Fantasy movies are often the go-to genre for anyone that enjoys mystical characters, magical storylines, whimsical worlds, and awesome effects. These films tend to lend themselves to large-scale productions and epic storylines filled with interesting and layered characters. However, that also tends to place the bar pretty high in terms of which ones become highly rated since the standards can get pretty high — just think of the critical and commercial success of fantasy sagas like the Harry Potter movies, Narnia, or The Lord of the Rings franchise.
Updated August 8, 2023: If you enjoy watching underrated otherworldly mystical tales, you'll be happy to know this article has been updated with additional content by Darren Gigool.
As a result of the fanatical droves of fans that the most preeminent fantasy story franchises attract, many pretty good fantasy movies often end up being underrated. This, despite them being perfectly good films if judged as standalone movies, and without the genre's success weighing on them. The 2010s produced many of these films that perhaps never got the attention and acclaim they may have deserved. Here's a list of the most underrated fantasy films from the last decade.
15 47 Ronin (2013)
A samurai movie with Keanu Reeves sounds like a smash hit, but in 2013 it was a notable box office and critical flop. 47 Ronin tells the fictional story of a group of a real-life group of masterless Samurai. The movie is notable for being one of the biggest box office bombs of all time, grossing $151 million against a budget that is reported to be as high as $225 million.
Yet the film is a rather entertaining action fantasy. Despite being a bomb, it did get a sequel, Blade of the 47 Ronin, which was recently released on Netflix on October 25, 2022, nine years after the first film bombed. It goes to show there is still some love for this material.
14 Seventh Son (2014)
Brimming with mystical allure, Seventh Son emerges as a fantasy-adventure offering that throws a spotlight on the sole surviving soldier of a magical fraternity, Master Gregory, a character brought to life by Jeff Bridges, and his apprentice Tom Ward, represented by Ben Barnes. The duo embarks on a mission to conquer Mother Malkin, a formidable witch enacted by Julianne Moore, who poses a menace to humankind.
The incorporation of mythological components and a compelling narrative are artfully executed in the film to assemble a captivating world teeming with shadowy magic and predictive legend. A compelling mystical nuance is added to the storyline by the protagonist's role as the seventh son of a seventh son, an ancient prophecy. Despite its relative obscurity in mainstream success, Seventh Son has etched its unique space within the fantasy sphere, earning recognition, especially among admirers of high fantasy and mythology.
13 Season of the Witch (2011)
Rogue
Billed as a supernatural action film, Season of the Witch paired Nicolas Cage with Ron Perlman, who both played Teutonic Knights that were tasked with transporting a suspected witch to a monastery. From the opening scene, the film features witches and apparent demonic entities. It was terribly panned by critics despite being a moderate box-office success.
Cage had arguably been trying to shake off a slightly 'cringe' reputation that he'd become associated with around that time. It seemed to have affected the film in a way, as it was widely regarded as a bad movie — despite having plenty of good action, scary creatures, and a decent enough storyline to still be an entertaining watch as a pseudo-fantasy film.
12 Gods of Egypt (2016)
Entertainment One
The Gods of ancient Egyptian culture have been mystifying and fascinating everyone from historians to academics and ordinary people for generations. They've always held an innate intrigue and feature some really awesome backstories. It came as no surprise when a big-budget attempt to bring them to life was made in 2016.
Gods of Egypt featured the likes of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Gerard Butler, and the late Chadwick Boseman. It also featured awesome CGI and plenty of action that did bring many of these Gods to life in a lurid and entertaining way. Despite this, the film barely turned a profit and was pretty much panned across the board by critics.
11 Upside Down (2012)
Les Films Séville
Innovative in design, Upside Down, unleashed to the world in 2012, proffers a remarkable concept grounded in a parallel world where dueling gravitational forces partition two overlapping worlds. Jim Sturgess, embodying the character Adam from the bottom realm, and Kirsten Dunst, as Eden from the top realm, anchor the narrative, their star-crossed love saga challenging their respective worlds' gravity laws.
A refreshing twist to the orthodox romantic narrative is introduced through the pioneering idea of antithetical gravity in twin worlds, thus conjuring an ethereal setting for this bewitching narrative. Romance seamlessly fuses with this unconventional concept within the film, showcasing the extraordinary measures love can surmount, even defying the stiffest physical principles. A loyal fan base continues to acknowledge and shower praise on this movie for its unique blend of romance and fresh perspective, underscoring its worthiness of attention.
10 Dracula Untold (2014)
This reimagined version of the iconic character saw Luke Evans take on the role of the world's most famous vampire. Rather than simply being a straight remake of typical storylines associated with the Transylvanian blood-sucker, Dracula Untold sought to tell a version of it where Dracula was tragically and reluctantly forced into becoming an immortal vampire.
By doing so, the film took an unconventional approach to the usual story. With plenty of CGI effects and some pretty cool battles, the film was entertaining, even if not as well drawn as other versions of Dracula. It was a huge commercial success but was panned heavily by critics despite this.
9 The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)
Motion Pictures
Steeped in modern charm, The Sorcerer's Apprentice spins the tale of a regular physics student, Dave, played by Jay Baruchel, who finds himself reluctantly apprenticed to Balthazar Blake, an eternal wizard portrayed by Nicolas Cage. The film garnered a liking among a segment of viewers, earning a commendable following through its innovative rendition of a time-honored story coupled with delightful performances.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice reimagines Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's time-honored tale with a modern flair, effortlessly blending magic with contemporary existence. By positioning Manhattan as the battleground for an epic clash of sorcerers, the film creates a fascinating contrast between the every day and the supernatural. Yet his striking reinterpretation of a timeless story for today's audience remains a lesser-known jewel in the realm of fantasy cinema.
