Despite being only halfway through the 2020s, it has already been a fantastic time forfantasymovies, and the following ten films are the absolute best of the best of the decade so far.Fantasy has long been a staple of Hollywood, fromThe Princess Brideto theLord of the Ringsmovies, yet that does not change the fact that fantasy is constantly reshaping itself. As certain trends and tropes ebb away, others rise to the occasion. One major development of the 2020s has been veering away from major franchises, and instead,focusing on standalone fantasyfilms.
Since 2020, a number of fantasy movies have stood out far more than others. These films have impressed critics and audiences, boasting incredible Rotten Tomatoes scores. Others are box office hits, raking in heaps of money. Harder to quantify are the films that offer viewers unique stories that are hard to find anywhere else.These movies merge fantasy with comedy, drama, and action to create vivid worldsand characters who are impossible not to fall in love with. All in all,the best fantasies of the 2020sare those that strike a chord with just about everyone who watches them.
One 2020 fantasy movie that doesn’t get nearly enough attention isWolfwalkers.This animated adventure film centers on Robyn Goodfellowe, a young girl who is training to become a hunter alongside her father. At the start of the story, the pair travel to Ireland to wipe out the last wolf pack there, who are believed to be evil. However,after Robyn saves another young girl in the forest, she quickly learns that wolves and the nature surrounding them may not be as nefariousas she previously believed.
With a Certified Fresh 99% critics score and a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes,Wolfwalkersis a film that fantasy lovers will not want to miss. Despite presenting itself as a movie targeted towards younger viewers,Wolfwalkersis perfect for anyone who loves magical stories. It is a tale that is lyrical, colorful, and utterly heartwarming. It is hard not to fall in love with the film, and even harder to find something to critique about it.
For thoseseeking dark fantasy, an ideal choice would beThe Northman.Directed by master of fantasy horror, Robert Eggers, this movie follows Prince Amleth, a young man whose father is murdered, and his mother kidnapped by his uncle. Many years later,Amleth becomes a Viking who raids villages without mercy. He is soon reminded of his traumatic past, and becomes determined to get justice for his parents and for himself.
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The Northmanis another fantasy movie that may not have gotten the attention it should have upon release. The film only made $69 million at the box office, but its Rotten Tomatoes score is a strong 90%. In classic Eggers fashion,The Northmanis bleak, gory, and full of stunning visuals. It would be a disservice to call this anything less than an epic, as Amleth’s story fully immerses viewers for an intense two hours. If you have any interest in Vikings or Norse history,The Northmanis a great pick.
If medieval fantasy is more up your alley, thenThe Green Knightcould be the way to go.This A24 movieis about Gawain, a young man who hopes to become a knight at his uncle’s Round Table. Intending to prove his bravery,Gawain enters a challenge against the mysterious Green Knight, who says that any man can land a blow to him, but must receive the same blow months later. Gawain, nervous and over ambitious, decapitates the Green Knight, putting him on a potentially fatal path.
Something particularly special aboutThe Green Knightis that it isn’t too concerned with tidy storytelling or holding the viewer’s hand.
Another Certified Fresh movie,The Green Knightshowcases fantastic visuals and an unbeatable cast, including Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Ralph Ineson, and Barry Keoghan. Something particularly special aboutThe Green Knightis that it isn’t too concerned with tidy storytelling or holding the viewer’s hand.It is a magical adventure that audiences must make sense of themselves, which for some, makes it all the more entertaining.
Another colorfulanimated masterpiece released in the 2020s isNimona.Based on a graphic novel of the same name,Nimonafollows a knight who is framed for murder and seeks help from a shapeshifting and rebellious teen named Nimona. The pair work together to prove the knight’s innocence, but the only problem is,Nimona may be the “monster” that the knight has sworn to kill.
Nimonais a perfect balance of classic fantasy and modern ideas. In the movie’s futuristic kingdom, there are plenty of battles and adventures, but there is also incredible LGBTQ representation. In this way,fantasy lovers can get plenty of the action they crave, while also enjoying important themes of acceptance, difference, and friendship. Overall,Nimonais a sweet and exciting experience that is perfect for just about any fantasy fan.
One fantasy movie that has definitely made a mark on audiences in the 2020s isDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.Set in the beloved world of the RPG Dungeons and Dragons, this movie tells the story of Edgin, a man who embarks on a dangerous heist and is betrayed, leading to his imprisonment. Years later,Edgin leaves prison but is determined to get revenge for what happened to him. He quickly forms a band of adventurers and the group march on Neverwinter, hoping to clear their names and save Edgin’s daughter.
