Fantasy movies are always popular with cinema audiences and viewers at home. Why is this? Everyone loves to escape from reality for a while; sometimes we just want to be entertained. So if you're looking for something fun, here are some of the best fantasy movies and fantastic fantasy fiction movies for you to watch when you need a magical escape.
What makes these good fantasy movies to watch so enduring?
- Unforgettable stop-motion and practical special effects
- Timeless stories of heroism, romance, and myth
- Pure imaginative entertainment for viewers of all ages
1. Clash of the Titans
One of my favorite fantasy movies is the original 1981 version of Clash of the Titans (don't bother with the much inferior remake). Yes, it's not great cinema, and the acting can be a little wooden, but it's worth watching for Ray Harryhausen's marvelous creatures alone.
2. The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is a much-loved fantasy movie from the 1980s with some fantastically funny and quotable lines. With a hissable villain, a damsel in distress, a handsome hero, and a group of outlaws, it's a fun adventure and easily one of the great fantasy movies of all time.
3. The Thief of Baghdad
If you never watch silent movies, then you should check out The Thief of Baghdad, one of the most expensive movies made in the 1920s. The special effects in older movies may look unsophisticated to modern eyes, but don't dwell on that - just enjoy a great story and a classic example of early fantasy fiction film history.
4. Jason and the Argonauts
Here's another fantasy movie that benefits from the skills of Ray Harryhausen, building on the legendary creature design seen in Clash of the Titans. I'd much rather watch an old film like this, as his stop-motion technique has much more animation in it than CGI. The movie is famous for the scene where Jason fights a group of scary skeletons …
5. I Married a Witch
You may have heard of the 'Veronica Lake' hairstyle, popularised by the 1940s actress. Here she plays the titular witch who attempts to take revenge on the descendants of the man who had her burned at the stake. All does not go according to plan …
6. Topper
This is probably one Cary Grant movie that you haven't yet seen. It's a comedy (naturally) in which Grant plays a ghost who tries to change the life of his stuffy banker friend. By doing this good deed, he hopes to move on to the afterlife. Not surprisingly, it nearly doesn't work out …
| Movie | Year | Genre / Vibe | | --- | --- | --- | | Clash of the Titans | 1981 | Mythological Adventure | | The Princess Bride | 1987 | Romantic Comedy Fantasy | | Beauty and the Beast | 1946 | Magical French Classic |7. Beauty and the Beast
La Belle Et La Bête is probably the most magical movie I've ever seen. You'll already be familiar with the story of Beauty and the Beast, but this black and white version is just beautiful, standing out alongside silent masterpieces like The Thief of Baghdad. Don't be put off by the fact that it's in French - it really is worth watching.
8. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
If you enjoy musicals, you might like this fantasy movie. Based on the novel by Mark Twain, this fish-out-of-water tale sees Bing Crosby transported from the 20th century to King Arthur's Court, offering a lighthearted adventure tone similar to the comedic charm of The Princess Bride. One to watch with your family at Christmas or other holidays.
9. Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Okay, we know that the premise of this type of movie is nonsense, and that the centre of the Earth is a little too hot to support life. But fantasy movies aren't meant to be factual, or they wouldn't be fantasy! So enjoy explorers being menaced by dinosaurs and other improbable events in this movie based on the novel by Jules Verne.
I've picked out just a few of the fun fantasy movies that are worth watching. Fantasy films are an entertaining escape from reality, and on the whole are good for family viewing. What is your favorite fantasy movie, and why do you love it?