Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is an iconic fantasy drama series depicting seven kingdoms competing against each other in a never-ending battle for the Iron Throne. This highly-acclaimed series will no doubt rank as one of the best fantasy movies of all-time, with its huge cast and expansive battle scenes. Not only influencing the fantasy genre, but also transforming television by introducing a level of realistic violence and extraordinary character complexity not seen before on television.
The series featured some of the greatest battles and most treacherous political wrangling seen on the small screen, along with unpredictable characters who often took the world by surprise in their pursuit of material and personal ambition. It’s a perfect showcase of the power of winged creatures, mystical rituals and the cunning of humanity. Each episode left viewers on the edge of their seat, invested in a massive world of mystical creatures, mythological creatures and a complex political system. This has led to fans being able to quote the series almost off by heart, playing out entire episodes in their heads for hours or days on end.
The visual effects of the series are also impressive, taking viewers into a world that looks almost real and immersing them in a history, mythos and set-pieces that engage their imagination. The costumes, props and locations are expertly detailed, giving the show a sense of continuity and spirit that’s rarely found in the fantasy genre. With its influence being felt by other TV shows and films alike, Game of Thrones is undoubtedly a must watch.
Lord of the Rings
The monumental Lord of the Rings trilogy is considered to be one of the most influential and popular fantasy movies in history. Adapted from J.R.R. Tolkein’s novels, the films became a benchmark for the genre with original and awe-inspiring visuals and set pieces.
The plot revolves around a hobbit, Frodo, and his quest to destroy a magical artifact known as the “One Ring” that holds the power to enslave all of Middle-Earth. The movies are wonderfully directed, and every scene is a pleasure to watch as the hero travels from village to village, meets colorful characters and battles powerful villains. This creates an adventure experience that is truly unforgettable.
The importance of the characters, their relationships and the plot are powerful, and helps viewers feel close to them. Since the first movie came out in 2001, the world has had an absolute obsession with the Lord of the Rings series — people around the world can quote lines from each movie by heart. Along with its unique visuals, it also has a beautiful soundtrack composed by Howard Shore that really helps immerse viewers in the magical world that is Middle-Earth.
The Hobbit
The Hobbit is the prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Although not as widely praised or viewed as the popular trilogy, The Hobbit movies are still quite enjoyable for viewers interested in fantasy films. Directed by Peter Jackson, this movie features the same style of fantasy films, but is slightly tamer than The Lord of the Rings given its more light-hearted tone.
The movie focuses on Bilbo’s journey as he is sent by Gandalf the Grey to an adventure full of dragons, trolls, elves and goblins (among others). The films also have very impressive visuals and impressive battles, as Bilbo and the dwarves cross Middle-Earth. Just like with The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit also has an epic soundtrack composed by Howard Shore that helps create an immensely enjoyable viewing experience.
The impact of The Hobbit films will no doubt be felt throughout future fantasy films, as they have set a high-bar in terms of production and storytelling. Moreover, these films remain enjoyable to watch even after so many years and hold up quite well, making them a must watch for fantasy movie fans.
Harry Potter
There are a few fantasy movies, if any, that have left as significant an impact as the Harry Potter series. Adapted from J.K. Rowling’s series of books, the films feature magical spells, exciting creatures, wonderful locations, strong characters and a captivating score composed by John Williams.
The movie series follows Harry Potter and his two best friends Ron and Hermione as they face various obstacles in their quest to defeat the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. Along the way, they make friends, have adventures and learn valuable lessons with each new discovery.
The movies are full of heart and the actors provide entertaining performances that help viewers feel connected to their characters and the story. Harry Potter is a highly entertaining series with a perfect mix of fantasy and adventure. These are films that must be seen by more than just the Harry Potter fans, as they show the true power of fantasy films and why they are so beloved.
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia is a franchise based on C.S. Lewis’s famous books. These films offer a unique blend of adventure and fantasy that is almost unmatched by other films. Produced by Walden Media, the films are based on a fictional world known as Narnia that has been inhabited by many creatures, both mythological and magical.
The stories follow four siblings, Lucy, Edward, Peter and Susan, as they venture into the enchanted world of Narnia with the help of a magical lion named Aslan. Their goal is to reclaim the land from a powerful form of evil (the White Witch) and set the land to peace. The movies are full of powerful emotions and spectacular visuals.
Although the first two movies were better received than the third, The Chronicles of Narnia is still considered to be one of the greatest fantasy movie franchises of all-time. It offers an amazing tale of friendship, courage and determination that truly shines.
Stardust
Stardust is one of the most underrated fantasy movies of the last decade. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the movie stars Charlie Cox as Tristan Thorn, an adventurous young lad who embarks on a quest to find a falling star and make it his own.
On his quest, Tristan meets a varied cast of characters, including Captain Shakespeare (Robert DeNiro) and a witch that can change form (Michelle Pfeiffer). He also has to battle against an evil king (Ricky Gervais) and befriend a pirate captain (Clive Owen).
The effects in the film are amazing and the plot is full of unexpected twists. Not only that, but this movie also has an amazing soundtrack that helps to capture the imagination and build the overall atmosphere to make it a captivating watch.
The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is one of the most beloved fantasy movies ever created. Directed by Rob Reiner, the movie is loosely based on William Goldman’s 1973 novel of the same name.
The story follows a stable boy, Westley (Cary Elwes), who embarks on a quest to save his love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), from the clutches of the evil Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Along the way, he meets amusing characters such as an accomplished swordsman (Mandy Patinkin) and a giant named Fezzik (André the Giant).
Not only is this movie entertaining and funny, but it is also full of iconic lines and memorable characters. This makes it a timeless classic that can be enjoyed by anyone with a taste for the genre.
The Neverending Story
The Neverending Story is a beloved fantasy film based on Michael Ende’s beloved book. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen and released in 1984, the movie follows Bastian (Barret Oliver), an anxious young boy who finds solace in a magical book.
Through the book, Bastian is able to travel to a magical world called Fantasia that’s being threatened by an evil force known as “The Nothing”. With the help of a magical luck dragon named Falkor and his newfound friends, Atreyu and Artax, Bastian must find a way to save the kingdom and its inhabitants.
Overall, the movie is full of vibrant characters, creative visuals and heartwarming moments that truly make it a must-watch for any fantasy fan.
Pan’s Labyrinth
One of director Guillermo Del Toro’s most acclaimed works, Pan’s Labyrinth is a fantasy film set in Spain, 5 years after the Spanish Civil War. The story follows a young girl named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) who is sent to live with her stepfather in a rural area.
Upon arriving at the Captain’s house, she discovers a mythical labyrinth in the woods with a mysterious creature living in the center. This creature introduces her to a dark fantasy world filled with incredible beasts and magical creatures, and tasks her with completing a series of outlandish yet dangerous tasks.
The film has one of the best written stories and most creative visuals of any fantasy movie. It is a wonderfully crafted film that serves as a reminder of the power of the genre.
