The 6 Best Fantasy Movies of 2026 So Far, Ranked

Over the course of the year so far, fans of fantasy movies have had plenty to be satisfied with and entertained by. From The Odyssey to Wildwood, the fantasy films that will likely be remembered as the best of 2026 by the time the year ends are yet to release; but with the first half of the year over, there have already been six particular movies that have satisfied the cravings for magic, mythological creatures, and grand adventurous quests that fantasy fans inevitable feel every year. None of these films are truly perfect, but they’ve all further proven that fantasy has been thriving throughout the 2020s.

Whether it’s a massive family blockbuster like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, an underrated indie darling like Pizza Movie, or a future cult classic like Masters of the Universe, the best fantasy films of 2026 thus far will all likely be remembered as some of the most beloved films of the year by the time 2027 rolls in. They may be flawed, but they’re also delightfully creative and awfully entertaining. Regardless of how well they performed financially or critically, they should all be able to allow fantasy film fans to get their fix before the genre’s bigger releases start coming out throughout the second half of 2026.

6

‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’

For anyone even slightly familiar with the mere concept of video games, Mario needs no introduction. The 1983 arcade platformer Mario Bros. was where it all properly started; and from there, the plumber from Brooklyn who loves stepping on turtles became not just the face of Nintendo, but arguably of gaming as a whole. With that level of iconicity, it should come as no surprise that Illumination’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie performed as extraordinarily as it did at the box office back in 2023. Likewise, it was no surprise that a sequel was announced, and it was no surprise that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie became one of the highest-grossing animated movies at the worldwide box office.

It’s nowhere close to being a perfect animated film, nor even to being a perfect adaptation of one of the most beloved video games of all time. But even still, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is filled to the brim with colorful Easter eggs, delightful surprises, and fun bits of world-building for all Nintendo fans to enjoy. The score is delectably nostalgic, the characters are all fun to follow around, and the plot is more than satisfying enough for families. Part science fiction, part fantasy, and 100% a love letter to Mario’s history, this is a movie that all those who’ve grown up with Nintendo ought to give a chance.

5

‘Swapped’

Image via Netflix

Led by Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple delivering two of the most endearing voice performances of any animated movie from this year thus far, Swapped is further proof that Netflix has been keeping fantasy alive over the course of the first half of 2026. It’s one of the best fantasy movies of the last six years, at least as far as families are concerned. It’s unlikely to appeal to adult viewers on their own, unless they typically enjoy watching animated children’s media; but any family looking for a fun weekend watch that absolutely everyone will be able to enjoy should give Swapped, a perfectly serviceable buddy comedy, a shot.

There aren’t many surprises or unexpected story elements waiting here, as Swapped is definitely an all-too-familiar family fantasy movie the likes of which we’ve seen many times before. Sometimes, though, familiar films can feel like cinematic comfort food, and that’s precisely what all the love and passion that was clearly poured into Swapped‘s production elicits. Fun, visually striking, and greatly benefiting from having some genuinely imaginative world-building, it may not be one of the best animated movies on Netflix’s catalog of original films, but it’s nevertheless very much worth it for all those who love animated fantasy.

4

‘Cosmic Princess Kaguya!’

Smiling girl in 'Cosmic Princess Kaguya!'

Though not nearly enough people have actually watched it, Netflix’s Cosmic Princess Kaguya! is nevertheless one of the best anime movies of the 2020s so far. This animated musical represents Shingo Yamashita‘s feature directorial debut, and what a way to break onto the scene it is. Adaptations and reimaginings of the Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter are aplenty, but few are even half as exquisitely creative, vibrant, and colorful as this one is. Is it perfect? Definitely not. For all its merits, the movie is at times a bit too messy with its wild ideas for its own sake. But are those ideas so fun that it’s easy to forgive some chaos in how they’re presented? Absolutely.

