Best Fantasy Movies of All Time

Critics Consensus: More visually elaborate than the fragmented story can sometimes support, The Fall walks the line between labor of love and filmmaker self-indulgence.

Synopsis: A bedridden patient (Lee Pace) captivates a hospitalized girl (Catinca Untaru) with a fantastic tale involving heroes, mystics and villains on a desert island.

Starring: Lee Pace, Catinca Untaru, Justine Waddell, Robin Smith

Directed By: Tarsem Singh

Critics Consensus: Solomon Kane's formulaic and bleak narrative is overcome by an entertaining, straightforward adherence to its genre, exciting gore, and a gratifying lead performance by James Purefoy.

Synopsis: A man (James Purefoy) must renounce his newly taken vows of peace to rescue a young woman (Rachel Hurd-Wood) from an evil sorcerer (Jason Flemyng).

Starring: James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Alice Krige

Directed By: MJ Bassett

Critics Consensus: Though Conan may take itself too seriously for some, this adventure film about a former slave seeking vengeance is full of quotable Schwarzenegger lines and gritty action.

Synopsis: Orphaned boy Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is enslaved after his village is destroyed by the forces of vicious necromancer Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones), and is... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Sandahl Bergman, Gerry Lopez

Directed By: John Milius

Critics Consensus: This hotly-anticipated pairing of martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li features dazzling fight scenes but is weighed down by too much filler.

Synopsis: Jason (Michael Angarano), an American teenager, is a huge fan of Hong Kong cinema and old kung-fu movies. While browsing in a Chinatown pawn shop,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Yifei Liu

Directed By: Rob Minkoff

Critics Consensus: There are pacing problems, but Ladyhawke has an undeniable romantic sweep that's stronger than most fantasy epics of its ilk.

Synopsis: Upon breaking out of a dungeon, youthful thief Phillipe Gaston (Matthew Broderick) befriends Capt. Navarre (Rutger Hauer), a man with a strange secret. Navarre and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Leo McKern

Directed By: Richard Donner

Critics Consensus: Terry Gilliam remains as indulgent as ever, but The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus represents a return to the intoxicatingly imaginative, darkly beautiful power of his earlier work, with fine performances to match all the visual spectacle.

Synopsis: Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), the leader of a traveling show, has a dark secret. Thousands of years ago he traded the soul of his daughter,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Verne Troyer, Andrew Garfield

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Critics Consensus: A goofy, old-school sword-and-sandal epic, Clash of the Titans mines Greek mythology for its story and fleshes it out with Ray Harryhausen's charmingly archaic stop-motion animation techniques.

Synopsis: Perseus (Harry Hamlin), son of the Greek god Zeus (Laurence Olivier), grows up on a deserted island. His destiny is to marry Princess Andromeda (Judi... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Harry Hamlin, Laurence Olivier, Judi Bowker, Claire Bloom

Directed By: Desmond Davis

Critics Consensus: People hate Highlander because it's cheesy, bombastic, and absurd. And people love it for the same reasons.

Synopsis: When the mystical Russell Nash (Christopher Lambert) kills a man in a sword fight in a New York City parking lot, he leaves a sliver... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown

Directed By: Russell Mulcahy

Critics Consensus: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is an entertaining family adventure worthy of the standard set by its predecessor.

Synopsis: One year after their previous adventure, the Pevensie children (Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell) return to the magical land of Narnia and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell

Directed By: Andrew Adamson

Critics Consensus: It isn't Tim Burton's best work, but Sleepy Hollow entertains with its stunning visuals and creepy atmosphere.

Synopsis: Constable Ichabod Crane is sent to the village of Sleepy Hollow, where a headless horseman is leaving a trail of decapitated bodies.

Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon

Directed By: Tim Burton

Critics Consensus: Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth is an earnest, visually resplendent trip, but the film's deliberate pace robs the material of some of its majesty.

Synopsis: Bilbo Baggins lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the Shire, until the wizard Gandalf arrives and convinces him to join a group... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott

Directed By: Peter Jackson

Critics Consensus: An entertaining PG detour for gore maestro Eli Roth, The House with a Clock in Its Walls is a family-friendly blend of humor and horror with an infectious sense of fun.

