The Harry Potter Films (2001-2011)
It’s almost impossible to single out one film about the boy who lived as the best—so we’re lumping them together here for the sake of this list. Based on J.K. Rowling’s novels, the film series follows the titular orphaned young wizard (Daniel Radcliffe), who learns of his magical powers—and his world-famous origin story, in which he survived the dark Lord Voldemort’s curse that killed his parents—and heads to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his education. There, he meets his new best friends, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson); over the course of eight films, the trio navigates teenhood, school bullies, and tough teachers who may or may not be evil. Oh, and Voldemort’s repeated attacks on their lives, of course. Start with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and continue on from there.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
There are, arguably, many Halloween movies that deserve recognition in the fantasy-film realm. And while everything from Practical Magic and Halloweentown to The Craft and Sleepy Hollow are worthy of your time, it’s Hocus Pocus that continues to reign supreme. The delightful 1993 Salem-set comedy introduced us to the Sanderson Sisters—a trio of evil witches played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy—who are roused from a long post-execution slumber when local teen Max Dennison (Omri Katz) accidentally resurrects them. With the help of his sister Dani (Thora Birch), his crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw), and a talking cat named Binx (voiced by Jason Marsden), Max is on a mission to steal the witches’ spell book and turn them to stone—before it’s too late. Check out the 2022 sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, while you’re at it.
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Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther seamlessly toes the line between action, sci-fi, and fantasy; so much so that it was the first superhero film to ever receive a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars. Based on the Marvel character of the same name, the 2018 movie transports viewers to the isolated—but secretly technologically advanced—African nation of Wakanda. When the king’s heir, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), returns home to take his place on the throne after the death of his father, he’s forced to confront a dangerous enemy from Wakanda’s past; but no sooner than his reign begins does he find himself fighting to save his home country and the world at large. Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, and Danai Gurira also star in the record-breaking film, which spawned a 2022 sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The Princess Bride (1987)
True love is put to the test in The Princess Bride, which puts modern-day dating app fatigue to shame. Like the magical William Goldman novel on which it’s based, the 1987 film begins with a grandfather (Peter Falk) reading to his sick grandson (Fred Savage). That narration leads us to the central fairy tale: Farmhand Westley (Cary Elwes) leaves the mythical kingdom of Florin to retrieve his fortune, with plans to return and marry his one true love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright). Although he’s presumed dead when his ship is attacked, Westley survives and becomes a pirate—and in his mission to rescue Buttercup from a group of kidnappers (as well as her impending marriage to the evil Prince Humperdinck, played by Chris Sarandon), he’ll overcome any obstacle that stands in his way.
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The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2011-2003)
When discussing fantasy films, it’s impossible to ignore The Lord of the Rings. The epic early-aughts saga based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel is split into a trilogy (2001’s The Fellowship of the Ring, 2002’s The Two Towers, and 2003’s The Return of the King) and centers on a hobbit named Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) who resides in Middle-earth. Curious and compassionate, Frodo joins forces with eight companions to form the Fellowship with one daunting goal: to destroy the powerful One Ring in Mordor’s volcanic Mount Doom—where it was forged by the Dark Lord Sauron, and therefore must be demolished—in order to save the world from evil. Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, and Sean Bean also star in the films which, if you haven’t already guessed, must be seen to be understood.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
If you tap your heels together three times, maybe Wicked will hit theaters sooner. In the meantime, tide yourself over with a showing of 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. The legendary adaptation of Frank Baum’s fantasy novel stars Judy Garland as Dorothy, who finds herself—and her iconic dog, Toto—transported from rural Kansas to the Land of Oz amid a tornado. As Dorothy gets her bearings in the Emerald City, Glinda the Good Witch (Billie Burke) appears and tells her to follow the yellow brick road to see the all-powerful Wizard (Frank Morgan). Along the way, she befriends the brain-seeking Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), the heartless Tin Man (Jack Haley), and the courage-free Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr). Look out for the flying monkeys—and remember, there’s no place like home.
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Enchanted (2007)
A musical fantasy is always a good idea, and 2007’s Enchanted is a Disney dream with a modern twist. Narrated by the one and only Julie Andrews, it tells the story of Giselle (Amy Adams), a princess-to-be in the animated fairy tale land of Andalasia. Unfortunately, her beloved Prince Edward (James Marsden) has an evil stepmother (Susan Sarandon), who cuts their happily-ever-after short when she banishes Giselle to the cynical live-action land of New York City. Exile isn’t all bad, though; she quickly encounters a divorce lawyer played by Patrick Dempsey, and he just might sweep her off her feet.
