View source for Fantasy film

{{Short description|Film genre}}
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{{More citations needed|date=December 2007}}
[[File:The Thief of Bagdad (1924) - film poster.jpg|thumb|Poster for ''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1924 film)|The Thief of Bagdad]]'', a 1924 American fantasy film.]]
{{Fantasy}}{{Speculative fiction sidebar}}
'''Fantasy films''' are films that belong to the [[fantasy]] genre with fantastic themes, usually [[Magic (paranormal)|magic]], [[supernatural]] events, [[mythology]], [[folklore]], or exotic [[fantasy world]]s. The [[Film genre|genre]] is considered a form of [[speculative fiction]] alongside [[science fiction film]]s and [[horror film]]s, although the genres do overlap.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What does fantasy film mean?|url=https://www.definitions.net/definition/fantasy+film|access-date=2020-11-19|website=www.definitions.net|language=en}}</ref> Fantasy films often have an element of magic, [[myth]], [[Wonder (emotion)|wonder]], [[escapism]], and the extraordinary.<ref>[http://www.filmsite.org/fantasyfilms.html Fantasy Films<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Subgenres==
Several sub-categories of fantasy films can be identified, although the delineations between these subgenres, much as in fantasy literature, are somewhat fluid.

The most common fantasy subgenres depicted in movies are [[high fantasy]] and [[sword and sorcery]].{{according to whom|date=October 2016}} Both categories typically employ quasi-medieval settings, wizards, magical creatures and other elements commonly associated with fantasy stories.

High fantasy films tend to feature a more richly developed fantasy world, and may also be more character-oriented or thematically complex. Often, they feature a hero of humble origins and a clear distinction between good and evil set against each other in an epic struggle. Many scholars cite [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' novel as the prototypical modern example of high fantasy in literature, and the recent [[Peter Jackson]] [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|film adaptation]] of the books is a good example of the high fantasy subgenre on the silver screen.

Sword and sorcery movies tend to be more plot-driven than high fantasy and focus heavily on action sequences, often pitting a physically powerful but unsophisticated warrior against an evil wizard or other supernaturally endowed enemy. Although sword and sorcery films sometimes describe an epic battle between good and evil similar to those found in many High fantasy movies, they may alternately present the hero as having more immediate motivations, such as the need to protect a vulnerable maiden or village, or even being driven by the desire for vengeance.

The [[Conan the Barbarian (1982 film)|1982 film adaptation]] of [[Robert E. Howard]]'s ''[[Conan the Barbarian]]'', for example, is a personal (non-epic) story concerning the hero's quest for revenge and his efforts to thwart a single megalomaniac—while saving a beautiful princess in the process. Some critics refer to such films by the term [[Sword and sandal|Sword and Sandal]] rather than sword and sorcery, although others would maintain that the Sword and Sandal label should be reserved only for the subset of fantasy films set in [[ancient history]] on the planet Earth, and still others would broaden the term to encompass films that have no fantastic elements whatsoever. To some, the term Sword and Sandal has pejorative connotations, designating a film with a low-quality script, bad acting, and poor production values.

Another important subgenre of fantasy films that has become more popular in recent years is [[contemporary fantasy]]. Such films feature magical effects or supernatural occurrences happening in the "real" world of today.

[[Films with live action and animation]] such as [[Disney]]'s ''[[Mary Poppins (film)|Mary Poppins]]'', ''[[Pete's Dragon (1977 film)|Pete's Dragon]]'', ''[[Enchanted (film)|Enchanted]]'', and the [[Robert Zemeckis]] film ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit]]'' are also fantasy films although are more often referred to as Live action/animation hybrids (2 of those are also classified as musicals).

Fantasy films set in the [[afterlife]], called [[Bangsian fantasy]], are less common, although films such as the 1991 [[Albert Brooks]] comedy ''[[Defending Your Life]]'' would likely qualify. Other uncommon subgenres include [[historical fantasy]] and [[romantic fantasy]], although 2003's ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl]]'' successfully incorporated elements of both.

As noted above, superhero movies and fairy tale films might each be considered subgenres of fantasy films, although most would classify them as altogether separate movie genres.

==Fantasy movies and the film industry==
<!--  Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:LOTRROTKmovie.jpg|thumb|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'', winner of the 2003 Academy Award for Best Picture]] -->
As a cinematic genre, fantasy has traditionally not been regarded as highly as the related genre of science fiction film. Undoubtedly, the fact that until recently fantasy films often suffered from the "[[Sword-and-sandal|Sword and Sandal]]" afflictions of inferior production values, over-the-top acting, and decidedly poor special effects was a significant factor in fantasy film's low regard.