Synopsis: Ten-year-old Lewis goes to live with his oddball uncle in a creaky old house that contains a mysterious ticktock noise. He soon learns that Uncle... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen Vaccaro, Kyle MacLachlan

Directed By: Eli Roth

Critics Consensus: While devotees of John Updike's novel may want to put a hex on George Miller's cartoonish and effects-laden adaptation, Jack Nicholson lends enough decadent devilry to make this high-concept comedy sizzle.

Synopsis: Three small-town friends, Alexandra (Cher), Jane (Susan Sarandon) and Sukie (Michelle Pfeiffer), each having lost the man in their lives, are feeling unfulfilled -- until... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer

Directed By: George Miller

Critics Consensus: While it's arguably more interesting on a visual level, Labyrinth provides further proof of director Jim Henson's boundless imagination.

Synopsis: Frustrated with babysitting on yet another weekend night, Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), a teenager with an active imagination, summons the Goblins to take her baby stepbrother... View Full Synopsis

Starring: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Shelley Thompson

Directed By: Jim Henson

Critics Consensus: A bit alarming at first, Nanny McPhee has a hard edge to counter Mary Poppins-style sweetness, but it still charms us and teaches some valuable lessons.

Synopsis: Widower Cedric Brown hires Nanny McPhee to care for his seven rambunctious children, who have chased away all previous nannies. Taunted by Simon and his... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kelly Macdonald, Derek Jacobi

Directed By: Kirk Jones

Critics Consensus: Emma Thompson's second labor of love with the Nanny McPhee character actually improves on the first, delivering charming family fare with an excellent cast.

Synopsis: Enigmatic Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) arrives on the doorstep of a harried mother, Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is trying to raise her kids and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rhys Ifans, Maggie Smith

Directed By: Susanna White

Critics Consensus: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children proves a suitable match for Tim Burton's distinctive style, even if it's on stronger footing as a visual experience than a narrative one.

Synopsis: When his beloved grandfather leaves Jake clues to a mystery that spans different worlds and times, he finds a magical place known as Miss Peregrine's... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Judi Dench

Directed By: Tim Burton

Critics Consensus: On the whole, this Disney adaptation of the Sondheim classic sits comfortably at the corner of Hollywood and Broadway -- even if it darkens to its detriment in the final act.

Synopsis: As the result of the curse of a once-beautiful witch (Meryl Streep), a baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) are childless. Three days... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick

Directed By: Rob Marshall

Critics Consensus: Solid if far from definitive, this version of Peter Pan is visually impressive, psychologically complex and faithful to its original source.

Synopsis: As Wendy Darling (Rachel Hurd-Wood) recounts stories to her brothers, John (Harry Newell) and Michael (Freddie Popplewell), she is visited by Peter Pan (Jeremy Sumpter).... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jason Isaacs, Jeremy Sumpter, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Olivia Williams

Directed By: P.J. Hogan

Critics Consensus: Dazzling special effects for the kids + well-crafted storytelling for the 'rents = cinematic satisfaction for the whole family.

Synopsis: After their father (Tim Robbins) is called into work, two young boys, Walter (Josh Hutcherson) and Danny (Jonah Bobo), are left in the care of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard, Kristen Stewart

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Critics Consensus: Not all of its many intriguing ideas are developed, but The City of Lost Children is an engrossing, disturbing, profoundly memorable experience.

Synopsis: Old and decrepit Krank has lost his capacity for dreaming and is attempting to fight death by stealing the dreams of children. Krank's cadre of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ron Perlman, Daniel Emilfork, Judith Vittet, Dominique Pinon

Directed By: Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Critics Consensus: The Dark Crystal's narrative never quite lives up to the movie's visual splendor, but it remains an admirably inventive and uniquely intense entry in the Jim Henson canon.

Synopsis: Jen (Stephen Garlick), raised by the noble race called the Mystics, has been told that he is the last survivor of his own race, the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Baddeley, Stephen Garlick, David Buck, Barry Dennen

Directed By: Jim Henson, Frank Oz

Critics Consensus: A charming father-and-son tale filled with typical Tim Burton flourishes, Big Fish is an impressive catch.

