Fantasy movies are irresistible. These tales of magic, fascinating fictional worlds, and scary legendary creatures have fascinated movie-goers because the daybreak of the artwork type, and as such, it is no shock that a number of of probably the most beloved and acclaimed movies ever made simply occur to be fantasy. Whether or not it is excessive or low fantasy, these films show that there is an inimitable appeal to those sorts of tales.
Solely a handful of fantasy movies made all through historical past, nevertheless, can genuinely be known as masterpieces—movies which might be so strongly with out important flaws that they will moderately be counted among the many finest films ever made. From worldwide classics like The Seventh Seal to fashionable Hollywood hits just like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, these are the most important fantasy masterpieces in fantasy’s historical past.
20
‘The Inexperienced Mile’ (1999)
Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan in ‘The Inexperienced Mile’
Stephen King is finest identified for his horror tales, however he has stepped out of that consolation zone on fairly just a few noteworthy events—probably the most magical being The Inexperienced Milewhich Frank Darabont was probably the most enchanting low fantasy movies of the ’90s. It is one in every of probably the most unforgettable drama films of all time, led by Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan on the prime of their video games.
That is what low fantasy is all about: utilizing magic to raise lovely tales that make vital feedback on the true world. Inexperienced Mile‘s profound themes of justice and compassion make for a narrative that is as attractive as it’s bittersweet, one whose 3+-hour runtime flies proper by because of the exceptional writing and fantastic performances.
19
‘About Time’ (2013)
About Time is among the most underappreciated fantasy movies of the 2010s, the sort of style movie that works on a number of totally different ranges equally nicely. It really works as a hilarious rom-com, it really works as a stupendous drama a few boy and his dad, and it really works as a splendidly contemporary and creative time journey flick that does all kinds of enjoyable issues with the subgenre’s normal tropes.
All of this makes About Time one in every of probably the most rewatchable romance films of all timeadditionally because of the marvelous performances provided by Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdamsand Invoice Nighy. It is a deeply shifting and sweepingly romantic dramedy, one filled with memorable emotional scenes and irresistible moments of laughter in equal measure.
18
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)
J.R.R. Tolkien achieved one thing so unparalleled along with his Legendarium—his Lord of the Rings trilogy specifically—that, for a very long time, it was believed to be unattainable to do the writer’s enrapturing Center-earth justice on the massive display screen. Even with mentioned doubts, Peter Jackson achieved one thing so equally unparalleled along with his Lord of the Rings trilogy that it nearly wants no introduction.
The Fellowship of the Ring could arguably be the weakest of the trilogy, but it surely’s nonetheless one of many best movies ever made; which, if something, speaks volumes concerning the high quality of this movie collection. The world-building is fantastic, the character work units an ideal foundation for what the 2 sequels will do, and the variety of unforgettable scenes of emotion, pleasure, and magical surprise is simply too giant to depend. There is a purpose that is remembered as one in every of probably the most excellent and timeless fantasy films ever.
17
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’ (2002)
Picture through New Line Cinema
Ever-so-slightly above its predecessor lies The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towersyet one more one of many best artworks ever dedicated to celluloid. It isn’t simply the Battle of Helm’s Deep, which makes for probably the most thrilling third acts in cinema’s historical past: The Two Towers is a “full bundle” sort of fantasy flick, a three-hour-long epic the ultimate.
Gripping character arcs? Verify. Jaw-dropping motion sequences aplenty? Verify. Romance, pleasure, humor, and magic? All examine. There’s one thing right here for each class of fantasy film fan, and that is exactly why The Two Towers is among the largest masterpieces within the historical past of style filmmaking generally, not to mention fantasy.
16
‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ (1975)
Whereas each fantasy fan enjoys a severe epic or a hard-hitting drama that exhibits the complete dramatic extent of the style, all of them get a craving to wind down with a comedy once in a while as nicely. And so far as fantasy comedies go, it has hardly ever ever gotten any higher than Monty Python and the Holy Grailthe British comedy troupe’s finest and most iconic cinematic outing.
