35 Best Fantasy Movies To Watch That’ll Leave Nothing To Your Imagination

Sometimes, reality just doesn’t cut it. We need an escape, a way out from our world of daily drudgery. The mind gets dull without ideas over time. It needs a lease of life every now and then. That’s why we keep the finding an escape. And, some of the most imaginative Hollywood fantasy movies have managed to take it to another level.

Fantasy movies have always been a great way to enchant audiences with stories of all kinds. There’s family drama and heartbreaking romance, slapstick comedy and uplifting adventure. Sometimes, these genres come with a little bit of magic in the form of fantasy films. Cinema has its many wonders.

Why know what to expect? Be surprised. What you see could be larger-than-life, strangely surreal or simple as a love song. It’ll make you think and believe. Here are 35 incredible tales about life by the visionary directors of our era. You’ll love them.

1. Swiss Army Man (2016)

Directors: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, Daniels

This movie is about living and dying and everything else in between. Danielle Radcliffe proves his great potential in the unusual role of a corpse who serves as a multi-purpose human tool for a young man stranded on an island and helps him get home. It’s a colourful, tear-jerking, happy celebration of life. The film has an IMdb of 6.9/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

2. The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty (2013)

Director: Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller will blow away your mind into space with his direction of this ingenious film and his star performance in it. He plays a regular guy who works in a dingy underground cabin as a negative assets manager but lives with a very vivid imagination of action and romance that finally turns to reality. It’s an unbelievably visual treat. The film has an IMdb of 7.3/10.

Watch it on Apple TV.

3. Waking Life (2001)

Director: Richard Linklater

A man with pressing questions about life and the existence of this universe makes his way from one surreal dream to another, having enlightening conversations with people and experiencing a kind of quiet nirvana through his state of mind. It’s a profound movie that’ll answer a lot of your questions as well. The film has an IMdb of 7.7/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

4. Big Fish (2003)

Director: Tim Burton

Edward’s father filled his childhood with fantastical stories about the great adventures he experienced. When the old man dies, his funeral sees the attendance of many of the characters he used to mention. Now the amazed son must separate fiction from facts, while making a few unforgettable memories of his own. The film has an IMDb of 8/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

5. Midnight In Paris (2011)

Director: Woody Allen

One night in Paris, a struggling writer takes a walk into the darkness, only to stumble upon a time portal that opens at 12 a.m. and takes him back to the 1920’s. He mingles with great legends such as Ernest Hemingway and Salvador Dalí. He cherishes the artistry lost with an era in their precious company. In the middle of pondering over past nostalgia and future plans, he must decide what he really wants. The film has an IMdb of 7.7/10.

Watch it on Netflix.

6. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Hailed as one the best English fantasy movies of all time, this film exposes the entire human moral spectrum in less than 2 hours. The heart-wrenchingly real movie follows a little girl, Ofelia, and her struggle in the new home of a tyrant stepfather, to escape which she forms a parallel reality of adventure in her head. Or maybe it’s real. The beauty is, you’ll probably never know for sure. The film has an IMdb of 8.2/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

7. The Science Of Sleep (2006)

Director: Michel Gondry

A young, curious man with a lyrical imagination creates a bubble to cope with the lack of true creativity in his life. When he falls for his neighbour, he tries to show her the secret realm he visits. But when his impossible dreams start meddling with reality, everything he knows comes into question, enchantingly so. The film has an IMdb of 7.2/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

8. The Truman Show (1998)

Director: Peter Weir

Imagine if you woke up and realised that your entire life till date has been a TV drama show, telecasted across the world 24/7. That’s what happens to an unsuspecting sales insurance guy. He learns that everything he ever did was part of a script. Even his family members are actors. Now, he must find a way out of this staged sham or lose his sanity. The film has an IMdb of 8.2/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

9. Groundhog Day (1993)

Director: Harold Ramis

A selfish and patronising weatherman is sent for a work assignment he hates. He wakes up the next day with an odd déjà vu and learns that he’s stuck on February 2, 1992, on loop. He somehow starts living the same day over and over again. He even tries to kill himself but nothing changes. Finally, he starts seeing the rest of the world and for once focuses on others rather than himself. The film has an IMdb of 8.1/10. 

