Fantasy films are known for being magical and otherworldly, providing viewers with whimsical worlds filled with heroes and mythological creatures. Though live-action hits like The Lord of the Rings are icons of the genre, some of the most immersive and thrilling fantasy films are animated ones.
The flexibility and wonder of animation perfectly fits into the imaginative genre, providing endless opportunities to bring fantasy concepts to life. Some of the most captivating animated films in the genre embrace traditional fairy-tale tropes, such as Beauty and the Beast and How to Train Your Dragon. However, the darker, more complex films, like Princess Mononoke, are unique, thought-provoking narratives that utilize fantasy themes to convey a message.
The Last Unicorn Is an Unparalleled Dark Epic
The Last Unicorn is a dark, magical epic that follows a young unicorn who leaves the safety of her home when she realizes she may soon be the last of her kind. She teams up with a goofy but kind-hearted magician who helps her fight back against King Haggard. The ruler uses the Red Bull, a fire elemental, to control the unicorns to satisfy his own desires for happiness and magic.
This animated fantasy film has positive reviews from critics and viewers alike, recognizing the foreboding, eerie themes as a beautiful representation of dark fantasy. Though some fans argue The Last Unicorn would be better as an adult animated movie, it is a great introduction to the sub-genre for children. It also has an inspiring coming-of-age narrative that explores themes such as getting out of one’s comfort zone and experiencing the world.
The fantastical, musical film was reportedly in the works for a live-action remake, though there have been no updates about the progression of the project or if it will come to fruition. However, the news of this adaptation received a lot of hype, confirming that there is still a large audience for this ’80s hit.
Coraline Is the Perfect Children’s Horror
Coraline is a stop-motion children’s horror movie that follows a young girl, Coraline, who feels ignored by her busy parents. However, when she finds a door in their new home that leads to an alternate world with great parents who give her plenty of attention, she believes she’s found the perfect escape. However, Other Mother and Other Father are not what they appear to be.
The most exceptional thing about Coraline is that it doesn’t underestimate its viewers, not afraid to terrify the young audience with the creepy tale of a dark alternate world. This storyline teaches the kid viewers that the grass is not always greener on the other side, and someone offering you something appealing could have devious intentions. In this way, Coraline warns against being too trusting before getting to know someone.
Coraline is a scary movie that is perfect for young viewers interested in horror stories, but it’s also a fun and unnerving film for adult viewers. It has beautiful, ominous animation, a shockingly intense plot, and likable, well-rounded characters that are entertaining for any fan of the creepy and unusual.
Fairy Tale Tropes are Subverted in Shrek
Shrek is an unconventional fairy-tale movie, following a reclusive ogre who sets off on a mission to get his swamp back when it’s overrun with fairy-tale creatures. He agrees to retrieve Princess Fiona from a tower for Lord Farquaad. Going on a journey with Donkey, a talking donkey, Shrek learns there’s more to the world beyond his swamp.
Shrek is one of DreamWorks’ most successful animated movies, and the story found even more success with Shrek 2, which proved the film had what it takes to make a major animated franchise. This narrative subverted the expectations of traditional fairy tales, including an unusual hero and a princess who does not fit the typical damsel in distress.
Fifteen years after the fourth film, Shrek Forever After, the franchise will return with Shrek 5, though fans will likely be waiting for the animated sequel for a couple of years. However, the hype concerning the next installment proves that the beloved ogre is just as popular as he was twenty-four years ago. A couple of the sequels may be controversial, but the original is a fun, endearing, and hilarious masterpiece.
Imagination is Celebrated in Howl’s Moving Castle
In Howl’s Moving Castle, protagonist Sophie befriends the wizard Howl, and the jealous Witch of the Waste transforms Sophie into an elderly woman. When Sophie seeks out the wizard to help her regain her youth, she gets involved in a war between two nations and a king who seeks Howl’s magical help. Along with friends, Sophie and Howl go on an adventure to stop wars, thwart enemies, and break curses.
This great Studio Ghibli film is based on the ’80s novel by the same name, written by Diana Wynn Jones, created by famed animator and filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. Howl’s Moving Castle has beautiful 2D animation and inspired visuals, the magic of the fantastical world clashing with the sobering themes of war. The narrative celebrates love, life, and maturity through the complex characters who find solidarity and comfort with each other.
