Fantasyfilms are well regarded for their ability to transport the viewer into an entirely new world, working outside the laws of reality. This type of speculative fiction focuses on relatable human themes while adding fantastical elements throughout the narrative—including unique magic systems, daring quests, and a variety of mythical creatures. With never-ending material to work with, it’s no surprise that many top-ratedfantasy movies are now considered masterpieces.
While fantasy films that garner high acclaim often offer something new or unique to the genre, some ofthe best know how to combine both a compelling and intriguing plot with high-stakes action. This element, if not done correctly, can cause a fantasy movie to fail. Too much heavy focus on the dynamics of the fight sequences risks foregoing the overall narrative. There needs to be a careful balance between both elements and thankfully, there are several fantasy movies that exceed viewers' expectations in this regard.
Directed by Peter Jackson
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.
Peter Jackson’s adaptation of the iconic novel by J.R.R Tolkien is nothing short of a masterpiece. And while the movies understandably had to cut content from the source material to fit into a theatrical time frame, Jackson was still able to bring the book’s narrative to life in a major way.The Lord of the Rings: Two Towershas set the bar high in adapting a large-scale fantasy world, and Jackson’s efforts reward audiences with a clear depiction of Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Aside from the sprawling fantasy setting, the movie is also brimming with fast-paced action.
The stakes are high throughout the entire movie, with much of the plot revolving around stopping Saruman. As Frodo and Sam traverse their way through perilous regions to reach Mordor, Pippin and Merry rally the Ents to tear down Isengard, and the remaining members of the fellowship fight Saruman’s army alongside Rohan.The battle of Helm’s Deep is one of the most iconic in film history, and the scale in which Jackson was able to bring it to life is just one of the many reasonsThe Lord of the Rings: Two Towerswas nominated for several Oscars.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1
Cast
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they embark on a perilous quest to locate and destroy the remaining Horcruxes. Set against the backdrop of a world threatened by Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters, the trio faces numerous challenges without the guidance of their late mentor, Dumbledore.
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.
As theHarry Pottermovies continue, the narrative gradually becomes darker, and as the stakes grow higher, ultimately more action-packed. Theending ofHarry Potter and The Deathly Hallowsblends the fantastical elements of the wizarding world perfectly with the fast-paced action sequences found in the movies.There’s a heavy sense of urgency throughout both of theDeathly Hallow’s movies, as Harry is desperate to find and destroy the remaining horcruxes before Voldemort can enact more destruction upon the wizarding world.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 Ending Explained
The ending of Deathly Hallows Part 1 sees Harry Potter and his friends battle against Lord Voldemort in search of the Horcruxes to bring him down.
The plot throughout the final films is the culmination of six prior movies, all of which helped build the intensity felt inHarry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. The series faithfully adapts J.K. Rowling’s source material, and like the books, is unafraid of character deaths—adding a sense of believability to the movies' many action sequences.The plot is not overshadowed by the many battles and bloodshed, but instead the story progresses alongside it.
Directed by Gore Verbinski
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is the third film in the blockbuster series directed by Gore Verbinski. Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is trapped in Davy Jones' Locker, prompting Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) to rescue him. As they battle the East India Trading Company, led by Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander), they must unite the pirate lords to fight against an impending extinction of piracy.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s Endis a perfect example of a high-fantasy adventure that is delivered upon the foundation of an epic romance. While the finale to the original trilogy is full of high-stakes battles,Verbinski manages to delicately balance the need for action with the series' romantic plot line. Will and Elizabeth’s tragic romance helps to give the movie a stronger narrative, building much more depth to its main characters.
The final battle sequence between the Brethren Court and the East India Trading Company is one of the more impressive scenes of the whole series. Where a battle is being waged on all sides, and a maelstrom is sent by Calypso, the film makes room for Will and Elizabeth’s romantic arc to come to a conclusion. Their romance is teased for three whole movies, andAt World’s Endfinally ends their unconventional courtship—seeing them married amidst the final battle.
Directed by Guy Ritchie
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is a 2017 action-adventure movie directed by Guy Ritchie. After being robbed of his birthright, Arthur, played by Charlie Hunnam, is able to pull a sword from the stone and restart his journey toward his true legacy. Along the way, Arthur goes up against King Vortigern, who is played by Jude Law.
Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of the classic fantasy,King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, is one of the more unique fantasy movies of the last several years. While the action in this movie is a large focus, as with many ofGuy Ritchie’s movies,the various fighting sequences don’t distract from the overall plot. The way in which Ritchie captures movement and plays with the story’s pacing helps to add strength and tension to many of the movie’s sequences.
The story of King Arthur and his round table has been told many times, but Ritchie’sKing Arthur: Legend of the Swordacts as the origin story of one of literature’s most classic characters.The distinctive nature of Ritchie’s adaptation helps it to stand out among other Arthurian films. And while this film unfortunately never got a sequel, the movie still provides audiences with an action-packed take on the classic with Ritchie’s notable stylistic elements.
Directed by Rob Reiner
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 Brideis a fairy tale adventure full of romance, satire, and action, and has quickly become a cult classic in the fantasy genre. The film’s many elements help to build a well-rounded fantasy, and has led toThe Princess Bridebecomingone of the must-watch movies of the 80s.While the film closely follows the romance between Wesley and Buttercup, it also includes several high-action scenes—the shrieking eels, the cliffs of insanity, the fire swamp, and Prince Humperdink’s torture chamber to name a few.
While the main plot is often satirical or poking fun at the typical fantasy tropes, the main story is not overshadowed by its comedic nature.
