The Magic of Fantasy Films
The fantasy genre offers us the opportunity to escape reality and explore fantastical worlds we can only dream of. Throughout cinema history, writers and directors have taken us to see some extraordinary places and meet incredible creatures through whimsical imagination. Not every fantasy is a beautiful, far-off kingdom — some can be the beginnings of your worst fear — but what they share is a place beyond the here and now.
If you’re like me, then finding the perfect fantasy film to watch on Netflix can be a near-impossible task. With the streamer offering so many incredible options, picking the right one on the spot can be crucial. Thankfully, Netflix has a vast library of titles throughout cinema history to pick from. Maybe you’re looking for a modern animated classic or something whimsical. Whatever fantastical world you choose to explore, we have four excellent options for your next fantasy film.
‘Troll’ (2022)
In American pop culture, when you think of trolls, you likely think of the adorable animated characters with the colorful hair who go on whimsical adventures. But in other parts of the globe, not all trolls are adorable. Some are actually terrifying monsters seeking to wreak havoc. In 2022, Norwegian folklore served as the basis for an epic monster movie, Troll, directed by Roar Uthaug. When a railway project deep inside the mountains of Dovre awakens a dormant, giant troll, paleontology professor Nora Tidemann (Ine Marie Wilmann) and her ragtag team must figure out how to stop the creature before it reaches Oslo. A thoroughly exciting action-adventure fantasy thriller, Troll draws on infamous mythology to explore themes of environmental encroachment and the tension between the country’s pagan folklore and its Christian present.
Though the film doesn’t necessarily rewrite the monster movie blueprint, bringing a lesser-utilized creature into the action provides for a truly enticing story through a new vantage. A visually enchanting monster mash, the film’s titular creature deserves a spot in the MonsterVerse. If you loved the first one, well, you’re in luck! The sequel, Troll 2, is hitting Netflix this December. This time, it’s troll versus troll.
‘Damsel’ (2024)
If you’re already burned through the first drop of Stranger Things’ final season, you might be looking to fill the void with something featuring our girl Eleven. In the fantasy realm, an excellent option is Juan Carlos Fresnadilo’s Damsel. In the dark fantasy film, Millie Bobby Brown stars as Elodie, a young woman who accepts a marriage proposal from the handsome Prince Henry (Nick Robinson). She soon realizes she is being used to repay the royal family’s ancient debts and that she is being sacrificed to the dragon lurking in the chasm. Elodie must survive using her wits and courage. Playing against the fairytale trope of the damsel in distress, Damsel boasts a strong female protagonist fighting back against the system that made her.
With a cast that also includes Angela Bassett and Robin Wright, Damsel is a wonderful film that continues to prove Brown is a gutsy action hero in the making. If you love exploring fantasy worlds with kingdoms and castles where good and evil roam free, Damsel is a dazzling film. Even with some flaws, Damsel is daring, fighting against traditional tales in a refreshing manner. Though it might be a bit too dark for kids of certain ages, if you don’t mind a bit of brutality and gore, Damsel is a nice family viewing.
‘Labyrinth’ (1986)
If you are looking for an essential fantasy film, look no further than the universally beloved Labyrinth. With a screenplay by Jim Henson, the film proved that the collaboration between Henson Associates and Lucasfilm was a magical masterpiece. Written by Terry Jones of Monty Python fame, the musical fantasy film follows Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly), a daydreaming teenage girl, as she journeys through a magical and dangerous maze to rescue her baby stepbrother, Toby (Toby Froud), from the manipulative Goblin King, Jareth (David Bowie). Encountering an array of strange creatures along the way, Sarah is on a race against time to prevent her brother from being prematurely turned into a goblin. An epic coming-of-age story, Labyrinth is filled with themes about taking responsibility, facing the unfairness of life, and the dangers of temptation.
The epic quest is brought to life thanks to the incredible characters from the Jim Henson Creature Workshop. As in his prior work, the whimsy, paired with exceptional puppeteering, brings the magic. With shades of The Wizard of Oz sprinkled in, Labyrinth became an instant phenomenon thanks to Henson’s vision and Bowie’s riveting performance, with a soundtrack that was perfect for the time that still resonates today. There’s just something powerful about anything Bowie sings that transports you to another realm. Labyrinth has become a cult classic that has played a major role in the future of fantasy filmmaking. It’s an imaginative, surreal journey that has influenced media ever since.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ (2025)
Let’s be honest with ourselves right now: there has not been a bigger pop culture moment in 2025 than KPop Demon Hunters. What may have been believed to be just another animated entry became an international smash hit that broke Netflix streaming records and dominated the Billboard charts. The instant animated classic follows HUNTR/X, a popular K-pop girl group, who secretly use their music to fight demons as they protect humanity. With their power stemming from their fans’ adoration, they use it to maintain Honmoon, a magical barrier against the demons. When Saja boys, a rival demon group in the form of a boy band, emerge to steal their fans to weaken the barrier, it’s soon revealed that one of HUNTR/X’s own has a secret that could crumble it all down. Though the metaphors may not be hidden too deeply, the film is a triumphant story about friendship, loyalty, and embracing your self-identity.
KPop Demon Hunters has become a beacon of promise to audiences who have been taken by it. Incorporating a brilliant blend of K-pop culture with traditional Korean mythology, design, and language, KPop Demon Hunters has proven that a high-energy, colorfully vibrant, and legendary soundtrack is the recipe for success. As we wait to see how the film award season will go for KPop Demon Hunters, the music has already been nominated. KPop Demon Hunters has earned five 2026 Grammy nominations, including for major categories of Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Song of the Year for “Golden.” I mean, the tune has been everywhere! Thanks to a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, the future is bright, as a sequel is coming in 2029. Until then, keep streaming KPop Demon Hunters because “we’re goin’ up, up, up!”
