Slumberland is a new portal fantasy on Netflix that's fun for the whole family. While this new fantastical watch has received mixed reviews from critics, many viewers have enjoyed the storyline and the fantasy elements.

Portal fantasy films are a unique subcategory in which there is a portal into another alternate world or dimension. There are many different ways in which these films explore the concept of another world and the magical elements that come with it. For fans of Slumberland, there are several other fantasy films that are well worth a watch.

The Wizard Of Oz (1939)

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The Scarecrow, Lion, Dorothy, and Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most popular fantasy films to date. Dorothy enters the magical world of Oz when she is struck upside the head during a tornado. After her adventures in Oz, she wakes up and realizes that the people in her dream world are similar to real-like individuals in her everyday life.

While this movie does excuse the fantastical world as a dream conjured up by Dorothy's imagination, it can still be considered a portal fantasy because the character enters another world and stays in this world for most of the storyline. Dorothy's journeys in Oz is one of the most beloved early portal fantasy films and is an interesting take on how someone can create their own magical world.

Doctor Strange (2016)

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Cumbermatch as Doctor Strange in a photoshoot

In this first Doctor Strange movie, Stephen experiences other dimensions a few times throughout the storyline as well as the villain of the film. Another universe, the Dark Dimension, is a key element in this plot, from which the villain uses magic to attempt to weaken the Earth's protection.

While there are some things misunderstood about Doctor Strange, his story incorporates the use of portals and alternate dimensions. This is a nice portal fantasy watch for those that enjoy superhero stories but are interested in the way Marvel can transcend other genres.

Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (2005)

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Aslan standing with the heroes next to a waterfall in Narnia 3

Narnia isn't considered one of the best fantasy series of all time, but it certainly is one of the most popular portal fantasy movies. When the kids enter Narnia through the wardrobe, they escape their difficult lives and go on exciting adventures in a fantastical world.

This is one of the portal fantasies in which there is a very clear distinction between the "real" world and that of this alternate fantastical world. The storyline in this film is ideal for viewers that like to see the transformation as the character move from the known world to a magical one.

Alice In Wonderland (2010)

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Alice in a blue dress looking confused

In this rendition of this classic fairytale, an older Alice goes back to Wonderland and finds out that the Red Queen has taken over. While many adaptations of this tale may try to capture the original storyline, this version represents the classical characters and world while creating something new.

In this way, this film succeeds in honoring one of the most well-known portal fantasies and offering a fresh take that can entertain an older audience. This portal fantasy offers some nostalgia for people who grew up with the original Alice In Wonderland tale, but also has some darker, more action-packed scenes to create a whole new portal experience.

Jumanji (1995)

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Alan with a scraggly beard and leaf cloak

Jumanji is a unique portal fantasy. Not only does it incorporate a board game as the portal into another world, but the other world comes into the real world which subverts the expectations of these films. This fantastical world becomes intrusive to the real world, creating a portal that comes out instead of characters going in.

Though there is a remake of the Jumanji classic, it brings the characters into the game in a more immersive fashion, unlike the original film. This is a fascinating watch for those that want to watch something unique to traditional portal fantasies but still have the same level of magic.

Stardust (2007)

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A promo shot from Stardust

This is another portal fantasy that blurs the line between a traditional portal world and something unique to the genre. In this storyline, a villager crosses the border between his known world and the magical kingdom which results in the two worlds colliding.

This storyline combines a regular village with a fantastical kingdom, creating a balance between the realistic and the magical. However, this movie is far more focused on the magic that exists in the world, satisfying viewers who prefer a focus on the fantastical and how it intrudes on the ordinary.

Silent Hill (2006)

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A woman looks on in Silent Hill

While this film is classified as a horror, it clearly has qualities that can categorize it as a portal fantasy. When Rose goes searching for answers as to why her daughter is having strange nightmares, she ends up in the alternate dimension of Silent Hill.

This is clearly a portal world because when her husband goes looking for Rose, he finds just an abandoned town in the same location as the nightmares Rose experiences in the dimension of Silent Hill. While this has much darker themes than some fantasy movies, it is a fascinating watch for those that like to see how the horror genre can collide with portal fantasy.

Warcraft (2016)

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Anduin kneeling over someone in his armor looking excited in Warcraft. 

Warcraft is based on the popular video game series of the same name. In this storyline, an orc warlord creates a portal to another world in order to stop a war that threatens to destroy their people.

This is a high fantasy world that is unique to the real one but also includes the added fantastical element of a magical portal. For those that enjoy the fantasy genre in general, this is a good start when exploring the themes associated with portal fantasy. While the portal isn't the main focus of the film, it is an essential tool within the plot.

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021)

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Wenwu with the Ten Rings in Shang-Chi

Not only does Shang-Chi feature one of the best villain introductions in the MCU, but it also offers one of the most interesting hero backstories in the franchise. Though Shang-Chi grows up in a unique environment, he tries to escape to live a normal life until he is forced back into his old life when those he loves are endangered.

This movie has many fantastical elements, including the magic of the Ten Rings and the mystical location of Ta Lo which they travel to an alternate dimension to get to. This is another story in the MCU that portals the characters into an alternate world, creating another superhero that's more fantastical than scientifically altered.

Slumberland (2022)

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slumberland jason momoa marlow barkley
Jason Momoa and Marlow Barkley in Slumberland

This new fantastical story follows Nemo as she travels to a dream land to fight nightmares and explore dreams in hopes of finding the father who has passed away. She is also accompanied by Flip, an outlaw in this alternate world, that guides her along the way.

This portal fantasy combines the yearning of a grieving child with dreams coming to life. It's a fun adventure that viewers of all ages can enjoy. It's an ideal watch for those that would like to explore the concept of dreams coming to life and how these alternate dimensions can help someone emotionally struggling.

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