Since the early 2000s, however, the genre has gained new respectability in a way, driven principally by the successful adaptations of [[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' and [[J. K. Rowling]]'s ''[[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]]'' series. Jackson's [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy]] is notable due to its ambitious scale, serious tone, and thematic complexity. These pictures achieved phenomenal commercial and critical success, and the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|third installment]] of the trilogy became the first fantasy film ever to win the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]]. The ''Harry Potter'' series has been a tremendous financial success, has achieved critical acclaim for its design, thematic sophistication and emotional depth, grittier realism and darkness, narrative complexity, and characterization, and boasts an enormous and loyal fanbase.

Following the success of these ventures, Hollywood studios have greenlighted additional big-budget productions in the genre. These have included adaptations of the first, second, and third books in [[C. S. Lewis]]' ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia (film series)|The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' and the teen novel ''[[Eragon (film)|Eragon]]'', as well as adaptations of [[Susan Cooper]]'s ''[[The Dark Is Rising (film)|The Dark Is Rising]]'', [[Cornelia Funke]]'s ''[[Inkheart]]'', [[Philip Pullman]]'s ''[[The Golden Compass]]'', [[Holly Black]]'s ''[[The Spiderwick Chronicles]]'', Nickelodeon's TV show ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'', and the ''[[Fantasia (1940 film)|Fantasia]]'' segment (along with [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]]'s original poem) ''[[The Sorcerer's Apprentice]]''

Many fantasy movies starting in the 2000s, such as ''The Lord of the Rings'' films, the 1st and 3rd ''Narnia'' adaptations, and the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 7th ''Harry Potter'' adaptations have most often been released in November and December. This is in contrast to [[Science fiction film|sci-fi films]], which are often released during the northern hemisphere summer (June–August). All 3 of the ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean films|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' films, however, were released in July 2003, July 2006, and May 2007 respectively, and the latest releases in the ''Harry Potter'' series were released in July 2007 and July 2009. The huge commercial success of these pictures may indicate a change in Hollywood's approach to big-budget fantasy film releases.

Screenwriter and scholar [[Eric R. Williams]] identifies fantasy films as one of eleven super-genres in his [[Screenwriters Taxonomy|screenwriters taxonomy]], claiming that all feature length narrative films can be classified by these super-genres. The other 10 super-genres are [[Action film|action]], [[Crime film|crime]], [[Horror film|horror]], [[Romance film|romance]], [[Science fiction film|sci-fi]], [[slice of life]], [[Sports film|sports]], [[Thriller film|thriller]], [[War film|war]] and [[Western film|western]].<ref>Williams, Eric R. (2017). ''The screenwriters taxonomy : a roadmap to collaborative storytelling''. New York, NY: Routledge Studies in Media Theory and Practice. {{ISBN|978-1-315-10864-3}}. {{OCLC|993983488}}. P. 21</ref>

==History==
{{Fantasyfilmlist}}

Fantasy films have a history almost as old as the medium itself. However, fantasy films were relatively few and far between until the [[1980s in film|1980s]], when high-tech filmmaking techniques and increased audience interest caused the genre to flourish.

What follows are some notable Fantasy films. For a more complete list see: [[List of fantasy films]]

===1900–1920s===
{{See also|List of fantasy films before 1930}}
<!--  Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:TheWizardofOzDVDcover.jpg|thumb|''The Wizard of Oz'' (1939), a fantasy film classic]] -->
In the era of [[silent film]], the earliest fantasy films were those made by French film pioneer [[Georges Méliès]] from 1903. The most famous of these was 1902's ''[[A Trip to the Moon]]''. In the [[Golden Age]] of Silent film (1918–1926) the most outstanding fantasy films were [[Douglas Fairbanks]]' ''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1924)|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1924), [[Fritz Lang]]'s ''[[Die Nibelungen]]'' (1924), and ''[[Der müde Tod|Destiny]]'' (1921). Other notables in the genre were [[F.W. Murnau]]'s romantic ghost story ''[[Phantom (1922 film)|Phantom]]'', ''[[Tarzan of the Apes (1918 film)|Tarzan of the Apes]]'' starring [[Elmo Lincoln]], and [[D. W. Griffith]]'s ''[[The Sorrows of Satan (film)|The Sorrows of Satan]]''.

