The greatest fantasy movies have always advertize the limits of what had been possible to depict on the big screen . Often innovative and magical work , these film rapture viewers to extraordinary man where the unsufferable becomes possible . mythologic creatures , crucial quests , and imaginative landscapes rule these cinematic masterpiece that can inspire anyone to rediscover a love for resource and epic narrative .
From the influential classicThe Wizard of Ozto the renowned adjustment , The Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring , the best fantasy motion picture should be considered essential showing for cinephiles . These visual marvels are window into grotesque realities that have captivated fans over the years , setting the monetary standard for every new entry in the genre .
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10. Mary Poppins (1964)
Mary Poppinsis an award - winning classic that took the world by storm when it first premiere in 1964 . The melodic fantasy film is still widely considered to be Walt Disney ’s most astounding accomplishment . Directed by Robert Stevenson , the movie follow the Banks kinfolk , made up of Mr. Banks ( David Tomlinson ) , Mrs. Banks ( Glynis Johns ) , and his children , Jane ( Karen Dotrice ) and Michael ( Matthew Garber ) . Right when they need her the most , the much thoroughgoing nanny Mary Poppins ( Julie Andrews ) settle from the skies to bring order and joy to their household .
The film depicts the children ’s whimsical adventures with Mary Poppins , as they soon find out that she has some magical abilities . Its shading of alive - action and liveliness was groundbreaking for its time . It ’s also just as well - known for its many iconic songs likeSupercalifragilisticexpialidociousandChim Chim Cher - ee . Julie Andrews won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as the titular nurse , which is still among her very best performances .
9. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Despite recent attempts at retelling the beloved tale like 2023’sWonka , director Mel Stuart’sadaptation of Roald Dahl ’s 1964 novelCharlie and the Chocolate Factoryis still the best . The 1971 melodic phantasy film revolves around the fib of Charlie Bucket ( Peter Ostrum ) and four other children as they win golden tickets to tour Willy Wonka ’s ( Gene Wilder ) sorcerous deep brown factory . Their spell is both capricious and disastrous as Wonka ’s excogitation turn out to be trial for the misconduct guests .
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factorybrought its source material to life , with the titulary location being a highlighting thanks to vibrant set slice and convincing design that makes the picture show still deserving watch today . Wilder is also perfectly cast as the eccentric Willy Wonka , with the actor instill the fiber with quirk , magical spell , and in the end , empathy .
8. Wings of Desire (1987)
Director Wim Wenders play a crucial part in mould New German Cinema , andWings of Desire , orDer Himmel über Berlin , is his crowning achievement . The 1987 celluloid is put in a dual-lane Berlin where two supernal organism , Damiel ( Bruno Ganz ) and Cassiel ( Otto Sander ) , silently observe the living of human being . Eventually , Damiel falls for a trapeze artist , whose life motivates him to make the difficult pick to become mortal .
From the view of two immortal angels , even the smallest thing about being human seem entrancing . From the taste perception of food to the feeling of categorical dear , Wings of Desirecontemplates both the luxurious and tiny important details of life . Wenders ’ movie is a true standout in the fantasy musical genre , fuse supernatural elements with philosophical musings present through dialogue that almost sounds like poesy .
7. La Belle et La Bête (1946)
Though most people would belike be more intimate withthe animated Disney versionof the “ tale as honest-to-goodness as time,”La Belle et la Bêteis just as deserving of attention and congratulations for its depiction of the story of Beauty and the Beast . Directed by Jean Cocteau , the movie tells the familiar narrative of Belle ( Josette Day ) , a variety and selfless young char who sacrifices herself to hold open her beginner , which run to her stop in an enchanted palace ruled by the Beast ( Jean Marais ) .
Considered a classic of Gallic movie theatre , some of its practical effects are date stamp today , but the enchanting wayLa Belle et la Bêtedelivers its enchanting narration have it a timeless picture show . twenty-four hour period and Marais play their role to paragon , with their chemistry ground the excited events to the very end . The 1946 motion-picture show place a new standard for how sprite story movie should look and find , with many modernistic favorites owing their success to this now often overlooked movie .
6. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Director Tim Burton’sEdward Scissorhandsis among the specify movies of the 1990s , with the motion-picture show ’s gothic romance turning it into a knock hit around the world . The movie is centered on Edward ( Johnny Depp ) , a piece with scissors for hands , who was create by an artificer who passed away before complete him . When caring suburban woman Peg Boggs ( Dianne Wiest ) discovers Edward living alone , she takes him into her family .
Edward ’s scissor hands are both a thanksgiving and a curse , as he sputter to fit into the pastel - distort suburb he come alive up to every Clarence Day . He ascertain some consolation in the company of Peg ’s teen girl ( Winona Ryder ) , but is ultimately still an pariah . The agonist ’s tale is told through Burton ’s distinct directorial fashion , makingEdward Scissorhandsa strikingly beautiful story about being unlike .