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

10. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Director: Robert Zemeckis

This one is the most iconic film of the genre of this list, and as everyone knows, a timeless classic. It was the first hit mix of animation and live-action, and made the word “toon” known all over the world. As for the famous story, a skeptical detective ends up saving a bunny that’s wrongly accused of murder, forming a legendary partnership along the way. The film has an IMdb of 7.7/10.

Watch it on Disney+Hotstar.

11. Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Director: Rob Marshall

Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, and Emily Mortimer star in the musical fantasy Mary Poppins Returns, which was released in 2018. It is a follow-up to the 1964 film Mary Poppins, which was based on the P.L. Travers books Mary Poppins. The film takes place 25 years after the events of the original film and follows the now grown-up Banks children, Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer), who have fallen on hard times. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.7/10.

Watch it on Disney+Hotstar.

12. The Golden Compass (2007)

Director: Chris Weitz

Based on Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights, the 2007 Hollywood fantasy film The Golden Compass follows the story of Lyra Belacqua. A young girl who lives in a parallel world where people’s souls live outside of their bodies as animal-like companions known as daemons, is the focus of the movie. At the point when her companion Roger is seized by a baffling association known as the Gobblers, Lyra sets out on a journey to protect him and uncover reality behind the Gobblers’ exercises. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.1/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

13. Pete’s Dragon (2016)

Director: David Lowery

As one of the top magical movies Hollywood, Pete’s Dragon is a remake of the 1977 film with the same name. Pete, a young orphan, is the protagonist of the film. For six years, he has lived in the woods with a dragon named Elliot, who has been his constant companion and protector. He is a dragon with wings. And the film follows the journey as he travels with Grace, a ranger, to the forest in search of his friend Elliot. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.7/10.

Watch it on Disney+Hotstar.

14. The Green Night (2021)

Director: David Lowery

Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, and Joel Edgerton star in this Hollywood top fantasy movie. The story of Sir Gawain, played by Patel, a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table, who accepts a challenge from the mysterious Green Knight is loosely based on the 14th-century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The Green Knight is a huge, green-skinned figure who shows up on Christmas Day at King Arthur’s court and asks any knight to strike him with his axe if the Green Knight can hit back in exactly one year. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.6/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

15. Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005)

Director: Mahesh Manjrekar

This is one of the best Bollywood fantasy movies, and stars Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao. The film is a family comedy that tells the story of Aditya (played by Kapoor), a carefree young man who lives life to the fullest and does not take anything seriously. However, he soon finds himself in trouble as a result of his carefree attitude, as he is on the verge of losing everything. When that happens, the ghost of his deceased father comes to him and gives him a magical ring that can grant wishes. The film has an IMDb rating of 4.6/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

16. Bhoothnath (2008)

Director: Vivek Sharma

This is another one of the entertaining Bollywood fantasy movies. The film stars Juhi Chawla, Shah Rukh Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan. The story of Bhoothnath, played by Bachchan, a friendly ghost who lives in a Goan house, is told in this family comedy-drama. Bhoothnath decides to befriend a young boy named Banku, played by Aman Siddiqui, who moves into the house with his family after scaring away several families. They form a close friendship because Banku is the only person who can see him. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.3/10.

Watch it on Disney+Hotstar.

17. Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

Directors: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert 

Everything Everywhere All At Once stars Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Jamie Lee Curtis, among others. The film follows a retired woman named Evelyn (played by Yeoh), who discovers that she has the ability to access different dimensions and alternate versions of herself. Evelyn becomes embroiled in a battle between various versions of herself from various dimensions, each with their own agenda, as she struggles to comprehend and control her new abilities. The film has an IMDb rating of 8/10.

Still released in some theatres.

18. Enchanted (2007)

Director: Kevin Lima

Enchanted is an American musical fantasy romantic comedy film that stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, and Susan Sarandon. The film follows the story of a fairytale princess named Giselle (played by Adams), who is banished from her animated kingdom by an evil queen (played by Sarandon) and transported to modern-day New York City. In New York, Giselle meets a divorce lawyer named Robert (played by Dempsey) who helps her navigate the strange new world she finds herself in. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.1/10.

Watch it on Disney+Hotstar.

19. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005)

Director: Andrew Adamson

The Chronicles of Narnia is a film series based on the series of fantasy novels written by C.S. Lewis. The film series includes three movies, all of which were produced by Walden Media and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is the first film in the series of Hollywood magic movies list. It tells the story of four siblings who find a magical wardrobe that leads them to the land of Narnia, a world ruled by the evil White Witch. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.9/10.

Watch it on Disney+Hotstar.

20. Jumanji (1995)

Director: Joe Johnston

The American fantasy adventure film, Jumanji, stars Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier, and Bonnie Hunt. The film is based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1981 children’s book of the same name. The story of two children who discover a magical board game called “Jumanji” is told in the movie. They accidentally let go of a man named Alan Parrish, played by Robin Williams, who has been trapped in the game for 26 years. Alan, along with the two children, must finish the game in order to undo the damage it has done in the real world. The film has an IMDb rating of 7/10.

Watch it on Netflix.

Also Read: Amazing Korean Movies With 100% Rating On Rotten Tomatoes

21. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

Director: Wes Anderson

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is an American comedy-drama film which stars Bill Murray as Steve Zissou. He’s a famous oceanographer and documentary filmmaker who sets out to exact revenge on the “jaguar shark” that killed his best friend during the filming of his latest documentary. The film takes place aboard Zissou’s ship, the Belafonte, and follows the eccentric crew, which includes Zissou’s estranged wife (Anjelica Huston), a journalist (Cate Blanchett), and a young man (Owen Wilson) who may or may not be Zissou’s son. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.2/10.

Watch it on Disney+Hotstar.

22. The Fall (2006)

Director: Tarsem Singh

The Fall is an adventure fantasy film that stars Lee Pace as Roy Walker, a Hollywood stuntman who befriends a young Romanian girl named Alexandria (Catinca Untaru). While both are recovering in a hospital in 1920s Los Angeles. To entertain Alexandria, Roy tells her an epic tale of adventure and romance, and she becomes increasingly invested in the story. The majority of the film takes place in Roy’s imagination as he tells Alexandria the story. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.8/10.

23. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Director: Guy Ritchie

The film stars Charlie Hunnam as King Arthur, along with Jude Law, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou, and Eric Bana in supporting roles. The movie follows Arthur, who is raised in the back alleys of the city of Londinium after his father, King Uther Pendragon, is killed by his uncle, Vortigern, who then usurps the throne. As a young adult, Arthur learns of his royal lineage and pulls the legendary sword Excalibur from the stone, fulfilling a prophecy and igniting a rebellion against Vortigern’s rule. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.7/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

Also Read: Korean Movies Everyone Should Watch 

24. The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958)

Director: Nathan Juran

The fantasy adventure film follows the legendary sailor Sinbad, played by Kerwin Mathews, as he embarks on a perilous journey to save a princess from an evil sorcerer. The film is known for its groundbreaking use of stop-motion animation by special effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.1/10.

Watch it on MXPlayer.

25. Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Director: Rupert Sanders

Snow White and the Huntsman is a dark fantasy film starring Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Charlize Theron as the evil queen Ravenna, and Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman. The movie reimagines the classic fairy tale of Snow White, with a more action-packed and dark twist. After the evil queen Ravenna takes over the kingdom and imprisons Snow White, she escapes into the Dark Forest, where the Huntsman is sent to find her. As they journey together, Snow White learns that she is the key to defeating the queen and restoring balance to the kingdom. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.1/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

26. Highlander (1986)

Director: Russell Mulcahy

Considered one of the best fantasy movies in English, it stars Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, and Clancy Brown. The film tells the story of Connor MacLeod, an immortal Scottish warrior who is pursued by other immortals throughout history, with the ultimate goal of being the last one standing, and gaining a powerful prize. The movie is known for its stylish action sequences. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.1/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

27. The Great Wall (2016)

Director: Zhang Yimou

The Great Wall is an epic historical fiction film starring Matt Damon, Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, and Willem Dafoe. The movie tells the story of a group of European mercenaries who travel to China during the Song dynasty to obtain black powder but find themselves embroiled in the defense of the Great Wall against monstrous creatures called the Tao Tei. The film blends Chinese history and mythology with Hollywood-style action and special effects, and features an international cast. The film has an IMDb rating of 5.9/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

28. Cinderella (2015)

Director: Kenneth Branagh

This is a romantic fantasy film starring Lily James as Cinderella, with Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett, and Helena Bonham Carter in supporting roles. The movie is a live-action adaptation of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella, and is a retelling of the original animated Disney film from 1950. Critics praised the film’s stunning visuals, memorable performances, and faithfulness to the original story, while also applauding its fresh approach to the classic tale. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.9/10.

