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13 Fantasy Movies You’ve Probably Never Seen
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items If you’ve burned through Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Willow, and you’re still craving more fantasy, this list is for you.
I tend to prefer my fantasy a bit more than surface level magic and elves, and I've dug deep to find some fantasy movies that somehow flew under the radar—films with jaw-dropping visuals, bold world-building, and stories that deserve way more love th...
I tend to prefer my fantasy a bit more than surface level magic and elves, and I've dug deep to find some fantasy movies that somehow flew under the radar—films with jaw-dropping visuals, bold world-building, and stories that deserve way more love th...
Sections
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Deserving of Cult Classic Status
Forgotten Worlds with Big Imagination
Animation That Goes All-In On Magic
Deeper Fantasy
Deserving of Cult Classic Status
These fantasy films offer big, bold storytelling with strange worlds and unique voices—perfect if you want something beyond the usual dragons and destinies.
A breathtaking visual odyssey told through the imagination of a hospitalized girl and a Hollywood stuntman. It’s both whimsical and heart-wrenching, and looks like a painting come to life.
The Fall (2006)
Written by Neil Gaiman and directed by a Jim Henson alum, this dark dreamscape feels like a mash-up of Labyrinth and Coraline. It’s haunting, creative, and criminally underrated.
MirrorMask (2005)
This dark Italian anthology blends fairy tales with lavish visuals and unsettling twists. You’ll never look at a fantasy kingdom the same way again.
Tale of Tales (2015)
Often overlooked in favor of bigger ‘80s classics, this Ridley Scott fantasy stars Tom Cruise and features some of the best creature makeup ever put to film—yes, that devil is Tim Curry.
Legend (1982)
Forgotten Worlds with Big Imagination
Not every great fantasy has a franchise. These stand-alone stories build incredible settings that reward a fresh watch (or rewatch) when you're craving something new.
This Don Bluth classic combines gorgeous animation with a surprisingly deep, magical plot about a widowed mouse uncovering science, sorcery, and secret experiments. Just avoid the sequel.
The Secret of NIMH (1982)
A time-traveling adventure from 14th-century plague-era Europe to modern-day New Zealand. Inventive, eerie, and unlike anything you’ve seen before.
The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey (1988)
Terry Gilliam’s over-the-top epic is messy, weird, and stunning in every frame. If you liked The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, this one paved the way.
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
Animation That Goes All-In On Magic
These animated films aren’t really for kids—they dive into fantasy worlds with rich lore, deep emotion, and absolutely unforgettable style.
Ralph Bakshi’s animated cult film mixes post-apocalyptic sci-fi, sorcery, and WWII allegories. It’s gritty, odd, and surprisingly philosophical.
Wizards (1977)
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A gentle, beautifully drawn Irish fable from the makers of The Secret of Kells. This is modern mythmaking at its most tender and emotionally rich.
Song of the Sea (2014)
With its melancholy story and dreamy animation, this cult classic features music from the band America and voice work from Christopher Lee and Jeff Bridges.
The Last Unicorn (1982)
Deeper Fantasy
These films skew mature, not just in rating, but in theme and tone. Expect surrealism, tragedy, and fantasy worlds that hit a little deeper.
A low-budget, high-concept indie fantasy about dream guardians and stolen souls. It’s ambitious and rough around the edges, but hits surprisingly hard.
Ink (2009)
This one may have earned awards, but many still haven’t seen it. Guillermo del Toro’s dark fairy tale about innocence during war remains one of the best fantasy films ever made.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
A slow, atmospheric retelling of the Arthurian legend, rich in symbolism and haunting imagery. It’s bold, moody, and filled with that classic “quest” energy—just with more existential dread.
The Green Knight (2021)