Synopsis: When Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) becomes ill, his son, William (Billy Crudup), travels to be with him. William has a strained relationship with Edward because... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange

Directed By: Tim Burton

Critics Consensus: A magical journey about the power of a young boy's imagination to save a dying fantasy land, The NeverEnding Story remains a much-loved kids adventure.

Synopsis: On his way to school, Bastian ducks into a bookstore to avoid bullies. Sneaking away with a book called "The Neverending Story," Bastian begins reading... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach, Moses Gunn

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen

Critics Consensus: While still slightly hamstrung by "middle chapter" narrative problems and its formidable length, The Desolation of Smaug represents a more confident, exciting second chapter for the Hobbit series.

Synopsis: Having survived the first part of their unsettling journey, Bilbo Baggins and his companions continue east. More dangers await them, including the skin-changer Beorn and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch

Directed By: Peter Jackson

Critics Consensus: Some may find its dark tone and slender narrative off-putting, but Spike Jonze's heartfelt adaptation of the classic children's book is as beautiful as it is uncompromising.

Synopsis: Feeling misunderstood at home and at school, mischievous Max (Max Records) escapes to the land of the Wild Things, majestic -- and sometimes fierce --... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Catherine Keener, Max Records, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini

Directed By: Spike Jonze

Critics Consensus: John Boorman's operatic, opulent take on the legend of King Arthur is visually remarkable, and features strong performances from an all-star lineup of British thespians.

Synopsis: The magical sword of Excalibur starts off in the hands of British lord Uther Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne) and then, years later, finds its way to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nicol Williamson, Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay

Directed By: John Boorman

Critics Consensus: With first-rate special effects and compelling storytelling, this adaptation stays faithful to its source material and will please moviegoers of all ages.

Synopsis: During the World War II bombings of London, four English siblings are sent to a country house where they will be safe. One day Lucy... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley

Directed By: Andrew Adamson

Critics Consensus: The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec is an old-school adventure yarn with a distaff European - and generally rather delightful - spin.

Synopsis: A popular novelist deals with her would-be suitors, the cops, monsters, and other distractions.

Starring: Louise Bourgoin, Mathieu Amalric, Gilles Lellouche, Jean-Paul Rouve

Directed By: Luc Besson

Critics Consensus: An atypically dark Disney adventure, Dragonslayer puts a realistic spin -- and some impressive special effects -- on a familiar tale.

Synopsis: A terrible dragon is terrorizing the medieval land of Urland in the 6th century. Representatives from the kingdom seek the assistance of the wizard Ulrich... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Peter MacNicol, Caitlin Clarke, Ralph Richardson, John Hallam

Directed By: Matthew Robbins

Critics Consensus: A faithful interpretation that captures the spirit of whimsy, action, and off-kilter humor of Neil Gaiman, Stardust juggles multiple genres and tones to create a fantastical experience.

Synopsis: To win the heart of his beloved, a young man named Tristan ventures into the realm of fairies to retrieve a fallen star. What Tristan... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Critics Consensus: A visual treat rich in symbolism, The Holy Mountain adds another defiantly idiosyncratic chapter to Jodorowsky's thoroughly unique filmography.

Synopsis: A Mexican master (Alexandro Jodorowsky) leads a Christ figure (Horacio Salinas) and other disciples to a mountain of immortal wise men.

Starring: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Horacio Salinas, Zamira Saunders, Juan Ferrara

Directed By: Alejandro Jodorowsky

Critics Consensus: The Spiderwick Chronicles is an entertaining children's adventure, with heart and imagination to spare.

Synopsis: Of the three Grace children, Jared (Freddie Highmore) has always been thought of as the troublemaker. So when strange things happen after his family's move... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Mary-Louise Parker, David Strathairn

Directed By: Mark Waters

Critics Consensus: Like many classic games, Jumanji: The Next Level retains core components of what came before while adding enough fresh bits to keep things playable.

