8 Greatest Hidden-Gem Fantasy Masterpieces of the 21st Century, Ranked

The 21st century has been a goldmine for fantasy cinema. It has already presented genre-defining masterpieces like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Pan’s Labyrinth, and a litany of animated classics like Spirited Away, while also serving up cult hits like Stardust and The Green Knight. However, for every one of these magical movies that have enchanted fantasy lovers the world over, there have been plenty of underrated and undiscovered gems that never got the credit or the fanfare they so thoroughly deserve.

Consisting of everything from critically misunderstood marvels of Hollywood to hidden highlights of international cinema, from family-friendly adventures to harrowing horrors, and pictures of extraordinary dare, these fantastic hidden-gem fantasies epitomize the brilliance of the genre. They highlight its powerful, often boundary-pushing allure and its embracement of technical experimentation in filmmaking, making them all must-see movies for everyone who loves fantasy storytelling.

8 '9' (2009)

Daring, divine, and delightfully dark, 9 presents what is one of the most tonally interesting and thematically-loaded animated family movies this century, if not of all time. Set in the aftermath of an apocalyptic war between humans and machines, it follows a hopeful ragdoll who teams up with eight counterparts—each one representing a different aspect of their creator’s personality. In their endeavor to understand the belligerence of the machines, they discover that they hold the key to humanity’s survival.

Striking with its ambition, 9 delivers what is, in theory, a kid-oriented story of ragdoll heroics and makes it a sublime work of animated horror. Its thematic overtones of destruction, survival, and unity are complemented by a stunning post-apocalyptic world that blends the inventive intrigue of steampunk aesthetics with a dread-filled, ghostly eeriness. Also strengthened by its propulsive story and a terrific ensemble cast of voice actors, 9 is one of the most admirable animated movies of the century, one that also doubles as a decadent and dreary dark fantasy.

7 'MirrorMask' (2005)

Misunderstood and unfairly dismissed upon release, MirrorMask was regarded by too many critics as an intriguing piece of visual craft undercut by a lackluster story that never goes anywhere. In some respects, this criticism is justified, with MirrorMask’s narrative following a teenager’s journey to retrieve a magical charm that will revive a queen and restore balance to a mythic realm, never really implementing any new ideas in the genre. However, the structure and progression of its story were never the point.

With director Dave McKean exhibiting tremendous boldness, MirrorMask conjures a visual experience unlike anything else to have graced the screen. It offers a surrealist and unconventional medley of colors and compositions that ensures every frame feels like abstract art, like a voyage through a wonderfully bizarre dreamscape. Created by a unique blend of live action, digital backgrounds, and stylized texturing in post, the film is a triumph of low-budget innovation and experimental dare. Unfortunately, its abstract obscurity proved to be difficult to sell, with the picture ultimately flopping at the box office and becoming a lost nugget of commanding cinematic bravery and fantasy wonder.

6 'City of Ember' (2008)

Another dashing gem of fantasy wonder that was too promptly dismissed by critics and disregarded by the masses after becoming a box office calamity, City of Ember is a vibrant, visually arresting family adventure. Adapted from Jeanne DuPrau’s The City of Ember, it transpires in a post-apocalyptic future where the remnants of humanity fight for survival in the underground city of Ember. When the main generator begins to fail, two teenagers are sent to follow a cryptic series of clues leading to the uncovering of an ancient mystery that can save Ember’s citizens.

In part, City of Ember failed due to poor advertising. While it was billed as a family-friendly action-adventure, it instead thrives as an absorbing immersion into a brilliantly realized fantasy realm, an exploration of a colorful dystopia realized with astonishing practical sets, gorgeous cinematography, and a rich atmosphere that juggles despair and hope. Gradually building momentum leading up to an action-packed final act, City of Ember should today be reconsidered a masterpiece of fantasy world-building, an enriched and engrossing tale of survival and resilience given life by its visual splendor and its incredible all-star cast.

5 'Mad God' (2021)

A feat of incredible vision and penetrating passion, Mad God is a modern gem of dark fantasy, thirty years in the making. Directed by Phil Tippett, the visual effects genius behind such classics as Star Wars and Jurassic Park, the stop-motion animation thrives as a work of astute craftsmanship. Tippett started work on it in 1987, eventually finishing the movie with help from Kickstarter funding and the contribution of volunteers. This demanding approach resulted in a picture of unrestrained creativity, with its handcrafted world of practical animation achieving a sense of atmospheric brilliance through Tippett’s imaginative setting that drives the movie in lieu of dialogue.

