Fantasy often brings to mind swords and sorcery, but it doesn't have to. The best fantasy movies cover a range of fantastical degrees and there are so many great ones worth watching.
What's unfortunate is when fantasy movies that aren't part of a massive franchise (e.g. Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings) tend to get looked over by critics and viewers alike.
Here are several underrated fantasy movies that you maybe haven't seen yet but totally should. You don't want to miss these hidden gems!
My definition of "fantasy" includes any movie that has magical or supernatural elements with no explanation in science/technology, or any movie that takes us to imagined settings.
7. Ghost Town (2008)
When a socially difficult man nearly dies after going under anesthesia, he discovers that he can now see and talk to ghosts, who pester him for help in completing their unfinished business.
I'm not a fan of Ricky Gervais or his comedic work, but Ghost Town is something else. It isn't hampered by his obnoxious politics, and it's free to be its own film with its own take on this premise.
Sure, it doesn't say much new or tackle the subject in an original way, but it's one of the better "I can see ghosts" movies.
6. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
An awkward thief is caught up in a brewing war between the gangsters of the The Axe Gang and the locals of Pig Sty Alley, who prove impossible to defeat with their array of extraordinary abilities.
What do you get when you combine magic, martial arts, and the Looney Tunes? That's about as succinct a one-line description of Kung Fu Hustle as you'll ever get.
It sounds ridiculous—and it is ridiculous—but it's executed so well that you can't help but be impressed. There's plenty of action, but lots of heart too! It's one of the best in the kung fu genre.
5. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
A twelve-year-old boy with only one eye and mastery in playing the shamisen is driven from his village by vengeful spirits of his deceased mother's sisters and the Moon King.
From the makers of Coraline comes this beautiful tale that's dripping with theme, atmosphere, and heart.
And like Coraline, not only is the stop-motion animation is out of this world, but there are darker elements that brew under the surface, making this an excellent watch for both kids and adults.
The fantastical elements on display truly kick this film up a notch from being "yet another animated flick."
4. Reign of Fire (2002)
In the near future, dragons are awakened and released in London. They wreak havoc on the world and drive humans to the brink of extinction. Now it's up to the remnants of humanity to fight back and reclaim their world from the beasts.
Reign of Fire stars Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, and Gerard Butler. That alone is reason enough to watch this flawed but entertaining movie...
...and if that isn't reason enough for you, just believe me when I say that it has some of the best dragon and dragonfire CGI, especially for a film that came out in 2002.
3. Alpha (2018)
The historical adventure tale of Keda, a young man who lived 20,000 years ago, who's left for dead by his hunter-gatherer tribe and fights for survival with the help of an injured wolf—the first ancestor of man's best friend.
Alpha's plot is pretty straightforward and simple. The story beats are rather predictable all along the way, but it's only a minor flaw in what is otherwise an exciting movie with remarkable visuals.
Of course, no one really knows the story of how dogs came from wolves—which is why this film falls in "fantasy" territory—but this telling is plausible to a degree, and surprisingly heartfelt.
2. Stardust (2007)
After vowing to retrieve a fallen star, a young man crosses over the Wall and enters the magical kingdom of Stormhold, where he finds the fallen star and learns that it is actually a woman.
I've always found that this fantasy adventure movie shares a lot in common with The Princess Bride, particularly in how well it blends the genres of fantasy, comedy, drama, and adventure together.
With incredible performances all around—especially from Claire Danes and Charlie Cox—and a wonderfully uplifting ending that comes after a journey of many dramatic twists, Stardust seals itself as one of the best fantasy movies of all time.
1. About Time (2013)
About Time is a comedic drama with spectacular performances by Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams.
A 21-year-old man learns that he's inherited the ability to travel through time to the past, and uses this ability to improve his love life. But it gets a lot deeper than you might expect...
While time travel is a plot device most often seen in science fiction, About Time's tone and approach give it that otherworldly feeling you need to feel like you're watching something special.
