While every decade has a unique spin on thefantasygenre, 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 mosticonic franchises, likeHarry PotterandThe 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 offantasy movies that would have been more successful ten years later, butthe 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.
Stardust
Cast
Stardust is a fantasy-based romantic adventure-comedy by director Matthew Vaughn and based on the original novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess. In the film, Tristan, a young man who lives in an English town near a magical border wall, decides to catch a fallen star to win the affection of a woman named Yvaine. However, Tristan soon learns what - or who - the star is, and a grand adventure back to England begins.
Based on the 1999 novel of the same name,theStardustmovie is a little lighter and more romantic than the source material, but it retains the whimsy and world-buildingof the original story. While the magic system ofStardustis unconventional, the fact that it’s soft leaves room for experimentation in the narrative.Stardustblends 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.
ThoughStardustwields 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 ofStardust. 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. ThoughStardustwields 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.
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Night at the Museum
Night at the Museum is a comedy adventure film directed by Shawn Levy. It tells the story of Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), a night shift security guard at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City who realizes that all the exhibits in the museum come to life at night. The cast includes Robin Williams as Theodore Roosevelt, Patrick Gallagher as Attila the Hun, and Mizuo Peck and Sacagawea.
The firstNight at the Museummovie 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 Museumwas 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 worldand learning more about the history and importance of art through the lens of a spellbinding adventure. One of the most important pieces ofNight at the Museumis Larry. He’s the everyman and a great protagonist who the audience can see themselves within.
Night at the Museum (2006)
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Big Fishis an underrated installment ofall 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 ofBig Fishhas to do with finding the difference between fact and fiction within the stories that are passed down from parent to child. However, the characters inBig Fishcome to realize thatthere’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 throughoutBig 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. Boththe 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.
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Enchanted
Starring Amy Adams as Giselle, Enchanted follows its heroine as she is cast out of her animated fantasy world by an evil queen, ending up in the middle of New York City where she meets Robert, a jaded lawyer who reluctantly takes the clueless Giselle in. As Giselle begins to adjust to life in the real world, and her relationship with Robert deepens, she must reconcile what she thought she wanted with where life has taken her. Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Idina Menzel, and Susan Sarandon also star.
Of all the live-action Disney fairy tales,Enchantedis 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,Enchantedhas something for all audiences and has aged beautifully.
17-Year-Old Amy Adams Movie With 93% On Rotten Tomatoes Had The Exact Same Plot As Barbie
Barbie’s journey from a fantasy world to self-discovery in the real world has a shockingly similar story to this 20-year-old Amy Adams romcom.
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.Enchantedpremiered to almost universal critical and audience acclaim because of its self-awarenessand the theme of balancing both the magical and the practical in life. ThoughEnchanteddoes 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.
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Coraline
Based on Neil Gaiman’s novella, Coraline follows Coraline Jones, a lonely young girl who, after moving to a new house with her inattentive parents, discovers a portal to another, more sinister alternate reality behind one of the house’s many doors. Written and directed by Henry Selick, the film uses stop-motion animation and stars Dakota Fanning as Coraline.
RewatchingCoralinetoday, 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 protagonistwho is familiar to kids and adults alike as she seeks solace from her loneliness. Though there are parts ofCoralinethat 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 thatCoralineoperates 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 ofstop-motion animated movies that aren’t horror, many of the greatest are, includingCoraline. The niche of fantastical horror thatCoralineoperates 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.
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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
The Curse of the Black Pearl is the film that kickstarted the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, a series of supernatural swashbuckling adventures. In 1720, blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate “Captain” Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor’s daughter Elizabeth Swann, from Jack’s former pirate allies, who are now undead.
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 Pearlis 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, butThe Black Pearlbalances the historical context and magic very well.
It was clear that the studio and filmmakers understood the franchise potential ofThe Curse of the Black Pearlwhen it was being made. Whilethe 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 Pearlis 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.
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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: In Harry’s third year at Hogwarts, he faces more complex magical challenges and encounters fear-inducing Dementors. The escape of the notorious wizard Sirius Black from Azkaban casts a shadow over the school year, presenting new threats and mysteries for Harry and his friends to unravel.
At the time, it was a surprise that Alfonso Cuarón was tapped to direct the third installment of theHarry Potterfranchise,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 inHarry Potterpossible, 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 inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabancarried 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 withoutThe 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.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King concludes the epic saga of the Fellowship’s quest to destroy the One Ring and put an end to Sauron’s reign of terror. As Frodo and Sam continue on their way to Mordor and Mount Doom, accompanied by Gollom, the rest of the Fellowship work to defend Minas Tirith from Sauron’s forces. The film’s ensemble cast includes Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Vigo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan.
Each installment of Peter Jackson’s adaptations ofThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy 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 Kingwas 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 becauseThe Return of the Kingswept 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 gravityof the project. Additionally, the sensitivity through which Jackson shows the simultaneous strength and weakness inside the characters is flawless.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
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Spirited Away
Spirited Away, a masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki, is an animated fantasy film that follows the enchanting journey of a young girl named Chihiro. Trapped in a mystical world after her parents are transformed into pigs, Chihiro must navigate a realm filled with spirits and peculiar creatures to save her family.
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 inSpirited Awayis so emotionally resonant it sets the film apart from any other bildungsroman.
Every piece ofSpirited Awayworks in harmony to transport Chihiro and the audience into the bathhouse.
It’s impossible to compare other works of animation toSpirited Away.Miyazaki demonstrates such a deep understanding of the mediumand how best to use it to capture a story that few other films can touch its importance. Every piece ofSpirited Awayworks in harmony to transport Chihiro and the audience into the bathhouse. The visual language ofSpirited Awayis stunning and intricate, revealing something new with each viewing of the movie.
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10 Fantasy Movies That Deserved Sequels
These great fantasy movies deserved sequels to deepen the story, but are either underrated, were continued in poorer ways, or cut short by a flop.
Pan’s Labyrinth
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth follows Ofelia, a ten-year-old girl living in 1940s Spain who learns she is actually a long-lost fairy princess. With the help of a faun, she is set a series of tasks to complete in order to return to her true home in the fairy underworld. Ivana Baquero stars as Ofelia, with Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, and Doug Jones making up the rest of the main cast.
Not only one of the best fantasy movies of the 2000s but one of the best of all time, Guillermo del Toro’sPan’s Labyrinthwill never be forgotten. As with all of del Toro’s projects,Pan’s Labyrinthfeatures incredible character design in both the monsters and humansthat inhabit its mystical world, as well as his iconic practical effects. Not only doesPan’s Labyrinthfollow 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 ofPan’s Labyrinthfeel immediate in every aspect of the narrative, with thefantasyside 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 Labyrinthleaves it up to the viewer to determine what’s real and what’s imagined,as the story’s message remains the same regardless.
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