10 Most Beloved Fantasy Movies of the 21st Century

Image via Warner Bros. Published Aug 7, 2026, 6:38 AM EDT Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts! On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK. In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Sign in to your Collider account We go to the movies to escape. These few-hour journeys give us a chance to see worlds only possible in our imaginations. Yet the fantasy genre brings them to life in extraordinary ways. The 20th century has had some of our very favorite fantasy films—The Wizard of Oz, The Princess Bride, Beauty and the Beast, just to name a few. But the new millennium amplified the genre, taking it to even more impossible places. The 21st century has given cinephiles some of the greatest fantasy flicks of all time, but not every masterpiece is beloved—being beloved takes much more than exceptional craft. The film must extend beyond the big screen and shape us as viewers and the world around us. Whether impacting pop culture, inspiring experiences beyond the original media, or reshaping the fantasy landscape, these ten titles are simply and universally beloved. 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' (2001) Image via New Line Cinema Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings follows Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), who inherits a dangerous magic ring known as the One Ring, which belongs to the evil Dark Lord Sauron. Upon discovery, the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) sets Frodo on an epic journey alongside a group of nine companions on a journey to Mount Doom to destroy it. Establishing Tolkien's extraordinary world, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring masterfully turns a dense, massive fantasy book into a living world that we feel a part of. Through practical effects, handmade armor, and physical miniatures, the film feels tangible. Peter Jackson used forced perspective camera angles to make the actors appear like tiny hobbits next to wizards and elves. The emotional core of the film is about being brave and the friendships along the way. There is a great urgency in the adventure, but it never minimizes the character development as each character is given a chance to shine. The Fellowship of the Rings remains beloved because of the spark it brings. 'Shrek' (2001) Image via DreamWorks Animation The Disney Animation Renaissance was dethroned in 2001 when DreamWorks introduced the world to Shrek. Based on the 1990 children's picture book Shrek! by William Steig, the instant animated classic tells the story of Shrek (Mike Myers), a grumpy, solitary green ogre who goes on a quest alongside a talking Donkey (Eddie Murphy) to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) for Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) and reclaim the peaceful privacy of his swamp from an influx of displaced fairytale characters. Brilliantly subverting the genre as it broke away from typical animation norms, Shrek became iconic thanks in part to the irreverent humor and pop-culture jabs that stood strong next to the genuinely heartwarming message about self-worth, acceptance, and true love. It's anything but a sugary-sweet animated film, using a grittier and more realistic approach to “happily ever after.” At its core, the movie is about overcoming trauma and internalized self-doubt. Add an epic soundtrack, including Smash Mouth’s “All Star” and “I’m a Believer” and Rufus Wainwright’s “Hallelujah,” and it’s no wonder that this gem launched a successful franchise. 'Spirited Away' (2001) Image via Toho Disney helped bring Studio Ghibli to a larger, more mainstream audience. In turn, the entire world saw the brilliance of Hayao Miyazaki and Spirited Away. In the beautiful hand-drawn masterpiece, Chihiro, a sullen 10-year-old girl, enters a magical spirit world after her parents are transformed into pigs. To save them and return home, she works at a mystical bathhouse run by the witch Yubaba. A universal coming-of-age story told through a cultural lens, Spirited Away explores modern anxieties surrounding consumerism, excess, and environmental pollution and useing Japanese folklore to analyze the importance of identity. As Chihiro transforms from a fearful, whiny child into a brave, capable, and empathetic person, she learns that losing and keeping one's name represents holding onto one's true self in a consuming society. Yubaba is a complex antagonist, her objectives driven by greed rather than pure evil, making the dynamic feel multi-dimensional. Though Studio Ghibli had always been around, this film united cultures, becoming a global milestone. 