Fantasy movies offer a reprieve from reality. Whether it’s an adaptation of a preexisting story, or a wholly original concept, fantasy films transport audiences to faraway realms full of magic. If you’re searching for the perfect fantasy movie to immerse yourself in, we offer plenty of recommendations for what to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and other streaming services —and what to watch in theaters next.
The tapestry of fantasy films is a large one, with diverse threads. If you’re an anime fan, there are plenty of movies to entertain you, including the masterpieces of Hayao Miyazaki. If you prefer Western classics, the genre has staples such as The Seventh Seal and The Wizard of Oz, which have inspired both the fantasy canon and filmmaking overall. And if you have a preferred fantasy subgenre, we recommend more niche films for you as well, from sword and sorcery movies such as 1977’s Wizards, to movies about witches, dragons, and Arthurian legend.
Or if you need a deep cinematic dive, look no further than our coverage of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films, or our reflections on animators and artists such as Don Bluth.
We bring the recommendations, you bring the popcorn.
Lions and tigers and great movies, oh my! These are some of the best fantasy movies out there.
From 'Hocus Pocus' to 'Pan's Labyrinth,' these magical movies are sure to put a spell on you.
In honor of Netflix's Dark Crystal prequel series, we're celebrating one of the greatest dark fantasy films ever made.
Be they fearsome beasts or friendly companions eager to give humans a ride, dragons have been at the center of some excellent movies.
Studio Ghibli's 20 feature films are consistently gorgeous and unique, but some clearly stand out from the rest.
On Tolkien's birthday, we're looking back at the greatest words of wisdom from the classic fantasy trilogy.
No matter how you like your undead, you're sure to find something on this list to chill you to your core.
By Carolyn Cox & Shabana Bachu
Watch some of your favorite stories come alive on the big screen.
By Allison Wild
Bluth has never been afraid to show children the darker side of life.
By Carolyn Cox & Xavier Piedra
Even the greatest book to movie adaptations are often controversial among diehard fans, and Harry Potter is no exception.
Dragons and hobbits and heroes, oh my!
This exhibition of original Tolkien works offers an inside glimpse of the author's process and will delight devotees of Middle-earth.
In this fascinating lecture, Black Leopard, Red Wolf author Marlon James talks J.R.R. Tolkien and the relationship between trauma and fantasy.
From biographies to art anthologies, each of these incredible titles shines a fascinating light on the man behind Middle-earth.
By Carolyn Cox
Tesser your way through the stunning universes found in these books.
Over a decade since it was released, we still can’t get enough of this Neil Gaiman adaptation.
King Arthur and the Camelot crew have been honored in countless films, from movies of the highest ex-caliber to those so bad they'd make the Black Knight blush.
By Carolyn Cox
Learn all the strange and unusual details about how the beloved dark fantasy film came to be.
By Abbey White
Tales of knights and elves aren't so different from movies about knife-wielding maniacs and serial killers.
By Vrai Kaiser