===1930s===
{{See also|List of fantasy films of the 1930s}}
Following the advent of [[sound film]]s, audiences of all ages were introduced from 1937's ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' to 1939's ''[[The Wizard of Oz]]''. Also notable of the era, the iconic 1933 film ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' borrows heavily from the [[Lost World (genre)|Lost World]] subgenre of fantasy fiction as does such films as the 1935 adaptation of H. Rider Haggard's novel ''[[She (1935 film)|She]]'' about an African expedition that discovers an immortal queen known as Ayesha "She who must be obeyed". [[Frank Capra]]'s 1937 picture ''[[Lost Horizon (1937 film)|Lost Horizon]]'' transported audiences to the [[Himalaya]]n fantasy kingdom of [[Shangri-La]], where the residents magically never age. Other noteworthy fantasy films of the 30s include ''[[Tarzan the Ape Man (1932 film)|Tarzan the Ape Man]]'' in 1932 starring [[Johnny Weissmuller]] starting a successful series of talking pictures based on the fantasy-adventure novels by [[Edgar Rice Burroughs]] and the [[G. W. Pabst]] directed ''[[The Mistress of Atlantis]]'' from 1932. 1932 saw the release of the [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] monster movie ''[[The Mummy (1932 film)|The Mummy]]'' which combined horror with a romantic fantasy twist. more light-hearted and comedic affairs from the decade include films like 1934s romantic drama film ''[[Death Takes a Holiday]]'' where [[Fredric March]] plays Death who takes a human body to experience life for three days and 1937s ''[[Topper (film)|Topper]]'' where a man is haunted by two fun-loving ghosts who try to make his life a little more exciting.

===1940s===
{{See also|List of fantasy films of the 1940s}}
The 1940s then saw several full-color fantasy films produced by [[Alexander Korda]], including ''[[The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film)|The Thief of Bagdad]]'' (1940), a film on par with ''The Wizard of Oz'', and ''[[Jungle Book (1942 film)|Jungle Book]]'' (1942). In 1946, [[Jean Cocteau]]'s classic adaptation of ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1946 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' won praise for its [[Surrealism|surreal]] elements and for transcending the boundaries of the [[fairy tale]] genre. ''[[Sinbad the Sailor (1947 film)|Sinbad the Sailor]]'' (1947), starring [[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]], has the feel of a fantasy film though it does not actually have any [[Fantastique|fantastic]] elements.

Several other pictures featuring supernatural encounters and aspects of Bangsian fantasy were produced in the 1940s during [[World War II]]. These include ''[[Beyond Tomorrow (1940 film)|Beyond Tomorrow]]'', ''[[The Devil and Daniel Webster (film)|The Devil and Daniel Webster]]'', and ''[[Here Comes Mr. Jordan]]'', all from 1941, ''[[Heaven Can Wait (1943 film)|Heaven Can Wait]]'' the musical ''[[Cabin in the Sky (film)|Cabin in the Sky]]'' (1943), the comedy ''[[The Horn Blows at Midnight]]'' and romances such as ''[[The Ghost and Mrs. Muir]]'' (1947), ''[[One Touch of Venus (film)|One Touch of Venus]]'' and ''[[Portrait of Jennie]]'', both 1948.

An astonishing anticipation of the full "sword and sorcery" genre was made in 1941 in Italy by Alessandro Blasetti. ''La Corona di Ferro'' presents the struggles of two imaginary kingdoms around the legendary Iron Crown (historically the ancient crown of Italy), with war, cruelty, betrayal, heroism, sex, magic and mysticism, a whirl of events taken from every possible fairy tale and legend source Blasetti could find. This movie is unlike anything done before; indeed, considering that it was finished fifteen years before the publication of Lord Of The Rings, its invention of a vast, national epic mythology is an act of genius. And while the storytelling is rough - due to the need to insert everything - and the resources limited, Blasetti shows how to make a little go a long way through beautifully staged and designed battle and crowd scenes.

Although it's not classified as a fantasy film, [[Gene Kelly]]'s ''[[Anchors Aweigh (film)|Anchors Aweigh]]'' had a fantasy sequence called "The King who Couldn't Dance" in which Gene did a song and dance number with [[Jerry Mouse]] from [[Tom and Jerry]].

Because these movies do not feature elements common to high fantasy or [[sword and sorcery]] pictures, some modern critics do not consider them to be examples of the fantasy genre.

