Best Fantasy Movies of All Time

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 and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz. They follow… View Full Synopsis

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

Directed By: Victor Fleming

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: 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, Lionel Wigram

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, Michael Lynne, Mark Ordesky, Robert Shaye

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, Álvaro Agustín

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, André Paulvé

Critics Consensus: Beyond ravishing, Wings of Desire is Wim Wenders’ is aching and heartbreaking exploration of how love makes us human.

Synopsis: Two angels, Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander), glide through the streets of Berlin, observing the bustling population, providing invisible rays of hope to… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Curt Bois

Directed By: Wim Wenders

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: Reinvigorating an ancient adventure with majestic sweep and sterling work by its colossal ensemble, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey imbues myth with primal human feeling.

Synopsis: Odysseus, king of Ithaca, embarks on a perilous journey to return home after the Trojan War. Crossing the Mediterranean Sea with his fellow soldiers, they… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson

Directed By: Christopher Nolan, Thomas Hayslip

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, Peter M. Tobyansen, Molly Allen, Karen Gilchrist

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, Robert Shaye, Michael Lynne, Mark Ordesky

Critics Consensus: Smart, funny, and highly original, Being John Malkovich supports its wild premise with skillful direction and a stellar ensemble cast.

Synopsis: In this quirky cult-favorite comedy, unemployed New York City puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) reluctantly takes a temp job as a filing clerk for the… View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, Orson Bean

Directed By: Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, Michael Kuhn

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, Jeremy Burdek, Nadia Khamlichi, Adrian Politowski

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, Jim Henson

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, Christopher Chase, Sunil Parkash, Ezra Swerdlow

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, Norman Lear

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: Wildly imaginative and exhilaratingly over the top, Poor Things is a bizarre, brilliant tour de force for director Yorgos Lanthimos and star Emma Stone.

Synopsis: From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Christopher Abbott

Directed By: Yorgos Lanthimos

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, Richard Hashimoto

Critics Consensus: The Shape of Water finds Guillermo del Toro at his visually distinctive best — and matched by an emotionally absorbing story brought to life by a stellar Sally Hawkins performance.

Synopsis: Elisa is a mute, isolated woman who works in a hidden, high-security government laboratory. Her life changes forever when she discovers the lab’s classified secret… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Octavia Spencer

Directed By: Guillermo del Toro, Liz Sayre

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, George Harrison, Denis O'Brien

Critics Consensus: An infectiously good-spirited comedy with a solid emotional core, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves offers fun fantasy and adventure even if you don’t know your HP from your OP.

Synopsis: A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith

Directed By: Jonathan M. Goldstein, John Francis Daley, Denis L. Stewart, Jonathan M. Goldstein

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, Robert Shaye, Michael Lynne, Mark Ordesky

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 third year at Hogwarts starts off badly when he learns deranged killer Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban prison and is bent on… View Full Synopsis

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

Directed By: Alfonso Cuarón, Michael Barnathan, Callum McDougall, Tanya Seghatchian

Critics Consensus: Languorous and deeply enigmatic, Palme d’Or winner Uncle Boonmee represents an original take on the ghosts that haunt us.

Synopsis: Afflicted with kidney disease, Uncle Boonmee is preparing himself for death. He has assembled his relatives in the countryside, convinced he will die within a… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sakda Kaewbuadee, Jenjira Pongpas, Thanapat Saisaymar, Natthakarn Aphaiwonk

Directed By: Apichatpong Weerasethakul

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, Jake Eberts

Critics Consensus: The Danny DeVito-directed version of Matilda is odd, charming, and while it 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, Martin Bregman, Michael Peyser

Critics Consensus: Barbie is a visually dazzling comedy whose meta humor is smartly complemented by subversive storytelling.

Synopsis: To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon

Directed By: Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach, Ynon Kreiz, Richard Dickson

Critics Consensus: Defying gravity with its magical pairing of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Wicked‘s sheer bravura and charm make for an irresistible invitation to Oz.

Synopsis: Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba,… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater

Directed By: Jon M. Chu, Stephen Schwartz, David Nicksay, Jared LeBoff

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, Macdara Kelleher, Jason Cloth, Tomas Deckaj

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, David Barron, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe

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, Barrie M. Osborne

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, Patrick Ness, Jeff Skoll, Bill Pohlad

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: A fantasy adventure with no pretensions, Jason and the Argonauts infuses a familiar myth with inventive Ray Harryhausen creature effects, dazzling camera work, and a rousing sense of adventure.

