In many ways, the fantasy genre could be considered one of the purest expressions of the cinematic art form, as one of the purposes of movies is to transport the viewer to fascinating places populated with colorful characters. No other film genre – besides, of course, science fiction, which often shares a common thread with fantasy – can provide exciting and transportive experiences quite like the fantasy genre.
Many of the greatest films ever made belong to the fantasy genre, and their influence can be seen all throughout the world's cinematic canon. While the term “fantasy” can cover a vast amount of subgenres and bleeds into a number of other types of films, we’ve narrowed down the following list of influential fantasy flicks to ones that whisk the audience away to strange and fantastical places. Here are the top 21 most influential fantasy films of all time!
21 Excalibur (1981)
Excalibur is director John Boorman’s epic cinematic retelling of the 15th-century legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It follows the lowly Arthur, who realizes his fate as king after he successfully pulls the magical Excalibur sword from its stone cradle. The movie started life as an adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, but soon was rewritten and produced as an adaptation of Arthurian legend.
It’s a highly influential fantasy movie, not just because it helped to jump-start the fantasy epic craze of the early ‘80s, but also for its impact on Irish cinema. Most notably, the film provided the breakout role of screen icon Liam Neeson, as well as actors Gabriel Byrne and Patrick Stewart.
20 Shrek (2001)
Shrek is the beloved animated fantasy comedy about a repugnant ogre who is forced to rescue a princess and take on the evil Lord Farquaad in order to reclaim his swamp from a horde of displaced fairy tale characters.
The movie is generally considered to be one of the most influential fantasy and animated films ever made, as it was one of the first major films from DreamWorks Pictures, and spawned a franchise that continues to this day. The movie was also a massive critical success; Apart from winning the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Shrek won a plethora of other accolades, and was even selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
19 Labyrinth (1986)
Labyrinth is a musical fantasy movie about a teenage girl who sets out on a mission to find the center of a magical labyrinth in order to save her younger brother from the enigmatic Goblin King. Written by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, directed by Jim Henson, and executive produced by George Lucas, this David Bowie-starring gem has been adapted into books, comics, and video games, and may soon get a sequel.
Although the film was initially released to mixed reception, it has since been very positively reappraised, and is considered to be one of the greatest cult classics ever made.
18 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is the first and best adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by fantasy author Roald Dahl. The musical film tells the story of a poor paperboy who finds one of five golden tickets that allows him to tour the factory of the mysterious candy maker Willy Wonka. Equal parts family-friendly musical and nightmare-fuel ‘70s psychedelia, this classic movie garnered a Golden Globe for the late, great Gene Wilder and gave Sammy Davis Jr. his hit song “The Candy Man.”
17 Clash of the Titans (1981)
Clash of the Titans is a classic fantasy adventure flick based on the Greek myth of Perseus. It follows young Perseus, the son of Zeus, fulfilling his grand destiny and slaying an assortment of fearsome mythical creatures along the way. The movie is noteworthy for its incredible stop-motion special effects, which was the final work of influential animator Ray Harryhausen.
As a result, the epic special effects-fueled extravaganza is seen as one of stop-motion animation’s finest moments, and a classic that has inspired numerous filmmakers over the years. A not-so-well-received 3D remake of the film was made in 2010, proving that the original is a timeless triumph that cannot be improved upon.
16 The NeverEnding Story (1984)
An essential family-friendly fantasy cult classic, The NeverEnding Story tells the story of a young boy who embarks on an epic quest through the realm of Fantasia, destined to defeat “The Nothing,” an evil dark presence. Directed by Das Boot director Wolfgang Petersen, the film was based on the 1979 book of the same name by Michael Ende. Although Ende famously disliked Petersen’s film version of his book, most critics praised the whimsical movie for its dazzling special effects and brilliantly-realized fantasy world.
The movie has had a lasting influence on popular culture, including inspiring numerous bands, an episode of The Simpsons, and a reference in Stranger Things.
15 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (also known as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone) is the first film in the Harry Potter series, and follows young Harry’s first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Directed with a fun-loving flair by Home Alone director Chris Columbus, the movie was an instant success. It not only kick-started a hugely successful franchise, but it also launched the careers of screen legends Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson.
14 Ugetsu (1953)
Ugetsu is a Japanese fantasy epic about a pair of peasants in 16th century Japan running afoul of ancient spirits, and suffering the grave consequences. The multiple award-winning movie is recognized as being one of acclaimed director Kenji Mizoguchi’s best films, and a defining work in Japanese cinema’s “Golden Age.” The movie’s influence on other Japanese films is enormous, and the film also contributed greatly to the popularization of Japanese films abroad.
13 The Princess Bride (1987)
An endlessly quotable comedy fantasy masterpiece, The Princess Bride is one of director Rob Reiner’s all-time greatest works. It’s about an adventurer named Westley who must rescue his true love from an evil prince, battling a number of strange creatures and making new friends along the way.
Frequently listed as one of the funniest movies ever made, The Princess Bride has endured as a timeless masterpiece, and has had an incredible influence on cinema that cannot be overstated. In the words of Den of Geek, "the only thing that has aged a day about the picture is how its initial audience of children is now old enough to share it with kids of their own. This unabashed joy of passing a cinematic storybook from one era to the next is where the real alchemy of the genre lives—a feat just as surprising now as it was then." After releasing to meager box office success, the film went on to become a household staple, and was even selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
12 Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Pan’s Labyrinth is a brilliant fantasy horror film set in Spain during World War II. It's about a young girl – the stepdaughter of a sadistic, Francoist military leader – descending into the mysterious realm of Pan’s Labyrinth while her stepfather hunts down rebels in the surrounding forest. One of the best fantasy films of the 21st century, Pan’s Labyrinth is considered by many to be director Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece, as it employs nearly all the themes and images that he’s known for, including religion, anti-fascist messages, and his fascination with monsters. It has had a profound impact on world cinema, winning dozens of accolades and establishing del Toro as a leading filmmaker of the 21st century.
