10 Fantasy Movies That Are Actually Pretty Dark

Like any other genre, fantasy Films can include dark, intense themes that make the mystical elements of the story terrifying. Whether through a genuinely scary villain or serious plot points that make the stakes feel very real, These narratives are intended to leave the audience thinking about what they saw and how it relates to the real world. The use of metaphors and allusions to true events is what makes fantasy such a popular genre, especially darker works of fiction that lead the viewer to interrogate complex conversations about human nature.

While many darker additions to the genre make the best R-rated fantasy films, these films don’t need to guarantee an R rating to have a serious, scary tone. Graphic violence and gore add to the darkness of a project, but there are many other ways that implicit action and horror can be just as effective. Darkness can also be defined by difficult choices, feelings of isolation, and the first steps toward adulthood. that everyone should take. These themes are often addressed in more intense projects, with the loss of innocence being a recurring theme.

10

Van Helsing (2004)

Directed by Stephen Sommers

Hugh Jackman may be best known for his role as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, but in 2004, he took on a much more supernatural role in Van Helsing. The film is an homage to some of the best monster movies of all time, with the titular Van Helsing fighting iconic creatures like Dracula, werewolves, and Frankenstein’s monster. Jackman is joined by Kate Beckinsale, who plays Anna, a young woman who joins forces with Van Helsing to stop Dracula once and for all.

Despite being a box office success, Van Helsing It didn’t hit home with critics because of its over-the-top, over-the-top sensibilities. However, these aspects are part of the reason why Van Helsing has become a cult classic today and is fondly remembered by lovers of the monster movie genre. Additionally, there is an undercurrent of sadness and sacrifice throughout Van Helsing, as the monster hunter cannot remember his past and seems doomed to lose everyone he comes to care about.

9

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Pan’s Labyrinth may follow the story of a child, Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), but the film does not fail to subject her to terrible and dangerous trials. As mystically enchanting as it is forbidding, Pan’s Labyrinth sees Ofelia torn between the real-life political turmoil around her and the world she flees to. with the help of the Faun. However, even Ofelia’s costumes aren’t safe, as she battles horrific monsters like the iconic Pale Man and is forced to grow up much faster than she should.

Sergi López’s turn as Captain Vidal is one of the best fantasy film performances of all time, as the audience can feel through the screen the cruelty and thirst for power that motivates the character. Although the Captain gets what he deserves in the end, this moment of retribution doesn’t change that Pan’s Labyrinth ends on a bittersweet and uncertain note. Whether or not Ofelia was reunited with her family in the Underworld or if it was all a dream is open to the audience’s interpretation.

8

The Dark Crystal (1982)

Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz

The Dark Crystal was a turning point for Jim Henson and The Henson Company, since the majority of the public associated the producer with lighter works such as The Muppet Show and found the sadness and gravity of the story unexpected. However, this is what makes The Dark Crystal just as enduring, as the epic story feels as important and immediate today as it did when the film premiered. Even though the beautiful visuals of The Lucky Draw Crystal it draws you in, the story emotionally challenges the viewer.

The presumption of The Dark Crystal revolves around the extermination of the Geflings and the inhumane rule of the Skeksis, who carry out horrific experiments. However, The Dark Crystal concludes that there is an equal propensity for good and evil within everyone and that both sides must be united to make something complete. The story’s ability to contain and communicate so many complex and heady themes speaks to the quality of The Dark Crystal and the need for innovative but serious projects like this one.

7

Coralina (2009)

Directed by Henry Selick

One of the best stop-motion animation films of all time, Coraline expands on the already gothic source material of the original book and creates a well-developed dark fantasy world. Like most stop-motion films, Coraline uses color and visual atmosphere brilliantly, subverting expectations with the difference between the Other World and the real world. Even though it is colorful and inviting, the Other World is actually a source of nightmares. The Other Mother is shockingly horrific and disturbing for a childish villain.

Outside of the horror elements, Coraline is dark in a deeper sense, like Coraline seeks to escape her reality because she feels ignored and misunderstood by her surroundings. Her journey to accepting her circumstances and appreciating what she has while desperately wanting to escape her reality is a complex subject, but one that applies to all audiences, children and adults. It is impossible to forget the terrors of Coralineeven after Coraline defeats the monsters.

6

Legend (1985)

Directed by Ridley Scott

There is a clear line between good and evil in Legendthe underrated 1980s fantasy film that features a performance by a young Tom Cruise. However, the real star of the film is Tim Curry as Darkness, the villain who has no other motivation than to bring evil and destruction to every corner of the world. Curry could have easily played this role with a tongue-in-cheek tone, but instead, the actor makes the character as horrible as his character design suggests.