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: Whimsically inventive and imaginative, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory serves up a scrumdiddlyumptious children’s fantasy packed with memorable songs, droll satire, and a charmingly unpredictable Gene Wilder.

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: 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: 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, Mark Damon, John W. Hyde

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, Lionel Wigram

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, Tim Lewis

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, Rick Berman, Graham Burke, Patrick McCormick

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, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, Michael Barnathan

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

Synopsis: Of the three Grace children, Jared has always been thought of as the troublemaker. So when strange things happen after his family’s move to a… View Full Synopsis

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

Directed By: Mark Waters, Julia Pistor, Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black

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, Chris Columbus, Michael Barnathan, Mark Radcliffe

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: 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, Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Bruce Hendricks

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, Lionel Wigram

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, raised by the noble race called the Mystics, has been told that he is the last survivor of his own race, the Gelflings. He… View Full Synopsis

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

Directed By: Jim Henson, Frank Oz

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, Lionel Wigram

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, Stephen Marks, Peter Morton, David Womark

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, Ted Field, Louis D'Esposito

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, Gail Lyon, Jocelyn Moorhouse

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, Arne Schmidt

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, Perry Moore, Philip Steuer

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 arrives on the doorstep of a harried mother, Isabel Green, who is trying to raise her kids and tend to the family… View Full Synopsis

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

Directed By: Susanna White, Debra Hayward, Liza Chasin, Emma Thompson

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, Tim Lewis, Neil Blair, Rick Senat

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, Kathleen Kennedy, John Madden, Kristie Macosko Krieger

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, Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins

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, Debra Hayward, Liza Chasin

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, Edgar F. Gross, Robert A. Eisenstein

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: 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, Ahmad, the King of Baghdad, must find a way to reclaim his throne. Enlisting the unlikely assistance… View Full Synopsis

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

Directed By: Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell, Tim Whelan

Critics Consensus: Stairway to Heaven is a ravishing, creative, and exciting fantasy.

Synopsis: British Air Force pilot Peter Carter (David Niven) is on his way home to England from a World War II bombing mission in a badly… View Full Synopsis

Starring: David Niven, Kim Hunter, Raymond Massey, Robert Coote

Directed By: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Critics Consensus: Alfonso Cuarón adapts Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel with a keen sense of magic realism, vividly recreating the world of childhood as seen through the characters.

Synopsis: When young Sara is sent to a boarding school by her well-meaning World War I-bound father, the imaginative girl makes the best of things by… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham, Liesel Matthews, Rusty Schwimmer

Directed By: Alfonso Cuarón, Alan C. Blomquist, Amy Ephron

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 and a group of resentful upstarts. A rival poet, Cègeste,… View Full Synopsis

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

Directed By: Jean Cocteau, André Paulvé

Synopsis: Posing for a portrait, Dorian Gray (Hurd Hatfield) talks with Lord Henry Wotton (George Sanders), who says that men should pursue their sensual longings, but… View Full Synopsis

Starring: George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield, Angela Lansbury, Donna Reed

Directed By: Albert Lewin

Critics Consensus: Lighthearted and sweet, The Purple Rose of Cairo stands as one of Woody Allen’s more inventive — and enchantingly whimsical — pictures.

Synopsis: Unhappily married Depression-era waitress Cecilia (Mia Farrow) earns the money while her inattentive husband, Monk (Danny Aiello), blows their meager income on getting drunk and… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello, Dianne Wiest

Directed By: Woody Allen

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

Synopsis: In this classic of silent cinema, the demon Mephisto (Emil Jannings) makes a bet with an archangel that a good man’s soul can be corrupted…. View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gösta Ekman, Emil Jannings, Camilla Horn, Yvette Guilbert

Directed By: F.W. Murnau

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: 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: 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, Howard W. Koch

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, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Bruce Berman

Critics Consensus: Although it softens the nasty edges of its source material, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is a gothic visual treat, and it features a hilariously manic turn from Jim Carrey as the evil Count Olaf.

