12 Most Universally Loved Fantasy Movies of All Time, Ranked

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Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!
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We love fantasy films because they let us escape reality and visit worlds beyond our imagination alongside iconic characters. These films have a timeless sentimentality to them that, no matter the generation, they resonate with audiences of all kinds. Once they achieve beloved status, you know they're something special.

Over time, we have seen some incredible fantasy films, but not all of them are universally loved. Some may have become divisive over time, while others may have been surpassed by other films. For this list of fantastical fantasy films, they not only stand the test of time, but they are adored by almost all, from a film that reminded us that there's no place like home to another that created a nonsensical world that is still a part of our lexicon. These films are so beloved that they deserve adoration and praise for the impact they've made on cinema.

12 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939)

Dorothy and her friends walk the Yellow Brick Road towards the Emerald City in 'The Wizard of Oz'

When it comes to films that have stood the test of time because they’ve been passed down from generation to generation, look no further than The Wizard of Oz. The film that took us over the rainbow and introduced us to Judy Garland, The Wizard of Oz is simply transcendent and a remarkable piece of cinema. Based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the masterpiece tells the story of Dorothy Gale (Garland), a young farm girl from Kansas, who is swept away via a tornado to the magical Land of Oz, where she embarks on a quest along the Yellow Brick Road to find the powerful Wizard in the Emerald City to help her get home. On her journey, she meets three new friends, each of whom is seeking something of their own from the Wizard (Frank Morgan) — the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), who needs a brain; the Tin Man (Jack Haley), who needs a heart; and the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), who needs courage. But it’s the Wicked Witch of the Witch (Margaret Hamilton) who seeks revenge on Dorothy as she believes she killed her system with her house. A story about understanding that the thing you sought was inside you the entire time. The Wizard of Oz is the epitome of a timeless classic.

An Academy Award-winning film, The Wizard of Oz has brought audiences into a fantastical world through a story that continues to resonate. Furthermore, with a legendary score, iconic characters, and moments that reverberate in pop culture, The Wizard of Oz can be considered a flawless film. After its 1939 debut, the MGM classic helped make Garland a Hollywood legend. Even with a historic resume, she will likely forever be remembered for her role as Dorothy, thanks in part to her performance of “Over the Rainbow.” An influential film on individuals and media as a whole, The Wizard of Oz’s impact will never cease. There’s truly no place like home, and there's no film like The Wizard of Oz.

11 'Beauty and the Beast' (1991)

Belle and the Beast dance in the ballroom in 'Beauty and the Beast.'

A true tale as old as time, of all the Disney animated classics, none is quite like Beauty and the Beast. The film follows the story of a prince turned beast seeking to transform back into a human again by finding the one who can break the spell. When a young provincial girl named Belle (Paige O'Hara) arrives at the castle, the Beast’s (Robby Benson) enchanted servants will lead the pair to fall in love and reverse the curse. With a captivating score from lyricist Howard Ashman and composer Alan Menken and breathtaking animation, Beauty and the Beast helped define the Disney animated Renaissance.

Beauty and the Beast is set in a magical world in which inanimate household objects come to life, singing and dancing as the beast learns that tenderness can earn the heart of a beauty. But it’s a world we all believe in our hearts can be true — a fantasy we wish were our reality. Since its debut, Beauty and the Beast has had a major impact on the animated art form, as well as on how classic stories can be told. Beauty and the Beast jump-started two major trends for Disney: it was the first to receive both a stage musical adaptation and a live-action film adaptation.

10 'Shrek' (2001)

Up until 2001, Disney had a stronghold on animation. Then DreamWorks released Shrek, and the entire genre changed forever. Putting a twist on fairy tales, Shrek introduced audiences to a temperamental ogre named Shrek (Mike Myers), who finds his swamp home overrun by fairy tale creatures banished by the obsessive ruler Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). With the help of Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Shrek makes a pact with Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) in exchange for regaining control of his swamp. Shrek wasn’t just a film for kids. With adult humor and sensibility, it brought families together for a new type of fairy tale story that made us all believers.

Parodying fairy tales, many of which had been brought to life by their rival, Shrek was a subversive film that remained charming, with a worthwhile story. There’s a reason why a still-running franchise came to fruition after its initial debut. A visually stunning film that changed audiences' desire from classic 2-D animation in favor of computer-generated animation, Shrek’s ability to alter the game in one fell swoop marked a historical moment in the types of films that studios would strive to make. While simultaneously embracing and subverting fairy tales, Shrek became appealing and entertaining to families forever.

