8 Animated Fantasy Movies That Are Perfect From Start to Finish

Fantasy movies transport us to magical and imaginative worlds, often featuring brave heroes and mythical beasts. While live-action films like The Lord of the Rings are hugely popular, many of the most captivating and exciting fantasy experiences actually come from animated movies.

Animation is a natural fit for imaginative stories, offering limitless ways to create fantastical worlds. Many beloved animated films draw on classic fairy tale elements, like Beauty and the Beast. But films like Princess Mononoke stand out with their complex stories and deeper meanings, using fantasy to explore important themes.

The Last Unicorn Is an Unparalleled Dark Epic

The Last Unicorn tells the story of a young unicorn who ventures out from her protected home after discovering she might be the last unicorn left. She joins forces with a clumsy but well-meaning magician to confront King Haggard, who is capturing unicorns with the help of a fiery creature called the Red Bull. Haggard hopes to harness their magic to find happiness for himself.

Critics and audiences both enjoyed this animated fantasy film, praising its haunting and atmospheric take on dark fantasy. While some viewers think The Last Unicorn would suit mature audiences better, it’s a wonderful way to introduce children to the genre. The story is also inspiring, following a character’s journey of self-discovery as they step outside their familiar world and embrace new experiences.

A live-action remake of the beloved musical film was rumored to be in development, but there haven’t been any recent updates on its progress or if it will actually happen. Despite the lack of news, the initial announcement generated a lot of excitement, proving that there’s still a strong fanbase for this classic ’80s movie.

Coraline Is the Perfect Children’s Horror

Coraline is a spooky animated movie for kids about a young girl who feels neglected by her parents. She discovers a secret door that leads to a seemingly ideal world with loving, attentive parents. But things aren’t as perfect as they seem, and her new ‘parents’ hide a dark secret.

What makes Coraline so good is that it treats its audience with respect, fearlessly diving into a genuinely spooky story about a hidden, darker world. The film subtly teaches young viewers that things aren’t always better elsewhere, and that someone offering something tempting might not have good intentions. Ultimately, Coraline is a cautionary tale about the importance of getting to know people before trusting them.

Coraline is a delightfully creepy movie that’s great for both kids getting into horror and adults who enjoy a spooky story. It features stunning but unsettling animation, a surprisingly intense storyline, and characters you’ll genuinely care about – making it a fun watch for anyone who likes things a little strange and unusual.

Fairy Tale Tropes are Subverted in Shrek

Okay, so I just saw Shrek, and it’s not your typical fairy tale – thank goodness! It’s about this grumpy ogre, Shrek, who just wants to be left alone in his swamp, but his peace is ruined when a bunch of fairy-tale characters start crashing there. He makes a deal with a little guy named Lord Farquaad: rescue Princess Fiona, and he’ll get his swamp back. The best part? He’s not alone on this quest – he’s got Donkey, a seriously chatty donkey, along for the ride. It’s a funny movie, and honestly, it shows Shrek that there’s a whole world out there beyond his little corner of the swamp.

As a huge animation fan, I always thought Shrek was something special. It wasn’t just a hit for DreamWorks – it really launched a whole franchise! What I loved most was how it flipped classic fairy tales on their head. Shrek wasn’t your typical hero, and Princess Fiona definitely wasn’t waiting around to be rescued – she could definitely handle herself! It was a refreshing take on the genre, and it’s why the movie still resonates with people today.

It’s been fifteen years since the last Shrek movie, Shrek Forever After, but a fifth film is in the works. Fans will probably have to wait a couple of years for it, but the excitement shows that Shrek is still incredibly popular after twenty-four years. While some of the sequels have been debated, the first Shrek remains a funny, charming, and brilliant film.

Imagination is Celebrated in Howl’s Moving Castle

Sophie becomes friends with the wizard Howl, but a jealous witch curses her, turning her into an old woman. Determined to break the curse and regain her youth, Sophie seeks help from Howl and finds herself caught up in a war between kingdoms, as a king tries to use Howl’s magic for his own purposes. Together with her friends, Sophie and Howl embark on a journey to end the war, defeat their enemies, and break all the curses that stand in their way.

