The 2000s mark a golden era for fantasy cinema, a time when the technical advancements of filmmaking were pioneering new possibilities in the medium, yet never encroaching on the vitality of a masterfully crafted story. Such a harmony between story and CGI led to such classics as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Harry Potter saga, and the <em>Pirates of the Caribbean </em>films, and that’s just to name some of Hollywood’s blockbuster hits.
With fantasy cinema of the 2000s also being defined by the allure of animation, the intrigue and impact of international cinema, and the many underrated gems the genre saw throughout the decade, it stands to reason that every year from 2000 to 2009 has its defining fantasy films. Ranging from some of Hollywood’s greatest ever releases to famed favorites of foreign film, these fantasy masterpieces are all defining highlights of the decade.
2000: ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’
An enchanting blend of historical intrigue, fantasy wonder, and the stylistic allure of wuxia martial arts action, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a defining triumph of international cinema. An epic odyssey of love and balletic combat, it transpires in 19th-century China as the stealing of a great sword sees suppressed lovers and legendary warriors Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat) and Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) set out in pursuit of the mysterious thief.
With Ang Lee striking a perfect balance between the martial arts purism Hong Kong cinema is renowned for and the arthouse intrigue and emotional sharpness of Hollywood, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon held an appeal to all viewers. It has endured through its impeccable craft, rousing performances, and its underlying focus on ideas of freedom vs. duty, passion vs. responsibility, and love vs. honor. It is one of the most acclaimed international pictures of all time and serves as a terrific beginning to the decade of fantasy splendor that was to come.
2001: ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’
No title in the history of cinema has defined the awe and scope of fantasy like The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is a commanding epic of sublime scale, stirring emotional depth, and picturesque, beautiful craftsmanship that starts in faultless fashion with The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Focusing on the assembly of a fellowship of heroes who will carry a ring of great and treacherous power to the depths of Mordor to be destroyed, it exudes both a vibrant sense of adventure and a visceral gravitas.
In many respects, The Lord of the Rings is the defining title of 21st-century cinema so far, with its innovative use of CGI and practical effects paving the way for many of the advancements in film special effects that the ensuing years have seen. Even within such a stacked year for fantasy cinema that saw the Harry Potter franchise start, along with movies like Shrek and Donnie Darko, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring stands as the year’s greatest and most triumphant fantasy picture.
2002: ‘Spirited Away’
With the 21st century seeing a rampant rise in the popularity and appreciation of anime, it is fitting that the Japanese cinematic art form released what is widely considered to be the greatest animated movie of all time as an enriching and engulfing fantasy adventure. Released in America in 2002, <em>Spirited Away </em>excels as a lively descent into a perplexing and playful, though also dangerous, fantasy realm. It follows a young girl trapped in the surreal supernatural world as she works in a bathhouse while trying to figure out a way to save her parents, who have been turned into pigs.
Laced with the sheer might of director Hayao Miyazaki’s imaginative splendor, Spirited Away is a truly transcendent viewing experience, an immersive voyage to a world of wonder where things are seldom what they first seem. It is often as hypnotically inspired as it is eerily conceited, and yet it is never nota work of vibrant, effervescent beauty. It is a landmark achievement in the context of animated cinema and a defining masterpiece of fantasy awe.
2003: ‘Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’
While the aforementionedThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowshipoftheringmay bethe immersive launching pad fortrilogy—andarguablyits bestmovie—thewayinwhichThe Lordoftherings:TheReturnoftheKingconcludedthestoryisnoless exceptional ,withits brilliance solidifyingthetrilogy’s enduringlegacy .ItseesFrodo(ElijahWood)andSam(SeanAstin)embarkonthefinallegof their voyage toMordorwhileAragorn(ViggoMortensen)andhisalliesrallythearmiesofMiddle-earthto standagainstthemightofSauron’sforces .
The211-minuteepicfamouslyachievedtherecord-breaking featofwinningall11oftheAcademyAwardsitwasnominatedfor,butitslongevityinpopcultureisdefinedbyitssoaringglory.Fromitsawe-inspiringbattlesequences toitsquietmomentsofcharacter-drivenemotion,TheLordoftheRings:TheReturnoftheKingisanenrapturingmasterpieceofmonumentalproportions.Thislandmarkachievementrealizestheintrigueandenormityofthefantasygenreintheformofoneofthemoststunningcinematicexperiencesofalltime.
