Trying to find a little bit of magic in everyday life is a noble pursuit. Whether it’s reminiscing about fabled princes and princesses of old, reading a novel about young wizards, or flying past the second star to the right. Fantasy is a magnificent genre that takes what is and imagines what could be.
Kids and family movies are perhaps the most prolific in said milieu. With children’s natural inclination for inquisitiveness and wonder, they make a fantastic audience for fantasy. Able to suspend disbelief for even a moment and enter the world of the play, audiences of all ages can enjoy the hopeful escapism that comes in watching a fantasy movie meant for kids. So dust off your magic wand, brush out your unicorn’s mane, and let’s take a trip through faraway realms and revisit these 10 family fantasy movies that are perfect, start to finish.
10
‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ (2023)
Destined for cult status and rolling a natural 20 for charisma, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves puts the hilarity into the hero’s journey. Following a group of thieves and adventurers as they search for a missing item, Honor Among Thieves has key fantasy elements and laugh-out-loud funny moments. Starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, and Chloe Coleman, Honor Among Thieves also features Hugh Grant and Daisy Head in villain roles.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves has great self-aware moments and meta humor that fans of the game will enjoy. It is also very accessible to mass audiences, and you don’t have to be a level 9 Elf to follow along and enjoy the story. It is a misunderstood masterpiece that was a huge hit with both audiences and movie buffs alike, scoring over 90% in both categories on Rotten Tomatoes.
9
‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’ (1971)
One of the best family movies of the last 100 years, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a unique contribution to cinema. Audiences still don’t know what to make of it, and critics still debate how to define it. Is it a psychological thriller? Is it a fun-filled fantasy romp? Whatever you make of the film, there is no doubt that it has left its mark on the history of moving pictures.
Based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, an intentional shift was made to rename the film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.” Although Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) was the leading figure who propelled the story along, there is no doubt that the unpredictable and enigmatic Willy Wonka was the main character. Played expertly by Gene Wilder, Wonka’s duality manifested in short-tempered and chaotic outbursts paired with almost innocent childlike wonder. The lovely costumes, sets, and story set Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory apart and are a large reason why the movie is an enduring classic and still beloved by many fans today.
8
‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)
Based on the book series by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins introduces viewers to a practically perfect nanny and her flying, talking umbrella. When Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) arrives at the Banks’ residence, she is there to rescue more than just the children. The film has spectacular musical numbers that range from exhilarating and high-energy to dramatic and poignant. The superbly talented cast includes Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Reta Shaw, Elsa Lanchester, and Ed Wynn, along with Andrews.
Blending animation with live-action, Mary Poppins was a phenomenal hit for Disney. It was nominated for a whopping 13 Oscars and won eight, including one for Andrews as the leading actress. Although special effects have come a long way since 1964, the visuals still hold up and are just as engaging and pleasing to watch for modern audiences. Mary Poppins is a fantasy masterpiece, expertly knowing when and why to blur the lines of fiction and reality.
7
‘Enchanted’ (2007)
When you get Amy Adams, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey, Idina Menzel, and Timothy Spall together on the same project, you know magic is about to happen. In Enchanted Adams stars as Giselle, a young maiden who thinks she’s about to marry the prince of her dreams, Edward (Marsden). Unfortunately for the young heroine, what she does not know is that her fiancé’s evil stepmother, Queen Narissa (Sarandon), has different plans for her, and they involve sending her to a place where there are “no happily ever afters.”
Like Mary Poppins, Enchanted blends live-action and animation splendidly. Adams is quintessential in embodying how a typical Disney princess would react if they were suddenly thrown into the real world. Marsden is adorably hilarious as Edward, and the entire cast is phenomenal. Enchanted has something for everyone in all age groups. There are Disney meta throwbacks for older generations, corporate culture and self-aware references for working-class adults, and lovable and funny animal characters for kids. We’ve been dreaming of a fantastic family fantasy, and Enchanted is it.
6
‘Peter Pan’ (2003)
“For all children grow up, except one.” J.M. Barrie’s novel about the boy who never grew old has awakened the imagination in audiences for generations. In 2003, a film adaptation starring Jeremy Sumpter as the titular Pan launched to somewhat lackluster fanfare. Criminally underrated, this version of Barrie’s work is one of the best ever done. Featuring exaggerated elements, magical embellishments, and a spot-on musical score, it is like looking at the epic adventure through the eyes of a child.
