10 fantasy films considered masterpieces

It takes a lot for a film to be considered a masterpiece, and the standards are even higher when the film falls into the category. fantasy gender. Since speculative fiction is not an immediate success with all audiences, the special effects, characters and plot must work perfectly so that the project connects with everyone who watches the film. Films that fit this profile are some of the most influential and innovative and are frequently cited and referenced in contemporary works. Each decade brings unique and fascinating new additions to the genre that will capture the hearts and minds of viewers.

Sometimes these films are fantasy box office flops that deserve better and aren’t recognized for their skill and talent until long after these films premiere. However, with many of them, the merit is immediately obvious to audiences and critics. Despite that, it takes more than accolades and monetary achievements to justify being called a masterpiece; there is an ephemeral quality to these films that sets them apart from others. When a fantasy film is so moving that it’s easily relatable and comments on the real world, it’s clear it’s a success.

10

Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

Directed by Don Chaffey

Retellings of classic Greek myths are some of the most popular projects in film and television today. as Percy Jackson and the Olympians. However, Jason and the Argonauts was one of the first to bring these ancient tales to life and is notable for its use of stop-motion in the creation of many of the monsters and mystical elements. Of course, Jason and the Argonauts takes some liberties with the original mythos, but hits all the most important and epic beats.

It took a while to Jason and the Argonauts be recognized for his contributions to the history of cinema. However, once audiences and critics realized how groundbreaking the film was, it was not forgotten. Fortunately, the technical aspects of the film were immediately highlighted by the brilliant way they imagined the supernatural aspects of the story. Although these are highlights of the film, the universal nature of the story also sets it apart. As far as fantasy adventures go, few transport the viewer as completely as Jason and the Argonauts.

9

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

The mixing of animation and live action may happen quite often today, but when Who Framed Roger Rabbit debuted, it was innovative. The director, Robert Zemeckis, has had a varied career, but is responsible for some great fantasy and science fiction masterpieces, as he also directed Back to the future. Talking to some of the most iconic genres in cinema history, such as film noir and animation, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a love letter to all cinema, not just fantasy.

However Who Framed Roger Rabbit plays with form and uses his visual style to create many natural moments of humor, the story itself is dark. Themes of discrimination and segregation are addressed in the narrative, even though they are presented in such a fantastical package. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is both a celebration and an indictment of the film industry, something few fantasy films undertake, since the plots are often rooted in other worlds.

8

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Easily the best of all Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban demonstrates why so many readers and audiences have been enraptured by the world of the story for so many years. The Prisoner of Azkaban is the strongest, thanks to the visionary direction of Alfonso Cuarón, which successfully transitions the narrative from childhood to early adolescence, facing the darkness at the heart of the plot. Furthermore, the story lends itself better to being able to watch the film independently, which rarely happens with other films.

One of the best fantasy films of the 2000s, The Prisoner of Azkaban is the most visually interesting and captivating of all Harry Potter films and is the first that challenges child actors to engage with nuanced emotions and morality. Thematically, Harry Potter ethe Prisoner of Azkaban It’s impeccable, like Cuarón combines time and mirror images in each moment of the project, providing foreshadowing without being too over the top. When revisiting these films, the third film is always the most compelling to rewatch.

7

La Belle et La Bête (1946)

Directed by Jean Cocteau

Anglicized as Beauty and the beast, La Belle et la Bête is the original French screen iteration of the classic fairy tale. Unlike the famous Disney version, La Belle et la Bête leans into the darker aspects of the story and is full of highly stylized elements. Directed by famous French visionary Jean Cocteau, La Belle et la Bête has been highly notable for her contributions to the way fairy tales are adapted for the screen. Plus, the incredible practical effects work is still magical and effective today.

While La Belle et la Bête is noteworthy for its magic, but it’s also iconic thanks to Jean Marais and Josette Day’s lead performances as the Beast and Beauty. Romance is a key feature of many fantasy films, and few communicate such a fantastical, sweeping love story so well. La Belle et la Bête. It’s hard to imagine what cinema would be like today without the precedent set by the film. The film is a great introduction to French cinema and international fantasy.

6

The Princess Bride (1987)

Directed by Rob Reiner

The 1980s was a seminal decade for fantasy, and no film demonstrates why better than The princess bride. One of the most popular films that was a hit with longtime fantasy fans and a wider audience, The princess bride hits the perfect mark between satirical and genuinely moving. It’s easy to laugh at the story’s hilarious lines and events while at the same time rooting for the central love story between Westley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (Robin Wright).