9 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946)

Jimmy Stewart with his friends and family in It's a Wonderful Life

There are many Christmas movies, but none are quite as beloved as It’s a Wonderful Life. Frank Capra’sclassic tells the tale of George Bailey (James Stewart), a man who sacrifices his dreams to help his community, gets overwhelmed by life's struggles, and wishes he'd never been born on Christmas Eve. A guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers), shows him how bleak the world would be without him, revealing the profound impact of his seemingly ordinary life and inspiring him to find value in love and connection. Loosely inspired by Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life reminds audiences to take care with their lives, as one small decision can change the hearts of many.

It’s a Wonderful Life is more than just a feel-good film — it’s a tale about life, sacrifice, and community. Inspiring many future films that capture a similar essence and theme, It’s a Wonderful Life struck a brilliant balance with its heart and humor. From Stewart to Donna Reed, the characters in the film shine brightly. A truly sentimental film, the whole point is to provide a cautionary tale about how to treat yourself and others better. With sincerity and substance, this movie stands as a profound piece of cinema.

8 'Mary Poppins' (1964)

Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) and Bert (Dick Van Dyke) dancing in Mary Poppins.

Up until the world was introduced to Mary Poppins, audiences were whisked away to fantastical worlds through either live-action movies or animated films — never both. Then Mary Poppins arrived, and the type of storytelling changed forever. Based on P.L. Travers’ book, Mary Poppins was a whimsical wonder with a toe-tapping soundtrack and a resounding performance from Julie Andrews in the titular role. Mary Poppins is the story of a magical, "practically perfect" nanny who arrives by wind to care for the neglected Banks children, Jane and Michael (Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber), in early 20th-century London. Through amazing adventures and stern but loving guidance, Mary Poppins teaches about family, imagination, and finding joy in everyday life.

A game-changing film, Mary Poppins opened up a world of wonder in filmmaking. There’s something charming about watching Andrews and Dick Van Dyke dance with animated penguins. The film gave us a new vocabulary of nonsense words that still sticks with us and taught us that, if anything, laughter is the greatest medicine we have at our disposal. Perhaps the only misguidance our titular nanny spewed was about that spoonful of sugar helping medicine go down. Tried it as a kid, do not recommend. Nevertheless, a timeless classic, Mary Poppins has been passed on from generation to generation, making us all wish we had a nanny like Mary.

7 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' (1971)

Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) stands in front of assorted candies in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

If there is one author who has had a tremendous impact on children, it’s Roald Dahl. With a wealth of fantastical stories, they’ve been a major source of cinematic adaptation. Perhaps the most famous of them all is 1971’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The film tells the story of titular candy maker Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder), who invites five Golden Ticket-winning children to his secretive chocolate factory for a magical tour where he tests their morality, revealing that the true prize isn't just candy but finding a worthy heir to inherit his wondrous empire. Teaching lessons of greed, humility, and good behavior through the humorous misfortunes of the other children, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory has been a movie that has stuck with us since we first set eyes on the glorious wonderscape.

With good versus evil and integrity and honesty at the film’s forefront, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a fantasy film that is child-coded but rich with adult themes. The older you get and the deeper you dive into this film, the darker the story is. But audiences tend to forgive the darkness because of the colorful world in which the film is presented. We remember the film for director Mel Stuart’s extraordinary vision and the earworm soundtrack, including the iconic Oompa Loompa song. Yet, no single song has had a stronger impact than “Pure Imagination.” Not only is it a beautifully universal song, but it’s also the epitome of the wonderment that is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

6 'Edward Scissorhands' (1990)

When you think of Tim Burton, your mind often goes to his tonally and visually dark pieces. But then, you remember his most fantastical wonder, Edward Scissorhands. A true blend of lightness and darkness, the 1990 classic is a Gothic romantic fantasy like no other film. The story follows Edward (Johnny Depp), an unfinished artificial humanoid who has scissor blades instead of hands, as he is taken in by a suburban family and falls in love with their teenage daughter, Kim (Winona Ryder). A sweet, enchanting fairy tale, the Burton classic marries the eccentric with the terrifying for a story that isn't afraid to explore how society admonishes those who are different, seeking any excuse to villainize those who may not be like them.