11 Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Conan the Barbarian is a thrilling sword-and-sorcery movie about a vengeful barbarian embarking on a quest to find and kill the evil sorcerer who wiped out his village and stole his father’s sword. Directed by gruff Hollywood iconoclast John Milius and written by Milius and Oliver Stone, Conan the Barbarian is a gory and dark high fantasy romp like no other.
The movie was among Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first starring roles, and is the one credited with giving him global recognition. The movie was overall a sweeping success, and produced a sequel and reboot, as well as renewed interest in the works of Conan creator Robert E. Howard.
10 Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Alice in Wonderland is Walt Disney Productions’ animated adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The best adaptation of the classic fantasy children’s book to date, this classic film tracks the adventure of a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole into a magical domain full of strange and eccentric characters.
Although its initial theatrical release was deemed a failure, its subsequent re-release in the early 1970s was a huge success, and solidified its reputation as an all-time classic. Its colorful and oftentimes surreal imagery make it a stand-out film in Disney’s dense library of magical movies.
9 The Dark Crystal (1982)
The Dark Crystal is an imaginative cult film about a pair of Gelflings who are tasked with defeating an evil overlord and saving their homeland. Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, the production made use of pioneering puppetry and animatronic special effects that would help to revolutionize the industry in subsequent years.
According to Collider, “The influence of cult classic The Dark Crystal on the fantasy genre is remarkable. It was a groundbreaking showcase of the latest in puppetry, animatronics, and practical effects, which all seamlessly combine to create a wondrous world of magical creatures and stunning landscapes. [...] Its influence is still felt in the craftsmanship behind fantasy films today.”
8 The Seventh Seal (1957)
The Seventh Seal is a Swedish fantasy film about a knight who returns home after years of fighting to find that the Black Death has devastated the people and place he once knew. Realizing his own impending demise, the knight challenges the personification of Death to a game of chess.
The most beloved film by Ingmar Bergman, The Seventh Seal earned the Swedish director worldwide recognition, and is commonly considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. The film has inspired many parodies, homages, rip-offs, and spiritual successors over the decades since its initial release.
7 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is an animated musical fantasy film based on the 19th century German fairy tale Snow White by the Brothers Grimm. Telling the tale of Snow White’s attempted murder by her jealous wicked stepmother, this gorgeous Technicolor triumph has had an indelible impact on both the fantasy genre and the canon of animated cinema.
It was the first full-length animated feature film from Walt Disney Productions, which established the studio as a titan of the industry, and as such remains one of the most influential animated films ever made.
6 Spirited Away (2001)
A celebrated modern classic, Spirited Away follows young Chihiro on her dangerous quest to free herself and her parents from a bizarre supernatural realm full of colorful and deceitful characters. Directed by the great Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, the Academy Award-winning film set a new standard for animated movies, and challenged the global notion that animation was a genre solely for children.
Its influence can be seen on not just the animated cinema of Japan, but on a diverse array of media from all over the globe.
5 Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
One of stop-motion animation auteur Ray Harryhausen’s best movies, Jason and the Argonauts is a fantasy adventure film based on the legendary Greek epic poem The Argonautica. It follows a young adventurer named Jason on a mission to retrieve the mythical Golden Fleece. The film is best remembered for its dazzling special effects, which effectively bring to life a slew of memorable, otherworldly creatures.
Its massive influence can be seen on numerous later Greek myth-inspired movies, as well as on other movies that feature stop-motion creatures, such as Sam Raimi’s Army of Darkness.
4 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the first film in the Lord of the Rings series, directed by Peter Jackson. Tracking Frodo Baggins’ quest to destroy the powerful, corrupting Ring, the movie presents a fully-fleshed out cinematic realization of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. With a gorgeous, sweeping score by Howard Shore and loads of incredible performances, Jackson’s masterpiece raised the bar for fantasy epics to an almost untouchable level.
Additionally, the movie spawned a monolithic franchise and gave way to a number of spin-offs, comics, merchandise, and video games in its image.
3 The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
The Thief of Bagdad is a historical fantasy film loosely based on The Book of One Thousand and One Nights, directed by acclaimed filmmakers Michael Powell, Ludwig Berger, and Tim Whelan. A remake of the also highly-influential 1924 film of the same name, the movie follows a thief who is tasked with helping the King of Bagdad reclaim his throne after he is tricked into giving it up by his evil adviser.
Full of magic and whimsy, this iconic oldie proved extremely influential on subsequent films based on the Arabian Nights, such as Disney’s Aladdin, which borrowed numerous elements from The Thief of Bagdad. Additionally, many special effects techniques were invented for the film that would later become industry standards, such as chroma keying.
2 Star Wars (1977)
Yes, although some may not agree, the original Star Wars (later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) is a fantasy film, albeit one with science fiction leanings. In the words of film critic Roger Ebert, “‘Star Wars’ is a fairy tale, a fantasy, a legend, finding its roots in some of our most popular fictions. The golden robot, lion-faced space pilot, and insecure little computer on wheels must have been suggested by the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’”
Furthermore, Star Wars is one of the greatest and most influential fantasy films ever made, with a legacy that is known the world over. The movie launched a hugely successful multimedia franchise, as well as inspired countless similar space-set epics such as Battlestar Galactica and The Last Starfighter.