Fantasy Films
Fantasy Films, unlike science fiction films that base their content upon some degree of scientific truth, take the audience to netherworld, fairty-tale places where events are unlikely to occur in real life. In mythological or legendary times, they transcend the bounds of human possibility and physical laws. Fantasy films are often in the context of the imagination, dreams, or hallucinations of a character or within the projected vision of the storyteller. Fantasy films often have an element of magic, myth, wonder, escapism, and the extraordinary. They may appeal to both children and adults, depending upon the particular film.
Below is a collection of films where imagination has no bounds. Where entire worlds have been created and populated with mythical creatures, magical quests and larger than life heroes and villains.
The Red Turtle (Blu-Ray) (2016)
7.5/10
Director: Michael Dudok de Wit
If one day Studio Ghibli decides to produce an animator from outside the studio, it will be him, was Miyazakis pronouncement after watching Dudok de... Read more
The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975)
6.5/10
Director: J Lee Thompson
Starring: Michael Sarrazin, Jennifer O'Neill, Margot Kidder
When college professor, Peter Proud begins experiencing flashbacks of an earlier life, he's mysteriously drawn to a place he's never been to, but whic... Read more
The Return of Captain Invincible (1982)
5.7/10
Director: Philippe Mora
Starring: Alan Arkin, Arthur Dignam, Bill Hunter, Christopher Lee, David Argue, John Bluth...
During World War II, superhero Captain Invincible (Alan Arkin) helped us fight the cause and was called a hero. But soon after, he was labeled a commu... Read more
The Romance of Astrea and Celadon (2007)
6.4/10
Director: Eric Rohmer
Starring: Cecile Cassel, Andy Gillet, Veronique Reymond, Stephanie Crayencour
Veteran auteur Eric Rohmer's magical and extraordinary final film is a pastoral fantasy set in 5th century Gaul, based on a 17th century novel by Hono... Read more
The Sandman (2022)
Starring: Tom Sturridge, David Thewlis, Gwendoline Christie, Patton Oswalt, Boyd Holbrook,...
The Sandman tells the tale of Morpheus, a.k.a. Dream, one of a group of immortal beings known as the Endless who escapes a 100-year captivity and sets... Read more
The Science of Sleep (2006)
7.3/10
Director: Michel Gondry
Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alain Chabat, Miou-Miou, Emma De Caun...
Director Michel Gondry returned to France to direct his own screenplay, a surreal and entrancing journey into the mind of young idealist Stephane (Gae... Read more
The Scorpion King (2002)
5.5/10
Director: Chuck Russell
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kelly Hu, Michael Clarke Duncan, Bernard Hill, Grant Heslov, Pet...
A spin-off from the highly successful 'Mummy' adventures and starring wrestling phenomenon The Rock as the title character who first appeared in 'The... Read more
The Scorpion King / The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior (2002)
Director: Chuck Russell, Russell Mulcahy
Starring: Randy Couture, Dwayne Johnson, Kelly Hu, Michael Clarke Duncan, Michael Copon
'The Scorpion King' - A spin-off from the highly successful 'Mummy' adventures and starring wrestling phenomenon The Rock as the title character who f... Read more
The Secret Garden (2020)
5.5/10
Director: Marc Munden
Starring: Julie Walters, Colin Firth
An orphaned girl discovers a magical garden hidden at her strict uncle's estate. The main character Mary Lennox "Dixie Egerickx" is a spoiled 10-year... Read more
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
7.3/10
Director: Ben Stiller
Starring: Ben Stiller, Sean Penn, Shirley MacLaine, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Wiig
Ben Stiller directs and stars in this reimagining of the classic James Thurber story of a daydreamer who escapes his anonymous life by disappearing in... Read more