8 Fantasy Movie Masterpieces So Perfect That They Became the Blueprint

One of the biggest draws of cinema has always been its escapism, and no film genre fulfills that need quite as well as fantasy. With their imaginative worlds, endearing characters, and larger-than-life stories, fantasy movies have entertained and inspired audiences for generations. But while there have been a lot of great fantasy films released over the decades, the best of them all are the films that truly transformed the genre, pushing it to heights never before seen.

These are the films that didn’t just entertain audiences; they completely changed the game, becoming benchmarks and inspirations for all subsequent generations. The fantasy genre (and cinema in general) would be a vastly different world altogether without them, so it’s only right that we give these films the acclaim they deserve. Read on to discover our handpicked selection of fantasy movie masterpieces that are so great they became the blueprint for the genre.

1

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)

Image via New Line Cinema

Directed by Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is an adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien‘s classic high fantasy novel of the same name and the first part of Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Set in the fantastical world of Middle-earth, the story follows young hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and his eight companions as they set out on a dangerous quest to destroy the One Ring, an evil artifact tied to the Dark Lord Sauron. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Sean Bean, and more.

Universally acclaimed and immensely successful at the box office, Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies have had as profound an impact on fantasy filmmaking as Tolkien’s novels did on fantasy literature. The first film, arguably the best of the trilogy, is widely recognized as one of the greatest movies ever made, and it earned several honors, including four Academy Awards out of thirteen nominations. Its influence can be seen in practically every high fantasy film made since its release, making it the definitive movie of its subgenre and one of the greatest of all time.

2

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Image via Warner Bros.

Adapted from L. Frank Baum’s iconic 1900 novel, The Wizard of Oz is a musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed primarily by Victor Fleming. The movie stars Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who finds herself transported to the magical land of Oz and embarks on a quest to meet the titular wizard in order to return home. Besides Garland, the film also stars Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Billie Burke, and Margaret Hamilton.

A masterpiece of technical innovation, The Wizard of Oz was acclaimed in its time for its music, characters, plot, and visual effects, especially its brilliant use of Technicolor. Though it didn’t make a profit initially, the film earned three Academy Awards out of five nominations and has since become one of the most celebrated fantasy movies of all time. Easily one of the most iconic films in the history of cinema, The Wizard of Oz is a cultural touchstone that has been an inspiration to generations of filmmakers both within the fantasy genre and beyond.

3

‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

Image via Studio Ghibli

Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away is a Japanese fantasy anime film animated by Studio Ghibli and produced by Toshio Suzuki. The movie follows a young girl named Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi), who accidentally enters the spirit world and takes a job working for a witch while trying to find a way back to the human world. The film’s voice cast also includes Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, Takashi Naito, Yasuko Sawaguchi, Tsunehiko Kamijō, Takehiko Ono, and Bunta Sugawara.

One of the most universally acclaimed and commercially successful anime films of all time, Spirited Away is a landmark of Japanese animation and one of the most influential animated films of all time. The movie has earned praise over the years for its hand-drawn animation style, emotionally deep storytelling, and imaginative world. Widely regarded as one of the greatest animated films of all time, the movie is also notable for being the first hand-drawn, non-English-language animated film ever to be awarded the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

4

‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ (1937)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Produced by Walt Disney, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is an animated adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairytale and the first animated feature film produced in the United States. Adriana Caselotti stars as the voice of Snow White, a gentle and kind young princess who hides from her evil stepmother, the Queen (Lucille La Verne), with the help of seven dwarves, voiced by Roy Atwell, Pinto Colvig, Otis Harlan, Scotty Mattraw, Billy Gilbert, and Eddie Collins. Harry Stockwell, Moroni Olsen, and Stuart Buchanan voice other supporting roles.

Easily one of the most influential Disney films of all time, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a landmark of cinematic history that has entertained generations of fans with its music, animation, and timeless moral story. The film was a massive success in its day and has continued to win praise from worldwide audiences over the subsequent decades, making it one of the most enduring works of fantasy animation ever made. Not even Disney could make a better retelling of the classic fairy tale, and they tried!

