Fantasy movies often include heavy exposition and world-building, but that doesn’t mean that the stories aren’t character-driven or that the performances aren’t important. The actors who bring to life the outlandish and otherworldly characters in fantasy projects have the difficult job of disappearing into their roles while being believably part of another universe. Since fantasy is a wide-reaching genre, the kinds of characters written into these projects might be terrifying wizards or relatively normal people with elements of wonder thrown into their characterization. However, a good actor will be able to embody whatever the role calls for.
There’s an argument to be made that speculative fiction works better for TV, as there are plenty of amazing fantasy TV shows with satisfying endings and great performances. However, these actors prove that with the right story and characters, films can be the perfect place for a magical narrative. Even when the plot of a fantastical film drifts further from reality, it’s the actors who anchor the story and help the audience draw comparisons between the imagined plot and their real lives. Any genre film attempts to bridge this gap and make its sensational story relatable.
10 Warwick Davis – Willow (1988)
As Willow Ufgood
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The cult-classic and underrated 1980s fantasy movieWillow stars Warwick Davis as the titular character, Willow, who defines the unlikely hero trope and brings charm and joy to the film. Davis is joined by Val Kilmer, who plays the warrior Madmartigan, who accompanies the budding wizard, Willow, as he hides a child from an evil sorceress. From there, Willow unfolds in classic fantasy adventure fashion, but Davis elevates the project beyond the traditional narrative and makes the audience truly connect with Willow and his journey.
For some of its campy moments and dated elements,
Willow
is the kind of fantasy movie that sparks an interest in the genre, along with classics like
The Neverending Story
or
The Dark Crystal
.
Willow eventually received a TV series adaptation in 2022, and Davis returned to reprise his role as Willow to great results. Even though some of the initial critical responses toward the original Willow movie were negative, the appraisal of Davis’ performance as a highlight of the film was consistent. For some of its campy moments and dated elements, Willow is the kind of fantasy movie that sparks an interest in the genre, along with classics like The Neverending Story or The Dark Crystal.
Willow PGFantasyAdventureDramaRomanceAction
In Ron Howard’s 1988 fantasy film, the titular Willow (Warwick Davis) must go on a quest to protect a human baby from the clutches of the evil Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh) with the help of mercenary Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and a cast of other colorful fantasy characters. Although it never quite achieved cult-classic status, the movie did launch Davis’ career, and led to the creation of a sequel television series on Disney+ in 2022.
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*Availability in US Director Ron Howard Release Date May 20, 1988 Studio(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Writers Bob Dolman Cast Jean Marsh , Val Kilmer , Joanne Whalley , Patricia Hayes , Warwick Davis Runtime 126 minutes Expand
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Willow (1988) |
53% |
80% |
9 Dev Patel – The Green Knight (2021)
As Gawain
Close
Dev Patel’s fantasy epic, The Green Knight, received a divisive response from critics and audiences. However, it’s impossible to deny that Patel’s work at Gawain is a credit to the legends of King Arthur. The movie adapts a story about Gawain, one of the knights of the Round Table, who journeys to face the Green Knight in combat to prove himself as a fighter and hero. Blending surrealist elements and graphic violence into the narrative, The Green Knight isn’t a typical fantasy film, but this is what sets it apart.
In the film, Patel’s Gawain is an untested knight who is so concerned with the stories that will be told about him and his legacy that he acts rashly and forgets what’s truly important. Gawain goes through significant character development throughout the film, and it takes a skilled actor to embody so many different facets of a character. Thanks to Patel, it’s rewarding to see Gawain learn his lessons and understand that he has to take his fate into his own hands and make himself into the person he wants to be.
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7/10 The Green Knight RAdventureDramaFantasy
An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in a more profound journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger.
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*Availability in US Director David Lowery Release Date July 30, 2021 Studio(s) A24 Writers David Lowery Cast Dev Patel , Emilie Hetland , Ralph Ineson , Helena Browne , Alicia Vikander , Joel Edgerton , Erin Kellyman , Barry Keoghan , Anthony Morris , Sean Harris , Kate Dickie , Sarita Choudhury Runtime 125 minutes Expand
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Green Knight (2021) |
89% |
50% |
8 Sergi López – Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
As Captain Vidal
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Captain Vidal is a great recent example of how to write and create a terrible but compelling fantasy villain. Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth is a decorated film that’s often highlighted for its storytelling and successful translation of the traditional fairytale into a modern metaphor for escapism. Additionally, del Toro has long been in conversation with political movements and the dangers of fascism, so setting the tale in Francoist Spain was a deliberate and effective choice. Sergi López plays the horrible Vidal and fully personifies the rule of dictatorship.
