Once considered the realm of those freaks and geeks who played Dungeons & Dragons in their parent’s basements and dueled with cardboard swords in the park, fantasy movies are now big business, Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, Thanks to Game of Thrones and, of course, the ubiquitous Marvel Cinematic Universe. But for the purposes of this list, we’re not going to limit the definition of ‘fantasy’ to epics of swords and dwarfs and superhero movies. You’ll find plenty of them, that’s for sure. But you’ll also find movies with a more surreal twist, and some that depict our own planet as a place where magic, mystery, and adventure hide in plain sight.
Best Fantasy Movies 20-1: List Of Hollywood Fantasy Films
20. Thor (2011)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe boldly blends sci-fi, comic-book action, and fantasy — nowhere more so than in the “Thor” movies, with their Tolkien-inspired take on Norse mythology and outrageous “Flash Gordon”-style fetish costumes. “Thor” is essentially a reboot of “Masters of the Universe” — the embattled heroes travel to Earth to fight skeletal psychopaths — but with better special effects and more nod-wink Humor.
The moment of magic: Asgard’s dazzling CG cityscape could have come straight from a mid-70s Rick Wakeman LP cover.
19. Time Bandits (1981)
Terry Gilliam gives their imaginations full reign in this wild, woolly, and weird time-hopping comedy for Smarty kids. Packed with historical heroes, cheesy hustlers, post-Python humor, madcap cameos, and bizarre fantasy – not to mention the bleakest, weirdest ending imaginable – the film was an unlikely transatlantic smash hit.
Magic moment: David Warner’s horrorturns into the scariest fairground ride in the evil universe.
18. Lost Horizon (1937)
Shangri-La is the ultimate mundane fantasy – an ancient magical kingdom buried deep in the Himalayas, ruled by peaceful Tibetan philosophers who have discovered the secret of eternal youth. Frank Capra’s adaptation of James Hilton’s hugely successful, List Of Hollywood Fantasy Films Hitler-inspired novel is a brilliant, naive fantasy adventure that was the most expensive film ever made at the time.
Magical moment: Ronald Colman’s climactic realization that it was all real – and he has to go back there! – is pure, dizzying Wishfulfillment.
17. The Thief of Baghdad (1940)
Begun in Britain but completed in Calorfina/ after the outbreak of war, this spectacular adventure based on the tales of ‘1001 Nights’ may have had a piecemeal production – and no less than six directors including the mighty Michael Powell – but you guess/ Will not be able to judge this from the result. Filled with magical horses, terrifying transformations, and giant jinn, ‘The Thief of Baghdad’ made Indian-born actor Sabu aka The Elephant Boy an international star at a young age.
Savitri Singh.....