A truly creative and artistic film, Edward Scissorhands became a defining collaboration between the actor and director, allowing the pair to develop a working relationship that spanned decades. By watching the titular character use his skills in topiary design and hair cutting, the film invites a sense of commonality while also distinguishing science from creativity. At the end of the day, Edward Scissorhands is a film that reminds us that we all seek out acceptance and love. Finding it, well, that’s the hard part. With a lasting legacy, the hauntingly magical movie continues to dazzle us today.

5 'The Princess Bride' (1987)

Westley stands on guard with his sword while Buttercup stands behind him in The Princess Bride.

There have been very few films that are quite as enchanting as The Princess Bride, and no other lines about revenge have resonated quite like, “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” A Rob Reiner classic, The Princess Bride was a triumphant celebration of action, adventure, comedy, and romance. But more importantly, The Princess Bride was an homage to the stories we tell our loved ones. The film adapts William Goldman’s novel for the big screen. Presented through a work of metafiction, the story tells of Westley (Cary Elwes), a swashbuckling farmhand, accompanied by companions befriended along the way, as he goes on a journey to rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright), from the odious Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Both charming and funny, The Princess Bride has been consistently named a universally favorite film.

One of the film's most compelling reasons for its popularity is the extraordinary cast. From Peter Falk and Fred Savage playing grandfather and grandsonsto the array of sidekicks, including Wallace Shawn as Vizzini, Andre the Giant as Fezzik, and Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya, the depth of vibrant, eccentric characters brings the film to sensational heights. A thoroughly sweeping film, it’s fun for the entire family and has truly stood the test of time. Thanks to The Princess Bride, “As you wish” has never been more romantic.

4 'The Neverending Story' (1984)

Atreyu-and-Atrax looking at each other in The NeverEnding Story

Yes, a film can be absolutely beloved and utterly traumatizing all at once. Look no further than Wolfgang Petersen’s The NeverEnding Story. And if you can hear the theme song by simply reading the name of the film, you most certainly grew up in the '80s. The film follows a lonely, bullied boy named Bastian (Barret Oliver) who escapes into a magical book, discovering he's part of the story and must save the fantasy world of Fantasia from being destroyed by "The Nothing," better known as the despair and loss of imagination, by finding a new name for its Childlike Empress (Tami Stronach). The NeverEnding Story blurs the line between reality and fantasy, exploring how imagination and belief are crucial to saving both worlds, as Bastian learns that his wishes and connection to the story are what are needed to restore hope and meaning.

The film that launched a trilogy of films, The NeverEnding Story was a magical adventure through imagination that pushed the power of believing to the forefront. Watching Atrax the Horse die in the Swamp of Sadness causes little ones nightmares, but at least we’ll always have Falkor the Luck Dragon to bring us hope! A sensational fantasy masterpiece, The NeverEnding Story may feel like a product of the '80s, but it’s simply a remarkable story that shaped an entire generation.

3 'Spirited Away' (2001)

No-Face stands on a bridge in Spirited Away.

There could easily be a debate about what is the best Studio Ghibli film of all time, but if there’s one film that broke through the mainstream to become something beloved, it’s 2001’s Spirited Away. An extraordinary coming-of-age story, the film follows Chihiro "Sen" Ogino, who, after her parents are turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba, must work in a bathhouse for spirits to find a way to free them and return to the human world. While working in the bathhouse, she encounters a variety of spirits and learns about hard work, courage, and the importance of her identity and past. With a specificity in mood and narrative, Spirited Away is a fearlessly imaginative work of art.

Though perceived solely as a children's film, Spirited Away shattered expectations and resonated deeply with audiences of all ages worldwide. Gorgeously drawn, the enchanting story is a daring adventure story that showcases Hayao Miyazaki at his finest. Finding a way to tell a culturally specific story that manages to evoke nostalgia is quite masterful, and the characters have become so visually impactful that they are synonymous with the film. A stage adaptation of the film debuted in London in 2023 and managed to maintain the animation's integrity in a 3D world. Some call it better than any Disney film. Whether you believe it or not, the truth is, Spirited Away's legacy is forever sealed.

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