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.
♫ Sometimes you want to go, where everybody is a mage. ♫
By Carolyn Cox