Though some movies are so intense or harrowing that they can only be watched once, thesefantasyfilms strike the perfect tone for multiple viewings. Some are classic comfort movies that we never get tired of revisiting because of the warm feeling they provide. Others are complex high fantasy films that have so many layers that it’s only possible to fully understand them after watching them many times over. Regardless,these projects have stood the test of time because they’re impossible to watch just once,as they only get more engaging with time.
Some of thefantasy movies I’ll never get tired of rewatchingare favorites because of personal nostalgia or taste, but these projects are universally acclaimed. The fantasy genre is sometimes overlooked because the magical worlds and unbelievable stories they include are too fantastical for some viewers. However,many of these films became crossover hits with viewers of all kindsbecause their narratives are so universal. Every time I return to these titles, I find that different scenes move me, and I understand the nuances of the story better. Or, it’s just as easy to immerse myself in the world.
The third installment of Peter Jackson’s originalLord of the Ringstrilogy,The Return of the King, beautifully brings to life the series' epic conclusion. While each installment does justice to the vision and iconic nature of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels,The Return of the Kinghas some of the most emotionally impactful moments of fantasy filmmaking. Watching Frodo and Sam’s final struggle to Mount Doom andexperiencing the bittersweet ending never gets old.
Seeing all the carefully laid plot threads come to fruition and the stories finally intersect is well worth the wait and part of what makes these lengthy movies so easy to revisit.
The Return of the Kingfeatures many of thebest soundtrack moments inLord of the Rings, as the story finally reaches its heavy conclusion after so much turmoil and sacrifice. Each character gets their moment to shine inThe Return of the King, but the climax of Frodo’s character development and his decision to leave Middle-earth is heart-wrenching. Seeing all the carefully laid plot threads come to fruition and the stories finally intersect is well worth the wait and part of what makes these lengthy movies so easy to revisit.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
94%
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The Princess Brideis remembered as abeautiful romance movie with incredible writingfor a reason. This fantasy film might poke fun at some of the genre’s tropes, but it’s just as overflowing with love and sentimentality. There are few movie lovers who haven’t watchedThe Princess Bride, asit’s universally considered a fantasy classic, not just among long-time fantasy fans.Robin Wright and Cary Elwes are unforgettable as Buttercup and Westley, the star-crossed lovers who the story follows.
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ThoughThe Princess Brideis a great fantasy movie for kids,revisiting as an adult reveals many of the subtle jokes and references that make the film so beloved.The metatextual references only get more enjoyable with additional viewings, as the audience gets to be in on the joke. Additionally, though there are some elements of the story, music, and production design that date the film, it’s retained a timeless quality that few other projects have achieved.
96%
When the sequel to Disney’s iconic fantasy movie,Enchanted, came out fifteen years after the original, it was concrete proof thatEnchantedhas lost none of its charm as the years have progressed. Withan anchoring performance by Amy Adams as the protagonist, Giselle,Enchantedhas aged extremely well. Adams is far from the only actor doing incredible work inEnchanted, as the entire cast is just as committed as she is to bringing this goofy, fantastical world to life.
Though it pokes fun at the fairy tale formulas that Disney is known for,Enchantedclearly has a deep love and respect for the happily-ever-afters that define the genre.
However, this isn’t to say thatEnchanteddoesn’t pack an emotional punch when it needs to. Though it pokes fun at the fairy tale formulas that Disney is known for,Enchantedclearly has a deep love and respect for the happily-ever-afters that define the genre. While the film isn’t perfect, it’s a sensitive and uplifting story that encourages young viewers to be their own heroes. However,Enchantedis never preachy or saccharine, as it’s unafraid to let the audience know the film is in on the joke.
93%
80%
Howl’s Moving Castleis just as breathtaking years later, as Hayao Miyazaki’s most unabashedly romantic movie has only become more popular since 2004. WhileSpirited Awayis largely considered Miyazaki’s best film,Howl’s Moving Castlemight be his most rewatchable. Though it tells a moving, complex story with an interrogative central message, the fantastical world isn’t as tragic as some of Miyazaki’s more emotionally wrought projects.Knowing that the happy ending is coming doesn’t make it any less exciting.
WatchingHowl’s Moving Castlelets you get swept away by the romance and magic of Howl’s world and escape from reality. InsideHowl’s Moving Castle, foolish wars are called off, curses are broken, and love conquers all. Even if this message isn’t the most realistic, it can be nice to believe it for a little while. It helps thatHowl’s Moving Castleis visually stunning and boasts one of Joe Hisaishi’s best movie scores.
88%
Based on the fictional German man Baron Munchausen,Terry Gilliam’sThe Adventures of Baron Munchausenhas become a cult classic within the fantasy world.Like all of Gilliam’s projects,The Adventures of Baron Munchausenis offbeat and complicated, encouraging the audience to question the truth of everything they hear. However, though John Neville’s Baron Munchausen spends the storytelling tall tales, it doesn’t matter if they’re true or not, only if they’re a fantastic adventure.