The Princess Brideis notable for many reasons, butits iconic cast of characters and easily quotable lines help it to stand out from other films in the fantasy genre. While the main plot is often satirical or poking fun at the typical fantasy tropes, the story is not overshadowed by its comedic nature—instead creating an engaging storyline that appeals to audiences of all ages.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Dune: Part Two
Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides as he allies with Chani and the Fremen. Pursuing retribution for his family’s devastation, Paul grapples with a significant decision impacting his personal desires and the universe’s future, attempting to avert a dire destiny that only he anticipates.
As one of the most anticipated movies of the year,Dune: Part Twoset the bar high for what a compelling sci-fi fantasy needs to incorporate to be successful. The expansive world-building throughout this series has helped to create an equally unique and visually stunning film—and the plot’s captivating story only adds to its achievements. AlongsideDune: Part 2’s epic action sequences with the sandworms, Paul Atreides' character development and the plot’s political dynamics help to catapult it above others in the genre.
Dune: Part 2is an incredibly fast-paced movie, and each scene is full of important plot development. Because the source material is so expansive, it’s no surprise that the film would attempt to include as much as possible into its theatrical time frame. Thankfully,the film does not overdo it with its many action scenesand instead propels the plot forward with a tangible and believable sense of urgency.
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.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kingis another of Jackson’s biggest triumphs.The final film in the trilogy wraps up multiple storylines and brings a large amount of action to the screen. Given these films were made in the early 2000s, it is incredibly impressive for Jackson to have accomplished battles of this magnitude—andReturn of the Kingis full of memorable fight sequences that will live on in fantasy film history.
Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King - 5 Characters With The Most (& 5 With The Least) Screentime
Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King actors either got ALL the screentime or not enough screentime whatsoever.
Each movie in this series runs longer than three hours, so it’s no surprise that theending ofLord of the Rings: The Return of the Kingsees the culmination of its characters' arcs out fully.The story’s finale is full of fast-paced action and is brimming with some of the most iconic scenes of the trilogy—one being Éowyn’s epic fight with the Witch King on the battlefield of Pelennor Fields. The film showcases a multitude of fan favorite moments from Tolkien’s books, and makes for an incredibly entertaining fantasy film.
Directed by Zack Snyder
300
Loosely based on Frank Miller’s comic series of the same name, Zack Snyder’s 300 tells the legend of the historical battle of Thermopylae. It follows King Leonidas of Sparta (Gerard Butler) as he leads a small force of 300 Spartans against the amassed Persian army of 300,000. Meanwhile, his wife Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) remains in Sparta to negotiate reinforcements against political resistance.
While Snyder’s300is well-known for its insanely well-choreographed action, the movie’s overall plot is still important.300follows the story of Leonidas, King of the Spartans, who leads a small army of 300 men into battle against the Persian King, Xerxes. The story is loosely based on the comic of the same name and depicts the legendary battle of Thermopylae.
300was Zack Snyder’s first movie as writer-director, and it immediately established some of his signature elements: an abundance of slo-mo, a desaturated color palette, and highly stylized action scenes.
While300might heavily focus on its superb action sequences, the underlying plot has much more depth—with themes of commitment and sacrifice emphasized throughout. Leonidas' love for his country and people compels him to take a stand against the tyrants of Persia, and while the odds are stacked against them, they go anyway.This level of heroism depicted throughout the plot acts as a balancing element to the film’s many action scenes, and helps to build a more genuine feeling of respect among audiences.
Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves follows a cunning thief and a group of unlikely adventurers on a quest to recover a lost relic. The film details their epic heist, which takes a perilous turn as they encounter formidable adversaries, adding complexity to their mission.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesbrings the spirit of a classic D&D campaign to life in a major way—andDaley and Goldstein do an incredible job of imagining a compelling plot to sit alongside some of D&D’s beloved lore and monsters. While the film incorporates plenty of thrilling action sequences, the overall story makes sure to emphasize its many dynamic relationships and found family values.
The film’s action sequences even take inspiration from D&D’s gameplay, utilizing its characters to depict actions one can take when playing a Dungeons & Dragons campaign.This helps add a greater depth toHonor Among Theives' many fast-paced action scenes—and provides a level of credibility to some of the films' more fantastical elements. Aside from the several amazing battles and skirmishes, the movie finds its success through its captivating plot, diverse cast of characters, and its many recognizable D&D foundations.
Directed By Hayao Miyazaki
Princess Mononoke
In this epic animated fantasy by Hayao Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke explores the struggle between the supernatural guardians of a forest and the humans who consume its resources. The story follows Ashitaka, a young warrior inflicted with a deadly curse, as he navigates a battle that pits the industrialized human society against the gods of the forest, alongside San, a fierce girl raised by wolves.
Princess Mononoke,one of many films by Hayao Miyazaki, follows the story of Ashitaka, a young boy infected by an animal attack who seeks a cure from the deer-like god, Shishigami. Although during his travels to find help, he comes to understand there is a great conflict brewing between humans, nature, and the old gods. The overall plot ofPrincess Mononokehelps to set up the film’s more epic action sequences.
The underlining themes of environmentalism and a balance between humans and nature helps to counteract the raw intensity of its many action sequences…
While it can be hard to depict action outside a live-action film format,Princess Mononokeexcels in bringing the gruesome realities of battle to life—including several graphic and bloody scenes throughout. The underlying themes of environmentalism and a balance between humans and nature help to counteract the raw intensity of its many action sequences and push the overall narrative instead of simply relying on its graphic violence.Princess Mononokeis a unique addition to thefantasyfilm genre and a much-watch for those who enjoy a strong plot with intriguing action.