Related 10 Best R-Rated Fantasy Movies, Ranked
While some fantasy movies are meant for kids, others have a darker edge for older audiences, earning them an R-rating for their gritty themes.
4
It’s a difficult task to play such an irredeemable character, especially since Vidal doesn’t lessen his cruelty toward the protagonist, Ofelia, even though she’s a child. As he descends into more overt violence, his desperation to hang on to power and subjugate others for his own desire for control becomes all the more clear. López fully commits himself to disappearing into the terrible man onscreen, and his success at this is what makes the stakes of the film feel even more urgent.
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10/10 Pan’s Labyrinth RWarDramaFantasy
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth follows Ofelia, a ten-year-old girl living in 1940s Spain who learns she is actually a long-lost fairy princess. With the help of a faun, she is set a series of tasks to complete in order to return to her true home in the fairy underworld. Ivana Baquero stars as Ofelia, with Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, and Doug Jones making up the rest of the main cast.
Director Guillermo del Toro Release Date January 19, 2007 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Guillermo del Toro Cast Sergi López , Doug Jones , Ivana Baquero , Ariadna Gil , Maribel Verdú Runtime 118 minutes Expand
7 Helen Mirren – Excalibur (1981)
As Morgana
Close
Excalibur is one of the best King Arthur movies and is a faithful retelling of some of the most famous parts of the legend of Arthur’s rise and fall in Camelot. Morgana plays a key role in Arthur’s fate, and Helen Mirren is only one of the many legendary actors who are part of the cast of Excalibur. Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart are also featured, but Mirren is easily the highlight of the film thanks to her thunderous performance as Morgana. A sorceress who wishes Arthur ill, Mirren is an expert at playing the anger and cunning of Morgana.
While Arthur is a timeless character, he’s too pure of a hero to be the best character in
Excalibur
, as Morgana gets to be part of the most exciting and fun scenes.
Mirren is terrifying as Morgana, but it’s her enduring hate toward Arthur and cruel use of her own son that makes the character so compelling. While Arthur is a timeless character, he’s too pure of a hero to be the best character in Excalibur, as Morgana gets to be part of the most exciting and fun scenes. Though audience members most associate Mirren with her more recent roles that aren’t as intense or physically demanding, Morgana was a key role for Mirren and helped bring her into the fantasy genre.
Excalibur (1981) RAdventureFantasy
Excalibur is a 1981 film directed by John Boorman, which retells the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Starring Nigel Terry as Arthur and Nicol Williamson as Merlin, the movie covers the mystical origins of Excalibur, Arthur’s rise to power, and the eventual betrayal by his closest allies. The film is notable for its striking visuals and adherence to the traditional Arthurian mythology.
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*Availability in US Director John Boorman Release Date April 10, 1981 Studio(s) Orion Pictures , Cinema 84 , Warner Bros. Pictures Writers John Boorman , Rospo Pallenberg Cast Nigel Terry , Helen Mirren , Nicholas Clay , Cherie Lunghi , Paul Geoffrey Runtime 141 Minutes Expand
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Excalibur (1981) |
72% |
80% |
6 Emma Stone – Poor Things (2023)
As Bella Baxter
Close
Emma Stone took home the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing Bella in Poor Things, her second Best Actress win, and an achievement for her fantastical collaboration with the director, Yorgos Lanthimos. Stone and Lanthimos have partnered on many projects since their first collaboration on The Favourite, but Poor Things is one of the biggest hits for the team. While every actor in Poor Things has to transform to fit into the off-beat and unfamiliar world of the story, Stone had the most pressure riding on her performance.
The entire story rides on Bella and her evolution as a character. Each phase of her journey is defined by what she learns and how it shapes her worldview, and Stone has to fully understand Bella and the way she experiences things in different ways based on where she is in her development. While Poor Things received some commentary about the graphic nature of the movie, Stone gives Bella the agency and intelligence the character requires to justify her position in the story.