Into the Woods (2014)
Based on the 1987 Broadway musical of the same name, the 2014 film adaptation of Into the Woods follows a couple (James Corden and Emily Blunt) with a cursed family tree. The Witch (Meryl Streep) who’s responsible agrees to lift her ill-fated spell and grant them a child—but only if they procure the magical ingredients for a potion that will also restore her own beauty. As the pair embark on their journey, they encounter classic characters from the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales—Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy), Cinderella (Anna Kendrick) and her prince (Chris Pine), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), the Big Bad Wolf (Johnny Depp), and Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone)—all of whom seek their own happy endings.
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The Jungle Book (2016)
A live-action animated remake of Walt Disney’s 1967 film of the same name, The Jungle Book follows an orphaned boy named Mowgli (Neel Sethi), who was raised by wolves in 1890s India. When a dangerous Bengal tiger named Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba), threatens to kill him, Mowgli has no choice but to flee his home and set out for the closest village of humans. Despite having the help of a protective black panther, Bagheera (Ben Kingsley), and a friendly sloth bear named Baloo (Bill Murray), a deadly adventure awaits. Can Mowgli survive kidnapping monkeys, hypnotist pythons, and raging wildfires on his journey of self-discovery? Press play to find out.
Matilda (1996)
If you don’t think of Matilda any time you see a decadent chocolate cake, well then, lucky you. The 1996 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel stars Mara Wilson as 6-year-old Matilda Wormwood. Ignored by her obnoxious and proudly uneducated parents (played by Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman), Matilda spends all of her free time reading books. When she discovers that she has special telekinetic powers that can make TVs explode and newts fly, her teacher, Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz), takes her under her wing. All that stands between the duo and a life of happiness is an evil school principal (Pam Ferris as Miss Trunchbull)…and, of course, the Chokey.
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Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Few cinematic roles are as iconic as Gene Wilder’s 1971 turn as the ever-so-slightly deranged titular candyman in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel, the film centers on a poor paperboy, Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum), who’s determined to win a frenzied contest to visit Wonka’s long-closed factory. When he finds one of the five sought-after Golden Tickets that admits entry, Charlie and not-so-bedridden Grandpa Joe (Jack Albertson) set off on the adventure of a lifetime, where they meet a quartet of quirky winners, their respective chaperones, and an army of Oompa-Loompas. Oh, and the madman confectionary king himself, Willy Wonka. For a more modern take, Tim Burton’s 2005 adaptation, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is also mesmerizing—albeit even trippier.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
With 2010’s Alice in Wonderland—and its 2016 sequel, Alice Through the Looking Glass—Tim Burton reimagined Lewis Caroll’s 1865 novel and took us all down the rabbit hole. Mia Wasikowska portrays 19-year-old Alice Kingsleigh, who revisits the fantastical world of her childhood dreams in the film. She runs into familiar characters like the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry), Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Matt Lucas), and Absolem the Caterpillar (Alan Rickman), the latter of whom informs Alice of her one true destiny: to end the tyrannical reign of the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) and slay her vicious dragon, the Jabberwocky (Christopher Lee).
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Beauty and the Beast (2017)
The 2017 live-action remake of 1991’s animated Beauty and the Beast is arguably one of Disney’s best. Emma Watson plays Belle, a young woman who’s imprisoned by the Beast (Dan Stevens), a spoiled prince who’s been cursed to live as a monster (and his servants transformed into household objects, played by Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Emma Thompson, and more). The only thing that will reverse the spell and return the Beast’s humanity? True love, of course. Enter beautiful bookworm Belle (Emma Watson), the independent young woman who’s taken prisoner by the Beast while trying to rescue her father—and avoid her egomaniacal suitor, Gaston (Luke Evans).
