If a movie contains supernatural events, magic, or mythology, it's probably a fantasy film.
Movies that fall into this genre range greatly. While some are standalone stories that take place in a fictionalized version of the real world, others are part of epic trilogies that have its heroes venturing through far-off lands.
We're here to look at the best movies that fall across the genre now, using the scores on IMDb.
The popular movie website has assigned every fantasy film a star rating (on a scale of 1 to 10), based on the votes of registered users. Films with the highest scores will be showing up here.
With the logistics discussed, it's time to look back on some of the most enchanting films to ever hit theaters; Here are the best fantasy films of all time, according to the fans on IMDb.
Coco (2017): 8.4
Kicking us off is this 2017 Pixar film about Miguel, a boy who dreams of becoming a famous musician. Achieving all his hopes proves to be a challenge, however, due to his family’s strict ban on music. After falling into the Land of the Dead and learning that his great-great-great-grandfather was once a famous performer, Miguel might just get the chance to turn things around, but his time is limited.
Fans loved Coco's rich colors, moving story, and cultural significance. Coco's "Remember Me" won Best Original Song at the Academy Awards, while the film as a whole won Best Animated Feature.
Your Name (2016): 8.4
This 2016 Japanese romantic fantasy tells of two high schoolers, one living in Tokyo and another in a small town, who magically begin to change bodies with one another. The two decide to meet in person and figure out what’s going on.
Your Name was praised for its dreamy animations and genuine emotions. An American live-action adaption is in development now.
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946): 8.6
Can it actually be Christmas without this classic?
It's a Wonderful Life picks up with George Bailey as he stands on the edge of a bridge. Though he's thinking about ending it all, having not achieved his dreams, these plans get intervened by Clarence, his guardian angel. Clarence takes George on a trip through the past to uncover how his actions have positively affected those around him.
This 1946 drama is bursting with the type of warmth that has its most fervent fans rewatching it every holiday season.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977): 8.6
Though every film in the Skywalker Saga has its own draw, none is quite as iconic as the original.
1977's A New Hope sees an inexperienced Luke Skywalker teaming up with the cocky Han Solo to rescue Princess Leia from Darth Vader and the Imperial Forces. With help from the Rebel Alliance (and Solo's Millenium Falcon flying skills), the pair attempts to bring freedom back to the Galaxy.
The epic space opera boasted a huge narrative, memorable characters, and impressive effects. Of course, it received several sequels. It also took home Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Mixing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Film Editing at the Academy Awards.
The Green Mile (1999): 8.6
Tom Hanks is front and center in this fanciful 1999 crime drama, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. It centers on a Depression-era death row corrections officer who reconsiders whether or not a convicted killer is actually guilty of murdering a set of sisters after a series of supernatural events unfold.
Interesting and powerful, The Green Mile garnered interest from critics and general audiences alike.
Spirited Away (2001): 8.6
The highest-rated animation to see this list is the Japanese coming-of-age fantasy, Spirited Away.
This 2001 Studio Ghibli film follows a young girl who accidentally falls upon the spirit world when she should be moving to a new neighborhood. After a witch transforms her parents into pigs, she must find a way to save herself and her family.
Mixing dazzling visuals with a moody tone and layered tension, Spirited Away remains one of animation's greatest works of art.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980): 8.7
Though the inaugural Star Wars film was grand, its direct follow-up — The Empire Strikes Back — made an even bigger impact on viewers.
Three years after the events of the original, Luke learns the ways of the Force under Jedi Master Yoda. Meanwhile, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO escape Vaders' latest attack.
Though the reviews were mixed at the time of the film's release, its imaginative story and blockbuster entertainment value have stuck with viewers forty years after its release. At the Oscars, it walked away with Best Sound Mixing and a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002): 8.7
The second film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, based on J. R. R. Tolkien's series of the same name, follows three interweaving stories.
While Frodo and Sam continue their quest to destroy the One Ring, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli reunite with Gandalf before the Battle of Helm's Deep. Meanwhile, Merry and Pippin make plans to attack the Isengard fortress after escaping capture.
The emotional narrative (and the well-crafted Battle of Helm's Deep) had fans eager for the finale. The film won Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects at the Oscars.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001): 8.8
The original Lord of the Rings film has hobbit Frodo Baggins and friends teaming together to destroy the powerful One Ring before the Dark Lord Sauron can get his hands on it.
Fans of the book were excited to see how vividly it was brought to life on the big screen. The stunning special effects and well-casted characters were additionally praised.
The epic fantasy scored Best Makeup, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003): 8.9
Yes, all three Lord of the Rings films have found a place at the top of the highest-rated fantasy list. The final movie in the trilogy, The Return of the King, has claimed spot No. 1.
In this fantasy adventure, good and evil battle it out for control of Middle-earth, as Frodo and Sam reach Mordor and Aragorn prepares to fight against Sauron's army in Minas Tirith.
The film won every Academy Award it was nominated for including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, and Best Visual Effects. With big effects and a satisfying narrative conclusion, no one was surprised that the film was showered in Oscars.