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl' (2003) Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Everything needed to align in order for Disney to find gold when turning a theme park attraction into a big-budget blockbuster. Well, X marked the spot as Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl became a massive success. Directed by Gore Verbinski, the film follows eccentric pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and young blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) as they team up to rescue Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the governor's daughter, who was kidnapped by the cursed, undead crew of the Black Pearl led by Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). A beloved cinematic masterpiece, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl dismissed the theme park ride concept by turning it into a masterclass in action-comedy written through a fantastical supernatural lens. The film redefined pirate cinema through thematic freedom and an iconic hook, using piracy and the open sea as metaphors for absolute autonomy amid the suffocating social constraints of the British Empire. The interplay between the trio of protagonists anchors the fantasy with genuine human growth and romance. The Curse of the Black Pearl put Disney on the blockbuster map in the 21st century, launching a franchise in the process. 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' (2004) Image via Universal Pictures When it comes to The Wizarding World, it wasn’t until the third film that the story cemented itself in true cinematic history. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban follows Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as he learns that Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), a dangerous follower of Lord Voldemort, has escaped prison to hunt him down. A much darker film than the previous two, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban transitions from a colorful children's fantasy into a mature, psychologically rich cinematic world. It was time for the Harry Potter franchise to mature, and it did so rightly. Cuarón discarded rigid constraints to prioritize artistic atmosphere, emotional depth, and grounded storytelling. Not only did Hogwarts get a facelift, but morality and rich emotions became central to the tale. The film moved away from a school year mystery to focus on Harry's internal grief, trauma, and longing for family. As Harry grew up, so did the viewers, meaning it could tell a story about depression and anxiety through the lens of magic, thus enriching the beloved book series. Collider Exclusive · The Sorting Hat Awaits Which Hogwarts House Are You? Gryffindor · Slytherin · Hufflepuff · Ravenclaw Four houses. One destiny. The Sorting Hat has considered thousands of students — now it's your turn. Answer honestly and discover where you truly belong at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 🦁Gryffindor 🐍Slytherin 🦡Hufflepuff 🦅Ravenclaw PLACE THE HAT → 01 What quality do you value most in yourself? Answer as honestly as you can — the Hat always knows. ACourage — I act even when I'm afraid, because what's right matters more than what's safe. BAmbition — I know what I want and I have the drive and cunning to get there. CLoyalty — I show up for the people I love, no matter what it costs me. DWisdom — I think before I act and I'm always hungry to understand more. NEXT QUESTION → 02 A friend is being treated unfairly. What do you do? How you protect others says everything about who you are. AStep in immediately and confront whoever is responsible — I won't stand by. BWork out the best strategy to address it — a smart move beats a rash one. CBe by their side, support them, and help them through it however they need. DAnalyse what's actually happening and find the most reasoned, fair solution. NEXT QUESTION → 03 What does success look like to you? What you're working toward defines who you're becoming. ABeing remembered as someone who fought for what was right, whatever the odds. BAchieving the goals I set for myself — influence, status, and earned respect. CA life where the people I care about know I was there for them, always. DMastering my field, contributing something meaningful, and never stopping learning. NEXT QUESTION → 04 What is your greatest fear? Fear is the most honest thing about a person. ABeing a coward when it mattered — looking back and knowing I did nothing. BMediocrity — fading into obscurity without making my mark on the world. CLosing the people I love or letting them down when they needed me most. DIgnorance — being wrong and not knowing it, or never reaching my potential. NEXT QUESTION → 05 The rules say no. Your gut says go. What do you do? Every institution has rules. What you do with them is a choice. ABreak the rules — if it's the right thing to do, no rule should stop me. BFind a way to get what I want without getting caught. Rules are guidelines. CProbably follow the rules — but I'd find a way to help within them if I could. DThink it through carefully — is the rule unjust, or is my gut just impatient? NEXT QUESTION → 06 What kind of friend are you? Who you are to the people you love is who you really are. AThe protector — I will go to the ends of the earth for the people I care about. BThe strategist — I give sharp advice and I'm the one who