2004:’Shrek
239′
Abrilliantexampleofhowasequelshouldfunctioninthatitexpandsonthestoryworldofitspredecessorwhilefindinganewperspectiveonitscentralthemes,Shrek
239standsasoneofthebestfantasysequelsof alltime .Following newlywedShrek(MikeMyers)andFiona(CameronDiaz)astheytraveltoFarFarAwaytomeetFiona’slordlyparentsandfaceaconceitedthreatto theirmarriageintheprocess,Shrek
239doublessdownonthefairy-talefarseandcartooncomedythatmadeShreksuchasurprisesensation .
Introducingnewcharactersintothefold—namely,theiconicPussinBoots(AntonioBanderas)—givesfilmrefreshingelements ,especiallyasitusesmanyofthemto deconstructthefairy-talegenrein differentwayswhilestillofferingplentyoflaugh-out-loudmoments.Inessence,Shrek
239isagloriousmarriageoffantasyandcomedy ,asubversiveskeweringoffairy-talefolklorethatflauntsaninsatiableappetiteforgoodfunthatmakesforoneofthemostenjoyablemoviesofanygenreof2010s,andadefininghighlightoffantasycinemain2004.
2005:’HarryPotterandtheGobletofFire’
Runningconsistentlythroughoutthedecade,theHarryPotterfranchiseprobablyshouldbebetterrepresentedonthislistthanitis.However ,ofallthefilmsinthe saga,HarryPotterandtheGobletofFireisanoteworthystandout ,aswellasbeingahighlightof2005fantasycinema.Markingadistinctshifttowardsdarker ,moreadult senseoffantasy,itfollowsHarryPotter(DanielRadcliffe)inhisfourthyearatHogwartsashismysteriouslysweptintotheTri-WizardTournamentwhilethecreeping dreadoftheDeathEatersgrowsmoreimposing.
Withinthefilmseriesitself,TheGobletofFireisadeptat jugglingthechildlike whimsyandcharmoftheearlierinstallmentswhileimplementingamaturecomplexitytothefoldthateruptswithvisceralimpactinthefinalsequencewhenVoldemort(RalphFiennes)returnstohisphysicalform.Inthecontextof2005’sfantasycinema,GobletofFire=abrillianttriumphofrichallureandunderlying,sinistermalevolence.
2006:’Pan’sLabyrinth’
A landmark release for international cinema,Pan’sLabyrinthexcelsasa darkfantasylacedwith elementsofhorrorandwarbrutality.ItfollowsyoungOfelia(IvanaBaquero)as she ,alongwithherheavilypregnantmother ,relocatestothewoodstobewithhersadisticstepfatherasheleadshistroopsagainsttheSpanishMaquis.WiththeunflinchingillustrationofthecivilwarinSpain ,combinedwiththefantasticalelementsofOfelia’sjourneytobecometheprincessoftheUnderworld,Pan’sLabyrinth=aviolentlyintensefantasyadventurethatleavesalastingimpressiononviewers.
Whatisso brilliantaboutthefilmishowitmanagestoevokeasenseoffairy-taleinnocencearoundOfelia’sarcwhilestillfindingplentyofroomtoshowcasetheatrocitiesofwarandthehorrorsofthefantasyrealm.
Itfamouslyreceiveda22-minute-longstandingovationwhenitpremieredattheCannesFilmFestival ,whileitsabilitytobalancewonderandhorrorhasseenitstandasanenduringiconforalmost20years.
2007:’Enchanted’
Sweet,sincere,and sublimelyplayfulwithfairy-tailetropes,Enchanted=thrivesasa=revitalizedandrefreshinglymodernDisneyPrincessmovie.
ItfollowsthebanishedGiselle(AmyAdams),whoseexilefromhernativemagicalkingdomseesherswindupinNewYorkCity.ThereisajabbingfuntobuddingromancewiththecynicaldivorceattorneyRobertPhilip(PatrickDempsey),butthereisatender touchtoitthatdefinesmajestyandmagicofmovie.
