7.Ghost Town(2008)
When a socially difficult man nearly dies after going under anesthesia, he discovers that he can now see and talk to ghosts, who pester him for help in completing their unfinished business.
I’m not a fan of Ricky Gervais or his comedic work, butGhost Townis something else. It isn’t hampered by his obnoxious politics, and it’s free to be its own film with its own take on this premise.
Sure, it doesn’t say much new or tackle the subject in an original way, but it’s one of the better “I can see ghosts” movies.
6.Kung Fu Hustle(2004)
An awkward thief is caught up in a brewing war between the gangsters of the The Axe Gang and the locals of Pig Sty Alley, who prove impossible to defeat with their array of extraordinary abilities.
What do you get when you combine magic, martial arts, and the Looney Tunes? That’s about as succinct a one-line description ofKung Fu Hustleas you’ll ever get.
It sounds ridiculous—and itisridiculous—but it’s executed so well that you can’t help but be impressed. There’s plenty of action, but lots of heart too! It’s one of the best in the kung fu genre.
Related:The Funniest Martial Arts Comedy Movies
5.Kubo and the Two Strings(2016)
A twelve-year-old boy with only one eye and mastery in playing theshamisenis driven from his village by vengeful spirits of his deceased mother’s sisters and the Moon King.
From the makers ofCoralinecomes this beautiful tale that’s dripping with theme, atmosphere, and heart.
And likeCoraline, not only is the stop-motion animation is out of this world, but there are darker elements that brew under the surface, making this an excellent watch for both kids and adults.
The fantastical elements on display truly kick this film up a notch from being “yet another animated flick.”
4.Reign of Fire(2002)
In the near future, dragons are awakened and released in London. They wreak havoc on the world and drive humans to the brink of extinction. Now it’s up to the remnants of humanity to fight back and reclaim their world from the beasts.
Reign of Firestars Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, and Gerard Butler. That alone is reason enough to watch this flawed but entertaining movie…
…and if that isn’t reason enough for you, just believe me when I say that it has some of the best dragon and dragonfire CGI, especially for a film that came out in 2002.
Related:The Best Movies About Dragons
3.Alpha(2018)
The historical adventure tale of Keda, a young man who lived 20,000 years ago, who’s left for dead by his hunter-gatherer tribe and fights for survival with the help of an injured wolf—the first ancestor of man’s best friend.
Alpha’splot is pretty straightforward and simple. The story beats are rather predictable all along the way, but it’s only a minor flaw in what is otherwise an exciting movie with remarkable visuals.
Of course, no onereallyknows the story of how dogs came from wolves—which is why this film falls in “fantasy” territory—but this telling is plausible to a degree, and surprisingly heartfelt.
Related:The Best 4K HDR Movies With Amazing Visuals
2.Stardust(2007)
After vowing to retrieve a fallen star, a young man crosses over the Wall and enters the magical kingdom of Stormhold, where he finds the fallen star and learns that it is actually a woman.
I’ve always found that this fantasy adventure movie shares a lot in common withThe Princess Bride, particularly in how well it blends the genres of fantasy, comedy, drama, and adventure together.
With incredible performances all around—especially from Claire Danes and Charlie Cox—and a wonderfully uplifting ending that comes after a journey of many dramatic twists,Stardustseals itself as one of the best fantasy movies of all time.
Related:The Best Fantasy Worlds and Magical Realms in Movies
1.About Time(2013)
About Timeis a comedic drama with spectacular performances by Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams.
A 21-year-old man learns that he’s inherited the ability to travel through time to the past, and uses this ability to improve his love life. But it gets a lot deeper than you might expect…
While time travel is a plot device most often seen in science fiction,About Time’stone and approach give it that otherworldly feeling you need to feel like you’re watching something special.
Read next:The Best Magical Realism Movies That Mix Fantasy and the Real World