===1950s===
{{See also|List of fantasy films of the 1950s}}

In the 1950s there were a few major fantasy films, including ''[[Darby O'Gill and the Little People]]'' and ''[[The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.]]'', the latter penned by [[Dr. Seuss]]. Jean Cocteau's [[The_Orphic_Trilogy|Orphic Trilogy]], begun in 1930 and completed in 1959, is based on [[Greek mythology]] and could be classified either as fantasy or surrealist film, depending on how the boundaries between these genres are drawn. Russian fantasy director [[Aleksandr Ptushko]] created three mythological epics from Russian fairytales, ''[[Sadko]]'' (1953), ''[[Ilya Muromets (film)|Ilya Muromets]]'' (1956), and ''[[Sampo (film)|Sampo]]'' (1959). Japanese director [[Kenji Mizoguchi]]'s 1953 film ''[[Ugetsu Monogatari (film)|Ugetsu Monogatari]]'' draws on Japanese classical ghost stories of love and betrayal.

Other notable pictures from the 1950s that feature fantastic elements and are sometimes classified as fantasy are ''[[Harvey (1950 film)|Harvey]]'' (1950), featuring a [[púca]] of [[Celtic mythology]]; ''[[Scrooge (1951 film)|Scrooge]]'', the 1951 adaptation of [[Charles Dickens]]' ''[[A Christmas Carol]]''; and [[Ingmar Bergman]]'s 1957 masterpiece, ''[[The Seventh Seal]]''. Disney's 1951 animated film ''[[Alice in Wonderland (1951 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]'' is also a fantasy classic.

There were also a number of lower budget fantasies produced in the 1950s, typically based on Greek or Arabian legend. The most notable of these may be 1958's ''[[The 7th Voyage of Sinbad]]'', featuring special effects by [[Ray Harryhausen]] and music by [[Bernard Herrmann]].

===1960s===
{{See also|List of fantasy films of the 1960s}}
Harryhausen worked on a series of fantasy films in the 1960s, most importantly ''[[Jason and the Argonauts (1963 film)|Jason and the Argonauts]]'' (1963). Many critics have identified this film as Harryhausen's masterwork for its [[stop-motion]] animated statues, skeletons, [[harpies]], [[Lernaean Hydra|hydra]], and other mythological creatures. Other Harryhausen fantasy and science fantasy collaborations from the decade include the 1961 adaptation of [[Jules Verne]]'s ''[[Mysterious Island (1961 film)|Mysterious Island]]'', the critically panned ''[[One Million Years B.C.]]'' starring [[Raquel Welch]], and ''[[The Valley of Gwangi]]'' (1969).

Capitalising on the success of the [[sword and sandal]] genre several Italian [[B-movie]]s based on classical myth were made, including the ''[[Maciste]]'' series. Otherwise, the 1960s were almost entirely devoid of fantasy films. The fantasy picture ''[[7 Faces of Dr. Lao]]'', in which [[Tony Randall]] portrayed several characters from Greek mythology, was released in 1964. But the 1967 adaptation of the Broadway musical ''[[Camelot (film)|Camelot]]'' removed most of the fantasy elements from [[T. H. White]]'s classic ''[[The Once and Future King]]'', on which the musical had been based. The 1960s also saw a new adaption of Haggard's ''[[She (1965 film)|She]]'' in 1965 starring [[Ursula Andress]] as the immortal "She who must be obeyed" and was followed by a sequel in 1968 ''[[The Vengeance of She]]'' based loosely on the novel ''[[Ayesha: The Return of She]]'' both produced by [[Hammer Film Productions]]. The musical fantasy film ''[[Mary_Poppins_(film)|Mary Poppins]]'' was released in 1964, and 1968 saw the release of ''[[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]'' based on a story by [[Ian Fleming]] with a script from [[Roald Dahl]].

===1970s===
{{See also|List of fantasy films of the 1970s}}
Fantasy elements of [[Arthurian legend]] were again featured, albeit absurdly, in 1975's ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]''. Harryhausen also returned to the silver screen in the 1970s with two additional ''Sinbad'' fantasies, ''[[The Golden Voyage of Sinbad]]'' (1974) and ''[[Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger]]'' (1977). The animated movie ''[[Wizards (film)|Wizards]]'' (1977) had limited success at the box office but achieved status as a [[cult film]]. There was also ''[[The Noah]]'' (1975) which was never released theatrically but became a [[cult film|cult favorite]] when it was finally released on DVD in 2006. Some would consider 1977's ''[[Oh, God! (film)|Oh God!]]'', starring [[George Burns]] to be a fantasy film, and ''[[Heaven Can Wait (1978 film)|Heaven Can Wait]]'' (1978) was a successful Bangsian fantasy remake of 1941's ''Here Comes Mr. Jordan'' (not 1943's ''Heaven Can Wait'').

