Life in the 2020s has gotten pretty weird, which is why fantasy movies are such an excellent escape. They're also usually very pretty to look at, with stories told on an epic scale.
Since the start of this decade, we've seen quite a few new fantasy stories spring to life on the big screen, including new Disney stories and a couple of medieval epics.
That being said, sometimes it does feel like we're in a bit of a drought when it comes to high fantasy films. Nonetheless, we've created a list of the most captivating fantasy movies from the 2020s (so far).
1. The Green Knight (2021)
An epic medieval fantasy that aims to reimagine the classic tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, this A24 film is absolutely gorgeous and dripping with style. Dev Patel stars in the leading role as Gawain. He delivers an acclaimed performance that helps to elevate the movie. Like in the original story, the film follows a stubborn young man on his quest to confront the mysterious and formidable giant known as the Green Knight after he appears in Camelot.
The Green Knight is one of the few truly big budget fantasy films we've gotten to see within the past few years that wouldn't fall under the umbrella of superhero tentpoles. While the audience reaction was somewhat divided, critics appreciated the film's bold mission to deconstruct and modernize its source material.
2. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
The only negative thing I can say about this delightfully fun movie is that it's a shame we haven't gotten a sequel yet. When plans for a Dungeons & Dragons movie were announced, I don't think many people expected it to be as good as it wound up being. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves follows a charming group of adventurers on a journey to retrieve a lost relic, and the entire cast — which includes Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page and Hugh Grant — is incredibly charismatic.
This movie easily secured its place as one of the best fantasy films of the past decade. It fully embraces its premise and delights in toying with its tropes as well as implementing lots of humor and general joviality. I'd love to see more stories unfold in this cinematic world.
3. Encanto (2021)
It feels like the past few years have been quite rocky for Disney, with Encanto becoming one of the few big musical fantasy films to break out and become popular. It probably helps that this is one of Disney's few original movies to be released in recent years vs. the many live-action remakes we've been seeing from the studio as of late.
Encanto is about a multi-generational family living in the mountains in Columbia, in a charmed place called the Encanto. The Encanto has blessed each child in the family with a gift, all except Mirabel, who may be the family's last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger.
Encanto has a sweet message at its heart about family and community, along with several super catchy songs, particularly "We Don't Talk About Bruno."
4. The School for Good and Evil (2022)
The School for Good and Evil was somewhat polarizing when it was released on Netflix, but over time the film has developed a loyal fanbase, with many hoping Netflix might someday decide to continue the franchise based on Soman Chainani's novels.
Paul Feig directs this fantastical movie about two best friends contending with the fact that one has been sent to a magical school for "good" and the other for "evil." It's a little silly at times, but overall The School for Good and Evil is a fun family-friendly fantasy film with beautiful production design and a great cast.
5. The Boy and the Heron (2023)
The Boy and the Heron marked director Hayao Miyazaki's return from retirement. It went on to become one of the best movies of 2023, to the point that it received numerous awards, including winning Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars.
The Boy and the Heron is set during World War II and follows a boy named Mahito who loses his mother during a deadly firebombing in Tokyo. After his mother's death, Mahito moves in with his father and new stepmom. At his new rural home, he meets a mysterious grey heron who introduces him to a tower that grants passage to a secret magical world.
As always, Miyazaki's film, The Boy and the Heron beautifully blends fantasy and reality, exploring universal themes of grief and aging. Miyazaki based several elements from the film on his actual childhood. Also, Robert Pattinson voices the Heron and delivers a truly exceptional voice-acting role. What can't that guy do?
6. Wicked (2024)
The film adaptation of the beloved musical had huge shoes to fill, and the first part of Wicked more than delivered. Everyone was talking about Wicked when it released in late 2024, and the second part, coming out later this year, is among one of 2025's most anticipated movies.
Wicked is a beautiful and delightful musical fantasy about the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West. We meet her back when she went by Elphaba Thropp, an awkward green-skinned newcomer at Shiz University. There, she meets and eventually befriends Galinda, soon to be Glinda the Good.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both earned Oscar nominations for their roles as Elphaba and Galinda. And they're both fantastic singers, making this a musical that goes down easy.
7. The Northman (2022)
The Northman stands apart from the traditional fantasy epics as it's a lot more brutal than what we're used to seeing. It pays homage to classic Shakespearean tales, centering on the story of Viking Prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) as he sets out on a quest to avenge his father.
Director Robert Eggers is no stranger to adding his unique artistic stamp to his projects, which helps to make The Northman a standout in his filmography. He does a great job at combining gritty elements of Norse mythology with his unique stylistic flair.
8. Gretel & Hansel (2020)
Before there was Longlegs or The Monkey, there was Gretel & Hansel, a dark fantasy/horror movie from director Osgood Perkins. It also happens to be one of the most criticized fantasy films on this list, but I think Gretel & Hansel is underrated and people might look back on the film more favorably as time passes.
It presents a very unique take on the classic fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel," focusing entirely on Gretel's perspective. Here she is played by Sophia Lillis. But even if you don't enjoy the story itself, this is a film worth watching purely because of its stunning visuals. There simply aren't a lot of fantasy movies that look as good as this one does.
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