10 Best Fantasy Movie Performances of All Time

fantasy Movies often include heavy exposition and world-building, but that doesn’t mean the stories aren’t character-driven or that the performances aren’t important. The actors who bring to life the extraordinary and otherworldly characters in fantasy projects have the difficult task of disappearing into their roles while believably part of another universe. Since fantasy is a wide-reaching genre, The types of characters written in these projects could be terrifying wizards or relatively normal people with signs of wonder thrown into their characterization. However, a good actor will be able to embody what the role calls for.

There is an argument that speculative fiction works better for television, because there are many amazing fantasy television shows with satisfying endings and great performances. however, These actors prove that with the right story and characters, films can be the perfect place for a magical story. Even when the plot of a fantasy film drifts beyond reality, it is the actors who anchor the story and help the audience draw comparisons between the imagined plot and their real lives. No genre film attempts to bridge this gap and make its sensational story relatable.

10

Warwick Davis – Willow (1988)

Like Willow Ufgod

The cult-classic and underrated 1980s fantasy movie Willow Warwick Davis stars as the titular character, Willow, who defines the unlikely hero trope and brings charm and joy to the film. Davis is joined by Val Kilmer, who plays the warrior Madmartigan, who accompanies the young wizard, Willow, as he hides a child from an evil sorcerer. from there, Willow Unfolds in classic fantasy adventure mode, however Davis elevates the project beyond the traditional narrative and makes the audience truly connect with Willow and her journey.

Willow Eventually receiving a TV series adaptation in 2022, Davis returned to reprise his role as Willow to great results. Even though some of the initial critical responses to the original Willow The movie was negative, Reviews of Davis’ performance as a highlight of the film have been consistent. For some of its campy moments and dated elements, Willow Is the kind of fantasy movie that sparks an interest in the genre, along with classics like The Neverending Story Or The Dark Crystal.

9

Dev Patel – The Green Knight (2021)

Like Gawain

Dev Patel’s fantasy epic, The Green KnightReceived a divided response from critics and audiences. However, it is impossible to deny that Patel’s work in Gawain is a credit to the legends of King Arthur. The movie adapts a story about Gawain, one of the Knights of the Round Table, Who travels to face the Green Knight in combat to prove himself as a fighter and hero. Blending surrealist elements and graphic violence in the narrative, The Green Knight is not a typical fantasy film, but that is what sets it apart.

In the film, Patel’s Gawain is an untested knight who is so concerned about the stories that will be told about him and his legacy that he acts rash and forgets what is truly important. Gawain goes through significant character development throughout the film, and It takes a skilled actor to embody so many different facets of a character. Thanks to Patel, it’s rewarding to see Gawain learn his lessons and understand that he needs to take his destiny into his own hands and become the man he wants to be.

8

Sergi Lopez – Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Like Captain Vidal

Captain Vidal is a great recent example of how to write and create a terrifying but compelling fantasy villain. Guillermo del Toro Pan’s Labyrinth is a decorated film that is often highlighted for its narrative and successful translation of the traditional fairy tale into a modern metaphor for escapism. moreover, Del Toro has long been in conversation with political movements and the dangers of fascism, So setting the tale in Francoist Spain was a deliberate and effective choice. Sergi Lopez plays the terrible Vidal and completely personifies the rule of dictatorship.

It is a difficult task to play such an unfathomable character, especially since Vidal does not reduce his cruelty to the main character, Omelia, even though she is a child. As he descends into more overt violence, his desperation to hang on to power and subjugate others for his own desire for control becomes all the more apparent. López is fully committed to disappearing into the terrifying person on screen, And his success in doing so is what makes the film’s stakes feel even more urgent.

7

Helen Mirren – Excalibur (1981)

Like Morgana

Excalibur is one of the best King Arthur movies and is a faithful retelling of some of the most famous parts of the legend of Arthur’s rise and fall in Camelot. Morgana plays a key role in Arthur’s fate, and Helen Mirren is just one of the many legendary actors who are part of the cast of Excalibur. Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart are also featured, but Mirren is easily the highlight of the film. Thanks to her thunderous performance as Morgana. Mirren, a sorceress who wants Arthur sick, is an expert at playing Morgana’s anger and cunning.

Mirren is terrifying as Morgana, but it’s her enduring hatred of Arthur and cruel use of her own son that makes the character so compelling. Although Arthur is a timeless character, he is too pure of a hero to be the best character in ExcaliburAs Morgana is part of the most exciting and fun scenes. Although audience members most associate Mirren with her more recent roles that are not as intense or physically demanding, Morgana was a key role for Mirren and helped bring her into the fantasy genre.

6

Emma Stone – Poor Things (2023)

Like Bella Baxter

Emma Stone took home the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing Bella in Poor things, Her second win in Best Actress, and an achievement for her fantastic collaboration with the director, Yorgos Lanthimos. Stein and Lanthimos have partnered on many projects since their first collaboration on The favoriteHowever Poor things is one of the biggest hits for the team. While each actor in Poor things Had to transform to fit in the off-beat and unfamiliar world of the story, Stone has the most pressure riding on her performance.