A few low budget "Lost World" pictures were made in the 1970s, such as 1975's ''[[The Land That Time Forgot (1975 film)|The Land That Time Forgot]]''. Otherwise, the fantasy genre was largely absent from mainstream movies in this decade, although 1971's ''[[Bedknobs and Broomsticks]]'' and ''[[Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory]]'' were two fantasy pictures in the public eye the former being predominantly from the same team who did ''Mary Poppins'' the latter again being from Roald Dahl in both script and novel.

===1980s===
{{See also|List of fantasy films of the 1980s}}
<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Ladyhawke ver1.jpg|200px|thumb|As fantasy film's box office draw increased, so did its star power. 1985's ''[[Ladyhawke]]'', for example, starred [[Matthew Broderick]], [[Michelle Pfeiffer]] and [[Rutger Hauer]].]] -->
1980s fantasy films were initially characterized by directors finding a new spin on established mythologies. Ray Harryhausen brought the monsters of Greek legends to life in ''[[Clash of the Titans (1981 film)|Clash of the Titans]]'' while Arthurian lore returned to the screen in [[John Boorman]]'s 1981 ''[[Excalibur (film)|Excalibur]]''. Films such as [[Ridley Scott]]'s 1985 ''[[Legend (1985 film)|Legend]]'' and [[Terry Gilliam]]'s 1981–1986 trilogy of fantasy epics (''[[Time Bandits]]'', ''[[Brazil (1985 film)|Brazil]]'', and ''[[The Adventures of Baron Munchausen]]'') explored a new artist-driven style featuring surrealist imagery and thought-provoking plots. The modern [[sword and sorcery]] boom began around the same time with 1982's ''[[Conan the Barbarian (1982 film)|Conan the Barbarian]]'' followed by ''[[Krull (film)|Krull]]'' and ''[[Fire and Ice (1983 film)|Fire and Ice]]'' in 1983, as well as a boom in [[fairy tale]]-like fantasy films such as ''[[The_NeverEnding_Story_(film)|The Neverending Story]]'' (1984), ''[[Ladyhawke (film)|Ladyhawke]]'' (1985), ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'' (1987), and ''[[Willow (1988 film)|Willow]]'' (1988).

The 1980s also started a trend in mixing modern settings and [[action film]] effects with exotic fantasy-like concepts. ''[[Big Trouble in Little China]]'' (1986), directed by [[John Carpenter]] and starring [[Kurt Russell]], combined humor, martial arts and classic Chinese folklore in a modern Chinatown setting. ''[[Highlander (film)|Highlander]]'', a film about immortal Scottish swordsmen, was released the same year.

[[Jim Henson]] produced two iconic fantasy films in the 80s, the solemn ''[[The Dark Crystal]]'' and the more whimsical and lofty ''[[Labyrinth (1986 film)|Labyrinth]]''. Meanwhile, [[Robert Zemeckis]] helmed ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit]]'', featuring various famous cartoon characters from animation's "Golden Age," including [[Mickey Mouse]], [[Minnie Mouse]], [[Donald Duck]], [[Bugs Bunny]], [[Daffy Duck]], [[Droopy]], [[Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner]], [[Sylvester the Cat]], [[Tweety Pie]], and [[Jiminy Cricket]], among others.

===1990s===
{{See also|List of fantasy films of the 1990s}}
The 90s saw the [[Disney Renaissance]] in which many successful adaptations of written fantasy works were released by [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney Animation]].