Like many great films, The princess bride is based on a novel, which comes through in many of the best lines of dialogue. The princess bride is a fantasy film full of iconic quotes, which is part of the reason it has remained so popular among generations of audiences. However, it’s the fact that the actors deliver these quotes with such sincerity and brilliant comedic timing that brings The princess bride to the next level. With adventures of swordsmanship, swordsmanship and touching romance, The princess bride has the best to make the fantasy memorable.

5

The Dark Crystal (1982)

Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz

Jim Henson’s work in the field of puppetry and practical effects has been highly influential and important, especially in fantasy works. Although Henson and his iconic company are best known for their work on The Muppets, The Dark Crystal was a starting point for the studio, as it treads intense territory, and his production was unlike anything in cinema or fantasy. While the puppets and animatronics used in the story are what the film is advertised as, they are only effective because of the moving story.

However The Dark Crystal is often cited as a cult classic, within the fantasy genre, could be considered must-watch thanks to the way it raised the bar on visual effects and creature creation. Thanks to the following The Dark Crystal discovered in the years since its release, the film received a one-season prequel TV series in 2019. Although projects like The Dark Crystal They are ambitious and require a lot of resources, the return is worth it and paves the way for innovative projects.

4

The Seventh Seal (1957)

Directed by Ingmar Bergman

Ingmar Bergman has many masterpieces to his credit, but The Seventh Seal It is his best fantasy work and is frequently referenced in cinema and the media in general. Featuring the iconic chess game between the protagonist and Death, The Seventh Seal interacts with Christianity and faith as main themes throughout the story. Set in Medieval Sweden, it is true that The Seventh Seal takes place in a world and setting unlike anything most modern viewers have ever experienced, but that doesn’t make it any less compelling.

Widely considered one of the best films ever made, The Seventh Seal helps establish fantasy as part of high art in cinema. While many works of speculative fiction are often considered only for children or are not dramatic enough to warrant serious consideration as a work of art, The Seventh Seal interrupts this and shows how fantasy can be a great delivery system for allegory and metaphor about some of the most important artistic topics such as fate, death, destiny and religion.

3

Spirited Away (2001)

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Away from spirit may be aimed at audiences of all ages, but that doesn’t mean the film doesn’t deal with dark and serious themes. Young Chihiro must take on many more adult responsibilities and learn to be alone for the first time amidst fantastic developments in the spirit world. Meet colorful characters who are vividly realized through the film’s gorgeous animation the audience is involved in Chihiro’s adventure and intensely feels her joys and sadness.

The coming-of-age genre touches on many common themes of growing up and losing innocence, but Away from spirit it makes these tired conversations feel fresh. While Away from spirit uses its fantasy elements to intensify the experience of aging from childhood, it is faithful to the essential truths of coming of age that everyone can relate to. After watching Away from spiritIt’s easy to see why it’s not only considered the best animated fantasy film of all time, but one of the best regardless of genre.

2

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Arguably the best R-rated fantasy film of all time, Pan’s Labyrinth is the most famous and synonymous work of Guillermo del Toro, introducing it to viewers who wouldn’t normally be so engrossed in a fairy tale. However, Pan’s Labyrinth is no ordinary fairy tale as it is directly in conversation with the history of fascist regimes in Spain and the ways in which children deal with loss and hardship through escapism. The protagonist, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), is surprisingly relatable to audiences young and old, as she represents the part of every child that wants to break free and live in a magical world.

Visually, there are few films as stunning as Pan’s Labyrinth, with practical effects and creatures built with intricate designs that make the audience and characters feel as if they have entered another world. Incorporating scary horror elements into the traditional structure of a children’s story can be a difficult path to navigate, but del Toro strikes an even balance. Pan’s Labyrinth It treats both the enormous tragedies and the individual sorrows of the characters and the world with equal weight.

1

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Directed by Peter Jackson

Making history as the first fantasy film that won the Oscar for Best Picture, The Return of the King is the final installment in the adaptation of Peter Jackson’s beloved books and remains the definitive version. While each film in the trilogy is considered a masterclass of the genre, The Return of the King stands out for the way the scale and weight of the story’s conclusion are translated to the screen. At this point in the narrative, the audience feels like they have been on this harrowing journey with all the characters, and Jackson delivers a satisfying ending.

The performances can’t be overlooked either, as the actors who gave their all in this sweeping epic bring home their characters’ journeys beautifully. The Return of the King. There’s no reason to redo The Lord of the Rings trilogy since it came to life with such perfection. Although the films take some liberties with JRR Tolkien’s story, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King understands the emotional truths and the most important moments, earning the respect of longtime fans and first-time viewers alike The Lord of the Rings.