Moving at a propulsive pace and jam-packed with quick one-liners that require multiple viewings to appreciate,The Adventures of Baron Munchausenis a treat every time you watch it.
The Adventures of Baron Munchausenis the final installment of Gilliam’s Trilogy of Imagination, which includesTime BanditsandBrazil. Even though the film was a box office flop, grossing only $8,083,123 worldwide, this has only added to the legacy and lore surrounding the notoriously fraught production (viaBox Office Mojo). Moving at a propulsive pace and jam-packed with quick one-liners that require multiple viewings to appreciate,The Adventures of Baron Munchausenis a treat every time you watch it.
90%
82%
The director ofPaddington 2, Paul King, is well known for crafting charming, magical worlds that encourage fairness and kindness without a trace of irony. This isn’t to say thatPaddington 2isn’t funny or incapable of poking fun at itself. However, it’s also devoid of tongue-in-cheek referential humor,never winking at the camera to devalue the emotional nuance of the story.In 2017, this was already a refreshing take, and as the years have progressed, it’s only become more of a safe haven from the cynical world.
Paddington 2is a rare example of a sequel that outperforms the original. ThoughPaddingtonwas a fun and sweet romp,Paddington 2is a shockingly unique and deep portrait of the power of empathy. Much more than a typical children’s film,Paddington 2should be recommended to any audience member. Unsurprisingly,it’s been the benchmark for fantasy children’s movies since its premiere,but few have come close to its achievement.
99%
89%
Even thoughThe Mummycan be a little goofy and over-the-top, the campy elements have only helped carve out a place for the movie within the fantasy genre. Classic fantasy adventure films likeThe Mummydon’t get made as often anymore, allowing the project to age even better than expected. Both a time capsule of an era when mid-budget fantasy films were getting made and connecting with audiences,The Mummylets itself have fun with the story without becoming too much of an action-blockbuster.
Though the sequels didn’t live up to the bar set by the original, this makes it even easier to continue revisitingThe Mummy.
Entrenched in folklore and legend, though the story takes liberties with these elements,The Mummyblends aspects of many genres, and the result is better than the viewer might expect.The Mummyis funny, romantic, and fresh, held together by the top-tier chemistry between Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Though the sequels didn’t live up to the bar set by the original, this makes it even easier to continue revisitingThe Mummy.
62%
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TheShrekmovies were a huge step forward within the animation genre, andShrek 2did an incredible job of justifying the continuation of the story.Shrek 2was the movie that cemented the future of the franchise, asit opened up the story to additional fairy tales and further subversions of the genre.Positioning the Fairy Godmother as the villain was a stroke of genius forShrek 2and allowed the narrative to further Shrek’s character development naturally and effectively.
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WithShrek 5on its way, it’s clear thatinterest and demand for stories in theShrekuniverse haven’t faded.In preparation for the new installation, revisiting the early films, especiallyShrekandShrek 2,is a great way to prepare for the next part of the journey.Shrek 2was when the series hit its stride, introducing iconic characters like Puss in Boots, who went on to spark an additional movie series of his own.
69%
The strange conceit ofBeing John Malkovichcould’ve easily been too weird and unsettling for critics and audiences. However, Spike Jonze’s direction, combined with the expert performances and the script written by Charlie Kaufman, ended up working perfectly.John Cusack is at his best as Craig, the protagonist ofBeing John Malkovich,who suddenly gets an inside look into the life of a Hollywood star. The darkly comic and slightly sinister world of the story gets pretty meta by the film’s conclusion.
Kaufman would come to be known for creating these unusual stories that push the audience to work hard to understand all the nuances of the project.
The layered story and intersecting realities ofBeing John Malkovichmake it the perfect movie to revisit over time, as there’s always something new to discover within the narrative. Kaufman would come to be known for creating these unusual stories that push the audience to work hard to understand all the nuances of the project. WatchingBeing John Malkovichtoday is an enticing treat that uncovers even deeper meanings of the film.
87%
After gaining success through their TV series and sketch comedy shows, the members of Monty Python took their first stab at a feature film, and it ended up being one of the most iconic of the 20th century. Taking a satirical look at the sword and sorcery genre and the violent history of the European dark ages,Monty Python and the Holy Grailis just as sharp and witty today as it was in 1975.Inspired by classic fantasy stories like the legends of King Arthur, it’s clear that the movie has a deep respect for these narratives.
However, that doesn’t stop them from making fun of the most obviousfantasytropes and using them to create hilarious comedic moments. Using visual gags and plenty of metatextual references,Monty Python and the Holy Grailis considered mandatory viewing for fans of comedy and speculative fiction. Since it’s unafraid to be silly and offbeat,Monty Python and the Holy Grailhas an enduring charm. This charisma makes it just as funny with every successive watch.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
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