Synopsis: After the three young Baudelaire siblings are left orphaned by a fire in their mansion, they are carted off to live with their distant relative,… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jim Carrey, Liam Aiken, Emily Browning, Kara Hoffman

Directed By: Brad Silberling, Julia Pistor, Scott Rudin, Barry Sonnenfeld

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, Don Hahn, Thomas Schumacher, Jeffrey Silver

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: Lovely and diffuse, Sleep isn’t as immediately absorbing as Gondry’s previous work, but its messy beauty is its own reward.

Synopsis: Soon after the death of his father, a distraught young man begins a job as a graphic designer, but has little chance to create. His… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gael García Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alain Chabat, Miou-Miou

Directed By: Michel Gondry

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, Francis Ford Coppola, Larry J. Franco

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, Victor Hadida, Michael Berrow

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, E.C. Monell

Critics Consensus: The Indian in the Cupboard gussies up its classic source material in modern effects without losing sight of the timeless themes at the heart of the story.

Synopsis: On his birthday, Omri is given several simple gifts, including an old wooden cupboard and a small plastic figurine of a Native American man. When… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hal Scardino, Litefoot, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Jenkins

Directed By: Frank Oz, Robert Harris, Marty Keltz, Bernard Williams

Critics Consensus: Some of the evil magic is gone as this trilogy capper dispenses with most of the scares, but Bruce Campbell’s hammy charm and Sam Raimi’s homage to classic visual effects make for a fun enough adventure.

Synopsis: 3rd Evil Dead movie. Ash finds himself trapped in medieval times. He must quest for the Necronomicon, a book of evil which can return him… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Ian Abercrombie

Directed By: Sam Raimi, Dino De Laurentiis

Critics Consensus: Though Conan the Barbarian 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, D. Constantine Conte, Dino De Laurentiis

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, Harvey Bernhard

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, Rob Cohen, Don Devlin

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 return to the magical land of Narnia and find that 1300 years have passed there. War… View Full Synopsis

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

Directed By: Andrew Adamson, Perry Moore

Critics Consensus: Taking one last lap down the yellow brick road, Wicked: For Good‘s darker tone and unhurried pacing sometimes get in the way, but this epic conclusion ultimately brings Elphaba and Glinda’s story home in rousing fashion.

Synopsis: Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater

Directed By: Jon M. Chu

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, Derek Frey, Katterli Frauenfelder, Nigel Gostelow

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: 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, Alan Horn, Ken Kamins, Toby Emmerich

Critics Consensus: A self-aware slugfest that plays directly to those who know the difference between Fatalities and Babalities, Mortal Kombat II may not be a flawless victory but it’s likely the most roundly enjoyable entry in the franchise yet.

Synopsis: From New Line Cinema comes the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory, Mortal Kombat II. This time,… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson

Directed By: Simon McQuoid, Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Jeremy Slater

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, David Lazer, George Lucas

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, Arjit Singh, Tommy Turtle

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, David Valleau, Victor Hadida

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, Ryan Kavanaugh, Woo-Ping Yuen, Raffaella De Laurentiis

Critics Consensus: Return to Oz taps into the darker side of L. Frank Baum’s book series with an inventive, dazzling adventure that never quite recaptures the magic of its classic predecessor.

Synopsis: Dorothy discovers she is back in the land of Oz, and finds the yellow brick road is now a pile of rubble, and the Emerald… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie

Directed By: Walter Murch

Critics Consensus: Hercules has Brett Ratner behind the cameras and Dwayne Johnson rocking the loincloth — and delivers exactly what any reasonable person reading that description might expect.

Synopsis: Now a traveling mercenary, Hercules must once again become a hero to help the benevolent king of Thrace protect his people from a powerful warlord.

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Aksel Hennie

Directed By: Brett Ratner, Peter Berg, Sarah Aubrey, Ross Fanger

Critics Consensus: Aladdin retells its classic source material’s story with sufficient spectacle and skill, even if it never approaches the dazzling splendor of the animated original.

Synopsis: Aladdin is a lovable street urchin who meets Princess Jasmine, the beautiful daughter of the sultan of Agrabah. While visiting her exotic palace, Aladdin stumbles… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari

Directed By: Guy Ritchie, Marc Platt, Kevin De La Noy

Critics Consensus: A feast for the eyes with a somewhat malnourished plot, Jumanji is an underachieving adventure that still offers a decent amount of fun for the whole family.