Synopsis: When Spencer goes back into the fantastical world of Jumanji, pals Martha, Fridge and Bethany re-enter the game to bring him home. But the game... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan

Directed By: Jake Kasdan

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Geppetto's puppet creation, Pinocchio, magically comes to life with dreams of becoming a real boy. Easily led astray, Pinocchio tumbles from one misadventure to another... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Roberto Benigni, Federico Ielapi, Luigi Proietti, Rocco Papaleo

Directed By: Matteo Garrone

Critics Consensus: May leave you exhausted like the theme park ride that inspired it; however, you'll have a good time when it's over.

Synopsis: Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) arrives at Port Royal in the Caribbean without a ship or crew. His timing is inopportune, however, because later that... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley

Directed By: Gore Verbinski

Critics Consensus: Visually splendid and narratively satisfying, Tale of Tales packs an off-kilter wallop for mature viewers in search of something different.

Synopsis: Three fairy tales revolve around a king (John C. Reilly) who must slay a sea monster, a giant flea and a womanizing ruler (Vincent Cassel)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel, Toby Jones, John C. Reilly

Directed By: Matteo Garrone

Critics Consensus: It can't help but feel like the prelude it is, but Deathly Hallows: Part I is a beautifully filmed, emotionally satisfying penultimate installment for the Harry Potter series.

Synopsis: Without the guidance and protection of their professors, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) begin a mission to destroy the Horcruxes,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes

Directed By: David Yates

Critics Consensus: It's not easy to take the longest Harry Potter book and streamline it into the shortest HP movie, but director David Yates does a bang up job of it, creating an Order of the Phoenix that's entertaining and action-packed.

Synopsis: Now in his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry learns that many in the wizarding community do not know the truth of his encounter with Lord... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter

Directed By: David Yates

Critics Consensus: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone adapts its source material faithfully while condensing the novel's overstuffed narrative into an involving -- and often downright exciting -- big-screen magical caper.

Synopsis: Adaptation of the first of J.K. Rowling's popular children's novels about Harry Potter, a boy who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, John Cleese

Directed By: Chris Columbus

Critics Consensus: Though perhaps more enchanting for younger audiences, Chamber of Secrets is nevertheless both darker and livelier than its predecessor, expanding and improving upon the first film's universe.

Synopsis: The follow-up to "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" finds young wizard Harry Potter and his friends, Ron and Hermione, facing new challenges during their... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh

Directed By: Chris Columbus

Critics Consensus: Danny DeVito-directed version of Matilda is odd, charming, and while the movie diverges from Roald Dahl, it nonetheless captures the book's spirit.

Synopsis: This film adaptation of a Roald Dahl work tells the story of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a gifted girl forced to put up with a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz

Directed By: Danny DeVito

Critics Consensus: Closer to the source material than 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is for people who like their Chocolate visually appealing and dark.

Synopsis: Based on the beloved Roald Dahl tale, this comedic and fantastical film follows young Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) and his Grandpa Joe (David Kelly) as... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter

Directed By: Tim Burton

Critics Consensus: Bridge to Terabithia is a faithful adaptation of a beloved children's novel and a powerful portrayal of love, loss, and imagination through children's eyes.

Synopsis: The life of Jesse (Josh Hutcherson), an adolescent, changes when he befriends Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb), the class outsider. The children create an imaginary world called... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel, Robert Patrick

Directed By: Gabor Csupo

Critics Consensus: Don Chaffey's Jason and the Argonauts is an outlandish, transportive piece of nostalgia whose real star is the masterful stop-motion animation work of Ray Harryhausen.

Synopsis: After saving the life of his royal father's usurper, Pelias (Douglas Wilmer), whom he fails to recognize, Jason (Todd Armstrong) is encouraged by the conniving... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Todd Armstrong, Nancy Kovack, Gary Raymond, Honor Blackman

Directed By: Don Chaffey

Critics Consensus: Time Bandits is a remarkable time-travel fantasy from Terry Gilliam, who utilizes fantastic set design and homemade special effects to create a vivid, original universe.

