With such recent examples as Turning Red and Shudder's The Spine of Night both released in 2022, it's safe to say that fantasy and animation are two genres that go hand-in-hand. The animated medium has proven, time and time again, to be one of the best for the fantastic and the uncanny, which is precisely why the fantasy genre lends itself so well to a meeting of the worlds.
There are dozens of fantasy films that rely on animation for their sterling reputations, so many that it can be hard deciding just where to start. Fortunately, IMDb is an excellent resource for finding the best movies to satisfy a certain itch and animated fantasies are no exception.
The Secret Of Kells (7.6)
Inspired by the creation and transcription of the actual Book of Kells, this absolutely beautiful fantasy feature blends different mythologies and elements with a delightful, almost stained-glass-inspired to bring together a heartfelt fairytale as stunningly woven as a Celtic knot.
It's an underrated gem and a slow burn, but it's one that any fan of the genre will enjoy as a young boy from a monastery and his faerie friend assist in the making of one of the most beautiful manuscripts in European history. With mysterious secrets, ancient evil entities, and even Vikings, there are more than enough reasons to get sucked into this tale.
Fantasia (7.7)
Although it will forever be known as Disney's art-house film, Fantasia helped shape multiple films in the genre, especially "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." There's no way that the musical duel from Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness didn't take at least a small influence from Walt Disney's Concert Feature.
Mickey Mouse as a wizard isn't the only fantastical element to the feature, as Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony" and "Night on Bald Mountain" rely on plenty of enchanting and mythological characters to bring the music to life in a visual art form. It might not be everyone's favorite, but it's certainly a visually stimulating experience.
Coraline (7.7)
Anything by the legendary Neil Gaiman is bound to be a tremendous contribution to the fantasy genre, and Coraline is no exception. Part Alice in Wonderland, part Narnia, part nightmare fuel, this is one animated classic that deserved more than a PG rating. At times, it even surpasses most adult horror movies.
When young Coraline Jones discovers a secret door to an alternate universe in her family's apartment, she quickly words that if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. For a kids' movie, it hits the horror trifecta with its spiders, ghosts, and creepy dolls.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (7.9)
Tim Burton's twisted Christmas tale is one of the godfathers of the cult film, and it's become a yearly tradition for Disney fans everywhere to see Jack Skellington hitch up his coffin sleigh and deliver his own macabre brand of holiday cheer. This fantasy through the holiday worlds has everything a viewer could expect from one of Burton's projects, and it continues to amass new fans every year.
The secret to its success might be its style and simplicity. While its story isn't exactly going to win many Academy Awards, the art style is unquestionably Burton and the cast is made up of some of the most delightfully creepy characters to star in a Disney film.
Shrek (7.9)
Even before it became a farm for memes and internet culture, Shrek was something of a phenomenon. An animated comedy that openly mocks traditional fairytale tropes set forth by studios like Disney is bound to turn some heads, but this hilarious adventure has proven to stand the test of time.
Animation techniques might come and go, but as far as writing, humor, and wit goes, Shrek has aged impeccably well. If for anything else, watch it just for the laughs, references, and likable grossness of the entire affair.
Aladdin (8.0)
It's probably safe to say that Shrek wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for Aladdin. Whether Disney knew it or not at the time, Aladdin completely change the mold for how all the following Disney animated movies were handled. Loaded to the brim with slick animation, one-liners, and pop-culture references aplenty, this is one Arabian Night worth retelling and rewatching.
As Belle would later describe, it has "far-off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, and a prince in disguise. Disney's beloved adaptation of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp is the studio at their best, delivering a zany musical with comedic sidekicks, action, adventure, romance, and one of Robin Williams's finest performances to tie it all together.
Beauty And The Beast (8.0)
It's one thing for Disney to revamp and revitalize the traditional fairytale formula, but it's another when it's nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It's a tale as old as time, a song as old as rhyme, and not even a star-studded remake could surpass the animated original.
Unlike the previously mentioned Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast went back to basics in terms of story, presenting the audience with that classic Disney fairytale that many know and love. However, what truly makes the film such an icon amongst Disney's animated royalty is the romance arc that features a heroine who must save her prince.
How To Train Your Dragon (8.1)
Vikings, dragons, and a mythical world they all call home certainly seem like all the makings of a traditional fantasy film, but its gorgeous animation, creature design, and writing are what separates this Dreamworks classic from other dragon-themed media. What transpires is a charming, exciting, and endearing animated adventure that explores themes of friendship and trust that could even give Shrek a run for its money.
With sequels, video games, a TV series, and even an arena show, the franchise has become one of the biggest fantasy series in recent years. With new dragons, characters, and adventures to be had, it's easy to see how viewers could fall in love with Toothless and the rest of his flying and fanged friends.
Princess Mononoke (8.4)
Like Walt Disney Pictures, Studio Ghibli has fantasy movies down to a science, and they're almost always sweet, whimsical, and enchanting delights for all ages. However, Princess Mononoke is a rich, complex, and powerful fantasy epic with a grand scale and fantastic visuals.
Its environmental message is masked by its fantasy elements, pitting the spirits of nature against the encroaching human populations with their expanding villages and inventions of war. It checks many boxes for a high-grade fantasy, just with a distinct Asian-inspired flavor.
Spirited Away (8.6)
When it comes to the films of Hayao Miyazaki, most people either think of My Neighbor Totoro or Spirited Away. Taking inspiration from fairytales like Alice In Wonderland and traditional Japanese folklore, the prolific director crafts a gorgeous fantasy realm of ghosts, dragons, witches, and other strange creatures of the spirit realms.
Chihiro's journey of self-discovery through the spirit world is one that truly changed the definition of what an animated feature could be. It's beautiful, it's dark, it's mature, it's delightful, it's all those things and more wrapped up in a cozy and comforting Studio Ghibli package.