Twilight (2008)
It doesn’t matter if you’re Team Edward or Team Jacob; both sides can agree that the Twilight saga is a supernatural romance for the ages. Based on Stephanie Meyer’s book series, the mid-2000s pop culture phenomenon follows new-girl-in-town Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), who moves to Forks, Washington, to live with her dad, Charlie (Billy Burke). She strikes up an easy friendship with the kind but tantrum-prone Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), who despises the sparkly object of Bella’s affection, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). Soon, Bella discovers that all in Forks is not what it seems—and that rolling with the vampiric Cullen family (played by Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone, and Nikki Reed) can only lead to danger. Start with the OG film and make it a marathon with the four sequels: New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn (Parts 1 and 2).
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The Shape of Water (2017)
If you’re in the market for a weirder take on the standard fairy tale, The Shape Of Water is it. Set in Baltimore during the Cold War, Guillermo del Toro’s 2017 critical darling centers on a mute woman named Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins). While working as a janitor at a high-security government lab, she stumbles upon the researcher’s top-secret discovery: a strange scaled creature (Doug Jones) that’s being held captive in a water tank. Fascinated, Elisa forms an unlikely bond with the unfamiliar being, who appears to fall somewhere on the scale between a human and amphibian. And the more she falls in love with her new friend, the more she’s determined to do whatever it takes to save him from the government’s sinister plans.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
The film that all but swept the 2023 Oscars, Everything Everywhere All at Once is a fantastical action- and comedy-filled adventure unlike any other. Michelle Yeoh portrays Evelyn Quan Wang, an overtired Chinese immigrant who, amid an IRS investigation, finds herself taking on an unlikely task: She must connect with parallel-universe versions of herself in order to save the entire multiverse following an interdimensional rupture. With the fate of humanity resting solely in her hands, Evelyn fends off dark forces while “verse-jumping” and, in the process, explores the alternate lives that she could have lived, had she made different choices. Pretty standard stuff, no? Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis also star.
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Beetlejuice (1988)
The much-anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 dark-fantasy masterpiece Beetlejuice hit theaters on September 6, but you can never go wrong with a rewatch of the original. It’s the ultimate spooky-season watch, starring Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as Adam and Barbara Maitland, a recently-deceased couple who are still haunting their Connecticut country home. When an annoying family—played by Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones, and Winona Ryder—moves in, the ghostly Maitlands are determined to scare them away. They hire an evil “bio-exorcist” spirit named Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) to get the job done, and trippy chaos ensues.
Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
It goes without saying that the original 1964 Mary Poppins film is a classic, but its 2018 sequel is also a must-watch. Emily Blunt takes on the role of the titular magical nanny in Mary Poppins Returns, which takes place in London during the Great Depression. Decades after Mary Poppins first visited his family, Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) is all grown up; a recently widowed bank teller, he’s living in his childhood home with three kids of his own when he learns that the house is being repossessed. The only way to save it? By finding a missing certificate that his late father left behind. If anyone can help, surely it’s Mary Poppins.
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Wonder Woman (2017)
If a superhero saga will scratch your fantasy film itch, Wonder Woman is a great place to start. Gal Gadot portrayed the the iconic DC Comics character in the 2017 movie, which tells Wonder Woman’s origin story as Diana Prince, an Amazon warrior princess. When she encounters American pilot Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) in 1918, she learns of the war being waged in the outside world. So, for the first time ever, she leaves the paradise bubble of her home behind in order to put an end to the fighting—and discovers the full range of her powers along the way. Make it a double feature with the sequel, Wonder Woman 1984.
Pleasantville (1998)
Although it was critically-acclaimed, the teen dramedy Pleasantville was largely overlooked by the masses when it premiered in 1998. It’s only grown more popular with time, though, thanks to a high-concept original plot and stunning visuals. The film follows twins Jennifer and David (played by Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire), who find themselves transported from their ’90s life into the black-and-white utopia of a 1950s sitcom. Everything in the colorless, sanitized Midwestern town is picture-perfect on the surface—there’s no rain, fire, or crime—but every day is repetitive and the people are barely living. Naturally, the siblings are there to change that—and to awaken Pleasantville’s repressed residents with a much-needed burst of color.
Samantha Simon is a writer, editor, and pop culture enthusiast living in New York City. She previously served as Features Editor at InStyle. If she’s not in the middle of a Law & Order: SVU marathon, she’s probably on a 4-mile walk with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dexter (named after the fictional vigilante serial killer, naturally), shopping, or searching for the best cacio e pepe that the city has to offer. Her favorite topics include celebrity memoirs, emo bands of the early aughts, and the weekly Sakara Life menu.
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