Fantasy film - Definition and Overview

In theory fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic or exotic fantasy worlds, as distinct from science fiction films or horror films. The category has as much to do with approach as with context.

Surrealist film also describes the fantastic. However it dispenses with genre narrative conventions and commercial and financial aims.

Examples include:

• The Company of Wolves
• The Dark Crystal
• Dragonheart
• Excalibur
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Heavy Metal
• Hexer (Wiedźmin)
• Jason & the Argonauts
• Labyrinth
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• Princess Mononoke (Mononoke Hime)
• The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad
• Indian in the Cupboard
• and many more...

Many fantasy films are considered to be among the ranks of the classics:

• The Wizard of Oz
• Alice in Wonderland (1933 movie) - with Charlotte Henry, W.C. Fields, Cary Grant
• Alice in Wonderland (1951 movie) - Disney animated film
• 20,000 Leagues under the Sea

Others have become cult favourites:

• Highlander
• Ladyhawke
• The Last Unicorn
• The Neverending Story
• The Princess Bride
• Willow

See also

• List of fantasy films