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
:''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'' (1992)
:''[[Army of Darkness]]'' (1992)
:''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' (1991)
:''[[Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992 film)|Bram Stoker's Dracula]]'' (1992)
:''[[Dragonheart]]'' (1996)
:''[[Edward Scissorhands]]'' (1990)
:''[[Fantasia 2000]]'' (1999)
:''[[The Green Mile (film)|The Green Mile]]'' (1999)
:''[[Groundhog Day (film)|Groundhog Day]]'' (1993)
:''[[Ghost in the Machine (film)|Ghost in the Machine]]'' (1995)
:''[[Hercules (1997 film)|Hercules]]'' (1997)
:''[[Hocus Pocus (1993 film)|Hocus Pocus]]'' (1993)
:''[[Hook (film)|Hook]]'' (1991)
:''[[The Indian in the Cupboard (film)|The Indian in the Cupboard]]'' (1995)
:''[[Jumanji (film)|Jumanji]]'' (1995)
:''[[Kazaam]]'' (1996)
:''[[Matilda (1996 film)|Matilda]]'' (1996)
:''[[Meet Joe Black]]'' (1998)
:''[[Mulan (1998 film)|Mulan]]'' (1998)
:''[[Nightbreed]]'' (1990)
:''[[The Prince of Egypt]]'' (1998)
:''[[Princess Mononoke]]'' (''Mononoke Hime'') (1997)
:''[[Toy Story]]'' (1995)
:''[[Toy Story 2]]'' (1999)
:''[[The Wind in the Willows (1996 film)|The Wind in the Willows]]'' (''Mr Toad's Wild Ride'') (1996)
:''[[The Witches (1990 film)|The Witches]]'' (1990)
{{div col end}}

===2000s===
{{See also|List of fantasy films of the 2000s}}
The 2000s saw a boom in the genre. This was compounded by the success of [[Lord of The Rings (film franchise)|''Lord of The Rings'']] and [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'']], which spurred a movement in film adaptations of fantasy literary works including [[The Chronicles of Narnia (film series)|''The Chronicles of Narnia'']], [[Tales from Earthsea (film)|''Tales from Earthsea'']], [[Eragon (film)|''Eragon'']], [[Inkheart (film)|''Inkheart'']], and [[The Golden Compass (film)|''The Golden Compass'']]. The [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy]] and [[Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)|''Pirates of the Caribbean'']] also saw success at the box office.

{{div col|colwidth=23em}}
: ''[[13 Going on 30]]'' (2004)
: ''[[17 Again (film)|17 Again]]'' (2009)
:''[[300 (film)|300]]'' (2006)
: ''[[Alvin & The Chipmunks (film)|Alvin & the Chipmunks]]'' (2007)
: ''[[Anji (film)|Anji]]'' (2004)
: ''[[Atlantis: The Lost Empire]]'' (2001)
: ''[[Big Fish]]'' (2003)
: ''[[Bridge to Terabithia (2007 film)|Bridge to Terabithia]]'' (2007)
: ''[[The Brothers Grimm (film)|The Brothers Grimm]]'' (2005)
: ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia (film series)|The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' (2005–10)
: ''[[Coraline (film)|Coraline]]'' (2009)
: ''[[Corpse Bride]]'' (2005)
: ''[[Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon]]'' (2000)
: ''[[The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film)|The Curious Case of Benjamin Button]]'' (2008)
: ''[[D-War]]'' (2007)
: ''[[Dorian Gray (2009 film)|Dorian Gray]]'' (2009)
: ''[[Dungeons & Dragons (film series)|Dungeons & Dragons]]'' (2000–12)
: ''[[Elf (film)|Elf]]'' (2003)
: ''[[The Emperor's New Groove]]'' (2000)
: ''[[Enchanted (film)|Enchanted]]'' (2007)
: ''[[Eragon (film)|Eragon]]'' (2006)
: ''[[Fat Albert (film)|Fat Albert]]'' (2004)
: ''[[The Golden Compass (film)|The Golden Compass]]'' (2007)
: ''[[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]]'' (2001–11)
: ''[[The Hexer (film)|The Hexer]]'' (2001)
: ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 film)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]'' (2000)
: ''[[Howl's Moving Castle (film)|Howl's Moving Castle]]'' (2004)
: ''[[The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus]]'' (2009)
: ''[[Imagine That (film)|Imagine That]]'' (2009)
: ''[[Inkheart (film)|Inkheart]]'' (2008)
: ''[[The Invention of Lying]]'' (2009)
: ''[[King Kong (2005 film)|King Kong]]'' (2005)
: ''[[Lady in the Water]]'' (2006)
: ''[[Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events]]'' (2004)
: ''[[Looney Tunes: Back in Action]]'' (2003)
: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]'' (2001–03)
: ''[[The Lovely Bones (film)|The Lovely Bones]]'' (2008)
: ''[[The Master of Disguise]]'' (2002)
: ''[[Monsters, Inc. (franchise)|Monsters Inc.]]'' (2001–13)
: ''[[Nanny McPhee]]'' (2005)
: ''[[Night Watch (2004 film)|Night Watch]]'' (2004)
: ''[[Pan's Labyrinth]]'' (2006)
: ''[[Peter Pan (2003 film)|Peter Pan]]'' (2003)
: ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' (2003-17)
: ''[[Prezzemolo]]'' (2003)
: ''[[Race to Witch Mountain]]'' (2009)
: ''[[The Science of Sleep]]'' (2006)
: ''[[The Secret of Kells]]'' (2009)
: ''[[The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising]]'' (2007)
: ''[[Shrek (film series)|Shrek]]'' (2001–10)
: ''[[Spider-Man in film|Spider-Man (Raimi trilogy)]]'' (2002–07)
: ''[[The Spiderwick Chronicles (film)|The Spiderwick Chronicles]]'' (2008)
: ''[[Spike (2008 film)|Spike]]'' (2008)
: ''[[Spirited Away]]'' (2002)
: ''[[Stardust (2007 film)|Stardust]]'' (2007)
: ''[[Star Wars prequel trilogy|Star Wars Episodes I-III]]'' (1999–2005) 
: ''[[Tales from Earthsea (film)|Tales from Earthsea]]'' ((2006)
: ''[[Treasure Planet]]'' (2002)
: ''[[Twilight (film series)|Twilight]]'' (2008–12)
: ''[[Underworld (film series)|Underworld]]'' (2003–16)
: ''[[Where the Wild Things Are (film)|Where the Wild Things Are]]'' (2009)
: ''[[Zathura: A Space Adventure]]'' (2005)
{{div col end}}