Makeup and sets Legend are some of the best parts of the film, which is to be expected with Ridley Scott’s direction. While Legend doesn’t feature one of Cruise’s movie villain roles, it’s still interesting to see him play a character so different from the action hero audiences know him as. With high stakes and tension throughout the plot, There’s plenty of terror to be found in Legendespecially when Darkness captures Lili (Mia Sara) and asks her to marry him.

5

Excalibur (1981)

Directed by John Boorman

There have been many adaptations of the Arthurian legends, and although the 1981 film Excalibur It’s not the definitive version, it’s at the top of the list. This is because Excalibur is not afraid to touch on the more subtle and adult themes presented in the stories about Camelot and how Arthur’s story is a tragedy. Nigel Terry does a good job of communicating this sadness and sense of duty in his performance as Arthur, but Helen Mirren gives an incredible performance as Morgana.

Morgana is an interesting figure in Arthurian legend, as much of her anger and motivation for becoming a villain stems from the violence and trauma brought upon her and her mother. This makes her both sympathetic and repulsive to the audience, creating a multifaceted reaction and interpretation. The fantasy aspects and stunning visuals of Excalibur all serve to forward the deeper plots of the role of kings and destiny within the genre.

4

The Black Cauldron (1985)

Directed by Ted Berman and Richard Rich

The Black Cauldron is one of Disney’s most famous flops of all time, but that makes revisiting it all the more interesting. Unfortunately, production was plagued by problems and budget cuts as the studio was going through a transition phase and struggling to get out of an animation slump. While The Black Cauldron didn’t help with that, has been cemented as an exceptionally strange and dark addition to the Disney canon.

Based on The Chronicles of Prydain Lloyd Alexander book series, The Black Cauldron attempted to deal with significant source material full of villains and treacherous monsters. Although the Horned King doesn’t have much to do in the story, he and his lair are beautifully designed and evoke a sense of terror and atmospheric tension. Many of the most disturbing scenes were cut from the film before its release, but there is still an underlying feeling of dread and depth in each scene of The Black Cauldron (through Collider).

3

The Witches (1990)

Directed by Nicolas Roeg

Anjelica Huston is unforgettably grotesque in 1990 Roald Dahl adaptation The witches as the Grand High Witch. The witches is a classic example of an older children’s film that has recently been reviewed as almost shockingly dark, but that doesn’t make the story any less compelling. While The witches may give younger audiences nightmares, it is a well-crafted fantasy horror story with a strong central message and coming-of-age themes. However, the original story had a darker ending than the 1990 film’s happily ever after.

The evil nature of witches and their hatred of children contributes to every young person’s worst nightmare, which is part of why it’s so interesting to watch today. It’s always interesting to see movie villains who don’t really have anything good inside them or subtle motivation. Huston’s Grand High Witch is uncompromisingly evil, and the narrative leans toward this characterization, making the protagonists of the story even more courageous and heroic.

2

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Francis Ford Coppola’s star-studded adaptation of the classic story of Dracula It’s an incredible horror fantasy for the ages. Starring Gary Oldman as Dracula and additional performances by Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins and Keanu Reeves Bram Stoker’s Dracula leans into the themes underlying the work. The film’s stylistic choices provide an immersive experience for the viewer and expand on the conflicting elements of desire and repression that were so prevalent in the literature of the time.

Although monsters are the heart of the narrative, Dracula is a human story about loss and abandonment. Characters are only able to defeat evil and achieve peace when they accept themselves and their passions. Considered one of the best vampire films of all time, Bram Stoker’s Dracula brought new life to the well-known story and was praised for its ability to make the project feel fresh and new after so many iterations. By the end of the story, the audience identifies with the horrible villain and feels compassion for him.

1

Spirited Away (2001)

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Considered one of the best films by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli Away from spirit is a masterpiece of fantasy and coming-of-age narratives, perfectly combining the wonder and terror of growing up. The protagonist, Chihiro may be transported to a beautiful and magical world, but it is full of terrors and challenges, and the inciting incident of the story sees his parents turned into pigs in front of him. It’s a traumatic start to a dark and complex story.

However, without these elements, Away from spirit it wouldn’t be so good, as the film understands that the most transformative experiences can be scary. Chihiro reminds the audience of the first moments of independence and being alone, which is scary even in the real world. Although she goes through a lot, Chihiro comes out on the other side of the story stronger and has learned about the world and herself in the process.