The fantasy genre is stuffed to the gills with classical works when it comes to the film medium. From the likes of Beauty and the Beast to Cinderella, Snow Whiteand so on, fairytales seem to be one of the most prominent motifs in the business. But they can get a little stale after a while.

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Fortunately, the genre allows for various forms of experimentation and thus a legion of alternative fairytales have been born. Although they might rely on common themes, these flights of fantasy are certainly something different. With the help of IMDb, viewers can easily decide their favorite from the cream of the crop.

Enchanted (7.0)

Amy Adams poking out of a manhole in Enchanted.

Even Disney knows that their works have become overplayed tropes, so why not poke fun at their own success? Enchanted is essentially what happens when a Disneyfied fairytale meets the cold-hard-truth of reality.

When an animated princess winds up on the streets of New York City, she must quickly learn about surviving outside her own charming fairytale world and her newfound friends learn a little magic goes a long way. This film is definitely fanservice for Disney-lovers, and a great way to kick off the list.

The Dark Crystal (7.2)

Kira and Jen in Dark Crystal

Though it's mythos might be a little dense for some, Jim Henson's Dark Crystal was a passion project that only recently has thoroughly received the love it deserves. The realm of Thra is a modern masterpiece that should rank right up there with Lord of the Rings' Middle Earth.

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Half fairytale, half enchanted epic, all perfectly marvelous with a phenomenal use of world-building, storytelling, and puppetry. The tale of Jen and his adventure with Kira against the Skeksis is certainly an experience no fantasy fan should miss.

Labyrinth (7.4)

David Bowie in The Labyrinth 1986

Of course, one can't mention one Hensonian fantasy without dropping a certain rockstar's contribution as well. Labyrinth definitely fits the fairytale mold. A heroine set on a quest in a fantasy world before the stroke of midnight? Sounds a bit familiar for multiple plots.

What truly sells the film is the soundtrack by David Bowie, a product of one of his greatest collaborations. Whether one gets into the strange and surreal world Labyrinth presents, they will certainly groove to the tunes.

Coraline (7.7)

Other Mother prepares the doll

And now for something completely different and even more surreal, one of the darkest tales on the list has to be Neil Gaiman's Coraline. This Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired journey takes a trip to a darker place than a rabbit hole.

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Easily one of the scariest kids' films ever made, Coraline takes the idea of a hidden fantasy realm and turns it into a house of horrors. With button-eyed beings and spidery monsters who want to eat the souls of children, it's a wonder this film wasn't slapped with a hard PG-13.

Shrek (7.8)

shrek

At this point, is there anyone who isn't familiar with ShrekA parody of almost every fairytale flick that came before, Shrek turns the perspective on its head by casting a monster as the film's lead.

Although told through a more contemporary tone, Shrek's story sees him fulfill all the roles of a brave hero, but with some help from some rather colorful characters. A reimagined fairytale if there ever was one, Shrek definitely redefined the genre.

The Princess Bride (8.0)

Westley and Princess Buttercup kiss in The Princess Bride

No matter what genre The Princess Bride is viewed in, one thing that can't be denied is that it's simply a good movie. With its swashbuckling action, towering castles, giants, dwarves, and magic spells, how can it not be considered a fairytale?

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It's one of the most romantic movies ever made, and part of that formula relies on the fairytale element. There's a reason most fantasy books, movies, and other media are considered "romanticized fiction."

The Nightmare Before Christmas (8.0)

Jack Skellington holding a snowflake in The Nightmare Before Christmas

When it comes to alternative fairytales, one can never go wrong with the brilliant mind of Tim Burton. What began as a twisted little children's book became Disney's biggest cult film, and viewers got The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Jack Skellington and his Christmas caper have been a part of popular culture for years, and the plot alone absolutely rings with fairytale vibes. It has fantastical creatures, holiday magic, and a visit from Santa Claus, and all with Burton's particular flavor.

Big Fish (8.2)

Ewan McGregor in Big Fish

If one needs a more traditional take on the fairytale motif, Burton's got them covered with Big Fish. Though it takes more from American tall tales, it has more than a few fantasy elements to warrant fairytale status.

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A one-eyed witch, a werewolf, a set of Siamese twins, are just a few of the fantastic characters that grace this weird and wild journey. How can it be called anything but a modern fairytale?

Pan’s Labyrinth (8.2)

Pan's Labyrinth

Pan's Labyrinth has been called a fairytale for an adult audience. It's a tale of a lost princess set during the Spanish Revolution, laced with both adult and mythic themes. Definitely not the typical fantasy narrative by a long shot.

What truly wins it such high acclaim is the creatures created by director Guillermo del Toro. From the titular Faun to the Pale Man, these things mix beautiful fantasy with brutal realism in a phenomenal way.

Spirited Away (8.6)

Chihiro and No Face visit Zeniba in Spirited Away

Often considered one of the greatest animated features of all time, Hayo Miyazaki's Spirited Away is a beautiful blend of fantasy and folklore for a unique fairytale journey into a strange and curious realm.

Chihiro's quest to save her parents from a witch's curse has the structure of a traditional fairytale, but with an Asian mythology vibe to its presentation. Aided by a dragon, a faceless spirit, and other strange friends, Chihiro is able to overcome her fears and depart from the spirit world as a seasoned heroine.

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