Synopsis: A magical board game unleashes a world of adventure on siblings Peter and Judy Shepherd. While exploring an old mansion, the youngsters find a curious,… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robin Williams, Jonathan Hyde, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce

Directed By: Joe Johnston, Robert W. Cort, Ted Field, Larry J. Franco

Critics Consensus: Largely for fans of the source material but far from fatal(ity) flawed, Mortal Kombat revives the franchise in appropriately violent fashion.

Synopsis: In “Mortal Kombat,” MMA fighter Cole Young, accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage–or why Outworld’s Emperor Shang Tsung has… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Joe Taslim

Directed By: Simon McQuoid, Richard Brener, Dave Neustadter, Victoria Palmeri

Critics Consensus: While visually dazzling, there isn’t enough story to hang all the fancy effects on.

Synopsis: A 15-year-old (Stephanie Leonidas) journeys through a parallel reality to recover a powerful charm that will revive a queen.

Starring: Jason Barry, Rob Brydon, Stephanie Leonidas, Gina McKee

Directed By: Dave McKean, Martin G. Baker, Lisa Henson, Michael Polis

Critics Consensus: Angelina Jolie’s magnetic performance outshines Maleficent‘s dazzling special effects; unfortunately, the movie around them fails to justify all that impressive effort.

Synopsis: As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Lesley Manville

Directed By: Robert Stromberg, Angelina Jolie, Don Hahn, Palak Patel

Critics Consensus: Come to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire for the sheer monster-mashing spectacle — and stay for that too, because the movie doesn’t have much else to offer.

Synopsis: This latest entry in the Monsterverse franchise follows up the explosive showdown of Godzilla vs. Kong with an all-new cinematic adventure, pitting the almighty Kong… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle

Directed By: Adam Wingard, Adam Wingard, Jennifer Conroy, Jay Ashenfelter

Critics Consensus: Gone is Depp’s unpredictability and much of the humor and originality of the first movie.

Synopsis: When ghostly pirate Davy Jones comes to collect a blood debt, Capt. Jack Sparrow must find a way to avoid his fate lest his soul… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy

Directed By: Gore Verbinski, Eric McLeod, Chad Oman, Bruce Hendricks

Critics Consensus: State-of-the-art special effects and an appealing performance from Warwick Davis can’t quite save Willow from its slow pace and generic story.

Synopsis: Enter the world of “Willow.” Journey to the far corners of your imagination, to a land of myth and magic, where dream and reality live… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Warwick Davis, Jean Marsh

Directed By: Ron Howard, George Lucas

Critics Consensus: The Fountain — a movie about metaphysics, universal patterns, Biblical symbolism, and boundless love spread across one thousand years — is visually rich but suffers from its own unfocused ambitions.

Synopsis: A man (Hugh Jackman) travels through time on a quest for immortality and to save the woman (Rachel Weisz) he loves. As a 16th-century conquistador,… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn, Mark Margolis

Directed By: Darren Aronofsky, Nick Wechsler

Critics Consensus: Hathaway is a charming heroine, but the simple storyline gets overwhelmed by silly gimmickry.

Synopsis: As a baby, Ella (Anne Hathaway) receives a visit from Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox), her fairy godmother, and is bestowed with a magical talent that… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Vivica A. Fox

Directed By: Tommy O'Haver, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Su Armstrong

Critics Consensus: Tim Burton’s Alice sacrifices the book’s minimal narrative coherence — and much of its heart — but it’s an undeniable visual treat.

Synopsis: A young girl when she first visited magical Underland, Alice Kingsleigh is now a teenager with no memory of the place — except in her… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway

Directed By: Tim Burton, Chris Lebenzon, Peter M. Tobyansen

Critics Consensus: An insubstantial plot overshadows the beautiful, surreal scenery.

Synopsis: After Chris Nielsen (Robin Williams) dies in a car accident, he is guided through the afterlife by his spirit guide, Albert (Cuba Gooding Jr.). His… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., Annabella Sciorra, Max von Sydow

Directed By: Vincent Ward, Ronald Bass, Ted Field, Erica Huggins

Critics Consensus: Like most of Tarsem Singh’s films, Mirror Mirror is undeniably beautiful — but its treatment of the age-old Snow White fable lacks enough depth or originality to set it apart from the countless other adaptations of the tale.

