Thefantasygenre has seen a great decade, with everything fromhistorical fantasy TV showsto dark fantasy movies achieving a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. The popular website aggregates reviews from top critics and audiences, creating one of the world’s most trusted sources of movie and TV criticism. The fantasy movies with near-perfect scores are worth celebrating, pointing to the universally agreed-upon favorites from around the world. It is, without a doubt, a good time to be a fantasy fan and a good time to look back on the genre’s best releases.
Some offantasy’s best charactershave been adapted from the page to the screen in recent years, with more literary greats than ever getting the chance to shine. Since the dawn of Hollywood, movies had a rich tapestry of fiction classics to draw from, and this has been on the up. With directors like Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro, and Tim Burton all creating pioneering work in recent years, studios and streaming giants have had an easy time getting smash-hit releases onto screens both big and small.
Edward Scissorhands
Cast
From director Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands follows the titular character, an artificial human created by an inventor, who has scissor blades instead of fingers. After his creator’s death, Edward is taken in by a normal suburban family and becomes attracted to the family’s teenage daughter, Kim Boggs. Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder star as Edward and Kim.
Tim Burton’s timeless classicEdward Scissorhandsstands strong as a fantasy highlight with 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. The horror fantasy director made a name for himself directing heavily stylized stories with a dark aesthetic.Edward Scissorhands was the perfect directionfor the American director, producer, screenwriter, and animator, made from a story he wrote himself with Caroline Thompson.
As romantic as it was funny, the movie truly earned its 90%.
Johnny Depp’s iconic Edward Scissorhands was unique and sympathetic, with a radical look that spoke to fans of gothic fashion and high fashion, while staying perfectly in line with the movie’s themes. As romantic as it was funny, the movie truly earned its 90%.It could have scored higher because its niche appeal wasn’t for everyone, but it is hard to fault in the emotion, visual, and thematic departments.
Matilda
Matilda is the 1996 live-action movie adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel of the same name. It tells the story of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a child prodigy who develops telekinetic powers while dealing with her abusive family and her school’s dictatorial principal Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris) with the help of her teacher Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz). Danny DeVito directs the film and plays Matilda’s father, Harry.
Legendary ’90s movie Matilda makes sense as a 92%-scoring outing on Rotten Tomatoes. This movie is low fantasy rather than one of the high fantasy movies thatThe Lord of the Ringspopularized, butit is a strong contender for one of the best efforts in the genre. Directed by the one and only Danny DeVito, this 1996 hit charmed families around the world, becoming era-defining for millennials.
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Scarcely anyone can hear the song “Send me On My Way” by Rusted Root without thinking of Matilda, since the song became a cult classic after featuring in the movie. Matilda’s powers made her unique, sad, and alone, forming a relatable protagonist for children. Meanwhile,Miss Honey was a perfect adult hero. The two’s character development was offset by Miss Trunchbull, one of fantasy’s best villains.
The Shape of Water
Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water is set in Baltimore, Maryland in 1962, and follows Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins), a shy, mute woman who works as a custodian at a secure government facility. While at her job, Elisa meets and falls in love with a human-amphibian hybrid man, who is being held and experimented on at the facility by the evil Colonel Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon). Risking her life and the lives of her friends, Elisa hatches a plan to help her amphibian lover escape, pursued by Strickland and his forces in the government.
Guillermo del Toro’s singularThe Shape of Waterearned a well-deserved 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.This powerfully original low fantasy movie brooked few rivalsas one of the strangest pictures of 2017. Starring the inimitable Sally Hawkins in the lead role as Elisa Esposito, the movie had Elisa fall in love with an aquatic beast the likes of which cinema had never seen.
Del Toro clearly had plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
Mexican filmmaker and author Guillermo del Toro was already famous for prosthetics and bizarre fantasy creatures, butThe Shape of Waterproved that he was far from a one-trick pony. Del Toro clearly had plenty of tricks up his sleeve, which earned the movie multiple Academy Awards and Golden Globes.This completely original wartime romance was a fantasy with adult themesand timeless relevance. More focus and a slightly shorter runtime could have brought the movie closer to 100%, but it was certainly close enough.
The Jungle Book
Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book brings the original Rudyard Kipling story to life, telling the story of Mowgli the Man-Cub (Neel Sethi) as he is cared for by the animals of the jungle. Raised by wolves and taught to hunt by the panther Bagheera (Ben Kingsley), Mowgli also befriends the carefree bear, Baloo (Bill Murray). However, the tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) wants to kill Mowgli, forcing him to assess whether or not the jungle is a safe place for a human.
2016’sThe Jungle Bookshowed many signs of greatness, making its 94% on Rotten Tomatoes completely understandable.This was easily one of the best movies of 2016, staying in the mind long after its last credits had rolled. Bill Murray and Idris Elba provided the voice talent that helped boost this movie to its nearly perfect score. The movie blended stunning CGI with beautiful sets to create a truly memorable experience.
The Jungle Bookwas directed by Jon Favreau -no wonder it amassed nearly 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. This huge director has worked onMarvelandStar Wars, creating Disney Plus’s critically acclaimedThe Mandalorianseries. He broughtThe Jungle Bookto its position of near-perfection with a divine soundtrack that recalled the 1967 Disney movie that captivated multiple generations.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King concludes the epic saga of the Fellowship’s quest to destroy the One Ring and put an end to Sauron’s reign of terror. As Frodo and Sam continue on their way to Mordor and Mount Doom, accompanied by Gollom, the rest of the Fellowship work to defend Minas Tirith from Sauron’s forces. The film’s ensemble cast includes Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Vigo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan.
