There are plenty of genres for fans to enjoy, from thrilling action films to hilarious rom-coms, but one of the most fascinating is fantasy. Known for classics such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Pan’s Labyrinth, this genre takes fans into the depths of magical worlds where the unbelievable is commonplace. However, while there are many classic fantasy films, fans feel like there is a lack of modern fantasy masterpieces.
Fantasy comes in many shapes and sizes; it isn’t just dragons and elves, and the past fifteen years have shown that. That is why this list will rank ten modern fantasy masterpieces of the past 15 years, from 2011 to 2026, based on writing, story, acting, directing, originality, fantastical elements, popularity, critical acclaim, and overall quality. If fans are itching for magical worlds or creative stories, these modern classics are the best of the best.
10
‘Pete’s Dragon’ (2016)
The introduction stated that fantasy isn’t just dragons and elves, but it also includes those aspects, and Pete’s Dragon is a modern fantasy that hooked fans with the titular creature. Grace (Bryce Dallas-Howard) doesn’t believe her father’s tall tales of dragons existing, but when she encounters Pete (Oakes Fegley), who claims he has one, she goes on an adventure with him to investigate the bold claim.
Pete’s Dragon is a retelling of the classic animated movie, but instead of portraying the dragon as a silly cartoon creature, it uses it to display themes of the wild, the magic of childhood and loneliness. Pete’s Dragon abandons its cartoony feel in favor of an atmospheric and quaint masterpiece that feels like a grounded folk tale. The core themes also make it a much more profound fantasy tale that never sacrifices the sense of wonder.
9
‘Life of Pi’ (2012)
The 2010s were a magnificent decade when technology in film took a massive leap, and fans can feel that in one of the era’s best fantasy movies, Life of Pi. Selling their zoo and moving to Canada, a family takes a few of the animals with them, but tragedy strikes when the boat crashes, leaving only the son, now stranded on a life raft with a tiger, needing to work together to survive.
Life of Pi may not be a typical fantasy adventure; instead, it uses the genre to create a philosophical masterpiece. The 3D technology wasn’t just a gimmick, but a tool to portray a sense of isolation. The tiger is realistic and fierce instead of a humanized creature, adding to the themes of the film. The ending lets fans choose between the cold, harsh truth and a hopeful fairy tale ending, making Life of Pi a staple of the 2010s.
8
‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ (2016)
There aren’t too many live-action fantasy films nowadays, but the genre has thrived in animation, and one of the highlights is Kubo and the Two Strings. An angry spirit from the past, hellbent on revenge, throws the titular character’s life into ruin, forcing Kubo (Art Parkinson) to embark on a quest with a couple of animals to save his family and learn the mystery of his fallen father.
Kubo and the Two Strings is perhaps the most ambitious stop-motion film ever made, utilizing massive set designs and detailed puppets to produce an immersive atmosphere that further elevates this stunning film. Despite being an animated film, it is incredibly profound and mature, handling themes such as grief with incredible nuance. Kubo and the Two Strings is a testament to animation and a unique fantasy that more fans should watch.
7
‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ (2023)
Surprisingly, this list doesn’t feature too many high-fantasy films reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings, but Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves brought that style back to the mainstream. Based on the famous role-playing game, this movie follows a band of thieves who plan to steal an ancient relic. When they run into the wrong people, their plan goes awry, throwing everything into chaos.
Many fans were hesitant about this adaptation, convincing themselves it was going to fail, but to the surprise of most, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves became an instant fantasy classic. Avoiding using humor as a detriment, the comedy is hilarious and doesn’t get in the way of an exciting story, instead adding to the enjoyment. Every magical item has a satisfying payoff, and the characters have an excellent dynamic, making Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves a true fantasy masterpiece.
6
‘The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’ (2013)
Studio Ghibli is one of the best animation studios of all time, and with a couple of entries on this list, the first to make an appearance is The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Based on Japanese folklore, this anime film follows a family who finds a baby growing out of a bamboo sprout. With many potential marriage suitors, the titular princess sends them all off on random goose chases to avoid marriage.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is one of the most ambitious animated movies, using a unique sketchbook style with watercolors that creates an inventive style. The visual style is innovative, original, and romantic, making it very different than most fantasy animated films. The themes are profound, beautiful, and melancholic, depicting a Japanese fantasy that is different than most Western fantasies.
5
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2’ (2011)
One of the largest fantasy series of all time is Harry Potter, and after over a decade of iconic films, it came to an end with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 2011. The epic battle against Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) comes to a gripping conclusion as Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) search for the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord.
The Harry Potter franchise as a whole is one of the best fantasy sagas ever, but Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is arguably the best film in the series, the gripping conclusion to a decade-long, generation-defining saga. Shifting whimsical fantasy into a harrowing war between mages, this final film is a masterpiece of editing, acting, action, and storytelling. With the television remake soon approaching, fans wonder if it could ever top this classic.
4
‘The Boy and the Heron’ (2023)
This list mentioned that there were a couple of Studio Ghibli films featured, and the second entry is also the studio’s most recent movie, The Boy and the Heron. Young Mahito struggles to settle in his new town after his mother’s death. When he is greeted by a mysterious talking grey heron that claims she is actually alive, he enters a tower that takes him to a new, mystical world.
Winning the Oscar for Best Animated Picture, The Boy and the Heron is arguably the greatest modern anime film. It is Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal and abstract effort, depicting a surreal world with daring and unconventional themes. With plenty of visual metaphors and mind-bending aesthetics, The Boy and the Heron wowed fans with an unyielding but mesmerizing story that ranks among Studio Ghibli’s finest.
3
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)
Puss in Boots is a family-friendly franchise that is both fun and entertaining, but the most recent film, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, proved to be something more. When Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) learns he has burned through eight of his nine lives, his sense of adventure dampens. When he learn sof the existence of the mythical Last Wish, he sets off on one last journey to restore his nine lives.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish shocked fans with how good it was. Surprisingly, for a movie aimed at children, it is a deep dive into anxiety, using its themes, narrative, and visual style to enhance this feeling. The animation is flawless and instantly striking, and the villains are some of the best in the medium, resulting in a must-watch family movie that is better than expected.
2
‘The Shape of Water’ (2017)
Guillermo del Toro is a maestro of monster movies, also providing some of the most riveting fantasy films, including his Oscar-winning The Shape of Water. When a cleaner at a government facility learns it is keeping a mysterious creature hidden, she forms a unique bond with it. However, after learning of its planned fate, she springs into action to free the poor creature.
The Shape of Water isn’t a typical fantasy and definitely not something everyone will like, but it won Best Picture for a reason. The cinematography makes the audience feel like they are underwater, and the practical effects add to the immersion. The central romance is also the stuff of fantasy dreams, and only a visionary like del Toro could come up with it. The Shape of Water is a daring and unconventional fantasy that blends the genre with romance and thrilling Cold War espionage.
1
‘The Green Knight’ (2021)
Based on the 14th-century poem, The Green Knight is an adaptation of a true classical Arthurian legend. When the titular figure appears in Camelot, one of the Knights of the Round Table, Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), sets off on an adventure to meet the creature and prove to the family of his worth, while also testing his courage.
The Green Knight is an atmospheric masterpiece that uses impossible cinematography and digital techniques to create a stunning world that feels alive. As opposed to the gallant knights of yore, this movie follows a coward and a liar, adding to Sir Gawain’s development and the plot’s intrigue. The Green Knight is a slow-burning masterpiece that uses its surreal subversion of the genre to create the best modern fantasy movie in recent memory.
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