figures out how to fix things. CThe constant — I'm always there, always reliable, and I never make it about me. DThe guide — I help people think things through and see perspectives they've missed. NEXT QUESTION → 07 You look into the Mirror of Erised. What do you see? The mirror shows the deepest desire of your heart. AYourself standing victorious, having faced the greatest challenge and won. BYourself at the height of your power — respected, successful, and in control. CYourself surrounded by everyone you love, whole and happy and together. DYourself with all the answers — every book read, every mystery solved. NEXT QUESTION → 08 The Sorting Hat pauses. It whispers: "You could do well in any house. But what matters most to you — truly?" This is your tiebreaker. The Hat always listens. ABravery. I want to be the kind of person who acts when others won't. BGreatness. I want to leave my mark and be more than ordinary. CBelonging. I want to be part of something good and never let my people down. DUnderstanding. I want to know the truth of things and keep growing forever. REVEAL MY HOUSE → The Sorting Hat Speaks Your House Has Been ChosenAfter careful deliberation, the Sorting Hat has made its decision. This is the house your values, your instincts, and your particular way of being in the world were made for. 🦁 GryffindorYou have nerve. Not the reckless kind, but the deep, quiet courage that shows up even when you're terrified — especially then. Gryffindors don't act because they're fearless — they act because they understand that some things are worth being afraid for. You stand up for people when it would be easier to look away. You charge toward what's right even when the odds are terrible. Harry, Hermione, Ron — the heroes of Hogwarts's greatest chapter — all called the tower with the scarlet and gold home. And now, so do you. 🐍 SlytherinYou are driven, sharp, and utterly clear-eyed about what you want and how to get there. Slytherin has long been misunderstood — painted as the house of villains when it is, at its best, the house of those who refuse to accept limits placed on them by others. You are resourceful, strategic, and you play the long game. You know your worth. You protect your own fiercely. The dungeon common room with its view of the Black Lake is yours — and the ambitions that will take you further than anyone expects are yours too. 🦡 HufflepuffYou are the kind of person that makes the world genuinely better just by being in it. Hufflepuff is not the "safe" house or the "leftover" house — it is the house of those with the greatest heart and the most unwavering integrity. You show up. You work hard. You don't need glory or recognition — you do what's right because it's right. Your loyalty never wavers, even when tested. Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Newt Scamander — some of the wizarding world's finest. And now you join them. 🦅 RavenclawYour mind is your greatest gift, and you've always known it. Ravenclaws are the thinkers, the questioners, the ones who find a puzzle irresistible and a good book better company than most people. Ravenclaw is not merely about intelligence — it's about the love of learning, the pursuit of truth, and the rare courage to admit you don't know something yet. You see the world with unusual clarity and depth. Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, Rowena Ravenclaw herself — all extraordinary, all original. And so are you. ↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ 'Pan's Labyrinth' (2006) Image via Warner Bros. Pictures The film that put Guillermo del Toro in the map as a 21st century fantasy visionary was the breathtaking Pan’s Labyrinth. Set in 1944 post-Civil War Spain, the story follows Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), a young girl who moves with her ailing mother to a military outpost commanded by her cruel stepfather, Captain Vidal (Sergi López). Escaping harsh reality, Ofelia meets a magical faun in a stone labyrinth who claims she is a lost underworld princess and assigns her three dangerous tasks to achieve immortality. Del Toro brilliantly blends the harsh, brutal reality of post-Civil War Francoist Spain with a dark, haunting fairy tale where fantasy is not a simple escape but a visceral mirror to human cruelty, fascism, and the ultimate power of choice and disobedience. Pan’s Labyrinth is del Toro’s crowning achievement. The director uses his film to explore historical allegory and real-world parallels while revitalizing traditional mythologies, reminding audiences that classic fairy tales were often gritty, cautionary, and rooted in genuine peril. By the end of the film, it’s left open to interpretation whether Ofelia's magical tasks are a literal subterranean destiny or a psychological coping mechanism against unbearable trauma. 