15 Fantasy Movies That Are Bangers From Start to Finish

A truly great fantasy film can be simply unmatched in the realm of cinematic experiences, feeling like an otherworldly experience from top to bottom as it fully engrosses the audience within its world and mythology. Several of these top-notch fantasy films are in conversation as some of the greatest and most influential films of their respective era, continuing to be deeply effective and moving in the modern era as a certified banger from start to finish.

15 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' (2023)

While a film adaptation of one of the most popular fantasy role-playing games of all time seems like it should have been a surefire hit decades ago, it took until 2023 for there to be a truly great Dungeons & Dragons movie in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. More than any other adaptation of the D&D world, the film fundamentally understands the fun and limitless creative possibilities of getting a group of memorable characters together and having them go on a wild fantasy adventure.

The inherent charm and oodles of fun that the film has with its own execution go a long way in terms of making the film a wildly entertaining time from beginning to end. Each member of the supporting cast adds a distinct comedic element and personality style to this rambunctious group, with exaggerated aspects like many actual D&D characters. It's a film that not only acts as a love letter to those who have played D&D for ages, but can be massively enjoyed by those who have never touched the game.

14 'Enchanted' (2007)

Considering Disney's reputation as the absolute masters of fantasy princess films, it makes it all the more refreshing when they flipped the very notions of princess films on their heads with the fantasy rom-com Enchanted. The film combines animation and live-action together as it deconstructs the very notions and conventions that Disney had cemented as their brand for decades up until this point. The film not only found massive success, but its notions of satirical deconstruction of its genre are still widely felt in blockbusters to this day.

The film follows a classic animated princess (Amy Adams) being banished from her magical animated kingdom and finding herself stuck in the gritty reality of modern-day Manhattan. Facing culture shock at how the modern world doesn't operate on the rules of a fairy tale, she finds herself wandering the city in search of magic, eventually beginning to fall in love with an unexpectedly charming divorce lawyer. At the same time, the original prince that she was set to marry (James Marsden) is on a quest to defeat the evil queen and return the princess to the animated world.

13 'The Northman' (2022)

A grimy and ruthless look at the era of Vikings and Norse mythology, The Northman is a sprawling fantasy action epic that brings the era of Vikings to life in a way never truly seen before on-screen. The film plays out like a classic revenge story, following a young prince who sets off on a lifelong journey of vengeance after witnessing the betrayal and murder of his father at the hands of his uncle. Now, over two decades later and after becoming a hardened and ruthless warrior, Prince Amleth embarks on his long-awaited mission to save his mother, kill his uncle, and avenge his father.

The Northman's fantasy elements are relatively reserved in nature, coming through in small bursts to complement the themes and messaging of the film, yet have an undeniable impact and feel throughout the full viewing experience. Considering how much Norse mythology and Vikings in general are presented and glamorized with a high fantasy lens in media, it's genuinely refreshing to see a grounded yet still invigorating take on the time period.

12 'The Mummy' (1999)

Transforming the classic Universal monster movie into a wild action-adventure blockbuster with its fantasy elements ramped up to 11, Stephen Sommers' The Mummy has quickly become the defining iteration of this classic movie monster on the big screen. On top of the massive spectacle and groundbreaking visual effects that it utilizes to bring the fantasy elements of its apocalyptic mummified threat to life, The Mummy blends its fantasy blockbuster spectacle with overwhelming charisma and screen presence from its stars.

The legendary duo of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz has overwhelming chemistry and amplifies every aspect of the film, being about as perfect a blockbuster romantic duo as one could imagine. Even the rest of the supporting cast has their major chances to shine, as each character manages to be memorable and entertaining in their own way, complementing the fantasy world and the strength of the filmmaking as a whole.

11 'Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory' (1971)

Taking an already widely beloved children's book and transforming it into one of the greatest family movies ever made, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a perfect example of how a film doesn't have to follow its source material one-to-one to be an outstanding cinematic experience. From its distinct sense of dry humor to a vast, creative concept of limitless sugar-coated possibilities, the film delights and charms as much as it keeps the audience on their toes.