=== 2010s ===
{{See also|List of fantasy films of the 2010s}}
The early 2010s saw a continuation of the book to screen adaptation fad of the 2000s. Also prevalent in the decade were remakes of older fantasy films especially from [[Walt Disney Pictures]].
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
: ''[[Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter]]'' (2012)
: ''[[Aladdin (2019 film)|Aladdin]]'' (2019)
: ''[[Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]'' (2010)
: ''[[Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016 film)|Alice Through the Looking Glass]]'' (2016)
: ''[[Aquaman (film)|Aquaman]]'' (2018)
: ''[[A Monster Calls (film)|A Monster Calls]]'' (2016)
: ''[[A Wrinkle in Time (2018 film)|A Wrinkle in Time]]'' (2018)
: ''[[Baahubali: The Beginning]]'' (2014)
: ''[[Baahubali 2: The Conclusion]]'' (2017)
: ''[[Beauty and the Beast (2017 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' (2017)
: ''[[Black Panther (film)|Black Panther]]'' (2018)
: ''[[Brave (2012 film)|Brave]]'' (2012)
: ''[[Christopher Robin (film)|Christopher Robin]]'' (2018)
: ''[[Cinderella (2015 Disney film)|Cinderella]]'' (2015)
: ''[[Clash of the Titans (2010 film)|Clash of the Titans]]'' (2010) and its 2012 sequel, ''[[Wrath of the Titans]]''
: ''[[Conan the Barbarian (2011 film)|Conan the Barbarian]]'' (2011)
: ''[[Crimson Peak (film)|Crimson Peak]]'' (2015)
: ''[[Dark Shadows (film)|Dark Shadows]]'' (2012)
: ''[[Doctor Strange (2016 film)|Doctor Strange]]'' (2016)
: ''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald]]'' (2018)
: ''[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film)|Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]'' (2016)
: ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'' (2013)
: ''[[Frozen II]]'' (2019)
: ''[[Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019 film)|Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]'' (2019)
: ''[[Goosebumps (film)|Goosebumps]]'' (2015)
: ''[[Gulliver's Travels (2010 film)|Gulliver's Travels]]'' (2010)
: ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1]]'' (2010)
: ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]'' (2011)
: ''[[Hop (film)|Hop]]'' (2011)
: ''[[How to Train Your Dragon]]'' (2010–19)
: ''[[Immortals (2011 film)|Immortals]]'' (2011)
: ''[[Into the Woods (film)|Into the Woods]]'' (2014)
: ''[[Jack the Giant Slayer]]'' (2013)
: ''[[John Carter (film)|John Carter]]'' (2012)
: ''[[Life of Pi (film)|Life of Pi]]'' (2012)
: ''[[Maleficent (film)|Maleficent]]'' (2014)
: ''[[Maleficent: Mistress of Evil]]'' (2019)
: ''[[Mary Poppins Returns]]'' (2018)
: ''[[Maximum Shame]]'' (2010)
: ''[[Midnight in Paris]]'' (2011)
: ''[[Mirror Mirror (film)|Mirror Mirror]]'' (2012)
: ''[[Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (film)|Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children]]'' (2016)
: ''[[Oz the Great and Powerful]]'' (2013)
: ''[[Paddington (film)|Paddington]]'' (2014)
: ''[[Pan (2015 film)|Pan]]'' (2015)
: ''[[Percy Jackson & the Olympians: Sea of Monsters]]'' (2013)
: ''[[Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief]]'' (2010)
: ''[[Pete's Dragon (2016 film)|Pete's Dragon]]'' (2016)
: ''[[Peter Rabbit (film)|Peter Rabbit]]'' (2018)
: ''[[Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (film)|Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time]]'' (2010)
: ''[[Puss in Boots (2011 film)|Puss in Boots]]'' (2011)
: ''[[Sardaar Ji]]'' (2015) (Punjabi)
: ''[[Scott Pilgrim vs. the World]]'' (2010)
: ''[[Snow White and the Huntsman (film)|Snow White and the Huntsman]]'' (2012)
: ''[[Song of the Sea (2014 film)|Song of the Sea]]'' (2014)
: ''[[Sucker Punch (2011 film)|Sucker Punch]]'' (2011)
: ''[[The BFG (2016 film)|The BFG]]'' (2016)
: ''[[The Hobbit (film series)|The Hobbit]]'' (2012–14)
: ''[[The Jungle Book (2016 film)|The Jungle Book]]'' (2016)
: ''[[The Kid Who Would Be King]]'' (2019)
: ''[[The Last Airbender (2010 film)|The Last Airbender]]'' (2010)
: ''[[The Lorax (film)|The Lorax]]'' (2012)
: ''[[The Muppets (2011 film)|The Muppets]]'' (2011)
: ''[[The Nutcracker and the Four Realms]]'' (2018)
: ''[[Trolls (film)|Trolls]]'' (2016)
: ''[[The Shape of Water]]'' (2017)
: ''[[The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010 film)|The Sorcerer's Apprentice]]'' (2010)
: ''[[Thor: Ragnarok]]'' (2017)
: ''[[Thor: The Dark World]]'' (2013)
: ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]'' (2011)
: ''[[Toy Story 3]]'' (2010)
: ''[[Toy Story 4]]'' (2019)
: ''[[Wonder Woman (2017 film)|Wonder Woman]]'' (2017)
: ''[[Your Highness]]'' (2011)
{{div col end}}