8 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Any film that comes out of the iconic Lord of the Rings franchise is likely to always find success, given the groundbreaking levels of popularity and acclaim Peter Jackson's original trilogy had. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was no exception, and grossed over a billion dollars.
Despite its huge commercial success at the time, though, the film had very mixed reviews, and in the decade since its release, most people consider the Hobbit trilogy to be an excessive waste that was massively disappointing since the original Lord of the Rings trilogy is widely considered one of the greatest fantasy film trilogies ever made.
However, the film seemed to be a solid prequel in every way but was criticized for, among other things, its over-reliance on CGI. Given the fact that it is a fantasy film filled with tons of weird, scary, and wonderful creatures, this is perhaps a little unfair. Additionally, the films (and this one especially) actually work wonderfully as kids' movies in a way that The Lord of the Rings films don't, and are very charming in their own way.
7 Beautiful Creatures (2013)
Summit Entertainment
The 2013 gothic fantasy, Beautiful Creatures, seemed to have all the ingredients to make it a fantasy hit among fans of similar stories. While the Twilight saga was a supremely popular hit on a global level, Beautiful Creatures never came close to emulating its success.
As far as similarities go, it was also based on a book, also had beautiful, pale, brooding people, supernatural elements and characters, and a pretty complex original plot. Nevertheless, it still bombed commercially and critically, despite being a fairly decent film in many ways.
6 A House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
It might be hard to believe that horror master Eli Roth delivered a family film, but in 2018 he directed A House with a Clock in Its Walls, and the movie was really damn good. The film focused on a young boy named Lewis who moves in with his uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) in an old house that was once inhabited by an evil warlock. Alongside Black, the film also stars Cate Blanchett, Renee Elise Goldsberry, and Kyle MacLachlan.
The film was a box office hit, yet sadly does not get mentioned a lot anymore. It also tends to be confused and passed over for another Jack Black supernatural family comedy, Goosebumps. Even still, A House With a Clock in Its Walls is worth a watch.
5 Clash of the Titans (2010)
Clash of the Titans was a highly anticipated remake of a 1981 classic. It tells the story of Persesus as he looks to slay a monstrous Kraken by going on a quest that seems him face off against the monstrous Medusa. The movie rode the popularity of Avatar, from the main star Sam Worthington to a rushed post-conversion 3D process to make extra money.
While Clash of the Titans was originally seen as a disappointment, it is hard to argue it is an entertaining fantasy film. Director Louis Leterrier, who previously directed The Incredible Hulk and would later direct Fast X, shows an incredible hand as an action director. It features innovative creature design work and feels like a classic big-budget fantasy epic. Removed from all the hype, Clash of the Titans is an underrated gem.
4 A Monster Calls (2016)
Lionsgate
Heartrending and profound, A Monster Calls explores grief's multifaceted nature through the trials of its young hero, Conor, burdened and troubled by his mother's impending death. The story's secondary character, a venerable yew tree-turned-monstrous being voiced by Liam Neeson, presents a fascinating companion, imparting three mysterious tales to Conor in return for Conor's personal tale.
Effortlessly merging emotion and fantasy, the film uses the yew tree's metaphorical stories to guide Conor through his turmoil. Vibrant CGI effects create a seamless fusion between the fantasy elements and the real-world drama, weaving a tale both enchantingly unreal and profoundly relatable. A Monster Calls is praised for its touching treatment of complex themes, leaving a lasting impression on audiences who admire its straightforward handling of difficult subjects.
3 The BFG (2016)
Director Steven Spielberg making his first film for Disney based on a novel from the beloved Roald Dahl seemed like it should have been a box office smash hit. Sadly The BFG was a box office disappointment and only received mixed reviews from critics. The film follows a 10-year-old orphan named Sophie who befriends the titular big friendly giant, and the two become friends.
The final product, however, is a fun, whimsical fantasy that only Spielberg can deliver. It also features an incredible cast, including Mark Rylance, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, Jemaine Clement, and Bill Hader. It also was the final script by Melissa Mathison, the same writer who worked with Spielberg on E.T. before her death in 2015.
2 Troll Hunter (2010)
Ingenious and unorthodox, Troll Hunter, a product of Norwegian genius, merges the mockumentary and fantasy genres together. The story follows a band of students recording the odd behavior of a supposed bear poacher, only to uncover his true occupation as a government troll hunter. The cast of dynamic characters, particularly the stoic troll hunter, Hans, provides a thrilling introduction to Nordic folklore.
Enhancing its magnetism, the film employs a distinctive use of found footage. This technique, traditionally linked with horror films, injects a sense of veracity and urgency into the film's fantastical elements, amplifying the suspense and making the existence of trolls unexpectedly plausible. Troll Hunter's unique style, deeply anchored in Scandinavian folklore, sets it apart as a captivating watch, marking a significant contribution to the fantasy genre.
1 The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)
Many of the films on this list's level of quality are up for debate, but The Kid Who Would Be King is honestly a great piece of fantasy. A modern-day retelling of the legendary King Arthur story. The story follows a young boy who finds the legendary sword, Excalibur, and must stop the evil sorceress Morgana. The Kid Who Would Be King was from director Joe Cornish, whose previous film Attack the Block was one of the best sci-fi films of the 2010s.
The Kid Who Would Be King received positive reviews but sadly underperformed at the box office. The movie is a perfect family fantasy movie that would have sat comfortably with many of the beloved classics of the 1980s. Any kid who watches it is likely to have it be one of their favorite movies.