5

‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’ (1977)

Image via Lucasfilm

Written and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope is an epic space opera that’s the first movie of the Star Wars film franchise and the fourth chapter in the franchise’s Skywalker Saga. Set in a fictional galaxy far, far away controlled by the tyrannical Galactic Empire, the film stars Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, a young farmboy from the desert planet Tatooine who sets out to rescue the kidnapped leader of the Rebel Alliance, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and help the rebels destroy the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star. The film also stars Harrison Ford, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, David Prowse, and James Earl Jones in notable roles.

The first Star Wars movie was a massive, unexpected blockbuster when it first premiered in 1977, igniting the imaginations of a whole generation of fans and laying the foundations for what would eventually become one of the biggest global franchises of all time. An entertaining blend of science fiction and fantasy, A New Hope had a transformative impact on the genre, both in terms of its worldbuilding and the many filmmaking techniques it pioneered, including the original use of sound effects, props, models, and special effects. Today, the movie is widely regarded as a cinematic masterpiece and a major cultural landmark that’s adored by legions of fans around the world.

6

‘The Dark Crystal’ (1982)

Image via Universal Pictures

Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, The Dark Crystal is a live-action dark fantasy film that’s most recognized for its extensive use of puppets and animatronics, featuring no human actors at all. Set in the magical world of Thra, the movie follows two young Gelflings, Jen and Kira, as they embark on a quest to overthrow the evil Skeksis by restoring a shattered crystal. The film’s voice cast includes Stephen Garlick, Lisa Maxwell, Billie Whitelaw, Percy Edwards, and more.

The Dark Crystal had a pretty mixed reception when it first premiered in 1982, largely because of its dark tone, but the film has since grown into a cult classic that’s widely praised for its imaginative worldbuilding, unique production, and original story. The movie raised the bar for practical effects and creature design, pushing the art of puppetry to new heights, and it has been an inspiration to filmmakers and designers ever since. A prequel series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, was released on Netflix in 2019.

7

‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)

Everett Collection

Written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth is a Spanish‑language dark fantasy film set in Spain in the summer of 1944, not long after the end of the Spanish Civil War. Ivana Baquero stars as Ofelia, a young girl whose mother has recently married a ruthless Civil Guard officer, and the film follows her attempts to complete a quest that blurs the lines between myth and reality. Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Doug Jones, Ariadna Gil, and Álex Angulo star in key supporting roles.

Pan’s Labyrinth premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival to critical praise, receiving the longest standing ovation in the festival’s history. Universally acclaimed for its visual style, emotional depth, and layered narrative, the film was an exceptional success at the time of its release, earning numerous accolades, including three Academy Awards and three BAFTAs. The movie is arguably Guillermo del Toro’s greatest film, a fascinating blend of wondrous fantasy and historical tragedy that is widely regarded as one of the best films of the 21st century so far.

8

‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Directed and co-produced by the late Rob Reiner, The Princess Bride is a fantasy adventure comedy written by William Goldman and adapted from Goldman’s own 1973 novel. The film stars Cary Elwes as farmhand-turned-swashbuckler Westley, who seeks to rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), from the villainous Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), with the help of his quirky companions. Mandy Patinkin, André the Giant, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Peter Falk, Fred Savage, Billy Crystal, and Carol Kane star in supporting roles.

A true pop culture landmark, The Princess Bride is a timeless classic that has earned the praise of generations of critics and viewers with its combination of wit, romance, and swashbuckling action. Full of quotable dialogue, genre subversions, and entertainingly eccentric characters, the film was not a very big success at the box office when it first came out, but it has since grown into one of the most widely loved adventure movies of all time. A perennial cult classic, the film’s legacy was officially recognized in 2016 when it was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

Release Date

September 25, 1987

Runtime

99 minutes