Howl’s Moving Castle is one of Studio Ghibli’s best movies, and it still holds up as an exceptional animated film and an inspiring fantasy storyline. In addition to having an impressive cast of voice actors, including Christine Bale as Howl, the film has a wonderful focus on confidence in oneself and finding happiness with friends and loved ones.
Beauty and the Beast Is a Classic Love Story
Disney’s romantic masterpiece is Beauty and the Beast, a ’90s animated film that begins with a handsome but cruel prince being cursed by an enchantress. To break the curse that turned him into the beast, the man must find love before his time runs out. Desperate, the beast makes a deal with a young woman, Belle, to save her father, trapping her in his castle.
Though the animated film had a successful live-action remake starring Emma Watson, many fans still believe the original Beauty and the Beast is a timeless classic that cannot be surpassed. The vibrant, musical film is magical for children and adult viewers alike. Love is at the heart of the narrative, but the eccentric characters and beautiful scenery are celebrated aspects of the film.
Beauty and the Beast is one of the highest-grossing traditional animated movies of all time, praised since its release for its timeless, magical imagery. The film is also a perfect example of the feminist icons of ’90s Disney movies, featuring a female lead who is both feminine and a strong, independent free thinker.
Princess Mononoke Fiercely Protects Nature
Princess Mononoke is praised as one of the best Studio Ghibli movies of all time, representing a complex world that explores the battle between human advancements and the natural world. In this storyline, a prince, Ashitaka, tries to mediate a conflict between the gods of the forest and an industrial human town. During this conflict, Ashitaka encounters San, a human girl who was raised in the wilderness.
While many of these Japanese animated fantasy films are something various viewers can enjoy, many argue that this Studio Ghibli film isn’t for kids because of its violent nature and mildly graphic content. On the other hand, its PG-13 rating makes it appropriate for teenagers. In fact, this film is an extremely important narrative for young viewers, teaching them about the harmful nature of humanity’s disregard for the natural world.
Princess Mononoke is a dark film, but one that is equal parts heartwarming and haunting. The main themes of environmentalism and the critique of industrialism are impactful, urging the audience to critically think about the content. This certainly isn’t a whimsical, fun fantasy world, but an enchanting and thrilling storyline about the tensions between humanity and nature.
Friendship Is Life-Changing in How to Train Your Dragon
In DreamWorks’ fantasy film How to Train Your Dragon, Hiccup is a teenager in a Viking village who hunts dragons, but he is considered too weak to be a fighter. When he takes down a rare dragon, he believes this is the opportunity to prove himself as a capable warrior. However, he is unable to kill the surprisingly gentle creature, reconsidering his culture’s views.
How to Train Your Dragon is an extremely successful animated film, resulting in a live-action remake that has received some criticism but still holds up as a wonderful reimagining of the beloved storyline. However, the original animated version became an instant classic that is adored by millions of viewers. The friendship between Hiccup and his dragon, Toothless, is captivating, creating a fun and comfortable tone.
This great children’s movie franchise is an inspiring tale of self-discovery, non-conformity, and the exceptional drive to change societal norms for the better. The most charming aspect of How to Train Your Dragon is Hiccup’s coming-of-age journey, in which he learns how to break out of the conformity of his people and think for himself.
Spirited Away Is an Enchanting Fantasy
Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away begins with a couple and their young daughter, Chihiro, driving to their new home and taking a shortcut where they discover an abandoned resort. When they eat food that mysteriously appears in a restaurant, Chihiro’s parents are transformed into pigs. As a spirit world comes alive around her, the girl must figure out how to save her parents and escape the fantastical realm.
This great anime film is praised for its incredible worldbuilding, blending vibrant colors with muted ones to create a whimsical experience. From the unusual spirits to the quirky creatures, Spirited Away is a completely immersive portal fantasy that takes the audience on an adventure completely separate from the real world.
Spirited Away has an endearing ending to this coming-of-age narrative, and Chihiro not only turns out to be an epic fantasy hero but a prominent underdog protagonist in the genre. The film succeeds as both a magical fairy tale and a revolution of the genre, blending the haunting visuals of a spirit world with enchanting characters.
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