Fantasy movies allow viewers to momentarily escape their realities and enter worlds filled with memorable characters and fascinating stories. On Letterboxd, countless fantasy films have been listed and garnered high scores from both casual moviegoers and serious film buffs.
Based on their 5-star rating system, family-friendly animated films like Spirited Away and epic adaptations of beloved high-fantasy novels like The Lord of the Rings are just some of the best fantasy films to come out from the 2000s. As CGI and animation software became more powerful in the 2000s, the quality of fantasy films greatly improved, further encouraging viewers to willingly suspend their disbelief.
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004) - 4.08
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Fans of the Harry Potter film series would agree that things took a darker (and arguably more exciting) turn in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The film chronicles Harry Potter’s third year at Hogwarts as he faces threats from Sirius Black, a newly-escaped criminal wizard who’s hellbent on avenging the Dark Lord Voldemort.
Acclaimed filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón helmed the third Harry Potter film, which a lot of fans consider to be one of the most accurate adaptations in the franchise. Despite his faithfulness to the source material, Cuarón ensured that the franchise was further elevated by his signature cinematic style and vision, while still carrying the magical feeling of the first two films.
Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie (2001) - 4.09
Available to stream on HBO Max.
In Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie, viewers were introduced to the titular character, Jack, a warrior from ancient Japan who was transported thousands of years into the future. In this new world, he discovers that the evil wizard Aku now controls and influences society, so he makes it his mission to go back to his own time and defeat Aku.
Created by legendary Russian-American animator Genndy Tartakovsky, Samurai Jack is one of the most iconic series from Cartoon Network. It's beautifully animated and filled with quiet moments that punctuate its exhilarating action scenes, all of which allow it to stand out from the other shows during its time.
Ratatouille (2007) - 4.12
Available to stream on Disney+.
Pixar is known for releasing some of the most amazing animated films in recent years, from the heartbreaking adventure flick Up to the post-apocalyptic film Wall-E. That’s why it’s not surprising that viewers gave 2007’s Ratatouille a glowing rating on Letterboxd.
The film depicts the unlikely partnership between Alfredo Linguini, a dishwasher in a five-star restaurant, and Remy, a rat who has superb cooking skills. It has everything fans have come to expect from Pixar movies, from its groundbreaking visuals, excellent score, and of course, heartwarming story.
Magick Lantern Cycle (2009) - 4.14
Magick Lantern Cycle is a collective film featuring 10 short movies from experimental director Kenneth Anger. While he might not be as prominent as other queer filmmakers such as Gus Van Sant and John Waters, Anger created films that influenced some of today’s most celebrated auteurs like David Lynch and Martin Scorsese.
The short films in Magick Lantern Cycle all aim to immerse the viewer in a surreal, mystic, and spectacular world. From the intriguing 1947 opus Fireworks to the jarring 1981 film Lucifer Rising, Kenneth Anger’s Magick Lantern Cycle has cemented him as one of the most distinguished independent filmmakers in all of cinema.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) - 4.14
Available to rent on Apple TV.
Pan’s Labyrinth is a horror fantasy film that tells the story of Ofelia, a young girl captivated by fairytales, and her adventures in an ancient maze full of terrifying and whimsical features. Ofelia meets a faun in the labyrinth who tells her that she’s a lost princess, but in order to prove her royal blood, she has to conquer three horrifying tasks.
In the film, director Guillermo del Toro masterfully highlights the real-life struggles that Ofelia faces at the hands of her awful stepfather while still focusing on her adventures in the magical realm. Fans of fantasy movies consider Pan’s Labyrinth as one of the best in the genre due to its unapologetic treatment of both the real-life and magical terrors Ofelia encounters.
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) - 4.27
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli is known for its fantasy films that stretch the imagination of the viewers. Their 2004 film Howl’s Moving Castle is a moving story about a timid girl named Sophie and her journey towards breaking a horrible curse.
Witches, fire demons, and handsome wizards are some of the marvelous and likable characters that add color to Sophie’s adventure. Apart from its fantastical and intriguing plot, the film also manages to win the hearts of the users on Letterboxd due to its intricate animation and breathtaking visuals.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - 4.31
Available to stream on HBO Max.
At the start of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, the Fellowship consisting of various free peoples of Middle-earth have effectively disbanded. In the film, only the hobbits Frodo and Sam are continuing the trek towards Mordor in order to destroy the One Ring of Power.
While still garnering high ratings from fans in large part due to its incredible visuals, the second film in the Lord of the Rings franchise fails to live up to the spectacle of the first film. So much so that both fans of LoTR on Metacritic and Letterboxd consider it as the weakest film from the original trilogy.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001) - 4.32
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Frodo’s long and perilous journey towards Mordor started in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. In the film, nine ragtag creatures from Middle-earth band together to bring the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron to the only place where it can be destroyed: Mount Doom.
Director Peter Jackson had the gargantuan task of making sure that the beloved J.R.R Tolkien epic was faithfully adapted on the big screen. Thankfully, Jackson was able to satisfy fans of the novels by staying true to the books and by choosing talented actors who were able to bring the beloved characters to life.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003) - 4.40
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Sauron’s ring was finally destroyed in The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King. In the film, the forces of good led by Aragorn, who was revealed to be the rightful ruler of the kingdom of Gondor, faced off with Sauron’s army of Orcs, Easterlings, Trolls, Wargs, and other terrifying creatures.
It’s obvious that Peter Jackson gave his all in the original trilogy’s final film as he ensured that it had the perfect balance of well-written emotional dialogue and incredible action sequences. The iconic movie is able to wrap up the trilogy's multiple storylines seamlessly while providing fans with some of the most memorable moments in the LoTR franchise.
Spirited Away (2001) - 4.47
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Director Hayao Miyazaki likely wrote Spirited Away's endearing protagonist, Chihiro, with inspiring young viewers in mind, but even adults can relate to the female lead's vulnerability, courage, and desire to do the right thing. It helps that she goes through her struggles in a mystical world.
Spirited Away is teeming with crisp and colorful scenes that feature spirits, witches, and other lively creatures from Japanese folklore. Miyazaki’s ability to brilliantly execute his vision and the soul-stirring plot of the film has made Spirited Away the most outstanding fantasy film of its time.