BouyedbyAdams’typicallyfantasticperformance ,thesharpworkofscreenwriterBillKelly& ;directorKevinLima,andthemarriageoflive-actionandanimation,=Enchanted=aninvitingadventureofloveandmusicalcomedythatstandsasoneof=Disney’smostinspiredreleasesinrecentdecades.
Its senseofself-awarefunandgenredeconstructioncapitalizedonamajortrendoffantasy-comedyhybridsofthe2000s,makingitadefininghitsofthedecadeatlarge ,letalone theyear2007.
2008:’Twilight’
While some will surely scoff at thementionof=Twilight..
No one can denyimpactithadonpopcultureinthelate2000sandearly2010s.Mixingfantasywithteenageromancethroughitsbasison< bStephanieMeyer.
The pulpy pop hit,=Twilight.
A cheesy sensation that many watched with disbeliefandbewildermentquestioninghowit hadbecomeaculturaljuggernautthatwas.Howeveritsalluretoyoungaudiences—particularlyteenagegirls—isplaintosee,functioningasa fantasymagicofyouthfulove burstingthroughmonotonyeverydaylife.Itmaynotbeamasterpiececinema,butTwiight=definingtitlelate2019thatlaunchedwaveuniquefantasystorieswhile remaining,itself iconic picture.
Coraline
This year wasotherworldlyescapesfilmbeituponunderratedfantasyfilmslikeWhereWildThingsAreValhallaRisingeveninscifiblockbusterslikeAvatar.Perhapsyear’sbestimpressionablemovieilkhoweverHenrySelick’sstopmotionanimationCoraline.Afamilyfilmrenownedforitsdistinctly unsettlingvisualsfollowsyoungCoraline(DakotaFanning)asshefindsher selfan idyllicparallelworld.Whileinitiallyenchantedbyalternate reality,Coralinesoondiscoversitharboursomesinistersecrets.
Thefilmhasbecomeiconicinitsownrightdueto how its wondrouslyenthrallingvisuallyspellbindingpresentationunderlinedwithsense eerie,chillingsuspense.AsafamilyadventureCoralineappropriatelythrillingtranscendent.Asanimatedfantasyhoweveritisworkinspiredimaginativebrilliancethatclosedthe2009withone mostwell-roundedenrapturinganimatedmoviesevermade.
NEXT:TheBestMovieEveryYearThe2000sRanked
[nospin]Here you can find original article photos images used our article also come from this source. We are not their authors they have been used solely informational purposes proper attribution their original source.[nospin]
A landmark release for international cinema,Pan’sLabyrinthexcelsasa darkfantasylacedwith elementsofhorrorandwarbrutality.ItfollowsyoungOfelia(IvanaBaquero)as she ,alongwithherheavilypregnantmother ,relocatestothewoodstobewithhersadisticstepfatherasheleadshistroopsagainsttheSpanishMaquis.WiththeunflinchingillustrationofthecivilwarinSpain ,combinedwiththefantasticalelementsofOfelia’sjourneytobecometheprincessoftheUnderworld,Pan’sLabyrinth=aviolentlyintensefantasyadventurethatleavesalastingimpressiononviewers.
Whatisso brilliantaboutthefilmishowitmanagestoevokeasenseoffairy-taleinnocencearoundOfelia’sarcwhilestillfindingplentyofroomtoshowcasetheatrocitiesofwarandthehorrorsofthefantasyrealm.
Itfamouslyreceiveda22-minute-longstandingovationwhenitpremieredattheCannesFilmFestival ,whileitsabilitytobalancewonderandhorrorhasseenitstandasanenduringiconforalmost20years.
2007:’Enchanted’
Sweet,sincere,and sublimelyplayfulwithfairy-tailetropes,Enchanted=thrivesasa=revitalizedandrefreshinglymodernDisneyPrincessmovie.
ItfollowsthebanishedGiselle(AmyAdams),whoseexilefromhernativemagicalkingdomseesherswindupinNewYorkCity.ThereisajabbingfuntobuddingromancewiththecynicaldivorceattorneyRobertPhilip(PatrickDempsey),butthereisatender touchtoitthatdefinesmajestyandmagicofmovie.
BouyedbyAdams’typicallyfantasticperformance ,thesharpworkofscreenwriterBillKelly& ;directorKevinLima,andthemarriageoflive-actionandanimation,=Enchanted=aninvitingadventureofloveandmusicalcomedythatstandsasoneof=Disney’smostinspiredreleasesinrecentdecades.