Watch it on Disney+Hotstar.

29. Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

Director: Sam Raimi

The fantasy adventure film stars James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams. The movie is a prequel to the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and tells the story of how the wizard, played by James Franco, came to the Land of Oz and became its ruler. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.3/10.

Watch it on Disney+Hotstar.

30. The VelociPastor (2018)

Director: Brendan Steere.

This is a horror-comedy film that follows the story of a young pastor named Doug, played by Gregory James Cohan, who discovers that he has the ability to turn into a dinosaur, specifically a velociraptor, after a tragic event in his life. As Doug comes to terms with his new abilities, he teams up with a prostitute named Carol, played by Alyssa Kempinski, to fight crime in their city. The film has an IMDb rating of 5/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

Also Read: Best Regional Horror Movies 

31. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)

Director: Will Speck

This feel-good animated feature film is based on the children’s book about a New York City-based crocodile. Lyle enjoys playing with the kids in the neighborhood and assisting the Primm family with daily chores, but one neighbour insists that Lyle belongs in a zoo. As one of the best animated feature, the film is a rather twisted and honest take on what a family really means, with a deeper take on other societal norms. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.1/10.

Watch it on Netflix.

32. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Director: Edgar Wright

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a action-comedy film starring Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Kieran Culkin. The movie is based on the graphic novel series of the same name by Bryan Lee O’Malley. The film follows the story of Scott Pilgrim, a slacker musician who falls for a mysterious girl named Ramona Flowers. In order to date her, Scott must defeat her seven evil exes in a series of epic video game-style battles. Along the way, Scott is aided by his friends and bandmates, including the witty and sarcastic Wallace Wells. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.5/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

33. The Green Mile (1999)

Director: Frank Darabont

The American fantasy drama film is based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. The movie stars Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb, a death row corrections officer in a Louisiana prison during the 1930s. The film follows Paul’s interactions with a gentle giant of a man named John Coffey, played by Michael Clarke Duncan, who has been convicted of a heinous crime. The film has an IMDb rating of 8.6/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

34. About Time (2013)

Director: Richard Curtis

The movie stars Domhnall Gleeson as Tim Lake, a young man who discovers that he has the ability to time travel. He uses this power to try and improve his romantic life, with mixed results. The film also features Rachel McAdams as Mary, Tim’s love interest, and Bill Nighy as Tim’s father, who reveals the family’s secret ability to time travel. As Tim navigates his love life and tries to use his powers for good, he learns important lessons about living in the present moment and cherishing the time he has with the people he loves. The film has an IMDb rating of 7.8/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

35. Solomon Kane (2009)

Director: Michael J. Bassett

Starring James Purefoy, the movie is based on the character created by Robert E. Howard, the same author who created Conan the Barbarian. The film follows Solomon Kane, a 16th century soldier who becomes disillusioned with violence and seeks redemption by renouncing his past and becoming a wanderer. However, he is drawn back into violence when he encounters a family in need of his protection from an evil sorcerer and his minions. The film has an IMDb rating of 6.1/10.

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Which is the earliest known fantasy film?

One of the earliest and most influential fantasy films is Le Voyage dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon), a 1902 French silent film directed by Georges Méliès.

2. Which is the highest rated fantasy film?

The highest-rated fantasy film of all time, according to IMDb is The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). The film has a rating of 8.9 out of 10.

3. Who’s considered as the best fantasy film director?

There are many talented and influential directors who have made notable contributions to the fantasy film genre over the years. However, Peter Jackson is one of the most highly regarded and acclaimed directors in the fantasy film genre.

4. Which is the latest Bollywood fantasy film?

The latest Bollywood fantasy film was Brahmastra.

5. Are animated films considered fantasy films?

Animated films can be considered fantasy films if they include elements of magic, mythology, or supernatural creatures in their storylines. Many animated films, such as Coco, The Little Mermaid, and How to Train Your Dragon, contain fantastical elements and can be classified as fantasy films.

Now, let that imagination of yours fly high, my friend.