Synopsis: Young history buff Kevin (Craig Warnock) can scarcely believe it when six dwarfs emerge from his closet one night. Former employees of the Supreme Being... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Katherine Helmond

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Critics Consensus: The BFG minimizes the darker elements of Roald Dahl's classic in favor of a resolutely good-natured, visually stunning, and largely successful family-friendly adventure.

Synopsis: Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant. Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Critics Consensus: Refreshingly traditional in a revisionist era, Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella proves Disney hasn't lost any of its old-fashioned magic.

Synopsis: After her father unexpectedly dies, young Ella (Lily James) finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and stepsisters, who reduce her... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter

Directed By: Kenneth Branagh

Critics Consensus: Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey celebrates the yuletide season with a holiday adventure whose exuberant spirit is matched by its uplifting message.

Synopsis: Decades after his apprentice betrays him, a once joyful toymaker finds new hope when his bright young granddaughter appears on his doorstep.

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Anika Noni Rose

Directed By: David E. Talbert

Critics Consensus: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle uses a charming cast and a humorous twist to offer an undemanding yet solidly entertaining update on its source material.

Synopsis: Four high school kids discover an old video game console and are drawn into the game's jungle setting, literally becoming the adult avatars they chose.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan

Directed By: Jake Kasdan

Critics Consensus: The first collaboration between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands is a magical modern fairy tale with gothic overtones and a sweet center.

Synopsis: A scientist (Vincent Price) builds an animated human being -- the gentle Edward (Johnny Depp). The scientist dies before he can finish assembling Edward, though,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall

Directed By: Tim Burton

Critics Consensus: Dark, thrilling, and occasionally quite funny, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is also visually stunning and emotionally satisfying.

Synopsis: As Death Eaters wreak havoc in both Muggle and Wizard worlds, Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for students. Though Harry suspects there are... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter

Directed By: David Yates

Critics Consensus: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is strange yet comforting, full of narrative detours that don't always work but express the film's uniqueness.

Synopsis: The last of five coveted "golden tickets" falls into the hands of a sweet but very poor boy. He and his grandpa then get a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear

Directed By: Mel Stuart

Critics Consensus: With a deliciously wicked performance from Angelica Huston and imaginative puppetry by Jim Henson's creature shop, Nicolas Roeg's dark and witty movie captures the spirit of Roald Dahl's writing like few other adaptations.

Synopsis: While staying at a hotel in England with his grandmother, Helga (Mai Zetterling), young Luke (Jasen Fisher) inadvertently spies on a convention of witches. The... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, Jasen Fisher, Rowan Atkinson

Directed By: Nicolas Roeg

Critics Consensus: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them draws on Harry Potter's rich mythology to deliver a spinoff that dazzles with franchise-building magic all its own.

Synopsis: The year is 1926, and Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol

Directed By: David Yates

Critics Consensus: Bursting with Terry Gilliam's typically imaginative flourishes, this story of a possibly deranged Baron recounting his storied life is a flamboyant and witty visual treat.

Synopsis: During the "Age of Reason" of the late 18th century, the Turkish army lays siege to a European city where a theater production about the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Neville, Eric Idle, Sarah Polley, Oliver Reed

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Critics Consensus: A 3D adaptation of a supposedly "unfilmable" book, Ang Lee's Life of Pi achieves the near impossible -- it's an astonishing technical achievement that's also emotionally rewarding.

Synopsis: After deciding to sell their zoo in India and move to Canada, Santosh and Gita Patel board a freighter with their sons and a few... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, Rafe Spall

Directed By: Ang Lee

Critics Consensus: The main characters are maturing, and the filmmakers are likewise improving on their craft; vibrant special effects and assured performances add up to what is the most complex yet of the Harry Potter films.

Synopsis: During Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts a competition will be held between three schools of wizardry, and contestants will be magically chosen for the very... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane

Directed By: Mike Newell

Critics Consensus: El Espíritu de la Colmena uses a classic horror story's legacy as the thread for a singularly absorbing childhood fable woven with uncommon grace.

Synopsis: In an allegory of life after Gen. Franco's victory in the Spanish Civil War, life in a remote village in the 1940s is calm and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Fernando Fernán Gómez, Teresa Gimpera, Ana Torrent, Isabel Tellería

Directed By: Víctor Erice

Critics Consensus: Smartly written and beautiful to behold, Blancanieves uses its classic source material to offer a dark tale, delightfully told.