Its senseofself-awarefunandgenredeconstructioncapitalizedonamajortrendoffantasy-comedyhybridsofthe2000s,makingitadefininghitsofthedecadeatlarge ,letalone theyear2007.
2008:’Twilight’
While some will surely scoff at thementionof=Twilight..
No one can denyimpactithadonpopcultureinthelate2000sandearly2010s.Mixingfantasywithteenageromancethroughitsbasison< bStephanieMeyer.
The pulpy pop hit,=Twilight.
A cheesy sensation that many watched with disbeliefandbewildermentquestioninghowit hadbecomeaculturaljuggernautthatwas.Howeveritsalluretoyoungaudiences—particularlyteenagegirls—isplaintosee,functioningasa fantasymagicofyouthfulove burstingthroughmonotonyeverydaylife.Itmaynotbeamasterpiececinema,butTwiight=definingtitlelate2019thatlaunchedwaveuniquefantasystorieswhile remaining,itself iconic picture.
Coraline
This year wasotherworldlyescapesfilmbeituponunderratedfantasyfilmslikeWhereWildThingsAreValhallaRisingeveninscifiblockbusterslikeAvatar.Perhapsyear’sbestimpressionablemovieilkhoweverHenrySelick’sstopmotionanimationCoraline.Afamilyfilmrenownedforitsdistinctly unsettlingvisualsfollowsyoungCoraline(DakotaFanning)asshefindsher selfan idyllicparallelworld.Whileinitiallyenchantedbyalternate reality,Coralinesoondiscoversitharboursomesinistersecrets.
Thefilmhasbecomeiconicinitsownrightdueto how its wondrouslyenthrallingvisuallyspellbindingpresentationunderlinedwithsense eerie,chillingsuspense.AsafamilyadventureCoralineappropriatelythrillingtranscendent.Asanimatedfantasyhoweveritisworkinspiredimaginativebrilliancethatclosedthe2009withone mostwell-roundedenrapturinganimatedmoviesevermade.
NEXT:TheBestMovieEveryYearThe2000sRanked
[nospin]Here you can find original article photos images used our article also come from this source. We are not their authors they have been used solely informational purposes proper attribution their original source.[nospin]
Sweet,sincere,and sublimelyplayfulwithfairy-tailetropes,Enchanted=thrivesasa=revitalizedandrefreshinglymodernDisneyPrincessmovie.
ItfollowsthebanishedGiselle(AmyAdams),whoseexilefromhernativemagicalkingdomseesherswindupinNewYorkCity.ThereisajabbingfuntobuddingromancewiththecynicaldivorceattorneyRobertPhilip(PatrickDempsey),butthereisatender touchtoitthatdefinesmajestyandmagicofmovie.
BouyedbyAdams’typicallyfantasticperformance ,thesharpworkofscreenwriterBillKelly& ;directorKevinLima,andthemarriageoflive-actionandanimation,=Enchanted=aninvitingadventureofloveandmusicalcomedythatstandsasoneof=Disney’smostinspiredreleasesinrecentdecades.
Its senseofself-awarefunandgenredeconstructioncapitalizedonamajortrendoffantasy-comedyhybridsofthe2000s,makingitadefininghitsofthedecadeatlarge ,letalone theyear2007.
2008:’Twilight’
While some will surely scoff at thementionof=Twilight..
No one can denyimpactithadonpopcultureinthelate2000sandearly2010s.Mixingfantasywithteenageromancethroughitsbasison< bStephanieMeyer.
The pulpy pop hit,=Twilight.
A cheesy sensation that many watched with disbeliefandbewildermentquestioninghowit hadbecomeaculturaljuggernautthatwas.Howeveritsalluretoyoungaudiences—particularlyteenagegirls—isplaintosee,functioningasa fantasymagicofyouthfulove burstingthroughmonotonyeverydaylife.Itmaynotbeamasterpiececinema,butTwiight=definingtitlelate2019thatlaunchedwaveuniquefantasystorieswhile remaining,itself iconic picture.
