10 interesting fantasy films for adults

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

These pictures differ in mood and genres: from action to melodrama.

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

• USA, New Zealand, 2001.
• Fantasy, adventure, drama.
• Duration: 178 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

The hobbit Frodo Baggins must destroy the Ring of Omnipotence - for many centuries it has crippled the fate of magical creatures. To complete the mission, Frodo goes on a hike. In this he is assisted by the Brotherhood of the Ring.

The Fellowship of the Ring is the first installment of Peter Jackson's cult trilogy. The picture is distinguished by the impeccable work of the director and actors, an interesting plot, high-quality visual effects.

All series of "The Lord of the Rings" are included in the 15 best films according to the site IMDb IMDb Top 250. And the last part of the franchise received a record number of Oscars. There is also a prequel to this story - three films about the hobbit.

2. Pan's Labyrinth

• Spain, Mexico, USA, France, 2006.
• Fantasy, drama, military.
• Duration: 118 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

The film is set in Spain, gripped by the horrors of the civil war. Little Ophelia discovers a mysterious labyrinth in the forest - a portal to the magical world. It turns out that she is a princess who once fled from there to ordinary people. Now she has to go through three tests in order to return home - to the magic kingdom.

The director of the film, Guillermo del Toro, is recognized as a master of "scary fantasy". The tape has all the features of this genre. This is, on the one hand, the "non-childishness" of cinema - action-packed, dark colors, frightening images. On the other hand, the fabulousness and metaphorical nature of what is happening on the screen.

3. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

• Taiwan, Hong Kong, USA, China, 2000.
• Fantasy, action, melodrama, adventure.
• Duration: 120 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Li Mu Bai decides to end his career as a great warrior and gives his famous sword "Green Destiny" to a noble official for safekeeping. The next day, the weapon is stolen. Now Li Mu Bai must return to the case and find the loss.

The film was shot in the genre of wuxia, a Chinese fantasy with an emphasis on martial arts scenes. Before the appearance of the tape, he did not arouse the interest of the Western audience. It was Crouching Tiger that drew the attention of a wide audience to this unusual genre, having earned more than 40 awards from various film awards.

This is a spectacular, but at the same time very deep film. And although the ideological component sometimes makes the viewer bewildered, incredible pleasure is given by the subtle aesthetics of the picture and the play of the actors.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Part 1

• UK, USA, 2010.
• Fantasy, adventure.
• Duration: 146 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Harry Potter goes in search of Horcruxes - items that keep the soul of the Dark Lord. They must be destroyed - only then peace will reign in the world of wizards. On the way to the goal, the young man encounters dangers, but everything can be overcome when there are loyal friends nearby.

The seventh part of the Potter is not like the exciting children's fairy tale that we know from the first films and books in the series. It is rather a parable and philosophical discourse about eternal categories: love, friendship, life and death. The picture was filmed in dark colors, funny magic music no longer sounds behind the scenes, and the dramatic plot twists leave a bitter aftertaste.

The Deathly Hallows consists of two films. They complete the story of the Boy Who Lived.

5. Stardust

• UK, USA, 2007.
• Fantasy, romance, adventure, family.
• Duration: 127 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

Tristan is madly in love. He promises to give his chosen one a fallen star. However, the visitor from the firmament turned out to be a beautiful girl named Yvein. On the long way home, the young man has to protect Ewaine from dangers - after all, witches and heirs to the throne hunt for the star.

The adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel is imbued with a special mood. This is a touching and sweet fairy tale, which captivates not with the large number of special effects, but with the beauty of the frame, the non-trivial plot and the originality of the main idea. Well, and a truly stellar (to match the name) cast: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sienna Miller, Rupert Everett and others starred in the film.

6. Sleepy Hollow

• USA, Germany, 1999.
• Horror, fantasy, thriller, detective.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

A young constable Ichabod Crane arrives at a village called Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of murders. Locals say that the atrocities were committed by the headless horseman. Ichabod refuses to believe it. However, new victims and unexpected details of the case make him reconsider his views.

This gothic horror is both frightening and obscenely beautiful at the same time. No wonder the picture received three film awards - BAFTA, Oscar, Sputnik - for the best work of a production designer. In his special style, director Tim Burton also added elements of black comedy to the picture. A detective story will keep you on your toes for 105 minutes.

7. The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

• UK, France, Canada, 2009.
• Fantasy, adventure, comedy, detective.
• Duration: 123 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

Dr. Parnas is touring London with his troupe. The main thing in his arsenal is a mirror that transports a person to the world of dreams. However, the wizard keeps a terrible secret: he once made a pact with the devil. Because of this, Parnas will have to sacrifice the most dear one - his beloved daughter.

The director of the film, Terry Gilliam, is known for his non-childish fairy tales. This work, like his other films, is intriguing, misleading with a non-trivial plot, delights and frightens with its absurdity and chaos. And surprises with the big names of the cast. By the way, a sad story is connected with the film: it was the last for Heath Ledger. The actor died when the picture was half-shot. The role was played by Jude Law, Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp.

8. Snow White. Scary tale

• USA, Czech Republic, 1997.
• Horror, fantasy.
• Duration: 100 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 2.

Snow White is very fond of her father, but hates her stepmother-witch. Out of envy of her stepdaughter, the witch orders the unfortunate woman to be stabbed in the forest.

The familiar story of the Brothers Grimm in the film is reinterpreted and supplemented with new details. The girl is hiding in the forest not with the gnomes, but with the robbers-miners. For one of them, the princess flares up feelings - accordingly, there is no Prince Charming in the film adaptation. It is also interesting that between Snow White and her saviors there are extremely tense relations due to the conflict between different classes of society.

Speaking of this film, it is impossible not to mention the incomparable Sigourney Weaver. She is very convincing in the role of a witch and perfectly shows personal degradation, bordering on insanity.

The ugly makeup of the actors, the cruelty of the characters and the madness of the wicked witch - all this makes the tale truly scary.

9. Van Helsing

• USA, Czech Republic, Romania, 2004.
• Fantasy, action, adventure.
• Duration: 131 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 1.

Van Helsing, the famous slayer of evil spirits, goes to Transylvania. His goal is to save the locals from Dracula and his vampire brides. However, the hunter does not yet know that the bloody count has numerous stillborn offspring. And an ingenious plan to resurrect him.

Van Helsing's plot is a mixture of three great novels (Dracula, Frankenstein and The Strange Story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). Therefore, in the film, in addition to Count Dracula, you can see the Monster of Frankenstein, and an unexpected reincarnation into a werewolf. Not without a romantic line: Van Helsing falls in love with the beautiful princess Anna - feminine, but at the same time fighting.

The picture combines elements of many genres - from black comedy to action films, so it surprises the viewer and looks in one go.

10. The Brothers Grimm

• USA, Czech Republic, Great Britain, 2005.
• Horror, fantasy, action, thriller, comedy, detective, adventure.
• Duration: 118 minutes.
• IMDb: 5, 9.

Rogue brothers Will and Jake Grimm deftly deceive people. Assistants are persuaded to portray evil spirits, "drive out" it and receive a reward. The news of the Grimm reaches the Napoleonic authorities. A tandem of swindlers is given a responsible task: to investigate the mysterious disappearances of girls. Now Will and Jake have to face the hell of a thing.

This is another work by Terry Gilliam. The Brothers Grimm, in the best traditions of the author, enchants with a mixture of mysticism and absurd humor. And the visual component deserves special attention. Thought-out decorations and costumes in the Gothic style create a special atmosphere of mystery and fabulousness to the smallest detail.