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8/10 Poor Things RComedyRomance Sci-Fi
Poor Things is a sci-fi romance film from The Lobster director Yorgos Lanthimos. The story focuses on the bizarre and fantastical world of Bella Baxter after a scientist named Dr. Godwin Baxter brings her back to life. The film is based on the 1992 novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray.
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*Availability in US Director Yorgos Lanthimos Release Date September 8, 2023 Studio(s) Film4 , TSG Entertainment , Element Pictures Distributor(s) Searchlight Pictures Writers Tony McNamara Cast Emma Stone , Willem Dafoe , Mark Ruffalo , Ramy Youssef , Jerrod Carmichael , Christopher Abbott Runtime 141 Minutes Expand
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Poor Things (2023) |
92% |
79% |
5 Michelle Yeoh – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
As Yu Shu Lien
Close
Though Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is first and foremost a thrilling martial arts film, there are also key elements of fantasy blended throughout the narrative that make it a sweeping epic. It’s considered part of the wuxia genre. These films encompass narratives set in ancient China that hinge on legendary martial artists and touch upon magic and otherworldly abilities in their narratives. Michelle Yeoh plays the brilliant fighter, Yu Shu Lien, who also has a tragic romance with Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat) in the story.
Yeoh eventually went on to win Best Actress at the Oscars for her performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once, which also sees her incorporate her fighting skills into the contemporary action-fantasy film. However, one of Yeoh’s most significant works to date is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and she might not have been recognized so fully on an international level without lending her talents to Ang Lee’s film. The ability to convey emotion and develop during richly complex action sequences is something only actors as skilled as Yeoh can achieve.
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10/10 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon PG-13ActionAdventureDramaFantasy
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a martial arts film directed by Ang Lee. Released in 2000, the story revolves around warriors Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien, played by Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh, as they pursue a stolen sword and encounter a mysterious young aristocrat. The film is renowned for its lush visuals and choreographed fight scenes, blending romance and adventure against a historical Chinese backdrop.
Director Ang Lee Release Date December 8, 2000 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia , Good Machine International , Edko Films , Zoom Hunt Productions Writers Wang Hui-ling , James Schamus , Tsai Kuo-jung Cast Chow Yun-Fat , Michelle Yeoh , Zhang Ziyi , Chang Chen , Lang Sihung , Cheng Pei-pei Runtime 120 Minutes Expand
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon |
98% |
86% |
Related 8 Action Stars Michelle Yeoh Fought In A Movie (& Who Won)
As one of the foremost martial arts movie stars in the East and West, Michelle Yeoh has fought a number of famous kung fu and action movie actors.
4 Cary Elwes – The Princess Bride (1987)
As Westley
Close
Based on the acclaimed fantasy novel of the same name by William Goldman, The Princess Bride has almost too many great performances to choose just one. However, Cary Elwes’ portrayal of the romantic lead Westley is charismatic, hilarious, and deeply romantic, making it one of the best of the film. While Robin Wright has to play her role almost completely straight as Buttercup and Mandy Patinkin can focus his energy on the humor of Inigo Montoya, Elwes has to incorporate both into his performance.
It helps that the script is hilarious and the ensemble cast has incredible chemistry, as Elwes is only made better by the additional performances of the rest of the actors.
Westley is a heartfelt lover, swashbuckling pirate, and comedic performer all rolled into one, and Elwes manages to capture all of this. It helps that the script is hilarious and the ensemble cast has incredible chemistry, as Elwes is only made better by the additional performances of the rest of the actors. To this day, The Princess Bride is remembered as a great work of fantasy and comedy that has aged very well, thanks to its timeless humor.
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9/10 The Princess Bride PGFantasyFamilyAdventure
Based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is a comical fantasy adventure film that tells a swashbuckling tale of a hero and a princess, read to a young, sick boy in bed by his grandfather. The story itself follows farmhand Westley, who embarks on an epic journey to save his beloved princess from an evil prince as he meets strange but reliable companions along the way.
