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When it comes to fantasy, there’s an argument to be made that the genre peaked on the big screen back in the early 2000s. Sure, there were plenty of fantastic fantasy pictures before, such as John Boorman‘s Excalibur, Sleeping Beauty, The Princess Bride, and, of course, The Wizard of Oz — and it’s not as if there haven’t been any good ones again after. But there was something about that first decade of the 21st century that stood apart.
We’ve put together a list of six of the greatest fantasy films made during this time, and the list itself probably won’t surprise you. No doubt, you’ve likely already thought of these very same movies. But if you’re in the mood for something fantastical, something that brings the world of myth, legend, and fairy tales to life, then look no further than these six 2000s classics that still hold up all these years later.
6
‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (2001)
When J.K. Rowling first published Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the U.S.), the Wizarding World became an almost instant phenomenon. The same was true years later when the first movie adaptation hit theaters, as director Chris Columbus brought the material to life with childlike wonder and a robust exploration of this fantasy world slightly off from our own. Daniel Radcliffe will forever be Harry Potter for most, and the first film — which primarily used the Sorcerer’s Stone title — is still the perfect one-and-done fantasy flick that is easy to revisit again and again.
Of course, the Harry Potter films continued, adapting all seven books across eight films. Yet, there’s something about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone that just sticks with us in a way the others don’t (though that isn’t to say the rest aren’t well-done). It may be that Harry’s first experience with magic is not unlike our own, and there’s something nostalgic and exciting about experiencing it for the first time. It could also be that, compared to the rest of the franchise, it’s the most standalone. Either way, there’s a reason Harry Potter became such a cultural phenomenon.
5
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)
The same year that Harry Potter took the world by storm, the fantasy genre further expanded with The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien‘s high fantasy epic, director Peter Jackson did the impossible by bringing the world of Middle-earth to life. It was truly a remarkable venture into the life of the unassuming Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), who finds himself tasked with destroying the One Ring that would threaten to wipe out the entire realm if claimed once more by the unseen Sauron. Armed with eight companions, Frodo sets off on his quest, and we anxiously follow alongside him.
The Fellowship of the Ring expertly juxtaposes life in the Shire with the evils encroaching all around, and rather than apologize for its enormous lore, Jackson and company just roll with it. The first in the famed three-part saga, The Fellowship of the Ring balances impressive action sequences, groundbreaking special effects and costuming, and spectacular visuals with a simple plot that we can’t get enough of. When it comes to peak 2000s fantasy entertainment, The Lord of the Rings trilogy remains perfect all these years later.
4
‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ (2005)
Riding on the coattails of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the philosophically rich works of C.S. Lewis soon found their way to the big screen in the form of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The first film, which is the third and final adaption of the first Narnia novel of the same name, followed four siblings — Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Lucy (Georgie Henley) — as they journey into a parallel world full of magic and wonder. Ruled by the villainous White Witch (Tilda Swinton), the children help the magical realm secure its freedom.
Directed by Andrew Adamson, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is everything you could ask for in adapting Lewis’ work to the screen. It anchors the Pevensies firmly in World War II history before fully enrapturing the viewer in the epic visuals and magical Narnian splendor. Liam Neeson voices Aslan, the Great Lion himself, guiding the four young kings and queens as they seek to restore Narnia to its former glory. While the film inspired a trilogy of its own, the first installment remains the greatest of them.
3
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’ (2002)
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that we’ve also placed The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on this list. After all, if you thought that Peter Jackson had done something spectacular with The Fellowship of the Ring, the sequel arguably even surpasses its predecessor in scale. After Frodo and his companions are separated by Sauron and Saurman’s (Christopher Lee) forces, the members of the Fellowship find themselves on important missions of their own as they continue to pursue their shared goal. Gandalf (Ian McKellen) returns, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) stands for the realm of Men, and Frodo carries the Ring closer to Mordor.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of The Two Towers is the famed “Battle at Helm’s Deep.” There is no fantasy movie battle that quite matches the impressive scale and pacing of this epic reenactment. Although it appears that the world of Men may soon fall to the Uruk-hai, the tide miraculously turns and our heroes take the fight to Isengard itself. Everything falls into place for the climax of Jackson’s thrilling Middle-earth saga, and the fantasy genre has never felt more real. Plus, Andy Serkis stuns in his performance as Gollum.
2
‘Shrek 2’ (2004)
It appears that two directors, in particular, ruled the fantasy box-office in the early 2000s, because Shrek 2 is a fairy tale masterpiece that deserves all the praise. The film was co-directed by future Narnia visionary Andrew Adamson (returning from the original) alongside Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon. The stunning sequel to the first Shrek surpasses the original in every way, as the titular ogar (Mike Myers) is forced to prove to his bride, Fiona (Cameron Diaz), that he is worthy of being her “happily ever after.” With Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and newcomer Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) in tow, Shrek sets off to make things right.
Shrek 2 is a blast. Between the expanded cast that now includes Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) and the Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), as well as the enhanced lore that offers more backstory to Fiona’s previous predicament, there’s a lot to love. And that’s not to mention that it’s just funnier. The Kingdom of Far Far Away contains some inspired fairy tale commentary, and anyone who grew up with the DVD and experienced Far Far Away Idol knows what’s up. As the only animated feature on this list, Shrek 2 is in a league of its own.
1
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)
Considering that The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King swept at the Academy Awards, winning in nearly every category including Best Picture, that alone gives it a truly remarkable edge over all other fantasy movies. The third and final chapter of the epic Tolkien-inspired saga, The Return of the King is a genuinely perfect fantasy movie that delivers on all fronts. Frodo and Sam (Sean Astin) have arrived at Mordor, Gandalf and Aragorn do their best to amass the troops for a full-scale war against Sauron, and there are moments where all seems lost. Yet, hope remains as the two Hobbits near their destination.
Easily the greatest of the three pictures, The Return of the King holds nothing back. Everything comes to a head here as the men of Gondor and Rohan battle against the Dark Lord’s forces. The battles are impressive, as are the quiet moments that each of the Fellowship finds along the way, but where the finale really thrives is in its payoff. Sure, some folks complain about all the different endings, but “falling action” is something of a lost art these days, and since it’s already hard enough to bid Middle-earth farewell, we think they’re pretty great.
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Michael John Petty
Almontather Rassoul
