Fantasy films are irresistible. These tales of magic, fascinating fictional worlds, and scary mythical creatures have fascinated movie-goers since the dawn of the art form, and as such, it’s no surprise that several of the most beloved and acclaimed films ever made just happen to be fantasy. Whether it’s high or low fantasy, these movies prove that there’s an inimitable charm to these kinds of stories.
Only a handful of fantasy films made throughout history, however, can genuinely be called masterpieces—films that are so strongly without significant flaws that they can reasonably be counted among the best movies ever made. From international classics like The Seventh Seal to modern Hollywood hits like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, these are the biggest fantasy masterpieces in fantasy’s history.
20
‘The Green Mile’ (1999)
Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan in ‘The Green Mile’
Stephen King is best known for his horror stories, but he has stepped out of that comfort zone on quite a few noteworthy occasions—one of the most magical being The Green Mile, which Frank Darabont turned into one of the most enchanting low fantasy films of the ’90s. It’s one of the most unforgettable drama movies of all time, led by Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan at the top of their games.
This is what low fantasy is all about: using magic to elevate beautiful stories that make important comments on the real world. Green Mile‘s profound themes of justice and compassion make for a story that’s as gorgeous as it is bittersweet, one whose 3+-hour runtime flies right by thanks to the phenomenal writing and wonderful performances.
19
‘About Time’ (2013)
About Time is one of the most underappreciated fantasy films of the 2010s, the kind of genre film that works on multiple different levels equally well. It works as a hilarious rom-com, it works as a beautiful drama about a boy and his dad, and it works as a wonderfully fresh and inventive time travel flick that does all sorts of fun things with the subgenre’s usual tropes.
All of this makes About Time one of the most rewatchable romance movies of all time, also thanks to the marvelous performances offered by Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Nighy. It’s a deeply moving and sweepingly romantic dramedy, one full of 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 something so unparalleled with his Legendarium—his Lord of the Rings trilogy in particular—that, for a long time, it was believed to be impossible to do the author’s enrapturing Middle-earth justice on the big screen. Even with said doubts, Peter Jackson achieved something so equally unparalleled with his Lord of the Rings trilogy that it virtually needs no introduction.
The Fellowship of the Ring may arguably be the weakest of the trilogy, but it’s still one of the greatest films ever made; which, if anything, speaks volumes about the quality of this film series. The world-building is wonderful, the character work sets a perfect basis for what the two sequels will do, and the number of unforgettable scenes of emotion, excitement, and magical wonder is too large to count. There’s a reason this is remembered as one of the most perfect and timeless fantasy movies ever.
17
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’ (2002)
Image via New Line Cinema
Ever-so-slightly above its predecessor lies The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, yet another one of the greatest works of art ever committed to celluloid. It’s not just the Battle of Helm’s Deep, which makes for one of the most thrilling third acts in cinema’s history: The Two Towers is a “complete package” kind of fantasy flick, a three-hour-long epic without equal.
Gripping character arcs? Check. Jaw-dropping action sequences aplenty? Check. Romance, excitement, humor, and magic? All check. There’s something here for every category of fantasy movie fan, and that’s precisely why The Two Towers is one of the biggest masterpieces in the history of genre filmmaking, in general, let alone fantasy.
16
‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ (1975)
This film is absolutely hysterical, packed with not just one but several of the funniest and most memorable scenes from any ’70s comedy movie. It’s incredibly creative, full of the group’s signature timeless sense of humor, and even occasionally brilliantly surreal, making for a comedic masterpiece that’s still considered a gold standard for laugh-out-loud fantasy.
15
‘<Angel's Egg' (1985)
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The film is packed with thought-provoking symbolism and allegories,<b making re-watches pretty much obligatory. Its breezy 71-minute runtime certainly helps in that endeavor. The animation is some of the most gorgeous in history.
The sound design is some engrossing sound design from any animated film. Though its story may not be easy to grasp at first glance,<b it's nevertheless fascinating.