Peter Jackson’sThe Lord of the Ringsseries contains some ofthe best fantasy movies of all time, according to Rotten Tomatoes.The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kingis the final movie in Jackson’s firstLord of the Ringstrilogy, and it can’t be underestimated.The last installment did not disappoint, tying up multiple loose ends in a dramatic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s story.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseasons 1 and 2 can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kingwasn’t faithful to Tolkien’s masterpiece,The Lord of the Rings,to the letter. This rubbed some fans up the wrong way. However, the general consensus is thatJackson made some uncannily wise choicesin his adaptation, ending on a dramatic high note fit for the big screen rather than including the end of the book’s exploration of the Scouring of the Shire.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a Fantasy film by director Peter Jackson and is based on The Two Towers book by author J. R. R. Tolkien. A sequel to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, this installment continues Frodo’s journey to take the One Ring to Mount Doom to destroy it.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towersis one of theperfect fantasy movies from the 2000sthat was incredible from start to finish. Launched in 2002, this second movie in Peter Jackson’sLord of the Ringstrilogy is the highest-rated of the trio. Although Jackson’s nextLord of the Ringstrilogy -The Hobbit- didn’t do quite as well at the box office,Jackson put New Zealand on the mapwithThe Two Towers.
Saruman’s machinations and the Orcs were genuinely terrifying, bringing horror and action to the genre seriously.
This epic picture paired the same sweeping footage of New Zealand that had madeThe Fellowship of the Ringmoviestand out with a deep dive into fantasy war.Helm’s Deep and the Pelennor Fields saw titanic medieval-style battlesthat showed the world how scary and awesome fantasy could be. Saruman’s machinations and the Orcs were genuinely terrifying, bringing horror and action to the genre seriously.
Pan’s Labyrinth
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth follows Ofelia, a ten-year-old girl living in 1940s Spain who learns she is actually a long-lost fairy princess. With the help of a faun, she is set a series of tasks to complete in order to return to her true home in the fairy underworld. Ivana Baquero stars as Ofelia, with Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, and Doug Jones making up the rest of the main cast.
Perhaps the movie that put Guillermo del Toro on the global radar,Pan’s Labyrinthis a masterful fantasy.With 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, it is hard to fault.Perhaps it didn’t quite reach 100% due to critics who can get impatient with historical scenes, but for most, the movie’s history was its best part. A tragic war story and a fantasy all at once, the movie portrayed the escapist imaginings of a young girl.
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But whether they were imaginings or not remained a question throughout the whole movie, proving its psychological realism and multiple layers. This dark fantasy had horrifying beasts that were magical and profoundly creative, showing the genre new monsters that fairytales had never presented the world on big screens.Pan’s Labyrinthis everything fantasy should be- moving, beautiful, and full of meaning.
The Princess Bride
Based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is a comical fantasy adventure film that tells a swashbuckling tale of a hero and a princess, read to a young, sick boy in bed by his grandfather. The story itself follows farmhand Westley, who embarks on an epic journey to save his beloved princess from an evil prince as he meets strange but reliable companions along the way.
The Princess Bridemust be one ofthe best fantasy romance movies ever made. The 1987 movieThe Princess Brideis a genre classic for good reason. This astounding romance set a standard for all heartwarming movies, whether fantasy or not, proving how fantasy could be a metaphor for the world’s most familiar realities. The movie’s near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score is absolutely fair.
Based on a 1973 novel by William Goldman, the hilariousThe Princess Bridefocused on Buttercup and Westley’s love story, bringing audiences the sweetness they needed. Still iconic, the movie has aged in its fashion and audiovisual quality only.The script stands the test of time, remaining one of the funniest and most relatable rom-coms of the century and the fantasy genre.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 concludes the epic saga with Harry, Ron, and Hermione embarking on a perilous mission to defeat Voldemort. As their journey grows increasingly dire, Harry encounters three magical items that provide him powers to confront the dark wizard’s formidable strength.
The finalHarry Pottermovie is ranked the highest on Rotten Tomatoes, and indeed, it is most likely the best movie of a brilliant set. Based on the phenomenonHarry Potter- the J.K. Rowling books -the Warner Bros. movies were flawlessly castand musically scored. The Golden Trio of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, brought immense comedy to a perfect script.
TheHarry PotterTV show is set to launch in 2026.
TheHarry Pottermovies were immensely excitingat the time and are now giving way to what could be one ofthe best fantasy series of all time. HBO is launching aHarry PotterTV series, promising to dive even deeper into the books than the movies did. As such, fans of the story can look forward to even more Potterverse content, celebrating the impact and influence of the movies all over again.
The Wizard of Oz
Based on Frank L. Baum’s book of the same name, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she’s swept away to the magical land of Oz. Upon arriving, she falls afoul of a witch, then enlists the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion to find the Wizard and get home to her family.
The Wizard of Ozwill be a genre classic forever, with 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. As close to perfect as fantasy movies come, this 1939 flick starred Judy Garland as the famous Dorothy. Based on the 1900 novel,The Wizard of Ozwas funny, charming, endearing, and a great adventure. The best fantasy movies all have weird and wonderful adventures at their heart, andThe Wizard of Ozepitomized that.
The Wizard of Ozmay seem dated in the 2020s, but it was a remarkable feat of visual storytelling at the time.It is impressively relevant,even held up against contemporary work. When a tornado tore through Kansas, Dorothy and Toto, her dog, were slammed into one of the world’s best road stories. Along the legendary yellow brick road, anything seemed possible in this fantasticfantasymovie.