=== 2020s ===
{{See also|List of fantasy films of the 2020s}}
The 2020s as of 2023 have shown an increasing interest by studios to adapt games into film with [[Monster Hunter (film)|''Monster Hunter'']], [[Sonic the Hedgehog (film)|''Sonic the Hedgehog'']], ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'', and ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves]]''.
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
: [[Bloodshot (film)|''Bloodshot'']] (2020)
: [[Dolittle (film)|''Dolittle'']] (2020)
: ''[[Dragonheart: Vengeance]]'' (2020)
: ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves]]'' (2023)
: ''[[Encanto]]'' (2021)
: ''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore]]'' (2022)
: [[Fantasy Island (film)|''Fantasy Island'']] (2020)
: [[Jiu Jitsu (film)|''Jiu Jitsu'']] (2020)
: [[Monster Hunter (film)|''Monster Hunter'']] (2020)
: [[Mulan (2020 film)|''Mulan'']] (2020)
: ''[[Nahuel and the Magic Book]]'' (2020)
: [[The Old Guard (2020 film)|''The Old Guard'']] (2020)
: [[Onward (film)|''Onward'']] (2020)
: [[Sonic the Hedgehog (film)|''Sonic the Hedgehog'']] (2020)
: ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' (2022)
: ''[[Spider-Man: No Way Home]]'' (2021)
: ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (2023)
: ''[[Trolls World Tour]]'' (2020)
: [[The Witches (2020 film)|''The Witches'']] (2020)
: ''[[Wonder Woman 1984]]'' (2020)
: ''[[Wolfwalkers]]'' (2020)
: ''[[KPop Demon Hunters]]'' (2025)
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[Fantasy television]]
* [[List of fantasy films]]
* [[List of highest-grossing fantasy films]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Fantasy fiction}}
{{Film genres}}
{{Filmsbygenre}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fantasy films| ]]
[[Category:Film genres]]
[[Category:History of fiction]]