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Only 5 Fantasy Movies of the 2020s Are Genuinely Perfect

By Sofia Martinez · Culture & Entertainment Editor

April 21, 2026· 7 min read

Robert Lee III

Published Apr 21, 2026, 12:05 AM EDT

Writing from the Chicagoland area in Illinois, Robert is an avid movie watcher and will take just about any excuse to find time to go to his local movie theaters. Robert graduated from Bradley University with degrees in Journalism and Game Design with a minor in Film Studies. Robert tries his best to keep up with all the latest movie releases, from those released in theaters to those released on streaming. While he doesn't always keep up with the latest TV shows, he makes it a goal to watch nearly every major new release possible. He has been honing his craft and following any and all movie news all his life, leading up to now, where he has a vast knowledge of film and film history. He also logs every movie that he watches on his Letterboxd page, and has hosted a weekly online movie night with his closest friends for over 6 years.

The fantasy genre has brought to life some of the most celebrated and enchanting experiences in cinematic history, with each era of film history having its own selection of genre-defining fantasy masterpieces. From all-time classics of Hollywood's classic era like The Wizard of Oz_ to massive blockbuster juggernauts like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, fantasy will continue to be a pathway for exceptional filmmaking brilliance. The 2020s have been no different when it comes to impactful fantasy filmmaking, although only a select few fantasy films have managed to achieve genuine perfection in their execution and delivery of the genre's greatest strengths.

Whether it be stylish and intelligent renditions of classic fantasy stories or brilliantly crafted original stories, each of these fantasy films has a sense of magic and brilliance imbued within them to make them otherworldly in their scope, tone, and execution. More than any other films this decade so far, these fantasy films show that the genre is still as strong as ever, able to create exceptional and masterful cinematic masterpieces just like the days of old.

'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' (2022)

_ Count Volpe talking to Pinocchio in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio - 2022Image via Netflix

Guillermo del Toro has stood as one of the defining architects of exceptional 21st-century fantasy filmmaking for a while now. His original offerings in The Shape of Water_ and Pan's Labyrinth are often celebrated as some of the most beautifully striking fantasy films ever made, as his reputation is exceptionally upheld in the 2020s by his exceptional stop-motion adaptation of Pinocchio. The film acts as this exceptional blend of the timeless elements of the original story with del Toro's distinct dark gothic style, creating something that both aligns with the original novel and feels like its own wholly unique experience. Especially with so many other Pinocchio movies that were released at the same time as this film, the exceptional brilliance of this film stood out that much more as the best adaptation of the material since the original Disney masterpiece.

The film absolutely ramps up the fantasy elements of the already classic fantasy story, adding in elements of the afterlife and repeated lives that this seemingly immortal Pinocchio experiences. Del Toro's dark and dreary world-building also finds its way to this adaptation, with the film taking place against the backdrop of Italy during the rise of fascism and the ruthless hardships felt by many during the film. However, even with its darkest and most painful story beats, the film manages to stay upbeat and relatively family-friendly, thanks in great part to the masterful stop-motion animation, standing up there with some of the most visually striking in the entire medium of feature-length stop-motion. Even those who aren't familiar with del Toro's distinct style of fantasy filmmaking will find a lot to enjoy in his adaptation of Pinocchio, as its masterful exploration of the classic story still holds up tremendously in the years following its release.

'Petite Manan' (2021)

_ Josephine and Gabrielle Sanz looking at a forest tent in Petite Maman.Image via NEON

One of the greatest difficulties that modern fantasy films face is that it is so much simpler to just remix or further adapt already existing stories and fairy tales, rather than create something new that can live up to the same level of recognition or emotional weight as these ingrained classics. This is even more of the case when it comes to films that attempt to replicate a fairy-tale tone and energy, although this difficult task isn't impossible, as French director Céline Sciamma followed up her romance masterpiece, Portrait of a Lady on Fire_, with Petite Maman. This distinct love letter to the fairy tales of old feels sweet and heartwarming in a way that is simply not often seen from many contemporary fantasy films. Gone is the sense of self-awareness and overwhelming focus on craft and spectacle, instead telling a simple yet beautiful story about family, the differences and growth that come with age, and dealing with grief and loss over time.

The film follows a young eight-year-old girl Nelly (Joséphine Sanz), who is still dealing with the confusion and sadness caused by the death of her beloved grandmother. As Nelly is brought to her mother's childhood home during their process of moving things out of this place, overwhelmed with bittersweet memories, she spends the time exploring the woods surrounding the area. While in the woods, she finds an unexpected friendship with a mysterious girl of the same age, with their unlikely friendship sending Nelly on a fantastical adventure that gives her a greater understanding of her loss and her connection to her family. Like many great fairy tales of old, Petite Maman's greatest strength comes from the inherent messaging and insightful feel-good elements that come from its distinctive twists, with its heartfelt love and passion feeling like the cinematic equivalent of a warm hug.

'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish' (2022)

_ Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas, holds his sword confidently in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.Image via Universal Pictures

During the 2000s, Shrek_ was a fantasy icon that was largely inescapable within the genre, taking part in a multitude of acclaimed blockbusters and adding a distinct edge of satirical wit to the fantasy genre in the process. While the franchise had largely been dormant throughout the 2010s, it made an unexpected return with spinoff sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, with this film surpassing all expectations that a long-dormant sequel to a spin-off that had a mixed reception could actually be amazing. The original Puss in Boots was far from bad, but Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, by comparison, stands as some of the greatest work that DreamWorks Animation has ever released and the undeniable height of the Shrek franchise. The film sees classic fantasy legend Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) embarking on a journey to find the mythical Last Wish, hoping to restore his nine lives after he has been brought to his last life, and on the run from a deadly, seemingly unstoppable foe.

It uses the fairy tale crossover elements that were a tool for parody in previous films and creates a dynamic world and story of acceptance and finding happiness within life, even while being aware of its eventual end. However, it still maintains the distinct sense of wild humor that made previous Shrek films so entertaining, especially when it comes to massively entertaining side characters like Jack Horner and Goldilocks and the three bears. The animation is also exceptionally mesmerizing, employing a distinct usage of stylized animation that makes the animation pop on-screen and feel that much more dynamic and entertaining. It has helped the film achieve overwhelming praise not just as an all-time great fantasy masterpiece of the 2020s, but also as one of the defining animated masterpieces of the 2020s.

'All of Us Strangers' (2023)

The immediate thought process that comes to mind in the fantasy genre is that of fantastical creatures and pure magic on-screen. However, fantasy filmmaking and storytelling can be much more grounded than the most extravagant concepts out there, instead decisively honing in on a few fantasy elements to amplify the emotional pull and weight of the film as a whole. All of Us Strangers_ is the absolute best example of this type of mellow, mature fantasy drama, utilizing the fantasy genre to explore the pain and emotional weight of coming face-to-face with emotions long since considered dormant. The film follows Adam (Andrew Scott), a lonesome man living an isolated life in London, who has an unexpected surge of emotion after a chance encounter with his mysterious neighbor, Harry (Paul Mescal). This encounter ends up sending Adam on a journey of remembrance of his fractured past, giving him the chance to find peace with the past and hopefully pave the way for a greater future.