Peter Pan is a dark story, and director P.J. Hogan’s vision does the best at staying true to the more sinister themes of the original work, while still making the movie entertaining and pleasing to watch for younger viewers. Jason Isaacs is exceptional as Hook, keeping the vanity of Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal in Hook, but removing the flamboyance and grounding the character with realism. All of the cast, including Rachel Hurd-Wood as Wendy, are ideal. The Darling brothers and the lost boys are amusing and act like real little boys. They have their own motives and personalities and aren’t just one shade of character type. If you are a fan of the lore, you can’t miss this movie.
5
‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (2001)
Author J.K. Rowling is a wonderful worldbuilder. Her epic Harry Potter book series transports readers to the magical school of Hogwarts, where young witches and wizards learn to perform spells and conjure magic. Centering around the titular protagonist, the rich and imaginative Wizarding World created by Rowling was adapted to the screen in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It is hard to believe this fantasy movie is 25 years old. It remains as entrancing and exciting as it did over two decades ago.
Daniel Radcliffe plays Harry, the young boy wizard who is whisked away from a less-than-desirable life and taken to a renowned school for wizardry. As Harry learns about his magical heritage, he makes friends and enemies in this first installment of the cinematic canon. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is infinitely rewatchable. With a lighter storyline than the later films, which grow increasingly ominous, it has just enough drama to keep family members of all ages watching on the edge of their seats.
4
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)
One of the best animated family films of the last five years, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is purrrrfect, start to finish. From confronting death and embracing mortality to wish fulfillment and life goal expectations, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish tackles some very meaningful themes and isn’t mere candy-floss fantasy fodder. Antonio Banderas returns as the main character, who was introduced as a side character in the popular Shrek franchise. As Puss in Boots, Banderas delivers a stellar performance that exhibits a wide range of emotions and motivations.
The animation of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is absolutely gorgeous. There are some great fractured fairy tale elements in the film, which aficionados of Shrek’s raison d’être will enjoy. The movie also has some surprisingly touching and moving moments that will have you feeling all the feels. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is a fantasy hit that no one saw coming.
3
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
The Princess Bride is a phenomenon. It was largely misunderstood upon its release, yet it has grown in both appeal and significance to audiences as time goes on. It is a singularity and doesn’t stay within the confines of one specific genre. It is a fantasy movie, but it is also an adventure tale and an enduring romance. Director Rob Reiner created some truly amazing films throughout his career in Hollywood, and to many, The Princess Bride is his magnum opus.
Part of the charm of The Princess Bride is that it is a story within a story. It opens with a grandfather reading the book to his grandson, who is home sick from school. It is a beautiful prologue reminding us why we love fantasy stories so much. They provide an escape when we’re feeling dreary, they rouse us when we’re feeling lackluster, and they inspire us we need it the most.
2
‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)
It is an impressive achievement when your version of a “tale as old as time” becomes the definitive work. That is what Disney achieved when it released an animated version of Beauty and the Beast in 1991. Originally a novel by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740, Disney took the source material and made it come to life in such a way that it changed cinema history. It became the first full-length animated film to ever be nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award.
Beauty and the Beast is an enchanting fantasy romance. It reminds audiences not to judge a book by its cover. As the beast (Robby Benson) was judged for his hideousness, hiding the fact that he was really a kind and gentle prince, Belle (Paige O’Hara) was judged on her beauty, with everyone dismissing her intellect. Beauty and the Beast is not only one of Disney’s best movies of all time, but one of the entire genre of fantasy’s best movies of all time.
1
‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’ (2005)
A magical world hidden in plain sight. A heroine who stays true to her convictions, even though no one believes her. Betrayal, battles, and prophetic kings and queens destined to reign. All of these elements and more are some of the compelling storytelling elements that make The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe a masterclass in filmmaking.
“Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia.”
Directed by Andrew Adamson, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe stars Georgie Henley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, and William Moseley as the Pevensie siblings Lucy, Susan, Edmund, and Peter, respectively. As the four siblings encounter a magical land called Narnia, they must rally their courage to free the enchanted land from the cruel tyranny of an evil witch. Gorgeous locations, costumes, and phenomenal special effects make The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe visually stunning. Coupled with the powerful story and dedicated acting of all involved, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a timeless classic. Everything in the movie is done perfectly. The music, the cinematography, the action, you name it, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has it.
The irony in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is that the Pevensies were sent away from London to protect them from a war (World War II), and they end up fighting battles in Narnia. There are many profound themes woven into the storyline, and the idea that children cannot be brave in the face of conflict is addressed. With elements of time travel, mythical creatures, and a blend of folklore and realism, it is an ensemble heroes’ journey like no other, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is family fantasy at its very best.
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