As a huge fan of animation, I absolutely adore Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle. It’s based on a wonderful book from the 80s by Diana Wynn Jones, and of course, it’s brought to life by the incredible Hayao Miyazaki. What really gets me is the stunning 2D animation and the imaginative world he creates – it’s a beautiful blend of fantasy and the harsh realities of war. But beyond the visuals, it’s a really touching story about love, growing up, and finding connection with others, and the characters are so complex and relatable. It’s a film that really stays with you.

Howl’s Moving Castle remains a truly outstanding animated film with a captivating fantasy story. Beyond its talented voice cast, including Christian Bale as Howl, the movie beautifully emphasizes the importance of self-belief and the joy of connecting with friends and family.

Beauty and the Beast Is a Classic Love Story

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is a beloved animated film from the 1990s. It tells the story of a prince who is transformed into a beast due to his unkindness. To break the spell, he needs to find true love before time runs out. When Belle’s father gets lost, she bravely offers herself as a prisoner in the beast’s castle to save him.

Even though the live-action version with Emma Watson did well, many fans still consider the original animated film a beloved classic that’s hard to beat. It’s a colorful, musical story that appeals to both kids and adults, with a central theme of love. But it’s also remembered for its quirky characters and stunning visuals.

Beauty and the Beast is a beloved classic, celebrated for its enchanting and enduring visuals. It’s also a great example of the empowering female characters that became popular in Disney films during the 1990s, with Belle being both graceful and a strong, independent woman.

Princess Mononoke Fiercely Protects Nature

Many consider Princess Mononoke to be one of Studio Ghibli’s greatest films. It tells a complicated story about the clash between humanity’s progress and the power of nature. The film follows Prince Ashitaka as he attempts to bring peace between the forest gods and a growing industrial town. Along the way, he meets San, a young woman who was raised as a wild child in the forest.

Although many people enjoy these Japanese animated fantasy films, some find the violence and slightly graphic content concerning. However, the film’s PG-13 rating suggests it’s suitable for teenagers. More importantly, it offers a valuable lesson for young audiences about the dangers of disrespecting nature.

The story is both touching and unsettling. It powerfully explores themes of protecting the environment and questions the impact of industry, encouraging viewers to think deeply about these issues. It’s not a lighthearted escape, but a captivating and exciting tale about the conflict between people and the natural world.

Friendship Is Life-Changing in How to Train Your Dragon

In the DreamWorks movie How to Train Your Dragon, Hiccup is a young Viking who isn’t seen as a strong fighter. When he manages to shoot down a rare dragon, he thinks he’ll finally prove his worth. But instead of killing the dragon, he discovers it’s surprisingly kind, which makes him question everything he’s been taught about dragons.

Okay, let me tell you about How to Train Your Dragon. The original animated film was a huge hit – a true classic, honestly, and still loved by so many. Now, we’ve got a live-action remake, and while it’s gotten some flak, I think it’s a really good take on the story. But it’s the original that really captured my heart. The connection between Hiccup and Toothless is just magical – it creates such a warm, enjoyable experience, and it’s a movie I always find myself wanting to revisit.

This film is a heartwarming story about finding yourself, being different, and striving to make the world a better place. What makes How to Train Your Dragon so special is watching Hiccup grow up and learn to think for himself, even when it means going against what everyone else believes.

Spirited Away Is an Enchanting Fantasy

Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away starts with a family—a couple and their daughter, Chihiro—driving to a new home. They take a shortcut and stumble upon an old, deserted resort. After Chihiro’s parents eat some strange food they find there, they are magically turned into pigs. Suddenly surrounded by a world of spirits, Chihiro has to find a way to change her parents back and find a way out of this incredible place.

The movie is celebrated for its amazing world, which uses a beautiful mix of bright and soft colors to create a magical feel. With its unique spirits and charming creatures, Spirited Away truly pulls you into a fantastical adventure, transporting you to a world far removed from reality.

This story of growing up features Chihiro, who becomes a remarkable hero in a fantastical world – and a relatable underdog at that. The film works beautifully as both a classic, magical fairy tale and a fresh take on the genre, combining stunning imagery of a spirit world with captivating characters.

2025-12-07 17:20