Over the years, thefantasygenre has only gotten larger and more exciting, as new movies are released and old stories are refreshed in unique ways, yetthere are some classics that just about every fantasy lover should see at least once. Every genre has its fair share of lore and “best of” lists, but fantasy is a particularly dense example. This is becausegreat fantasy moviesdo not just tell stories, but build up entire worlds, species, and magic systems. Because of this, fantasy lovers get to immerse themselves in countless different lands far away from reality.
As fantasy continues to grow in unexpected ways, one problem audiences might run into is which movies to invest time in. Today, fantasy varies vastly in terms of its tropes and storylines.There are dragon stories, medieval stories, magic stories, romance stories and more. With so many options, it can be hard to decide what is worth watching. However, the following 10 movies are fantasy stories that every fantasy fan should try out.These are not just classics, but movies that helped establish the genreinto what it is today.
No one should be surprised that the first title on this list isThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.Initially published as a novel in 1954 by J.R.R. Tolkien,The Fellowship of the Ringcenters on a group of hobbits who are on a mission to destroy the One Ring, an artifact that allows the Dark Lord Sauron to controlall of Middle Earth. Despite technically being a sequel to Tolkien’sThe Hobbit,The Fellowship of the Ringwas the first successful movie adaptation of Tolkien’s Middle Earth works.
Fantasy comes in countless different shapes and colors, butThe Fellowship of the Ringis a quintessential example of high fantasy. Set in a fictional land inhabited by creatures like hobbits, orcs, and dragons,Fellowship of the Ringplunges viewers into a beautiful and dangerous world, and is a classic story of good versus evil. Whilereading Tolkien’s booksis highly recommended, watching Peter Jackson’s film adaptations is also good, starting withThe Fellowship of the Ring. The acting is solid, the visuals are entrancing, and the story itself will easily get newcomers hooked.
Another fantasy movie that most viewers will recognize isHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.Similar to theLord of the Ringsfranchise,Harry Potterbegan as a series of booksand was eventually adapted to the big screen in 2001. The first installment followsHarry Potter, an 11-year-old boy who discovers that he is a wizard and is brought to a magical school called Hogwarts, where nefarious forces may be afoot. The franchise continued for seven more movies and spawned countless spinoffs, but the first movie is probably the most easily accessible.
Harry Potteris far from a perfect series, both on the page and on-screen, yet it is a must-watch for fantasy lovers. The first movie in particular is a dazzling experience, filled with nostalgia, fun, and magic. It is an easy way to dip your toes into this franchise. Plus,Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stoneholds up fairly well, despite its age, offering exciting moments such as flying broomsticks, violent ogres, and a three-headed dog. Overall,Harry Potteris a fantastic coming-of-age story for fantasy lovers.
Another fantasy movie that audiences should not miss out on isThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.Written by C.S. Lewis throughout the 1950s,The Chronicles of Narniaisa franchise which takes place in a magical world called Narnia where young children appear and take part in the world’s unraveling story. InThe Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe,viewers focus onthe Pevensie siblings, who have close encounters with the lion Aslan, the faun Mr. Tumnus, and the evil White Witch. There are three movie adaptations in total.
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The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobeis another classic fantasy story that envelops viewers in its world.Watching the Pevensies discover Narnia by stepping through a wardrobe is a truly magical experiencethat will affect audiences of any age. Plus, the ever-changing seasons of Narnia and its lovable characters make the movie feel cozy, even in times of conflict. This movie is also worth watching now because it is getting a Netflix reboot, directed by Greta Gerwig. Therefore, it is the ideal time to explore Lewis’s fantasy realm.
As much as franchises are important to the fantasy genre, there are a number of standalone movies that are also necessary viewing. One of these isThe Princess Bride.Based on a novel by William Goldman,this film is about a young couple who fall in love but are torn apart by time and unexpected circumstances.Years later, their reunion is imminent, but they must find allies and fight against various evils before getting there. Released in 1987,The Princess Brideis a certified classic, and perfect for fantasy viewers.
What makesThe Princess Brideso great is its sense of whimsy.
What makesThe Princess Brideso great is its sense of whimsy. Many fantasy movies, especially franchises, can feel bogged down with an overwhelming sense of seriousness. However,The Princess Bridekeeps audiences feeling light-hearted throughout with its endless jokes, gags, and moments of levity. That being said, the movie still tells a story that viewers can become invested in. Westley’s journey to reunite with Buttercup is heart-warming, and filled with moments of friendship and bravery. Ultimately, this is the kind of fantasy film that audiences can recite line for line.
While some fantasy stories benefit from showing off their beautiful worlds, movies likePan’s Labyrinthare stronger because of the grimness of their settings. Released in 2006, this movie is set during World War II, and follows a sadistic Spanish captain who is tasked with flushing out rebels in a remote forest. With him are his new wife and her daughter, Ofelia. In the midst of the violence and cruelty,Ofelia finds herself being sucked into a world of magic hidden under the surface.
