10 Best Fantasy Movies Of The 2000s

While every decade has a unique spin on the fantasy genre, there’s some enduring and nostalgic about the 2000s. Though the 1980s are typically remembered as a breakthrough era for sci-fi and fantasy, the 2000s will likely go on to be considered an equally influential period of filmmaking. Some of the most iconic franchises, like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, were released throughout the 2000s. However, it wasn’t just cinematic universes that shone during this period, as standalone projects were just as successful at creating intricate worlds that audiences could escape into.

It’s true that visual effects and CGI technologies have come a long way since the beginning of the 21st century, but despite the dated aspects of older works, there’s still plenty of charm. The best of the genre hold up against fantasy movies released today and are still incredible to watch. Conversely, the early 2000s were full of fantasy movies that would have been more successful ten years later, but the decade also boasts some of the best magical works of all time. Looking back on 2000s fantasy movies is a reminder of what the genre is capable of.

10 Stardust (2007)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Based on the 1999 novel of the same name, the Stardust movie is a little lighter and more romantic than the source material, but it retains the whimsy and world-building of the original story. While the magic system of Stardust is unconventional, the fact that it’s soft leaves room for experimentation in the narrative. Stardust blends elements of many great fantasy niches, with swashbuckling adventure and a ruthless battle between princes forming the context for the touching romance and story of self-acceptance.

Though
Stardust
wields its tongue-in-cheek humor well, this doesn’t take away from the emotional heart of the story, which keeps the audience rooting for Tristan and Yvaine.

Charlie Cox and Claire Danes star as Tristan and Yvaine, but they’re only two of the stacked cast that balances the humor and action of Stardust. Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer are at their best as raucous heroes and villains who lend their considerable reputations and skills to the work. Though Stardust wields its tongue-in-cheek humor well, this doesn’t take away from the emotional heart of the story, which keeps the audience rooting for Tristan and Yvaine.

9 Night At The Museum (2006)

Directed by Shawn Levy

The first Night at the Museum movie was released in 2006 and kicked off the beloved franchise with Ben Stiller starring as Larry Daley. While some of the humor in the film is a little silly, it’s a sweet and engaging film anchored by Stiller’s physical comedy and hidden emotional depth. Though critics didn’t immediately hail the movie as a classic work of fantasy, it’s filled with enchanting, imaginative storytelling reminiscent of childhood and the wildest dreams of the viewer’s youth.

Night at the Museum was a box office success, and the way it connected with audiences is a ringing endorsement of the movie’s longevity. The incurring sequels expanded on the story’s conceit, seeing Larry travel to museums across the world and learning more about the history and importance of art through the lens of a spellbinding adventure. One of the most important pieces of Night at the Museum is Larry. He’s the everyman and a great protagonist who the audience can see themselves within.

8 Big Fish (2003)

Directed by Tim Burton

Big Fish is an underrated installment of all Tim Burton’s movies. Though it’s magical, it doesn’t have as many gothic influences as some of Burton’s other work. The thrust of Big Fish has to do with finding the difference between fact and fiction within the stories that are passed down from parent to child. However, the characters in Big Fish come to realize that there’s plenty of truth hidden within these fantastical stories, even if they aren’t always rooted in reality.

Their relationship takes center stage in the film, but the gorgeous sets and beautiful costuming that Burton is known for help transport the audience to an incredible world.

Ewan McGregor and Billy Crudup star as Edward and Will, the father and son who attempt to connect with each other throughout Big Fish. Their relationship takes center stage in the film, but the gorgeous sets and beautiful costuming that Burton is known for help transport the audience to an incredible world. Both the scenes that play out in the imagined world Edward creates for himself and the realism of Will’s attempts to connect with him are equally compelling, allowing imagination to collide with fact.

7 Enchanted (2007)

Directed by Kevin Lima

Of all the live-action Disney fairy tales, Enchanted is by far the best. Not only does the film boast Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, and Idina Menzel as part of the cast, but it manages to perfectly blend the line between fantasy and reality to make the story a crossover hit. Simultaneously earnest and emotional while poking fun at the tropes and pitfalls of the fairy tale genre, Enchanted has something for all audiences and has aged beautifully.

Adams’ performance as Giselle is a highlight of the film, as her evolution and journey to self-acceptance is a critical part of the story and gives the narrative depth. Enchanted premiered to almost universal critical and audience acclaim because of its self-awareness and the theme of balancing both the magical and the practical in life. Though Enchanted does fall victim to the predictability of the fairy tale happily-ever-after, it never attempts to be something it’s not and welcomes the tropes into the story.

6 Coraline (2009)

Directed by Henry Selick

Rewatching Coraline today, it’s all the more clear why this gothic children’s fantasy story is a favorite not only during the autumnal months but at any time of year. The precocious and misunderstood Coraline is a perfect protagonist who is familiar to kids and adults alike as she seeks solace from her loneliness. Though there are parts of Coraline that are undeniably scary, they’re balanced by an eccentricity that seems to have sprung from the imaginations of the young viewers who have been entranced by the story for generations.