'How to Train Your Dragon' (2010) Image via Paramount Pictures How to Train Your Dragon follows Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), an awkward Viking teen on the Isle of Berk. Desperate to prove himself in a village that fights dragons, he shoots down a rare Night Fury. Instead of killing it, he befriends the creature, whom he names Toothless, learning that dragons are peaceful, which leads him to change his tribe's view of them. How to Train Your Dragon emerged as a grounded, emotionally rich coming-of-age story that proved the underdog isn’t always naturally gifted or instantly heroic; he wins by using his mind and empathy rather than brute force. The film literally gave the titular creature flight. Toothless is a sensational visual creation, moving with a cat-like grace and organic curiosity rather than a standard cartoon template. As he and Hiccup fly as one, the camera moves with them, swooping and diving with a true sense of momentum, making the aerial sequences feel immersive. John Powell’s musical score acts as the emotional heartbeat of the movie. And against all odds, the live-action remake delivers. 'Frozen' (2013) Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures The mere mention of “Let It Go" will have the song stuck in your head; that’s the power of Disney! Frozenrevitalized the animation powerhouse, bringing audiences to the kingdom of Arendelle, while fearless princess Anna (Kristen Bell) searches for her estranged sister, Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel), whose secret magical ice powers have accidentally trapped the kingdom in an eternal winter. Frozen borrowed from classic Disney storytelling while simultaneously subverting classic fairy tale formulas to center its emotional core on the powerful, complex bond of sisterly love. A genuine Disney classic must have a plethora of songs that give the film its identity, and Frozen surpassed the norm. Written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, the toe-tapping, earworm-worthy tracks advance psychological states and narrative arcs rather than just serving as background filler. The famous “Let It Go” has emerged as a global anthem for self-acceptance and liberation, becoming one of the greatest songs in the Disney vault. 'Barbie' (2023) Image via Warner Bros. The bar had fluctuated as a live-action adaptation of the iconic Mattel doll could have been a massive flop. Fortunately, with the perfect creative team, an exceptional script, and a brilliant ensemble, Barbie achieved its mission, going above and beyond in bringing people back to the movies. The fantasy film from Greta Gerwig follows Barbie (Margot Robbie) as she faces a sudden existential crisis in the matriarchal paradise of Barbie Land. To fix her sudden flaws—like flat feet and thoughts of mortality—she journeys to the real world with Ken (Ryan Gosling), sparking a clash of societal ideas, patriarchy, and self-discovery. Barbie seamlessly transforms a 64-year-old plastic corporate toy into a profound, hilarious, and emotionally resonant philosophical text. It blends high-art cinematic craft with biting social satire, using pink-soaked escapism to dissect real-world woes, existential dread, and the impossible contradictions of modern womanhood. As it should, Barbie flips power dynamics between Barbie and Ken, taking a surprisingly empathetic look at male insecurity and identity. It also acknowledges how the doll's unrealistic standards hurt women while celebrating the messy, beautiful reality of being human instead of an immortal idea. Barbie is whimsically subversive, balancing joyful, over-the-top comedy and music with a sincere message about self-acceptance. 'Wicked' (2024) Image via Universal Pictures It may have taken some time, but the fan-favorite Broadway musical Wicked finally came to the big screen, and it was well worth the wait. Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked is the untold backstory of the Land of Oz, focusing on Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda (Ariana Grande), the future Glinda the Good. Forced to room together at Shiz University, the green-skinned misunderstood Elphaba and popular, bubbly Galinda go from initial hatred to unlikely friends. Wicked defies gravity as a stunning visual masterpiece that effortlessly translates the first act of the stage show into a dazzling wonder. It takes the musical and inserts bits of the source material by Gregory Maguire for a deeply thematic story of propaganda, prejudice, and systemic corruption through Stephen Schwartz's legendary musical score. Chu infuses the Land of Oz with vibrant, nostalgic nods to classic Hollywood Technicolor musicals. The production numbers explode on screen, becoming perfectly grand spectacles; each interpretation of the classics, from “Popular” to “Defying Gravity,” is better than we could ever have imagined. Wicked Release Date November 22, 2024 Cast Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, Peter Dinklage, Aaron Teoh, Grecia De la Paz, Colin Michael Carmichael, Adam James, Andy Nyman, Courtney Mae-Briggs, Sharon D. Clarke, Jenna Boyd Runtime 160 Minutes Director Jon M. Chu Writers Gregory Maguire, Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, L. Frank Baum