The 10 Best Fantasy Movies Of The Decade (According To Rotten Tomatoes)

It’s hard to resist a good fantasy movie. While movies grounded in reality can provide solid entertainment, there’s nothing quite like being whisked away on an adventure that goes beyond what is possible in our world. While fantasy done poorly can be a real disaster, a well-made fantasy adventure can be truly magical.

Given what it takes to pull off a good fantasy film, it is not one of the more prolific genres in the industry. However, even over the last decade, there have been some admirable additions to the genre that critics have approved of. Here are the best fantasy movies of the decade, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

10 Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (77%)

The Harry Potter franchise is one of the biggest fantasy series in film history and Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 was the beginning of the end. The first part of the epic conclusion found Harry and his friends set out on a desperate mission to stop Voldemort once and for all.

Splitting the final story into two separate films was a controversial decision and some critics felt this first part lacked substance as a result. But the film was still called an emotional and beautiful entry that got you excited for the real finale.

9 Cinderella (85%)

After years of creating some of the most acclaimed animated films of all time, Disney finally realized they had a whole bunch of material for live-action remakes. Cinderella was one of the first films in that trend and it remains one of the most successful with critics.

The film stars Lily James as the titular girl who lives a tormented life under her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchette) but is given the chance at finding happiness when a Fairy Godmother makes her a princess for one night. James was praised for her star-making turn and the beautiful costume designs for the film were also given special notice by critics.

8 A Monster Calls (86%)

Fantasy movies can sometimes be dismissed as a genre for kids, but they have the ability to tackle important subject matter even with their larger-than-life scope. A Monster Calls is an emotional story of a young boy dealing with his mother’s terminal illness who is visited by a monster who helps him cope with the pain.

Mixing elements of serious and dark topics with fantastical elements could result in a tonally mismatched film, but critics admitted that the film pulls off the difficult task. It makes for an exciting and moving coming-of-age story.

7 Pete’s Dragon (88%)

With all the higher profile Disney remakes like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, many people overlooked Pete’s Dragon. However, it is certainly one worth seeking out. The remake of the live-action/animated hybrid stars the likes of Bryce Dallas Howard, Karl Urban and Robert Redford in the story of an orphaned boy named Peter and his best friend Elliott who is a dragon.

The movie shows the considerable improvements visual effects have undergone since the 1977 original. But while the visuals are impressive, they never get in the way of the charming and heartwarming adventure.

6 The Shape Of Water (92%)

Guillermo Del Toro is a filmmaker who loves to play in the fantasy genre while always adding his own new spin on the genre. The Shape of Water was perhaps his boldest film yet and one of his best. It tells the story of a mute janitor working in a government facility who develops a symbiotic relationship with a strange aquatic creature that is being held prisoner.

The movie was a hit with critics which is not surprising seeing as it went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director. The movie is another visual treat from Del Toro as well as being a well-acted and thrilling surprise.

5 Blancanieves (95%)

Blancanieves is probably the least well-known film on this list but it is based on a story you’re likely to be very familiar with. The film is a retelling of the Brothers Grimm story of “Snow White”. Though it is a story that has been told countless times, this Spanish set version which deals with an amnesiac girl who is taken in by bullfighting dwarves is certainly unique.

The movie takes a darker path with the source material and critics praised the smartly written script for adding something new to the very familiar tale.

4 The Jungle Book (95%)

The Jungle Book is yet another live-action Disney remake to earn a spot on this list and it has the distinction of being the highest-rated of the Disney remakes. The all-star cast includes Bill Murray, Scarlet Johansson, Christopher Walker and Idris Elba who all provide their voices to bring these beloved animal characters to life. The retelling explores young Mowgli’s quest to find his place in the jungle while being hunted by the deadly Shere Khan.

The film was acknowledged for setting a new standard for CGI with its impressive recreation of the beloved tale. Some critics even called it an improvement on the original.

3 Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (96%)

The Harry Potter series finally came to its end with this highly anticipated conclusion. The film found Harry and the other Hogwarts students defending their school against Voldemort and his forces, all leading to the final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort that fans had been waiting so many years to see.

Though the expectations for this film were impossibly high, many critics felt it managed to meet them with a thoroughly satisfying and powerful final film. The acting and storytelling were the strongest yet in the franchise.

2 Kubo And The Two Strings (97%)

The folks at Laika animation studio do have a talent for bringing incredible stories to life and one of their finest achievements is Kubo and the Two Strings. The animated fantasy-adventure film is set in Japan and follows a young boy named Kubo who teams with a snow monkey and a beetle to battle his evil, grandfather.

The movie’s animation stood out for many as the major selling point, especially with the story’s inventive action sequences. Critics also appreciated the film’s willingness to explore difficult storylines you don’t always see in these movies.

1 How To Train Your Dragon (99%)

Animated films can be a brilliant platform for telling fantasy stories as there is virtually no limit to what can be created. How to Train Your Dragon showed the heights the genre could reach and the amazing visual stories that could be told through animated films. The story is set in a Viking community that is constantly attacked by dragons and a young timid man who forms an unlikely relationship with one of the winged creatures.

The movie successfully provided the kind of genre entertainment you would expect from such a story, and the flying sequences were hailed as breathtaking. The movie is also filled with heart, humor and poignant moments that make it an unforgettable adventure.

About The Author

Colin McCormick
(2030 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

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