Coraline
This year wasotherworldlyescapesfilmbeituponunderratedfantasyfilmslikeWhereWildThingsAreValhallaRisingeveninscifiblockbusterslikeAvatar.Perhapsyear’sbestimpressionablemovieilkhoweverHenrySelick’sstopmotionanimationCoraline.Afamilyfilmrenownedforitsdistinctly unsettlingvisualsfollowsyoungCoraline(DakotaFanning)asshefindsher selfan idyllicparallelworld.Whileinitiallyenchantedbyalternate reality,Coralinesoondiscoversitharboursomesinistersecrets.
Thefilmhasbecomeiconicinitsownrightdueto how its wondrouslyenthrallingvisuallyspellbindingpresentationunderlinedwithsense eerie,chillingsuspense.AsafamilyadventureCoralineappropriatelythrillingtranscendent.Asanimatedfantasyhoweveritisworkinspiredimaginativebrilliancethatclosedthe2009withone mostwell-roundedenrapturinganimatedmoviesevermade.
NEXT:TheBestMovieEveryYearThe2000sRanked
[nospin]Here you can find original article photos images used our article also come from this source. We are not their authors they have been used solely informational purposes proper attribution their original source.[nospin]
While some will surely scoff at thementionof=Twilight..
No one can denyimpactithadonpopcultureinthelate2000sandearly2010s.Mixingfantasywithteenageromancethroughitsbasison< bStephanieMeyer.
The pulpy pop hit,=Twilight.
A cheesy sensation that many watched with disbeliefandbewildermentquestioninghowit hadbecomeaculturaljuggernautthatwas.Howeveritsalluretoyoungaudiences—particularlyteenagegirls—isplaintosee,functioningasa fantasymagicofyouthfulove burstingthroughmonotonyeverydaylife.Itmaynotbeamasterpiececinema,butTwiight=definingtitlelate2019thatlaunchedwaveuniquefantasystorieswhile remaining,itself iconic picture.
Coraline
This year wasotherworldlyescapesfilmbeituponunderratedfantasyfilmslikeWhereWildThingsAreValhallaRisingeveninscifiblockbusterslikeAvatar.Perhapsyear’sbestimpressionablemovieilkhoweverHenrySelick’sstopmotionanimationCoraline.Afamilyfilmrenownedforitsdistinctly unsettlingvisualsfollowsyoungCoraline(DakotaFanning)asshefindsher selfan idyllicparallelworld.Whileinitiallyenchantedbyalternate reality,Coralinesoondiscoversitharboursomesinistersecrets.
Thefilmhasbecomeiconicinitsownrightdueto how its wondrouslyenthrallingvisuallyspellbindingpresentationunderlinedwithsense eerie,chillingsuspense.AsafamilyadventureCoralineappropriatelythrillingtranscendent.Asanimatedfantasyhoweveritisworkinspiredimaginativebrilliancethatclosedthe2009withone mostwell-roundedenrapturinganimatedmoviesevermade.
NEXT:TheBestMovieEveryYearThe2000sRanked
[nospin]Here you can find original article photos images used our article also come from this source. We are not their authors they have been used solely informational purposes proper attribution their original source.[nospin]
This year wasotherworldlyescapesfilmbeituponunderratedfantasyfilmslikeWhereWildThingsAreValhallaRisingeveninscifiblockbusterslikeAvatar.Perhapsyear’sbestimpressionablemovieilkhoweverHenrySelick’sstopmotionanimationCoraline.Afamilyfilmrenownedforitsdistinctly unsettlingvisualsfollowsyoungCoraline(DakotaFanning)asshefindsher selfan idyllicparallelworld.Whileinitiallyenchantedbyalternate reality,Coralinesoondiscoversitharboursomesinistersecrets.
Thefilmhasbecomeiconicinitsownrightdueto how its wondrouslyenthrallingvisuallyspellbindingpresentationunderlinedwithsense eerie,chillingsuspense.AsafamilyadventureCoralineappropriatelythrillingtranscendent.Asanimatedfantasyhoweveritisworkinspiredimaginativebrilliancethatclosedthe2009withone mostwell-roundedenrapturinganimatedmoviesevermade.
NEXT:TheBestMovieEveryYearThe2000sRanked
[nospin]Here you can find original article photos images used our article also come from this source. We are not their authors they have been used solely informational purposes proper attribution their original source.[nospin]