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Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesis the definition of a fun fantasy adventure. With a star-studded cast andplenty of D&D references, this movie works for both long-time fantasy fans and newcomers. It is hilarious, action-packed, and has plenty of heart. Plus,it boasts some really incredible fantasy moments, including Doric turning into an owlbearand the time-stop spell near the end of the film. Overall, it is pure, light-hearted amusement.
Although fantasy franchises have become less prominent in the 2020s, retellings are still at an all-time high, and one of the most beloved isGuillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio.Based on the fairy tale previously adapted by Disney, this movie followsGeppetto, a man who loses his son in a wartime accident, and wishes for him to come back to life. As a result, the boy comes back in the form of a puppet, and must learn how to be a real boy.
There are varying opinions on thedifferent adaptations ofPinocchio,but most can agree that this iteration is one of the best. Del Toro not only adds his unique filmmaking style and stunning animation to this story, but he also deepens the story to include themes of grief, war, and prejudice. This movie is more than just a retelling;it reworks the tale ofPinocchioso that it is utterly evocative, timely, and important.Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchiois a must-watch for fantasy and Disney enthusiasts.
Considering the success of Hayao Miyazaki’s previous films, it is no surprise that his 2023 release,The Boy and the Heron,is considered one of the best fantasy movies of the 2020s. The film followsMahito, a 12-year-old boy who is struggling to adapt to his new town after the death of his mother. However, his despair is put on pause when a talking heron advises him to sneak into an abandoned tower, claiming that his mother is alive and well in this otherworld.
98%
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
96%
The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
Ultimately,The Boy and the Heronis a prime example of Miyazaki’s work. It is strange and not always obvious, but it is also filled with heart and important themes. With a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes,critics have lauded this movie for its colorful worldbuilding and meaningful themes of grief and acceptance. Though perhaps not the best place to start with Miyazaki, it is definitely a movie that will be moving for certain audiences.
Like Miyazaki, this best fantasy movies list would not be complete without a Disney film in the mix. Arguably,Disney’s best animated featureof the 2020s (which is not a sequel) isEncanto.In this film,a young girl named Mirabel is part of a family where every member has special powers. Unfortunately, the magic seems to skip over Mirabel, turning her into the black sheep of the family. Yet, as the family’s powers start to ebb away, it is up to Mirabel to figure out what is going wrong and how to fix it.
Encantois proof that Disney still has what it takes to create amazing original animated movies. From the music to the characters to the stunning animation, this movie is engaging from start to finish. Most importantly, though, it is deeply relatable. Despite being set in a fantasy world far different from our own,the story of Mirabel and her family will hit just about every viewer in the gut.This is the type of fantasy movie that has a fantastic world, but is made better for its themes of family, love, and acceptance.
An unexpected favorite from the 2020s that deserves all the praise it gets isPuss in Boots: The Last Wish.Released in 2022, this movie is the sequel to 2011’sPuss in Bootsand is the sixthinstallment in theShrekfranchise.It centers on Puss, who discovers that his life of risk-taking has finally caught up to him, as he has burned through eight of his nine lives. Determined to save himself from death, Puss and his friends go on an adventure to restore his lives.
TheShrekfranchise is continuing withShrek 5,which is set to be released on August 12, 2025.
In many ways,Puss in Boots: The Last Wishis a perfect movie for both adults and children. While the film offers plenty of laughs and captivating visual moments, it also delves into one of the most natural human fears: death.To see Puss face this scenario on screen is electrifying for viewersof any age. Through Puss, audiences can come to terms with their own fears, while also being easily entertained.
Finally, one of the very best fantasy movies of the 2020s isWicked.The newest movie on this list,Wickedis a prequel toThe Wizard of Oz,and followsElphaba, a green-skinned witch who is invited to study at a magic school called Shiz. Although Elphaba struggles socially, she eventually becomes more confident with the help of Glinda, a privileged and popular student who is desperate to learn magic. However, their friendship is put in danger as Elphaba learns about the dark side of Oz and its leaders.
Wickedis a groundbreaking movie musical that hooks its audiences from the start and doesn’t let go for an instant.
Wickedis a groundbreaking movie musical that hooks its audiences from the start and doesn’t let go for an instant. Not only is it satisfying to learn Wizard of Oz’smost interesting characters, butWickedalso deepens Oz into a place that is not just magical, but also dangerous. The movie is political, whimsical, and deeply moving. The songs will inevitably get stuck in your head, and you’ll be dying to see the next movie, set to release in November 2025. PerhapsWicked: For Goodwill become another bestfantasymovie of the 2020s.
