From 2000 to 2003, The Lord of the Rings topped the box office and proved that fantasy movies could be successful blockbusters. 2001 saw Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone hit theatres, as well as Shrek, which caught audiences with its satirical take on the fairy tale tropes that had allowed Disney to dominate the 1990s. This led to a massive boom of fantasy media over the rest of the decade as everyone tried to re-create these early hits, to varying degrees of success.
However, the 2010s saw the rise of the MCU and Disney live-action remakes, so fantasy films took more of a backseat compared to the previous decade, and began to carve a space on TV following the success of Game of Thrones. Of course, fantasy films never went away, and plenty of classics still came out that delighted audiences then and now. This list will rank the best fantasy movies of the 2010s based on their execution, plots, performances, legacy, and overall quality.
10
‘ParaNorman’ (2012)
Directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler
Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is the town pariah of Blithe Hollow due to his peculiar ability to see and interact with the spirits of the dead, which, of course, nobody believes. One day, he is approached by his crazed great-uncle, Mr. Prenderghast (John Goodman), who warns Norman that he must soon perform a ritual to save the town, before dying of a heart attack. Sure enough, the spirit of a vengeful witch awakens and raises the dead, forcing Norman and his friends to delve into the town’s shady history to find a way to stop her.
ParaNorman is the follow-up to Laika’s 2009 smash hit, Coraline, and is another standout example of how to do a dark family film. It’s a story about the dangers of fear and how it can lead people to do terrible things, such as ostracizing people who don’t conform to the norm or even punishing the innocent for what they could do. The characters do a good job of further reinforcing this theme, as just like Norman, the side-characters are more than they seem on the surface. Once they spend time getting to know one another, they form a charming little fellowship to face the undead apocalypse.
9
‘The Lego Movie’ (2014)
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Emmet (Chris Pratt) is an energetic but uncreative blue-collar worker in Lego City who is happy to live his life by the rules set out by the city’s leader, Lord Business (Will Ferrell). That is, until he meets a Master Builder named Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), and stumbles upon a red object called the Piece of Resistance, which bonds itself to his back. Wyldstyle explains that this has marked Emmet as The Special, who is destined to stop Lord Business and his weapon, the Kragle, which can freeze anything.
The Lego Movie exceeded all expectations on release, to the point that audiences were furious that it was excluded from the Best Animated Feature award in 2015. Its animation perfectly matches the look of old stop-motion LEGO films seen on early YouTube, and its story is a hilarious yet poignant take on the hero’s journey while saying that everyone has it in them to do great things. It’s also brimming with memorable side-characters, including a wise mentor in the wizard Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman), a hilariously egotistical and broody Batman (Will Arnett), and Benny (Charlie Day), an astronaut obsessed with making spaceships.
8
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Parts 1 and 2’ (2010-2011)
Directed by David Yates
Rather than attend his final year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) set off to find and destroy the remaining horcruxes containing fragments of Lord Voldemort’s (Ralph Fiennes) soul. During their travels, Harry learns of three powerful artifacts known as the Deathly Hallows, which, when combined, can make one master over death. Unfortunately, Voldemort is also looking for one of them, the Elder Wand, said to be the most powerful wand ever forged.
The two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films are a worthy sendoff to such a genre-defining franchise. By splitting the plot over two movies instead of condensing it into one, the characters and their struggles could get more time, such as Harry coming to terms with the fact that his mentor, Albus Dumbledore (Sir Michael Gambon), may have held many dark secrets. Amidst its climactic battles and impressive displays of magic, the film also makes sure to highlight the power of love and the importance of accepting one’s mortality rather than fighting against fate.
7
‘Midnight in Paris’ (2011)
Directed by Woody Allen
Aspiring screenwriter Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) and his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), travel to Paris with her family. Gill quickly becomes enamoured by the city and begins looking into the culture of the 1920s for inspiration. One day, while walking the streets at midnight, he is mysteriously transported to the 1920s and gets the chance to speak to such people as Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll), Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates) and Zelda Fitzgerald (Alison Pill).
Midnight in Paris is a charming tale that focuses on finding the beauty in the world and the joys and trappings of nostalgia. It does a beautiful job of re-creating the early 20th century, and even in the present, there is a whimsical air about the film, as if walking through a dream. Wilson’s performance as Gil is spectacular for how seamlessly he slips into the neurotic everyman role, but the supporting actors are especially worth praising. Indeed, their performances as the historical figures are so engaging that you’ll remember them even if the character only had one scene, such as Adrian Brody‘s appearance as Salvador Dalí.
6
‘A Monster Calls’ (2016)
Directed by J. A. Bayona
Conor O’Malley (Lewis MacDougall) is a young English boy whose life is in turmoil. His mother (Felicity Jones) is ill, forcing him to interact with his strict grandmother (Sigourney Weaver) when she comes over to help around the house; his father (Toby Kebbell) lives in the United States of America with his new family; and bullies frequently pick on him at school. One night, an old yew tree on a nearby hill transforms into a monster (Liam Neeson), who tells Conor that he has come to help by telling the boy three stories, and once finished, Conor will tell him a fourth.