Synopsis: Rescued from her evil stepmother (Maribel Verdú) by dwarves, a young woman (Macarena García) becomes a bullfighter like her late father.

Starring: Maribel Verdú, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Ángela Molina, Pere Ponce

Directed By: Pablo Berger

Critics Consensus: Heavy with symbolism and deliberately paced, Orpheus may not be for everyone -- but as an example of Jean Cocteau's eccentric genius, it's all but impossible not to recommend.

Synopsis: At the Café des Poètes in Paris, a fight breaks out between the poet Orphée (Jean Marais) and a group of resentful upstarts. A rival... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jean Marais, María Casares, François Perier, Marie Déa

Directed By: Jean Cocteau

Critics Consensus: With an enchanting cast, beautifully crafted songs, and a painterly eye for detail, Beauty and the Beast offers a faithful yet fresh retelling that honors its beloved source material.

Synopsis: Belle (Emma Watson), a bright, beautiful and independent young woman, is taken prisoner by a beast (Dan Stevens) in its castle. Despite her fears, she... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline

Directed By: Bill Condon

Critics Consensus: Narratively bold and visually striking, The Seventh Seal brought Ingmar Bergman to the world stage -- and remains every bit as compelling today.

Synopsis: When disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Nils Poppe, Bibi Andersson

Directed By: Ingmar Bergman

Critics Consensus: Under the assured direction of Alfonso Cuaron, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban triumphantly strikes a delicate balance between technical wizardry and complex storytelling.

Synopsis: Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts starts off badly when he learns deranged killer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Gary Oldman

Directed By: Alfonso Cuarón

Critics Consensus: It requires some viewing commitment, but this beautifully assembled showcase for Douglas Fairbanks' acting offers some splendid treats for classic film fans.

Synopsis: A thief sneaks into a royal palace, where he sees and falls instantly in love with a beautiful princess. Pretending to be a prince, the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Douglas Fairbanks, Snitz Edwards, Charles Belcher, Julanne Johnston

Directed By: Raoul Walsh

Critics Consensus: A smart re-imagining of fairy tale tropes that's sure to delight children and adults, Enchanted features witty dialogue, sharp animation, and a star turn by Amy Adams.

Synopsis: Banished by an evil queen, Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) from a fairy-tale world lands in modern Manhattan, where music, magic and "happily ever after" are... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall

Directed By: Kevin Lima

Critics Consensus: Full of eye-popping special effects, and featuring a pitch-perfect cast, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring brings J.R.R. Tolkien's classic to vivid life.

Synopsis: The future of civilization rests in the fate of the One Ring, which has been lost for centuries. Powerful forces are unrelenting in their search... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen

Directed By: Peter Jackson

Critics Consensus: Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an innovative and entertaining film that features a groundbreaking mix of live action and animation, with a touching and original story to boot.

Synopsis: Down-on-his-luck private eye Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) gets hired by cartoon producer R.K. Maroon (Alan Tilvern) to investigate an adultery scandal involving Jessica Rabbit (Kathleen... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy, Stubby Kaye

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Critics Consensus: A lavish modern fairy tale celebrated for its amazing special effects, catchy songs, and Julie Andrews's legendary performance in the title role.

Synopsis: When Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Matthew Garber), the children of the wealthy and uptight Banks family, are faced with the prospect of a new... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns, David Tomlinson

Directed By: Robert Stevenson

Critics Consensus: Mary Poppins Returns relies on the magic of its classic forebear to cast a familiar -- but still solidly effective -- family-friendly spell.

Synopsis: Now an adult with three children, bank teller Michael Banks learns that his house will be repossessed in five days unless he can pay back... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer

Directed By: Rob Marshall

Critics Consensus: Pete's Dragon continues Disney's current live-action winning streak with an update that gives the original a visual overhaul without overwhelming its sweet, soulful charm.