Effectively functioning as a ferocious descent into Hell, the horror-fantasy follows a figure known as The Assassin as he treks through a nightmarish realm of tortured souls and vicious monstrosities. A formidable labor of love and a triumphant testament to the artistry and impact of stop-motion animation, Mad God soars as a vicious and violent spectacle of inspired vulgarity that shows no mercy.

4 'The Secret of Kells' (2009)

With its soft yet striking hand-drawn animation and its grounding in Celtic mythology, The Secret of Kells is a throwback to the golden age of animated cinema in many respects, delivering a tender tale of whimsy and wonder set against the backdrop of early 9th-century Ireland. With a Viking horde approaching, it follows young Brendan (Evan McGuire) as he defies his uncle’s demands and works secretly as an apprentice in the scriptorium of the local monastery, helping a revered illuminator complete a book of magic and wisdom.

Directed by Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey, The Secret of Kells dazzles as a rich marriage of historical intrigue and folklore fantasy. It conjures an atmospheric sense of wondrous fun with the brilliant simplicity of its animation and its commanding grasp on strong character design and storytelling fueled by symbolism and color. Buoyed by its emotionally evocative score and thematic ideas of cultural preservation and the power of art, the 2009 animated movie has become an underrated gem of family fantasy cinema.

3 'A Monster Calls' (2016)

Based on Patrick Ness’s young adult low fantasy novel of the same name, A Monster Calls is probably the most well-known film on this list, though it did still suffer as a box office flop—particularly in the U.S., where it made just $3.7 million—and has been all but forgotten by the masses. The shame in this is that it is a brilliant example of real-world fantasy storytelling, a captivating marriage of magical wonder and coming-of-age angst. It focuses on a bullied teenager riddled with heartache as his mother’s terminal illness intensifies, who finds the most unlikely ally in the form of an ancient tree monster.

It doesn’t try to flaunt high-stakes suspense or an action spectacle. Instead, it delivers an emotionally gratifying, richly imaginative, and wonderfully mature tale of grief and friendship that achieves an old-fashioned charm and gentleness through the delicate and deft handling of its central themes. A stunning integration of imagination and reality, A Monster Calls excels as a comforting and cozy tear-jerker that leaves an imprint on viewers that is sure to last long after the credits roll.

2 'The Fall' (2006)

A visual feast, a touching tale that illustrates the power and wonder of storytelling, and a triumph of director Tarsem Singh’s extraordinary passion, The Fall is a mesmerizing masterpiece that was completely misunderstood upon release. It transpires in a hospital in 1910s L.A. as paralyzed movie stuntperson Roy Walker (Lee Pace) tells a fantastical story of six heroes striving to kill an evil ruler to Alexandria (Catinca Untaru), a little girl with a broken arm.

It is a feat of filmmaking, with Singh investing money into the production, which took place over four years. Filming was done in 24 countries, a byproduct of Singh’s insistence on shooting on location rather than using special effects to create the world of vibrancy and intrigue. The result is a stunning achievement in cinematic brilliance, a spectacle of exceptional visual majesty that thrives through its incredible litany of locations and its bold and breathtaking costume design. The epitome of visceral fantasy splendor on the screen — also serving as a touching tribute to storytelling and stunt workers in film — The Fall is a hidden masterpiece of the form that stands as a must-see gem for all fantasy lovers and film aficionados.

1 'Wolfwalkers' (2020)

Another animated gem from Ireland, co-directed by Tomm Moore (this time with Ross Stewart), Wolfwalkers is the third and final installment of the filmmaker’s “Irish Folklore Trilogy." It's yet another feat of visual mastery and compact storytelling that captures an air of historical awe with its fantasy tale. Set in a time of superstition and magic, it follows a young girl who travels to Ireland with her father to hunt the last wolf pack. However, everything changes when Robyn (Honor Kneafsey) befriends a girl from a local tribe of people rumored to be able to transform into wolves at night.

A faultless combination of captivating imagery and delicate animation, engrossing world-building and storytelling, and impeccably crafted characters of complexity and depth, Wolfwalkers excels as a visually stimulating and emotionally compelling masterpiece of animation. Like The Secret of Kells, it enraptures viewers in the mesmerizing and magical tone of Irish history, absorbing the audience in its arresting sense of fun and excitement to stand as not only an underrated treat of animated cinema, but one of the greatest movies of the art form as well.