’t Harry Potter
12Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
WhileWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factorydeserves its much earned credit, Tim Burton’s creation of the world inside the Wonka Factory,Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, goes unmatched. From Johnny Depp starring as the mastermind behind the mostdelicious chocolate and candy creationsto the entire room sparking with bright colors of edible sweets, the fantasy land is every child’s dream. Charlie and four other children tour the different rooms and realize that reality is not as it seems inside the factory. Wonka, on the other hand, believes his creation to be the norm until Charlie teaches him otherwise.
11The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
To walk through a wardrobe and enter a snowy, magical land would be a dream come true. When Lucy first discovers Narnia inThe Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, it seems like a mystical place where nothing could go wrong. Then, when Susan, Edmund, and Peter joined her, they quickly learn otherwise. The four siblings discover that a wicked woman who calls herself a queen has taken over the kingdom. With the help of some talking creatures and a God-like lion named Aslan, they battle to the death to restore the magical world back to how it should be.