Synopsis: Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford), a woodcarver, delights local children with stories of a mysterious dragon that lives deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley, Wes Bentley, Karl Urban

Directed By: David Lowery

Critics Consensus: Dashing, dazzling, and altogether magical, The Thief of Bagdad is an enchanting fantasy for children of all ages.

Synopsis: Deceived and deposed by his sinister adviser, Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), Ahmad (John Justin), the King of Bagdad, must find a way to reclaim his throne.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sabu, John Justin, Conrad Veidt, June Duprez

Directed By: Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell, Tim Whelan

Critics Consensus: With its thought-provoking themes, rich atmosphere, and brilliant direction, Kenji Mizoguchi's Ugetsu monogatari is a towering classic of world cinema.

Synopsis: In 16th century Japan, peasants Genjuro (Masayuki Mori) and Tobei (Sakae Ozawa) sell their earthenware pots to a group of soldiers in a nearby village,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Machiko Kyō, Masayuki Mori, Kinuyo Tanaka, Sakae Ozawa

Directed By: Kenji Mizoguchi

Critics Consensus: Visually breathtaking and emotionally powerful, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a moving and satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy.

Synopsis: The culmination of nearly 10 years' work and conclusion to Peter Jackson's epic trilogy based on the timeless J.R.R. Tolkien classic, "The Lord of the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen

Directed By: Peter Jackson

Critics Consensus: The Two Towers balances spectacular action with emotional storytelling, leaving audiences both wholly satisfied and eager for the final chapter.

Synopsis: The sequel to the Golden Globe-nominated and AFI Award-winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers" follows the continuing... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen

Directed By: Peter Jackson

Critics Consensus: A delightfully postmodern fairy tale, The Princess Bride is a deft, intelligent mix of swashbuckling, romance, and comedy that takes an age-old damsel-in-distress story and makes it fresh.

Synopsis: A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon

Directed By: Rob Reiner

Critics Consensus: The Green Knight honors and deconstructs its source material in equal measure, producing an absorbing adventure that casts a fantastical spell.

Synopsis: An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, THE GREEN KNIGHT tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur's reckless and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury

Directed By: David Lowery

Critics Consensus: Pan's Labyrinth is Alice in Wonderland for grown-ups, with the horrors of both reality and fantasy blended together into an extraordinary, spellbinding fable.

Synopsis: In 1944 in Spain, Ofelia and her ailing mother arrive at the post of her mother's new husband, a sadistic army officer who is trying... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Ivana Baquero, Álex Angulo

Directed By: Guillermo del Toro

Critics Consensus: With its magical optical effects and enchanting performances, Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast remains the most surreal -- and soulful -- of the fairy tale's film adaptations.

Synopsis: The story of a gentlehearted beast in love with a simple and beautiful girl. She is drawn to the repellent but strangely fascinating Beast, who... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jean Marais, Josette Day, Mila Parély, Nane Germon

Directed By: Jean Cocteau

Critics Consensus: A Monster Calls deftly balances dark themes and fantastical elements to deliver an engrossing and uncommonly moving entry in the crowded coming-of-age genre.

Synopsis: Conor (Lewis MacDougall) is dealing with far more than other boys his age. His beloved and devoted mother (Felicity Jones) is ill. He has little... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Lewis MacDougall, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell

Directed By: J. A. Bayona

Critics Consensus: Thrilling, powerfully acted, and visually dazzling, Deathly Hallows Part II brings the Harry Potter franchise to a satisfying -- and suitably magical -- conclusion.

Synopsis: A clash between good and evil awaits as young Harry, Ron and Hermione prepare for a final battle against Lord Voldemort. Harry has grown into... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes

Directed By: David Yates

Critics Consensus: As lovely to behold as it is engrossing to watch, The Jungle Book is the rare remake that actually improves upon its predecessors -- all while setting a new standard for CGI.

Synopsis: Raised by a family of wolves since birth, Mowgli (Neel Sethi) must leave the only home he's ever known when the fearsome tiger Shere Khan... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Critics Consensus: An absolute masterpiece whose groundbreaking visuals and deft storytelling are still every bit as resonant, The Wizard of Oz is a must-see film for young and old.

Synopsis: When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr

Directed By: Victor Fleming