The movie is completely hysterical, full of not only one, however a number of of the funniest and most memorable scenes of any ’70s comedy film. It is extremely artistic, filled with the group’s signature timeless humorousness, and even sometimes brilliantly surreal, making for a comedic masterpiece that is nonetheless the gold customary for laugh-out-loud fantasy.
15
‘Angel’s Egg’ (1985)
There are a number of anime films that may be thought of excellenthowever regardless that perfection is one thing you can’t actually quantify, it is laborious to not be tempted to discuss with Angel’s Egg as one of many most excellent anime films ever. Mamoru Oshii‘s surrealistic masterpiece proves that it isn’t all Ghibli on this planet of anime movie, delivering a hard-hitting story of parenthood, femininity, and faith.
Angel’s Egg is full of thought-provoking symbolism and allegories, making re-watches just about compulsory. Its breezy 71-minute runtime definitely helps in that endeavor. The animation is a number of the most attractive within the historical past of the medium, the sound design is a number of the most engrossing of any animated movie, and although the story might not be the best to get a grasp of, it is nonetheless fascinating.
14
‘The Holy Mountain’ (1973)
Angel’s Egg is not the one surrealist fantasy movie on the town. For that, one needn’t look a lot additional than the magnum opus of probably the most vital and groundbreaking surrealist filmmakers in historical past: Alejandro Jodorowskywhose legendary The Holy Mountain is one in every of the very best surreal masterpieces of all time.
The avant-garde masterpiece of this infamous Chilean-French auteur is among the best Mexican movies ever made, with a number of the most profound symbolism and most provocative imagery of any surrealist movie ever made. Its exploration of themes of spirituality, faith, and energy is extremely layered and complicated, and it makes for a deeply fascinating expertise that calls for a number of rewatches in an effort to be absolutely appreciated.
13
‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957)
Sweden has by no means put out a better or extra vital filmmaker than Ingmar Bergmanwho made a number of the finest—and most miserable—films in historical past over the course of his illustrious profession. Of those many masterpieces, nevertheless, there’s maybe none as iconic as The Seventh Sealprobably the most philosophically complicated dramas ever made.
That is arthouse fantasy at its absolute best, and simply one in every of Bergman’s best films. Whether or not it is Max Von Sydow‘s career-best lead efficiency, the deeply humanist story, or Bengt Ekerot enjoying top-of-the-line portrayals of Demise in film historical past, there’s nothing not to like about The Seventh Seal in case you love basic clever fantasy.
12
‘Macario’ (1960)
Picture through Azteca Movies Inc.
Mexican cinema is stuffed to the brim with underrated gems, and through its Golden Age (which roughly coincided with Hollywood’s, between the early ’30s and late ’50s), it produced a number of of the best movies of the period. This consists of fantasy photos, and there isn’t any higher Mexican fantasy image from the twentieth century than Macario.
This lovely supernatural drama was the primary Mexican movie to be nominated for an Academy Award for Finest Overseas Language Movie, and deservedly so. Imaginative, class-conscious, and with a deeply humanist coronary heart that is unattainable to withstand, it is an all-Mexican fable that each fan of fantasy cinema—no matter the place they’re from—ought to have the ability to get pleasure from.
11
‘Ugetsu’ (1953)
Picture through Daiei Movie
Magical by nature, Japanese cinema can also be filled with fantasy masterpieces which have outlined and re-defined the style over time. Ugetsu is true up there as one of many highest-rated fantasy films on Letterboxd, a thought-provoking interval piece concerning the harmful potential of unchecked ambition, greed, and ravaging warfare.
Critic Donald Richie known as it “probably the most excellent films within the historical past of Japanese cinema,” and it is laborious to disagree with him. Ugetsu is richly atmospheric, powerfully poignant, and superbly profound, an incredible inventive achievement with a number of the most memorable photographs from the period. It is tough to search out fault with this engrossing ghost story.