Synopsis: Snow White (Lily Collins), an orphaned princess, is the rightful ruler of her kingdom, but a jealous, evil queen (Julia Roberts) schemes to gain control…. View Full Synopsis

Starring: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane

Directed By: Tarsem Singh, Tucker Tooley, Kevin Misher, Jeff G. Waxman

Critics Consensus: While it offers an appropriately dark take on the fairy tale that inspired it, Snow White and the Huntsman is undone by uneven acting, problematic pacing, and a confused script.

Synopsis: Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron), who seized control of her kingdom by marrying and killing its rightful ruler, needs the life force of young maidens to… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin

Directed By: Rupert Sanders, Palak Patel, Gloria Borders

Critics Consensus: Though it may seem like just another Harry Potter knockoff, Percy Jackson benefits from a strong supporting cast, a speedy plot, and plenty of fun with Greek mythology.

Synopsis: Always trouble-prone, the life of teenager Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) gets a lot more complicated when he learns he’s the son of the Greek god… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Abel

Directed By: Chris Columbus, Greg Mooradian, Guy Oseary, Mark Morgan

Synopsis: A medieval simpleton (Michael Palin) slays a monster dragon in the kingdom of Bruno the Questionable (Max Wall).

Starring: Michael Palin, Max Wall, Deborah Fallender

Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Critics Consensus: Despite an effective otherwordly atmosphere and appropriately cheesy visuals, Mortal Kombat suffers from its poorly constructed plot, laughable dialogue, and subpar acting.

Synopsis: Lord Raiden (Christopher Lambert) handpicks three martial artists — federal agent Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson), Shaolin monk Liu Kang (Robin Shou) and action movie sensation… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robin Shou, Linden Ashby, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa

Directed By: Paul W.S. Anderson, Robert Engelman, Danny Simon

Critics Consensus: The Brothers Grimm is full of beautiful imagery, but the story is labored and less than enchanting.

Synopsis: The Brothers Grimm, Wilhelm and Jacob, are dysfunctional schemers who go from town to town putting on shows that convince inhabitants they are getting rid… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Peter Stormare, Lena Headey

Directed By: Terry Gilliam, John D. Schofield, Chris McGurk, Jonathan Gordon

Critics Consensus: The look of Hook is lively indeed but Steven Spielberg directs on autopilot here, giving in too quickly to his sentimental, syrupy qualities.

Synopsis: When his young children are abducted by his old nemesis, Capt. Hook (Dustin Hoffman) middle-aged lawyer Peter Banning (Robin Williams) returns to his magical origins… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins

Directed By: Steven Spielberg, Dodi Fayed, James V. Hart

Synopsis: PRACTICAL MAGIC 2 returns to a world steeped in moonlit mischief and powerful ancestral magic, as the Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Joey King, Lee Pace

Directed By: Susanne Bier, Pete Chiappetta, Alice Hoffman, Broderick Johnson

Critics Consensus: While nostalgic fans may view it through rose-Krullered glasses, this would-be sci-fi epic is painfully derivative.

Synopsis: On the planet of Krull, an evil creature called the Beast decimates the world’s army and kidnaps the lovely Princess Lyssa, who is destined to… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ken Marshall, Lysette Anthony, Freddie Jones, Francesca Annis

Directed By: Peter Yates, Ted Mann

Critics Consensus: Not even Ridley Scott’s gorgeously realized set pieces can save Legend from its own tawdry tale — though it may be serviceable for those simply looking for fantasy eye candy.

Synopsis: Darkness seeks to create eternal night by destroying the last of the unicorns. Jack and his friends do everything possible to save the world and… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry, David Bennent

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Critics Consensus: Practical Magic‘s jarring tonal shifts sink what little potential its offbeat story may have — though Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock’s chemistry makes a strong argument for future collaborations.

Synopsis: Sally and Gillian Owens, born into a magical family, have mostly avoided witchcraft themselves. But when Gillian’s vicious boyfriend, Jimmy Angelov, dies unexpectedly, the Owens… View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing

Directed By: Griffin Dunne, Bruce Berman, Mary McLaglen