Based on the book of the same name by Patrick Ness, who also wrote the screenplay, A Monster Calls is a thrilling and emotionally raw coming-of-age story that knows how to use its fantasy elements sparingly. Most of the film is dedicated to seeing how Conor copes with the changes in his life and builds into a powerful message regarding grief and the complexity of human nature. The monster’s stories are some of the most memorable parts of the film: they are brought to life through beautiful watercolor-inspired animation, and the themes are more complex than they first appear, tying into Conor’s emotional state at the time or the lesson he needs to learn.
5
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010)
Directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
The Viking village of Berk has had a long-standing feud with dragons, who periodically burn down their houses and raid their sheep. As their chief, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), prepares a raid on their nest, he sends his scrawny son, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), to dragon training so that he can become a warrior. Unknown to Stoick or the other Vikings, Hiccup manages to shoot down the most elusive dragon species, a Nightfury he calls Toothless (Randy Thom), but rather than kill him, Hiccup observes and later befriends him.
How to Train Your Dragon kickstarted one of DreamWorks’ most successful franchises and recently got a live-action remake. The reason for its enduring popularity is obvious: the film delivers a very strong emotional message regarding overcoming prejudice and the embrace of the new, told through a hilarious and touching relationship between Hiccup and Toothless, and gorgeous animation. It’s also chock-full of unique and creative dragon designs, which is a breath of fresh air when compared to the generic body shape seen in the likes of Reign of Fire, Game of Thrones and everything in between.
4
‘Song of the Sea’ (2014)
Directed by Tomm Moore
Six years after the disappearance of their mother, Ben (David Rawle) and his sister, Saoirse (Lucy O’Connell), are taken to live with their grandmother (Fionnula Flanagan) on mainland Ireland. The two run away to try and get back home, but meet a trio of daoine sí, who reveal that Saoirse is a Selkie destined to open the door to Tír na nÓg, so that the mythical creatures can go home. To do so, Saoirse needs her seal-skin coat held by their father, but they also have to evade the witch Macha, who seeks to suck the emotions out of others.
Song of the Sea may just be the masterpiece from the famed Irish studio Cartoon Saloon. It is a hauntingly beautiful film that brings ancient mythology to life through stylistic animation and vibrant colors, letting modern audiences learn about Ireland’s rich stories. At its core, Song of the Sea is also one about a broken family putting itself back together, and Ben, in particular, goes through a very well-executed arc regarding his bond with Saoirse.
3
‘The Shape of Water’ (2017)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
During the Cold War, the American military captures a mysterious amphibious human-like creature (Doug Jones) from South America. As they study the fishman, he bonds with a mute janitor named Elisa (Sally Hawkins). When Elisa learns that the military plans to kill the creature to study his organs, she enlists the help of her friends to smuggle him to safety, and their bond grows into something romantic.
The Shape of Water is another feather in the cap of dark fantasy king Guillermo del Toro, and was inspired by his memories of Creature from the Black Lagoon. The film’s main themes are about “the other,” and how society always has a habit of demonizing those who do not fit the norm, be they physically different, disabled, or of a different sexuality. Yet this also helps enhance the romance between Elisa and the fishman, as it not only demonstrates human empathy but also that love can blossom even in the most dire of circumstances.
2
‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ (2011)
Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson
While battling raiders, Po (Jack Black) is reminded of his past when he sees their insignia. He learns that it belongs to Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), a peacock who has taken over Gongmen City and invented cannons, which he can use to conquer all of China. Po teams up with the Furious Five to try and stop him, but in doing so, he also confronts the hard truth about who he is and where he came from.
Kung Fu Panda 2 improves on everything great about the original film: it has more laughs, better action, rich character moments, and powerful themes about balance and accepting your past without letting it define you. This approach is beautifully demonstrated by Po and Shen’s dichotomy. Both of their lives were shaped by early traumas, but while Shen has been consumed by his pain and seeks to dull it with conquest, Po learns to accept his pain, but lives in the present with those who care about him.
1
‘Klaus’ (2019)
Directed by Sergio Pablos
To teach his spoiled son, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman), about responsibility, the Postmaster General (Sam McMurray) tasks him with processing 6000 letters on the island of Smeerensburg within a year or be cut off from his inheritance. The one problem is that the inhabitants of the island are locked in a feud that goes back to the dawn of man, so nobody is sending letters. However, Jesper finds a solution through Klaus (J. K. Simmons), an antisocial woodsman, who teams up with Jesper to deliver toys to the children, which starts a chain reaction that changes the island for the better.
Klaus captivated audiences and critics alike on release and remains one of Netflix’s best original films. The animation is phenomenal, combining the smooth movements of 2D animation with the vibrant colors of 3D to create a unique style that has you fixed on even the smallest of movements. Its story is a charming update on the classic Santa Claus origin, with memorable characters, each with strong personalities, and good messages regarding bequeathing kindness and the power of hope.