Fantasy has always been a genre that thrives on imagination, transporting audiences to worlds of magic, mythical creatures, and epic quests. Over the past six years, from 2021 to 2026, the genre has seen an incredible renaissance, with filmmakers pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable stories. Whether you're a fan of sweeping epics or intimate dramas, these standout films from each year prove that fantasy is more alive than ever.
2021: The Green Knight
After a pandemic-disrupted 2020, 2021 marked a slow but triumphant return for cinema, and few films captured the spirit of rebirth like David Lowery's The Green Knight. This A24 masterpiece reimagines Arthurian legend with a poetic, meditative approach that rewards patient viewers. Dev Patel delivers a career-best performance as Sir Gawain, embarking on a quest that tests his honor and mortality. With stunning visuals and a haunting score, it's a fantasy that feels both ancient and refreshingly modern. While 2021 also brought us Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Petite Maman, The Green Knight stands as the year's most visionary fantasy.
2022: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Who would have guessed that a sequel to a Shrek spin-off would become one of the decade's best animated fantasies? Puss in Boots: The Last Wish surprised everyone with its breathtaking animation, sharp humor, and surprisingly deep themes of mortality and redemption. It's a film that works for kids and adults alike, blending action-packed sequences with existential musings. In a year that also gave us The Northman and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, this DreamWorks gem proved that animated fantasy can be both wildly entertaining and profoundly moving.
2023: All of Us Strangers
Andrew Haigh's All of Us Strangers is a fantasy that doesn't announce itself with dragons or spells, but with quiet, devastating emotion. This British drama uses subtle supernatural elements—a ghost story, a romance, a family reunion—to explore grief, love, and identity. Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, and Claire Foy deliver powerhouse performances that make this one of the most emotionally resonant films of the decade. While 2023 had blockbuster fantasies like Barbie, All of Us Strangers proves that low fantasy can be just as powerful as high fantasy.
2024: Wicked
Jon M. Chu's adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical Wicked became an instant classic, much like The Wizard of Oz did in 1939. With show-stopping musical numbers, dazzling production design, and a story that reimagines the Wicked Witch of the West, it's a crowd-pleaser that honors its source material while standing on its own. Despite a less impressive sequel, this first part is a magical experience that dominated 2024's fantasy landscape, outshining other notable entries like Flow and Nosferatu.
2025: Daemons of the Shadow Realm
For fans of dark fantasy, 2025 delivered Daemons of the Shadow Realm, a film that has been hailed as the spiritual successor to Fullmetal Alchemist. This Japanese anime feature blends alchemy, political intrigue, and visceral action into a story that explores the cost of power. Its intricate world-building and complex characters make it a standout in a year that also saw several high-profile fantasy releases. If you're looking for a dark fantasy that doesn't pull punches, this is it.
2026: The Odyssey
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is the epic fantasy that 2026 needed. With a staggering $250 million budget, it's Nolan's most expensive film since The Dark Knight Rises, and it shows. This retelling of Homer's ancient poem is a visual and narrative triumph, blending myth with Nolan's signature non-linear storytelling. It's a fantasy that feels both timeless and groundbreaking, cementing Nolan's place as a master of the genre. In a year full of fantasy offerings, The Odyssey stands tall as the definitive epic.
From indie darlings to blockbuster spectacles, these six films represent the best of fantasy from 2021 to 2026. They remind us that fantasy isn't just about escapism—it's about exploring what it means to be human, even in the most magical of worlds.