The whole story rides on Bella and her evolution as a character. Each phase of her journey is defined by what she learns and how it shapes her worldview, and Stone must fully understand Bella and the way she experiences things in different ways based on where she is in her development. While Poor things Received several comments regarding the graphic nature of the movie, Stone gives Bella the agency and intelligence that the character requires To justify her position in history.

5

Michelle Yeoh – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Like Yu Shu Lane

Although Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Is first and foremost a thrilling martial arts film, there are also key elements of fantasy blended throughout the narrative that make it a sweeping epic. It is considered part of the wuxia genre. The films encompass stories in ancient China that hinge on legendary martial artists and combine magic and otherworldly abilities in their stories. Michelle Yeoh plays the brilliant fighter, Yu Shu Lien, who also has a tragic romance With Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat) in the story.

Yeoh eventually won Best Actress at the Oscars for her performance in Everything everywhere all at once, Which also sees her incorporate her fighting skills into the contemporary action-fantasy film. However, one of Yeoh’s most significant works to date is Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonAnd she could not have been recognized so fully on an international level without lending her talents to Ang Lee’s film. The ability to convey emotion and develop during richly complex action sequences is something only actors as skilled as Yeoh can achieve.

4

Cary Elwes – The Princess Bride (1987)

Like Westley

Based on the acclaimed fantasy novel of the same name by William Goldman, The Princess Bride Had almost too many great performances to pick just one. however, Cary Elwes’ portrayal of the romantic lead Westley is charismatic, hilarious and deeply romantic, Making it one of the best of the film. While Robin Wright has to play her role almost as straight as Buttercup and Mandy Patinkin can focus his energy on the humor of Inigo Montoya, Elwes has to incorporate both into his performance.

Westley is a hearty lover, swashbuckling pirate and comic performer all rolled into one, and Elwes manages to capture it all. It helps that the script is hilarious and the ensemble cast has incredible chemistry, as Elves is only made better by the additional performances of the rest of the cast. until today, The Princess Bride is remembered as a great work of fantasy and comedy That has aged very well, thanks to his eternal humor.

3

Judy Garland – The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Like Dorothy Gale

Judy Garland made her name in the movie musical genre, and The Wizard of Oz is one of the most well-known, Especially in the niche of fantasy movie musicals. At just sixteen, Garland starred in the smash hit film as the protagonist, Dorothy Gale, and her life is never the same (via PBS). Although Garland did not have a happy life, the way she performs in The Wizard of Oz is so full of youth and light that it is clear why she has become such an icon. Even then, her singing voice was incredible and amazed audiences.

Today, viewers have not forgotten about The Wizard of Oz Or Garland. The way she holds her own alongside veteran actors of the time and incorporates her trademark melancholy into the performance is what made the film so enduring. There is genuine emotion and sadness in her portrayal that tug at the hearts of the audience And makes it impossible to look away from the movie. Although it is not the best performance of her career, it is one that transcends the genre and is known by most viewers.

2

Julie Andrews – Mary Poppins (1964)

Like Mary Poppins

While Julie Andrews has starred in many of the greatest movie musicals of all time, she works in Mary Poppins is the most memorable role for many audience members who grew up watching her. Andrews won Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her performance as Mary Poppins, And it’s easy to see why. Although it is a children’s movie, Mary Poppins was an innovative and revolutionary movie that only worked because Andrews was such a strong and anchoring presence.

You winning for Mary Poppins caused a bit of a stir, as she was nominated against Audrey Hepburn, who was cast over Andrews for the film adaptation of My beautiful lady. This was especially shocking because Andrews originated the role of Eliza on Broadway in My beautiful ladyBut she still beat Hepburn for the top award in the end (by Comic Book Resources). finally, Andrews playing Mary Poppins over Eliza was the right move for both productions and raised her to fame.

1

Ian McKellen – The Lord of the Rings (2001–2003)

Like Gandalf

It’s hard to imagine any other actor portraying Gandalf like Ian McKellen does it with the kindness and undeniable power that is inherent to the character. While McKellen makes an appearance in the Hobbit films, His best work was done in the original trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. Many scenes in the films hinge on McKellen’s ability to seem like an otherworldly force that has descended to Middle-earth to intervene in the fight against Sauron while retaining a critical humanity.

There are many incredible performances throughout these Fantasy series, but McKellen’s is undeniable and comes as no surprise considering his long history of great work in film and theater. Heroes like Frodo and Aragorn have the more straightforward task of being good and true in every scene. Conversely, Gandalf’s intelligence and cunning are much harder to translate to the screen while maintaining the role’s almost grandfatherly characterization. however, McKellen has a keen understanding of the original text and his own interpretation of the character.