Top 10 Fantasy Films of All Time

Filmmaking has always been about bringing the impossible to life. From the earliest days of Georges Melies and his filmed magic tricks, to Thanos throwing a moon at The Avengers, cinema as an art form has always stayed deeply rooted in the realization of the fantastic. So this Movie List is looking at the movies that do it best and the different ways in to the genre of Fantasy.

From surrealism like Birdman or the work of David Lynch like Mulholland Drive, to David Fincher and Magical realism with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button or the whimsical charm of Paddington, and the Low Fantasy worlds of Arthurian legends like The Green Knight to the epic high fantasy detail of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, these are our picks for the Top 10 Fantasy Films of All Time.

This episode was written by Billy Jackson and edited by Michael Huynh.

The Picks:

Surreal Fantasy - Big Fish (2003) Tim Burton
Very Low Fantasy - Being John Malkovich (1999) Spike Jonze
Magical Realism - Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010) Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Low Fantasy - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) Ang Lee
Modern/Urban Fantasy - Céline and Julie Go Boating (1974) Jacques Rivette
Supernatural Fantasy - Wings of Desire (1987) Wim Wenders
Mythic Fantasy - La Belle et la Bête (1946) Jean Cocteau
Middle Fantasy - The Wizard of Oz (1939) Victor Fleming
High Fantasy - Howl's Moving Castle (2004) Hayao Miyazaki
Epic Fantasy - The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) Peter Jackson

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[Kujakuseki]

It's still absolutely stunning to me that something like LotR was ever made, and that they were so stunningly good.

[heck]

When I heard the first category, I said to myself, "this kinda sounds a lot like Big Fish". A movie that I've watched only once when it came out in my prepubescence but has continued to hold a solid place in my heart. Now I have to rewatch it.

[jaimegonzaloelices]

Just came here to see LotR take the first place, wasn't disappointed.

[EIixir]

Watching people discover the Lord of the Rings trilogy for the first time is a joy.

[CornishCreamtea]

I feel that we may never get anything quite like the LOTR Trilogy ever again.

[poloespino]

“TLOTR is now 20 years old” wait what?!! Jeez I’m old.
Also the ending of Big Fish made me cry like a baby

[benstubbins]

We all knew that LOTR was going to be number 1, and we all knew it deserved it. For me, the biggest cinematic event of my lifetime. Nothing has come close since, and it's hard to imagine anything will.

[kc_lucky]

the way you revealed LOTR to be your top pick is my favorite thing on the internet this week! I can assure you, you got EXACTLY the reaction you were going for with me!

[nikola]

Guys you almost scared me there for a second by not posting for a while. Always glad to see a new video on this channel

[reimondvincent]

So happy for Howl’s Moving Castle and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind getting the recognition they deserve! Also worth mentioning are Fantastic Planet and El Topo.

[frostgamez]

The lord of the rings is one of those trilogies that makes you feel part of the journey and once you’ve finished it your sad when that journey is finally over. Others may beat it now money wise because they are still going like Star Wars, but there is nothing like TLOTR it will always be my favourite series

[kevind]

After decades of movie-watching, I'm amazed at how many great movies I haven't seen that appear on your lists.

[CJKhaos]

Fantastic List and I now have several new films to see. So glad to see howls moving castle on here, love the film love the book.
Now I’m off to watch the LOTR trilogy extended editions back to back again.

[imkluu]

One of the only few times I actually teared up when watching a film happened at the end of the Lord of the Rings, not once, but twice. First when Aragorn says to the hobbits, you bow to no one, and again when they are at the Grey Havens saying their goodbyes. I am not an emotional person, either, and these two times really got me.

[Brianna-eonu]

As a massive fan of the art of puppetry, you have no clue how happy I was to see you guys put The Dark Crystal in the honourable mentions of number 1!

[Richard_Nickerson]

If you don't cry during the musical swell after Aragorn bows to the Hobbits, then you're not a human.

[CahitbeyAdiAlinmis]

One day Cinefix wont choose Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for a list. Guess today is not that day lol

[NathanDav]

Peter Jackson never went to the bathroom for the entire time he made the Lord of the Rings? Good to know.

[deJanglez]

TIM Bandits sounds like a dope sequel... Sorry i noticed the typo in the video and i couldn't resist.

[TheMoviesCult]

You, sir, have my utmost respect for actually caring about sub-genres, or better yet, themes within genres. Seems I'm not the only one obsessed with categorization. Yes, high fantasy, low fantasy, magic realism etc. are certainly different things worth having their own dedicated lists.