It’s a gem so refreshingly creative and so visually stunning that it fully earns the exclamation mark at the end of its title. It’s cyberpunk science fantasy at its most irresistibly entertaining, elevated by an unforgettable score and its mesmerizing visuals. It’s a dizzying romp in all the right ways, and though people who prefer fantasy when it’s a bit more coldly calculated won’t likely love the over-the-top way in which Yamashita approaches the material, it’s still a must-see for anyone who loves what anime has had to offer throughout the history of 2020s cinema.

3

‘Pizza Movie’

Sean Gianbrone, Lulu Wilson, and Gaten Matarazzo in Pizza Movie

The roots of true stoner comedies date as far back as the 1970s, and the subgenre has come an awfully long way since then. Passing through the teen films of the 1980s and the slacker comedies of the 1990s, we make it all the way to this year’s Pizza Movie, an awfully underappreciated absurdist stoner comedy that was a surprise streaming hit for Hulu. Perfect for those who love gonzo, psychedelic comedies full of energy that never lets up, Pizza Movie will surely not appeal to all cinephilic palates, but that’s precisely the source of its charm. It’s unapologetically quirky and unique, and that’s why it’s such a must-see.

Its fantasy elements are unconventional: Rather than being an actual, traditional quest carried out by mythical heroes, Pizza Movie takes an absurd, hallucinogenic drug trip and turns it into the source of an epic, surreal adventure unlike any other that 2026 has produced thus far. Starring Gaten Matarazzo at his most charming and hilarious, it’s a bonkers explosion of wild ideas that anyone who loves bizarre comedies should be able to enjoy greatly—sober or otherwise.

2

‘Masters of the Universe’

It’s not just those who grew up during the 1980s; anyone familiar with the American pop culture from that decade should be perfectly familiar with Masters of the Universe, Mattel’s sword-and-planet media franchise that originated with a beloved toy line and then transformed into one of the most iconic cartoons of all time. This year’s film of the same name, directed by Travis Knight, is the latest addition to that franchise, and it can already be counted among the best action movies of the last six years. It’s a science fantasy romp that unfortunately underperformed at the box office, but nostalgia and its sheer quality should be more than enough for it to become a bona fide cult classic soon enough.

Even if that never happens, however, Masters of the Universe still deserves to be credited as one of the best fantasy movies of 2026 thus far. The cast is phenomenal, the script is perfectly entertaining and clearly done with love for the original media franchise, and there’s just enough camp here to make it feel like Knight is never taking the material too seriously. It’s a self-aware popcorn flick unlike any other we’ve seen so far this year, and though it won’t likely remain among the most beloved films of the year by the time 2027 comes around, it was nevertheless a very refreshing surprise just how well it turned out.

1

‘Toy Story 5’

Woody and Buzz Lightyear in 'Toy Story 5' — Woody and Buzz Lightyear in ‘Toy Story 5’

Back in 2010, the Best Picture Oscar-nominated Toy Story 3 felt like the perfect conclusion that the Toy Story franchise could possibly come to. Nine years after that, however, came the controversial Toy Story 4, which nevertheless made its way to a Best Animated Feature Oscar. It has been seven years since then, and although it remains to be seen whether Pixar’s latest will be able to make its way to Academy Award gold, Toy Story 5 is nevertheless a surprisingly worthwhile addition to the franchise that birthed Pixar’s legendary feature film run. It may well be the weakest installment in the series thus far, but “the weakest Toy Story movie” is nevertheless a title that still implies terrific quality.

A film about the relationship that children have with technology and screens today felt like the perfect excuse to bring back Toy Story, but that’s precisely what makes Toy Story 5 so special. At no point does the introduction of devices feel like an excuse to return to these beloved characters; rather, it feels like a perfectly natural and logical progression for the franchise to see. With its powerful messages, its consistently jaw-dropping animation, and a deeply moving focus on Jessie that all fans of the series should love, Toy Story 5 never feels like a cashgrab. It’s not one of Pixar’s best, but it’s still fantastic enough to be the best fantasy movie of 2026 so far.