7 Great Fantasy Movies That Nobody Saw, Ranked

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Science fiction is hugely popular, but fantasy is right behind it. Fantasy stories transport us to incredible places filled with magical creatures, supernatural events, and entirely made-up worlds – sometimes even blending in elements of science fiction and horror. These stories are imaginative and captivating, offering both entertainment and thought-provoking themes. While films like The Lord of the Rings are widely celebrated, many other fantastic movies haven’t received the attention they deserve – they’re truly great films that, for one reason or another, didn’t become big hits.

Here are seven fantastic fantasy films that deserve more attention. While a few have gained a small following, we think these movies are all excellent and wish more people knew about them – especially the first one, which we believe everyone should watch.

7) City of Ember

Released in 2008, the movie City of Ember came out right before the surge in popularity of young adult book adaptations, which likely affected how well it did in theaters. The film is based on Jeanne DuPrau’s 2003 novel of the same name and takes place in Ember, a city built underground where people have lived for generations after a global disaster. The city was only meant to last 200 years, and instructions for returning to the surface were locked in a box, intended to be passed down from mayor to mayor. Unfortunately, the seventh mayor forgot about the box, and it went unnoticed when it automatically opened after two centuries. Years later, as Ember’s power source begins to fail and supplies dwindle, two teenagers must uncover the city’s hidden truths and find a way to save everyone before time runs out.

Okay, so City of Ember definitely didn’t make a splash when it came out – it flopped at the box office and critics weren’t huge fans. But honestly, I think it was just a little too early for its time. Visually, it was stunning, and the acting was fantastic, especially Saoirse Ronan who played one of the teens trying to save everyone. It wasn’t the non-stop action you might expect from a post-apocalyptic fantasy, and that might have been part of the problem. But what it did do really well was create a quieter, more emotionally powerful story. It was a bit darker, which I appreciated, and it let the young actors really shine in a surprisingly hopeful tale.

6) Something Wicked This Way Comes

Released in 1984, the Disney film Something Wicked This Way Comes is a surprisingly overlooked classic. Based on Ray Bradbury’s 1962 novel, and even written by the author himself, the movie boasts a fantastic cast including Jason Robards, Jonathan Pryce, Diane Ladd, and Pam Grier. The story follows a mysterious carnival that arrives in a quiet Midwestern town, bringing trouble led by the sinister Mr. Dark. It’s a visually beautiful film that blends dark fantasy and horror, exploring the battle between good and evil within us all, and the challenges of growing up and facing our fears. Beyond the thrills, it’s surprisingly touching and elegant.

Critics gave the film mixed reviews, but it failed to attract an audience in theaters and quickly faded into obscurity. While a remake was briefly considered in 2014, the idea never materialized. In fact, the talk of a remake was probably the most attention the film ever received—until it became available to stream on Disney+ this October, marking its debut for home viewing.

5) The Fountain

Darren Aronofsky’s 2006 film, The Fountain, starring Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, and Ellen Burstyn, blends science fiction and fantasy into a complex and beautiful story. The movie follows three interconnected narratives about love, loss, and a quest for immortality. It’s a visually striking and emotionally powerful exploration of death and acceptance, though it requires multiple viewings to fully grasp its depth. Ultimately, it’s a rewarding and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Despite initial mixed reactions and a disappointing performance at the box office – it earned only $16.5 million with a $35 million budget – the film has gained a reputation as surprisingly good over time. It’s largely been forgotten, which is unfortunate, but it was even recognized as one of Empire magazine’s 500 greatest films in 2016.

4) The Last Unicorn

Some people will point out that The Last Unicorn is definitely talked about, and that’s true! It has a dedicated fanbase, but many feel it’s still underrated. This 1982 animated fantasy film, based on Peter S. Beagle’s 1968 novel, tells the story of a unicorn who discovers she’s the last of her kind and sets out to find the others. The voice cast includes Alan Arkin, Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury, and Christopher Lee. While critics generally liked the film, it wasn’t a box office success.

The Last Unicorn is a visually stunning film, beautifully animated by Topcraft – the studio that later became Studio Ghibli. Beyond its gorgeous look, it’s a truly touching story with plenty of humor, a richly imagined world, and heartfelt emotion. It has all the qualities of a great fantasy film, especially an animated one, which explains why its fans are so passionate about it. It deserves to be recognized as the classic it is and enjoyed by a wider audience.

3) The Black Cauldron

People definitely discuss The Black Cauldron, but usually as the film that nearly ruined Disney animation, not as a good movie in its own right. Released in 1985, it’s based on the first two books of The Chronicles of Prydain and is surprisingly frightening for a Disney film. In fact, it was so scary that Disney requested edits to soften the ending, but it remained quite terrifying. The story centers around Taran, a young pig herder who wants to be a brave knight. His chance for heroism arrives when the evil Horned King kidnaps Hen-Wren, a prophetic pig under Taran’s care.

The Black Cauldron is a fantastic movie. It’s genuinely frightening and has a dark tone – in fact, it was the first Disney animated film to receive a PG rating! It also broke ground by being the first to incorporate computer animation. Beyond those achievements, it’s a remarkably intricate film with a compelling story, and the Horned King remains one of the most terrifying villains ever created in animation.

2) Return to Oz

Despite being a somewhat unsettling Disney film aimed at children from the 1980s, Return to Oz is a surprisingly good fantasy movie that didn’t do well when it was first released. It hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves, but it’s recently become more popular, likely due to the renewed interest in the Wizard of Oz sparked by Wicked. While it continues the story from The Wizard of Oz, it’s much darker and scarier. It features disturbing scenes like electroshock therapy, replaces the iconic Flying Monkeys with even creepier Wheelers, and showcases a villainous princess who regularly swaps out her heads – it’s genuinely frightening!

Honestly, I thought Return to Oz was fantastic. It really digs into the spirit of L. Frank Baum’s original books – much more so than the classic Wizard of Oz, actually – so book fans are in for a treat. And Fairuza Balk? She’s absolutely incredible in this! It’s no surprise the film even earned an Academy Award nomination for its visual effects; they were truly impressive.

1) The Fall

If you’re looking for a hidden gem, definitely check out The Fall. This visually stunning film stars Lee Pace as a hospitalized stuntman in 1915 Los Angeles. He befriends a young girl named Alexandria, who is recovering from a broken arm, and captivates her with an incredible story of adventure, loss, and romance. Despite being a fantastic movie, The Fall unfortunately didn’t do well when it was released and remains largely unknown.

The Fall is a truly remarkable film. Though inspired by a 1981 Bulgarian movie, director Tarsem Singh creates something completely original. It’s visually stunning and captivating throughout, and offers a fascinating look at how stories work. Many consider it one of the best films of the 21st century.

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2025-11-15 00:17