Pretty much every year of the '90s saw the release of a handful of fantasy movies that could be in contention for the year's best. With so much competition, some true classics get left out, but the best fantasy films of each year are truly special and held in the highest regard.
1990 - Edward Scissorhands
While the likes of The Witches and Ghost are strong fantasy movies, it's hard to withstand the test of time the way that Edward Scissorhands has. The film helped put both Tim Burton and Johnny Depp on the map while also still getting watched to this day as a holiday staple.
The story centers on the titular Edward, an unfinished artificial humanoid with scissors for hands who gets taken in by a suburban family and falls in love with the daughter of the family, played by Winona Ryder. The movie is a true gem and garnered several nominations at major award shows.
1991 - Beauty And The Beast
1991 has great options like The Addams Family and Hook, yet Beauty and the Beast is one of the best movies of the '90s, regardless of genre. The film made history by becoming the first animated project to earn a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards.
The story of Beauty and the Beast has been adapted multiple times over throughout history, yet this version from Disney is basically the definitive one. With timeless visuals, incredible musical numbers, and a heartwarming story at the center, there's a reason this is an all-time great fantasy project.
1992 - Aladdin
The Renaissance Era for Disney is a huge reason why millennials love Disney movies. The studio was on a remarkable hot streak and they followed up Beauty and the Beast with Aladdin, which is based on the legendary folkale.
Aladdin features some of the best music in any movie ever, as well as lovable characters. Robin Williams' work as the Genie is among the best performances of his storied career. From the magic used by the genie to the story of a street urchin trying to become royalty, Aladdin is a fantasy classic.
1993 - The Nightmare Before Christmas
Is it a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? That's the discussion people have been focusing on for decades but regardless of when you think the best time is to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas, it's clear that this is a great fantasy movie.
The film from Henry Selick features gorgeous stop-motion animation as it follows Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, as he stumbles upon Christmas Town and falls in love with the holiday. It became the first animated film to earn a Best Visual Effects nomination at the Oscars and is timeless.
1994 - The Crow
1994 featured varied fantasy films from comedies like The Mask to holiday staples like The Santa Clause. Yet it's a darker story that stands out as the year's best fantasy movie. The Crow is based on the comic book series of the same name from 1989.
It centers on the titular character, a former musician who gets resurrected from the dead to get vengeance on the gang who murdered him and his fiancée. The Crow became a cult hit and has spawned sequels and a reboot. It's also emotional to watch knowing that star Brandon Lee died during filming.
1995 - Jumanji
Kids everywhere likely always wondered what would happen if they got pulled into the world of the games they play. Jumanji gave us a look at what that would be like, as two kids play the titular board game, which brings jungle aspects into their world.
Robin Williams brings his childlike wonder to the lead role in this hilarious adventure movie. The film ended up as a box office hit and over two decades later, we got a new spin on some sequels that were even bigger blockbusters. There's a lot to love about the fun of this movie.
1996 - Matilda
It's difficult to match the whimsy that author Roald Dahl was known for. His stories have been adapted to several fantasy films, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to James and the Giant Peach to The BFG. Matilda is right up there with those classics.
Matilda Wormwood is a child prodigy who developed telekinetic abilities and uses them to get even with her abusive family and her horrible principal. This is yet another wonderful film that has withstood the test of time, even after a modern musical adaptation was released.
1997 - Princess Mononoke
As noted, Studio Ghibli is one of the top places to find the best fantasy movies. They've been behind some of the most memorable over the past few decades, whether it's My Neighbor Totoro, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, or The Boy and the Heron.
It's tough to pick out their best but one of them is 1997's Princess Mononoke. The movie uses brilliant storytelling, gorgeous visuals, and great characters to create something masterful. Hayao Miyazaki is a legend of animation for a reason.
1998 - Practical Magic
1998 wasn't a huge year for fantasy films. The likes of Pleasantville, Halloweentown, and City of Angels are good, yet the one that stands out above the rest is Practical Magic. In fact, the film is so beloved that a sequel is coming in 2026.
People are excited about the sequel, especially since the original cast is returning. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play sisters who are descendants of a long line of witches and they must use their magic to stop an evil spirit that takes over one of their boyfriends.
1999 - The Green Mile
Stephen King novels have been adapted even more than those of Roald Dahl. While most people associate the writer with the horror genre, he's also great at telling stories centered in fantasy, which is the case with The Green Mile.
The film tells the tale of a death row officer during the Great Depression who witnesses some truly spectacular supernatural events at the hands of a convict named John Coffey. The Green Mile tells an emotionally gripping story and was nominated for Best Picture along with three other Oscars.
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