The world of fantasy has served as a brilliant means of escapism for audiences. These movies provide a chance to visit vast new worlds as the greatest of heroes rescue the land from cataclysmic events. The subgenre of high fantasy has been the source of so many of the most iconic films under the broader fantasy umbrella. High fantasy is often described as a story set in a secondary world rather than our own, with an epic scope. Filled with elaborate magic and myth, a high fantasy adventure tends to follow a hero’s journey alongside a sprawling cast of characters.
The 21st century has not been short on epic high fantasy masterpieces. From a journey to Middle-earth to a musical in the magical land of Oz, the stories we’ve watched on the big screen have emerged as great, solidifying the genre’s beloved status. The films on this list represent a range of styles, stories, and characters, both original and pulled from iconic source material. What they all have in common is that the scale of storytelling is masterful.
10
‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ (2023)
Dungeons & Dragons remains one of the greatest tabletop role-playing games of all time. Its allure is the ability to dream up fantasy worlds with extraordinary characters who embark on perilous journeys, and it’s a game meant for friends. Those elements were used to create the brilliant fantasy heist comedy Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. The story follows a charming bard, Edgin “Ed” Darvis (Chris Pine), and his merry band of misfits, including Holga Kilgore (Michelle Rodriguez), Simon Aumar (Justice Smith), and Doric (Sophia Lillis). Their quest involves an epic heist into the fortified vault of Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant), who has kidnapped his daughter, Kira (Chloe Coleman).
A loving tribute to the game that gave us the 20-sided die, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves captures the chaotic, humorous, and heartfelt adventures as if you’re playing the game with your ragtag team. It effortlessly balances high-stakes magical action with sharp comedy, creative monsters, and deep respect and care for the source material’s lore. It wholly embraces the kitchen sink approach, where magical elements are not only present but they’re around every corner and just so happen to be an everyday occurrence. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is further proof that high fantasy doesn’t always need to be dramatic, balancing sheer spectacle, wonder, and whimsy. Perhaps the bar was set low, but the execution is near perfect.
9
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)
Every so often, a side character pops up that just so happens to be as incredible as the protagonist. In Shrek 2, that came in the form of Puss in Boots. Voiced by the perfectly cast Antonio Banderas, the adorable kitty with an Inigo Montoya flair received his first film in 2011, but it wasn’t until the sequel, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, that he found his stride. Directed by Joel Crawford, the film follows the legendary feline as he realizes he has used up eight of his nine lives. In order to regain them, he journeys to find a magical Wishing Star, alongside Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and Perrito (Harvey Guilllén), as he confronts his fear of death literally in the form of a shadowy wolf (Wagner Moura).
A kid-centric film with heart and morality that defied the sequel trend to deliver a perfect magical adventure,Puss in Boots: The Last Wish elevates the non-traditional fairy tale spin-off vibe by offering a deeply emotional, visually stunning exploration of mortality through an accessible lens. Though the themes may be dark and mature, they’re handled with care, and by making Death an unstoppable, quiet, and terrifying force, he becomes a truly menacing antagonist. Disney tends to have the all-star cast game on lock, but Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is filled to the brim with a brilliant voice cast. Among those featured are Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, John Mulaney, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
8
‘The Green Knight’ (2021)
Perhaps the most underappreciated entry on this list is The Green Knight, written and directed by David Lowery. Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s (Sean Harris) reckless nephew, accepts a challenge from a giant supernatural Green Knight (Ralph Ineson). Gawain beheads him, obligating himself to travel to the distant Green Chapel in one year to receive an equal blow in return. The result is a coming-of-age journey that tests honor and courage while deconstructing the traditional hero’s journey.
The Green Knight is a visually stunning haunting fantasy told like a dream. Though rooted in Arthurian legend, it strays from a historical mythic quest in which gods, giants, magic, and destiny shape the laws of nature thus breaking the high fantasy mold and looking as much like an arthouse masterpiece as it does a fantasy epic. The Green Knight taps into Sir Gawain’s psychological mindset during his adventure rather than presenting an immortal hero it’s traded out for a deeply human exploration of fear temptation and personal weight of honor.
7
‘Stardust’ (2007)
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