The niche of fantastical horror that
Coraline
operates within is well-suited to stop-motion, as the visuals and tone of the story fit within the equally gorgeous and uncanny world of the narrative.

While there are plenty of stop-motion animated movies that aren’t horror, many of the greatest are, including Coraline. The niche of fantastical horror that Coraline operates within is well-suited to stop-motion, as the visuals and tone of the story fit within the equally gorgeous and uncanny world of the narrative. The film takes liberties with the original short novel from 2002, but all of these changes serve to expand Coraline’s world while preserving the story’s integrity.

5 Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003)

Directed by Gore Verbinski

What began as a film adaptation of a beloved Disney Park ride has transformed into a far-reaching franchise that owes much of its success to the vision of the first film. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is everything a supernatural swashbuckling adventure should be, and is helped by the compelling chemistry between Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. As the series progressed, the story’s world leaned even further into the lore and mysticism of the high seas, but The Black Pearl balances the historical context and magic very well.

It was clear that the studio and filmmakers understood the franchise potential of The Curse of the Black Pearl when it was being made. While the film stands up to contemporary viewings as a standalone movie, it still lays the groundwork for future installments, deftly making the audience wonder at the deeper magic hidden within the world. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is as dedicated to showing the viewer a good time as the original theme park ride is, creating a movie that’s easy to get lost in.

4 Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004)

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

At the time, it was a surprise that Alfonso Cuarón was tapped to direct the third installment of the Harry Potter franchise, but in retrospect, he was the perfect person for the job. Cuarón managed to flawlessly bridge the gap between the early innocence of the first two films and the darkness of the later years. Not only did he make the transition between the eras and tone in Harry Potter possible, but he also made the project the best adaptation of the wizarding world.

While it stands out from the rest of the films, this is a good thing and makes the project memorable.

Many of the stylistic choices that Cuarón made in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban carried through to the later works, like the reimagining of Hogwarts’ grounds and the slightly more angsty characterization of Harry and his friends. Of course, much of this can be attributed to the story, but there’s little question that without The Prisoner of Azkaban​​​​​​, the remaining movies would be completely different. While it stands out from the rest of the films, this is a good thing and makes the project memorable.

3 The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)

Directed by Peter Jackson

Each installment of Peter Jackson’s adaptations of The Lord of the Rings trilogy is vital to the story. However, the final film completes the franchise and brings the narrative to another level. Packed with action, tragedy, and the climactic final moments of Frodo’s journey to destroy the One Ring, The Return of the King was immediately hailed as a genre-defining work of fantasy. The movie made history at the Academy Awards, becoming the first fantasy film to win Best Picture.

This was an incredible feat on its own but is doubly impressive because it’s a sequel, even though the three films are often considered a continuation of the same story. However, just because The Return of the King swept during awards season, that isn’t the only reason it should be remembered as a pivotal work of cinema. The performances of each member of the cast demonstrate the intensity and gravity of the project. Additionally, the sensitivity through which Jackson shows the simultaneous strength and weakness inside the characters is flawless.

2 Spirited Away (2001)

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki’s greatest film, Spirited Away, remains the crown jewel of Studio Ghibli. Not only was its legacy cemented by an outpouring of praise and accolades during awards season, but the relevance and influence it still holds in cinematic spheres is considerable. Chihiro, the young girl who is transported to the spirit world, goes through the classic beats of coming-of-age and loss of innocence throughout the story. However, the way her narrative is imagined in Spirited Away is so emotionally resonant it sets the film apart from any other bildungsroman.

Every piece of
Spirited Away
works in harmony to transport Chihiro and the audience into the bathhouse.

It’s impossible to compare other works of animation to Spirited Away. Miyazaki demonstrates such a deep understanding of the medium and how best to use it to capture a story that few other films can touch its importance. Every piece of Spirited Away works in harmony to transport Chihiro and the audience into the bathhouse. The visual language of Spirited Away is stunning and intricate, revealing something new with each viewing of the movie.

1 Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Not only one of the best fantasy movies of the 2000s but one of the best of all time, Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth will never be forgotten. As with all of del Toro’s projects, Pan’s Labyrinth features incredible character design in both the monsters and humans that inhabit its mystical world, as well as his iconic practical effects. Not only does Pan’s Labyrinth follow the familiar beats of a dark fairy tale, but it is also in conversation with the political and social messages del Toro infuses into all his projects.

The stakes of Pan’s Labyrinth feel immediate in every aspect of the narrative, with the fantasy side feeling just as real as the historical elements. Set in Francoist Spain in the 1940s, the film focuses on revolution as much as it does the coming-of-age and turbulence of the protagonist’s, Ofelia, youth during such upheaval. Like all great works of the genre, Pan’s Labyrinth leaves it up to the viewer to determine what’s real and what’s imagined, as the story’s message remains the same regardless.