With almost a quarter of the 21st century having passed, it's probably appropriate to look back on some of the defining cinema of the century so far. There were highs and lows, good movies and bad ones, but it wouldn’t be the same without the massive fantasy franchises which dominated them. Some movies may have already begun to fade into obscurity, some are still fresh out of the theaters, and some have become household names due to their popularity, so there’s never a lack of something worth rewatching. The fantasy genre has the ability to remain somewhat timeless, though, considering its films exist in a fantasy world which can't really get dated. These movies have been growing more acclaimed than they previously were as the culture changes—perhaps people need more escapism in their lives now.
It's important to not get fantasy confused with sci-fi, here. Though they might seem similar at first, there is a difference between them. More often than not, great science fiction happens in the future, maybe in a dystopian society vastly different from our current one, or contains elements of advanced technology. Fantasy, however, is set in a fantasy realm with mystical powers and mythical creatures. The genres might intertwine on some occasions, but more often than not, it’s best to remember the separation. With that in mind, and with Guillermo del Toro's new Pinocchio and the new season of fantasy-drama The Witcher making waves this year, let's take a look at some of the best fantasy films released this century.
5 Harry Potter
One of the largest franchises of the 21st century, there’s truly no reason for Harry Potter to not be on the list. The eight movies based on seven books rocked the world in the first decade of the 2000s as its main character, Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe) finds out he is a wizard at the age of 11. After living in the normal world until then, he finds out that there's an entire magical realm he was a part of that was previously hidden in plain sight. However, he soon comes to find that the dark wizard who killed his parents is trying to return to power, and Harry is the only one who can stop him.
The franchise had grown so popular that Harry Potter book series wasn’t even fully released before they started creating movies about it; when the first movie was released, just half of the series had been published. Some of the actors didn’t even know their characters were going to die. Even after the movies have finished, there is still plenty of merchandise released every year, with new spin-offs still being created today. It’s likely Harry Potter will be a name that no one ever forgets.
4 The Green Knight
The Green Knight is a 2021 release that did really well even during a massive pandemic. This epic medieval fantasy from art-film master David Lowery follows Sir Gawain, a big figure in Arthurian legend (played by Dev Patel). The Green Knight interrupts a feast of the round table, challenging the knights to a duel. If they land a blow on him, they must travel to him a year later to receive an equal blow in return. Gawain takes up the challenge and decapitates the knight, who picks up his head and reminds Gawain of his promise. The film subsequently follows Gawain on this hard journey toward what looks to be his untimely demise. While this isn’t a big action-and-adventure movie, it still gained a lot of attention upon release, with critics and fans adoring its imagery and tone. Though it's similar to the book it is based on, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, it still adds its own twists and elements which subverts the traditionally heroic figure, making the movie that much better. This journey of self-discovery is certain to live on for a while.
3 The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings movies are timeless, and for good reason. The franchise is set in a different world, focusing on the continent of Middle-Earth, where Frodo Baggins (played by Elijah Wood) is given a ring by his uncle. When he discovers it's dangerous power, he must take a journey across the fantastic continent in an attempt to destroy the ring and save himself. The books were written by J. R. R. Tolkien and had a mixed reception upon release, but over time developed a rabid fan following. As some of the longest books and films out there, some think it's a phenomenal piece of high-fantasy poetry, while others think it's a rather repetitive and sometimes dull slog through elves and hobbits.Though they are require a lot of commitment due to their length and massive ensembled of characters, The Lord of the Rings films have come to be considered some of the greatest fantasy of all time. It's also extremely acclaimed, with the first film winning all 11 Oscars it was nominated for (tying two other movies for the record) and becoming the first fantasy film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.
2 Enchanted
While it may seem surprising to include a Disney movie at first, they do have a knack for whimsical fantasy movies. There is no doubt that Enchanted had a large impact when it was first released, and is still popular to this day. The movie follows Giselle (played by Amy Adams) as she tries to find her true love. The prince she finds, however, has an evil mother who doesn’t want to give up her throne, pushing Giselle into a well that takes her from her imaginary fantasy realm and into the streets of New York, where magic and kindness seem to be lacking. The movie was critically well-received, earning 3 Saturn Awards, 2 Golden Globe nominations, and 3 Academy Awards nominations, but it was the fans (children and adults alike) who really fell in love with its content and the fantastic songs it brings. It’s remained so popular even after a decade that Disney is now filming a sequel to premiere in on Disney+.
1 Pan’s Labyrinth
Pan’s Labyrinth is a dark, allegorical fantasy film from the mind of Guillermo del Toro. The young Ofelia (played by Ivana Baquero) discovers a fawn inside of a labyrinth during a very brutal, very real war. The fawn believes she is the reincarnation of the princess of the underworld; it has three tasks to give her in order to regain her immortality and take back her throne. As she completes these, she must also deal with her vicious stepfather, who kills anyone he suspects to be a rebel in the current war. The movie was critically acclaimed and one of the most successful international movies in America, bleinding the horrors of both fantasy and reality together into this truly original story. The coming-of-age narrative resonated with many young people, and the tension of the beautifully and frighteningly designed word kept audiences on the edge of their seats. This is fantasy at its most mature and powerful.