Unlike some of the other fantasy titles on this list,Pan’s Labyrinthis a story geared more toward adultsthan children. Mainly, this is because the movie is filled with horrifying creatures and the brutal realities of war. It’s a story that is as much fantasy as it is horror. Age restrictions aside though,Pan’s Labyrinthis a gorgeous film that brings viewers face to face with the nightmares of their childhoodand the unfortunate truths of our reality. Director Guillermo Del Toro offers up a brilliant story that every fantasy lover needs to experience.
Another absolute masterpiece in the world of fantasy isThe Wizard of Oz.Based on the book,The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,by L. Frank Baum, this 1939 film centers onDorothy, a young girl from Kansas who is swept up in a tornado and transported to the world of Oz, where munchkins, witches, and talking animals abound. With the help of a kind witch, Dorothy teams up with a group of whimsical characters and sets out to find her way back home.
It’s no wonderThe Wizard of Ozhas garnered so many spinoffssince its initial release. The story is pivotal, not only in the fantasy genre, but in cinema too. Dorothy’s story of finding herself and her home continues to be relatable, even all these years later. Like the Scarecrow, the Lion, and the Tin Man, audiences learn that what they believe they lack is something they’ve had all along. Plus,Oz is overwhelmingly magical, especially in Technicolor.For the most part, any version ofThe Wizard of Ozis worth watching for those who enjoy fantasy mixed with reality.
One particularly special fantasy movie on this list is 1995’sJumanji.Adapted from a picture book by Chris Van Allsburg, this movie is about Alan,a young boy who stumbles upon a strange board game called Jumanji and gets sucked into it.Years later, a pair of siblings find the game and accidentally pull Alan out, along with a number of other creatures both magical and dangerous. With the help of Allan and their babysitter, the siblings must finish the game or risk losing their lives.
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Since its initial premiere,Jumanjihas expanded into a much larger franchise, but the original movie will always be the best. Robin Williams aces the heartfelt strangeness of Alan, offering the perfect mix of drama and comedy. More than that,Jumanjiis great because its story feels so unique. Despite being set in the modern world, the movie shows how fantasy can invade our lives for better or for worse. Though somewhat terrifying for children,Jumanjiis an awesomely nostalgic and entertaining movie for adults.
The fantasy genre has gone through countless phases over the years, and one of the most interesting is1980s fantasy.A movie that encapsulates this time period perfectly is 1986’sLabyrinth.This movie follows Sarah, a 16-year-old girl who wishes that her little brother would disappear. Against all odds, her wish comes true, and he is kidnapped by a Demon King. From there,Sarah must make her way through a complicated labyrinth filled with magical creatures to get her brother back.
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Labyrinthis another fantasy movie that is heavy on the whimsy. Though the story itself isn’t anything new or special, the visual elements of the film are what really set it apart.Filled with Jim Henson’s puppets and led by David Bowie’s Demon King,Labyrinthis a feast for the eyesand a wonderful experience for viewers of all ages. It is the ideal pick for those who don’t want to make a huge commitment to a franchise, but want to be awed and delighted.
A fantasy movie that may not be as popular anymore, but is a pillar of the genre isThe NeverEnding Story.Originally published as a novel by Michael Ende, the story revolves around Bastian, a young boy who runs into a bookstore to avoid a gang of bullies. While there, he stumbles upon a book called The NeverEnding Story and begins reading it. Soon enough,he learns about a fantasy world called Fantasia that needs a human child to help fight back against The Nothing. Bastian begins to suspect that he is part of this magical story.
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Admittedly,The NeverEnding Storymay feel a bit aged in 2025, and it is definitely geared more towards children than adults, but it is still worth watching for those who have never seen it.This movie is the perfect example of an effective fantasy story that inspires childrento use their imaginations for the betterment of the world. Its visuals are ahead of their time, and the plot itself is important and sweet. This is the ideal movie for fantasy lovers to pass onto their children.
Finally, afantasy movie that every fantasy lover should see, that they might not have already, isThe Seventh Seal.It is a 1957 Swedish film which followsAntonious Block, a knight who returns home from war only to find the Black Plague ravaging his land.Sick of violence and death, Block challenges Death himself to a chess match and goes on a mission to do some good in the world before his life is taken for good.
Despite its age and language barrier,The Seventh Sealis a fantastic fantasy entry. It earned some divided reviews when it first premiered, but it is now considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time, telling a deeply important story with incredible visuals. Even many decades later,The Seventh Sealremains relevant because of its themes of defying deathand getting justice after misfortune. Ultimately, this is a timelessfantasymovie that audiences should not miss.