5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabanis considered by many as thebest entry in theHarry Pottersaga . Directed by Alfonso Cuarón , the 2004 photographic film sees Harry Potter ( Daniel Radcliffe ) give back to Hogwarts for his third year , where he learn that Sirius Black ( Gary Oldman ) , a grave prisoner , has take to the woods Azkaban and may be after him .
Cuarón ’s masterful direction help makeHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabana polar movie in the series , as it marked an important departure from the lightsome and capricious wizarding world by limn a darker and more mature story . It focus on Harry , Hermione Granger ( Emma Watson ) , and Ron Weasley ’s ( Rupert Grint ) growth , with the weighting of the narrative hinting at the trio ’s challenging route beforehand . Harry ’s storyline is particularly highlighted here , as his transformative electric discharge is bolstered by item about his past and how it charm the champion he must become in the future .
4. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Guillermo del Toro‘s best motion-picture show , Pan ’s Labyrinth , is a dismal fantasy film oozing with the manager ’s way and earmark . arrange in 1944 , the movie follows Ofelia ( Ivana Baquero ) , a young girl who , along with her pregnant mother , moves to a rural military frontier settlement led by her beastly stepfather , Captain Vidal ( Sergi López ) . There , as her mother grows inauspicious , Ofelia meets magical creatures who lead her on a mystic and dangerous quest to testify she ’s the princess they ’re looking for .
Pan ’s Labyrinthis rich with symbolisation and political commentary , combine the harsh world of post - civic War Spain with its witch fairy narration . Ofelia ’s tale is a testament to the exponent of fantasy and imagination as a elbow room to escape the tragic and serious things humans can do to each other , which is something audiences are remind of in the 2006 picture show ’s unforgettable and shameful termination .
3. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Ozis a celebrate classic that tell the intimate tale of Dorothy Gale ( Judy Garland ) , a untried missy from Kansas who , after being swept away to the witching land of Oz in a twister , embarks on a journey to find the Wizard and return home . Along the way , she meets novel friends like a Scarecrow ( Ray Bolger ) without a brain , a Tin Man ( Jack Haley ) without a ticker , and a Cowardly Lion ( Bert Lahr ) .
Thegorgeous fictitious domain of Ozis now legendary , as Dorothy ’s misadventures there helped bring Technicolor to the mainstream . The groundbreaking picture where Dorothy afford a threshold and walk out into a colorful Oz marked an important turning period in cinema . Of naturally , the 1939 motion-picture show is also lovingly commemorate for Garland ’s unbelievable performance as the unseasoned Dorothy , whose award - winning Song dynasty , Over the Rainbow , is still referenced and talk over as part of tonic culture today .
2. Spirited Away (2001)
SeveralStudio Ghiblimovies have become fan favorites throughout the year , but none have managed to surpassSpirited Away , which is still director Hayao Miyazaki ’s magnum opus . The Nipponese animated flick tell the history of Chihiro ( voice by Rumi Hiiragi ) , a young girl who becomes trammel in a mysterious and magical realness where she must rescue her parents . The only way to do that is to boldly confront strange tool and spirit , including the sinewy hag Yubaba ( Mari Natsuki ) and the terrifying No - expression ( Akio Nakamura ) .
Spirited Awaygenuinely feel like a wild and visually stunning ride into an nonnatural land that ’s both spectacular and frightening . Its worldbuilding and animation style are strong to nonplus even today , especially since they ’re couple with what is fundamentally a profound hail - of - age story that shows a little little girl ’s journey to find her immense bravery .
1. The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
An argument could be made on behalf of any unveiling in director Peter Jackson ’s renowned The Lord of the Rings trilogy that it ’s the estimable of the caboodle , but there ’s an undeniable timeless and nostalgic quality aboutThe Fellowship of the Ringthat create it merit of that smirch . As the film that started it all , the 2001 masterpiece introduced viewers to Middle - worldly concern and , more specifically , the Shire , which the hobbit Frodo Baggins ( Elijah Wood ) is about to depart to go on a decisive quest .
Jackson ’s masterful direction brought J.R.R. Tolkien ’s Middle - earth to life , and became a benchmark for epic storytelling in the phantasy genre in the process . The ambitious and successful celluloid was praise for its faithfulness to the source material and technical achievements , which helped it promptly become a ball-shaped phenomenon . The Fellowship of the Ringalso has the add charm of focus on theatrical role and worldbuilding before its telling sequels would bring in the big struggle . Fellowship‘s numerous memorable momentsand lines make it the ideal choice for a rewatch .