Even 55 years after its release, Gene Wilder's iconic performance as the titular Willy Wonka has helped cement the film's legacy as one of the all-time family fantasy movie greats. He brings the exact mixture of wondrous joy for the world mixed with sociopathic insanity that makes Wonka such a compelling and entertaining character. He bounces and adds to the strength of every other character and aspect of the film, creating a fantasy movie experience that would define the '70s.

10 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' (2004)

Few modern fantasy franchises have been more widely recognized and acclaimed than the Harry Potter series, perfectly translating the magic and allure of the books to film and becoming an inescapable cultural phenomenon. While the series was certainly successful with its initial entries, it would soon find its cinematic voice with what would easily be the highlight of the film franchise, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Under the brilliant direction of Alfonso Cuarón, Harry Potter fully upgrades from a quirky, family-friendly fantasy story into one with genuine stakes, deeply layered characters, and a beautiful visual style. Nearly all the best aspects of the series as a whole can trace their origins back to this massively impactful film, as it would forever shift the direction of the franchise and cement it as a defining fantasy series of the era. Even as the series continued with a multitude of other sequels that raised the stakes and worldbuilding spinoffs, nothing else holds a candle to this top-notch fantasy film.

9 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl' (2003)

Disney has lent their hand to a multitude of different fantasy movies over the years, yet what continues to stand out as one of their absolute best is one of their few truly great live-action blockbusters released under the Disney umbrella, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. While the entire Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has done a great job of bringing fantasy wonder to the high seas, the inherent magic and surprise factor of the initial outing continues to make it the best film in the franchise.

It's still an absolute marvel that the film transformed what was previously a relatively goofy and unserious theme park ride into a vast blockbuster epic, complete with dynamic characters, top-notch visual effects, and compelling action that made perfect use of its fantasy concepts. The usage of fantasy elements with the distinct iconography and setting of the pirate-filled high seas makes for one of the most captivating and continuously entertaining blockbuster experiences that the 21st century has had to offer.

8 'Edward Scissorhands' (1990)

Few directors have become so directly synonymous and celebrated for their various contributions to the fantasy genre throughout the '80s and '90s as Tim Burton, with one of his best fantasy outings easily being Edward Scissorhands. All the inherent strengths that make Burton's storytelling so effective in the fantasy genre are in full force in Edward Scissorhands, blending his gothic and slightly disturbed imagination with genuine emotion and heart to make for a standout experience.

The film follows the story of the titular Edward Scissorhands, an unfinished science experiment who is forced to live a secluded and isolated life due to having dangerous blades for hands. However, despite his seemingly dangerous appearance, Edward proves to be a deeply kind and affectionate soul, with the small suburban town that he lives in quickly falling for his gentle nature. The film acts as the ultimate fantasy version of a "don't judge a book by its cover" story, as well as being one of Burton's most iconic films.

7 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2010)

The undeniable narrative fantasy masterpiece of Dreamworks Animation that has helped them stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Disney and Pixar in terms of pure animation mastery, How to Train Your Dragon is an exceptional achievement of animation storytelling in the 21st century. It completely reshapes and redefines the audience's perception and perspective towards dragons in this style of fantasy medium, telling a story of an unlikely yet unbreakable bond and friendship that persists and thrives despite all odds and challenges.

While the various sequels and the live-action remake have also done half-decent jobs of bringing this distinct fantasy world to life, the original outing of the franchise still holds up as the highlight of the franchise in terms of narrative, spectacle, and emotion. The film has stood as the defining 3D animated fantasy film since its release, acting as one of the most impactful gateways into the fantasy genre that family filmmaking and modern animation have to offer.

6 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939)

One of the original icons of fantasy filmmaking from Hollywood's golden era, The Wizard of Oz is often considered one of the most influential and pivotal achievements in filmmaking history. The film seamlessly brings to life the lavish and colorful world of Oz from L. Frank Baum's original novel quickly cemented itself as the quintessential way to experience the story of Dorothy and her journey in Oz. Few fantasy films have managed to have such an intrinsic, magical, and otherworldly energy as The Wizard of Oz is able to achieve.

For many generations, the film has been the go-to example of what a great fantasy film can be, often being cited as one of the greatest movies of all time. Even over 80 years after its release, there is still an endearing quality that makes the film feel just as brilliant and effective as it did all those decades ago. Especially with modern renditions and evolutions of the story like Wicked, The Wizard of Oz will never truly go out of style as a staple of the fantasy genre.