In many ways, thefantasy genrecould be considered one of the purest expressions of the cinematic art form, as one of the purposes of movies is to transport the viewer to fascinating places populated with colorful characters. No other film genre – besides, of course, science fiction, which often shares a common thread with fantasy – can provide exciting and transportive experiences quite like the fantasy genre.
Many of thegreatest films ever made belong to the fantasy genre, and their influence can be seen all throughout the world’s cinematic canon. While the term “fantasy” can cover a vast amount of subgenres and bleeds into a number of other types of films, we’ve narrowed down the following list of influential fantasy flicks to ones that whisk the audience away to strange and fantastical places. Here are the top 21 most influential fantasy films of all time!
21Excalibur (1981)
Excaliburis director John Boorman’s epic cinematic retelling of the 15th-century legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It follows the lowly Arthur, who realizes his fate as king after he successfully pulls the magical Excalibur sword from its stone cradle. The movie started life as an adaptation ofThe Lord of the Rings, but soon was rewritten and produced as an adaptation of Arthurian legend.
It’s a highly influential fantasy movie, not just because it helped to jump-start the fantasy epic craze of the early ‘80s, but also for its impact on Irish cinema. Most notably, the film providedthe breakout role of screen icon Liam Neeson, as well as actors Gabriel Byrne and Patrick Stewart.
20Shrek (2001)
Shrekis the beloved animated fantasy comedy about a repugnant ogre who is forced to rescue a princess and take on the evil Lord Farquaad in order to reclaim his swamp from a horde of displaced fairy tale characters.
The movie is generally considered to be one of the most influential fantasy and animated films ever made, as it was one of the first major films from DreamWorks Pictures, and spawned a franchise that continues to this day. The movie was also a massive critical success; Apart from winning the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature,Shrekwon a plethora of other accolades, and was even selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
Related:15 Best Movies for Family Movie Night
19Labyrinth (1986)
Labyrinthis a musical fantasy movie about a teenage girl who sets out on a mission to find the center of a magical labyrinth in order to save her younger brother from the enigmatic Goblin King. Written by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, directed by Jim Henson, and executive produced by George Lucas, this David Bowie-starring gem has been adapted into books, comics, and video games, and may soon get a sequel.
Although the film was initially released to mixed reception, it has since been very positively reappraised, and is considered to be one of the greatest cult classics ever made.
18Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factoryis the first and best adaptation ofCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryby fantasy author Roald Dahl. The musical film tells the story of a poor paperboy who finds one of five golden tickets that allows him to tour the factory of the mysterious candy maker Willy Wonka. Equal parts family-friendly musical and nightmare-fuel ‘70s psychedelia, this classic movie garnered a Golden Globe for the late, great Gene Wilder and gave Sammy Davis Jr. his hit song “The Candy Man.”
17Clash of the Titans (1981)
Clash of the Titansis a classic fantasy adventure flick based on the Greek myth of Perseus. It follows young Perseus, the son of Zeus, fulfilling his grand destiny and slaying an assortment of fearsome mythical creatures along the way. The movie is noteworthy for its incredible stop-motion special effects, which was the final work of influential animator Ray Harryhausen.
As a result, the epic special effects-fueled extravaganza is seen as one of stop-motion animation’s finest moments, and a classic that has inspired numerous filmmakers over the years. A not-so-well-received 3D remake of the film was made in 2010, proving that the original is a timeless triumph that cannot be improved upon.
16The NeverEnding Story (1984)
Anessential family-friendly fantasy cult classic,The NeverEnding Storytells the story of a young boy who embarks on an epic quest through the realm of Fantasia, destined to defeat “The Nothing,” an evil dark presence. Directed byDas Bootdirector Wolfgang Petersen, the film was based on the 1979 book of the same name by Michael Ende. Although Ende famously disliked Petersen’s film version of his book, most critics praised the whimsical movie for its dazzling special effects and brilliantly-realized fantasy world.
The movie has had a lasting influence on popular culture, including inspiring numerous bands, an episode ofThe Simpsons, and a reference inStranger Things.
15Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone(also known asHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) is the first film in theHarry Potterseries, and follows young Harry’s first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Directed with a fun-loving flair byHome Alonedirector Chris Columbus, the movie was an instant success. It not only kick-started a hugely successful franchise, but it also launched the careers of screen legends Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson.
14Ugetsu (1953)
Ugetsuis a Japanese fantasy epic about a pair of peasants in 16th century Japan running afoul of ancient spirits, and suffering the grave consequences. The multiple award-winning movie is recognized as being one of acclaimed director Kenji Mizoguchi’s best films, and a defining work in Japanese cinema’s “Golden Age.” The movie’s influence on other Japanese films is enormous, and the film also contributed greatly to the popularization of Japanese films abroad.
Related:The 25 Most Influential Japanese Movie Directors of All Time
13The Princess Bride (1987)
Anendlessly quotable comedy fantasy masterpiece,The Princess Brideis one of director Rob Reiner’s all-time greatest works. It’s about an adventurer named Westley who must rescue his true love from an evil prince, battling a number of strange creatures and making new friends along the way.
Frequently listed as one ofthe funniest movies ever made,The Princess Bridehas endured as a timeless masterpiece, and has had an incredible influence on cinema that cannot be overstated.In the words of Den of Geek, “the only thing that has aged a day about the picture is how its initial audience of children is now old enough to share it with kids of their own. This unabashed joy of passing a cinematic storybook from one era to the next is where the real alchemy of the genre lives—a feat just as surprising now as it was then.” After releasing to meager box office success, the film went on to become a household staple, and was even selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
12Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Pan’s Labyrinthis a brilliant fantasy horror film set in Spain during World War II. It’s about a young girl – the stepdaughter of a sadistic, Francoist military leader – descending into the mysterious realm of Pan’s Labyrinth while her stepfather hunts down rebels in the surrounding forest. One of thebest fantasy films of the 21st century,Pan’s Labyrinthis considered by many to be director Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece, as it employs nearly all the themes and images that he’s known for, including religion, anti-fascist messages, and his fascination with monsters. It has had a profound impact on world cinema, winning dozens of accolades and establishing del Toro as a leading filmmaker of the 21st century.