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*Availability in US Director Rob Reiner Release Date October 9, 1987 Studio(s) 20th Century Writers William Goldman Cast Mandy Patinkin , Chris Sarandon , Robin Wright , Cary Elwes , Christopher Guest Runtime 98 minutes Expand
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Princess Bride (1987) |
96% |
94% |
3 Judy Garland – The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
As Dorothy Gale
Close
Judy Garland made her name in the movie musical genre, and The Wizard of Oz is one of the best-known, especially in the niche of fantasy movie musicals. At just sixteen, Garland starred in the smash-hit film as the protagonist, Dorothy Gale, and her life was never the same (via PBS). Though Garland didn’t have the happiest life, the way she performed in The Wizard of Oz is so full of youth and light that it’s clear why she became such an icon. Even then, her singing voice was incredible and astounded audiences.
Today, viewers haven’t forgotten about The Wizard of Oz or Garland. The way she holds her own next to veteran actors of the period and incorporates her trademark melancholy into the performance is what has made the film so enduring. There’s genuine emotion and sadness in her portrayal that tugs at the audience’s heartstrings and makes it impossible to look away from the movie. Though it isn’t the best performance of her career, it’s one that transcends genre and is known by most viewers.
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9/10 The Wizard of Oz PGMusicalFantasyFamilyAdventure
Based on Frank L. Baum’s book of the same name, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she’s swept away to the magical land of Oz. Upon arriving, she falls afoul of a witch, then enlists the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion in order to find the Wizard and get home to her family.
Director Victor Fleming Release Date August 25, 1939 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Florence Ryerson , Noel Langley , Edgar Allan Woolf Cast Margaret Hamilton , Jack Haley , Judy Garland , Bert Lahr , Ray Bolger Runtime 102 minutes Expand
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Wizard of Oz (1939) |
98% |
89% |
2 Julie Andrews – Mary Poppins (1964)
As Mary Poppins
Close
While Julie Andrews has starred in many of the best movie musicals of all time, her work in Mary Poppins is the most memorable role for many audience members who grew up watching her. Andrews won Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her performance as Mary Poppins, and it’s easy to see why. Though it’s a children’s movie, Mary Poppins was an innovative and revolutionary movie that only worked because Andrews was such a strong and anchoring presence.
Her winning for
Mary Poppins
caused a bit of a stir, as she was nominated against Audrey Hepburn, who had been cast over Andrews for the film adaptation of
My Fair Lady
.
Her winning for Mary Poppins caused a bit of a stir, as she was nominated against Audrey Hepburn, who had been cast over Andrews for the film adaptation of My Fair Lady. This was especially shocking as Andrews originated the role of Eliza on Broadway in My Fair Lady, but she still beat Hepburn for the highest award in the end (via Comic Book Resources). In the end, Andrews playing Mary Poppins over Eliza was the right move for both productions and skyrocketed her to fame.
Mary Poppins GMusicalComedyFantasyFamily
Based on the classic book series by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins stars Julie Andrews as the famous magical nanny, who arrives under mysterious means to look after the Banks children in early 1900s London. Considered one of Walt Disney’s crowning achievements, the film blends live-action and animation with whimsical storytelling and song and has been a staple children’s movie since its release in 1964.
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*Availability in US Director Robert Stevenson Release Date June 18, 1965 Studio(s) Disney Writers Don DaGradi , Bill Walsh Cast Karen Dotrice , Glynis Johns , Dick Van Dyke , David Tomlinson , Julie Andrews , Matthew Garber Runtime 139 minutes Expand
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Mary Poppins (1964) |
97% |
86% |
1 Ian McKellen – The Lord Of The Rings (2001–2003)
As Gandalf
Close
It’s difficult to imagine any other actor portraying Gandalf as Ian McKellen does so with the kindness and undeniable power that’s inherent to the character. While McKellen does make an appearance in the Hobbit movies, his best work is done in the original trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. Many scenes in the films hinge on McKellen’s ability to seem like an otherworldly force that’s come down to Middle-Earth to intervene in the fight against Sauron while retaining a crucial humanity.
There are many incredible performances throughout the fantasy series, but McKellen’s is undeniable and comes as no surprise considering his long history of great work in film and theater. Heroes like Frodo and Aragorn have the more straightforward job of being good and true in every scene. Conversely, the intelligence and cunning of Gandalf are much harder to translate to the screen while maintaining the almost grandfatherly characterization of the role. However, McKellen has a keen understanding of the original text and his own interpretation of the character.
The Lord of the Rings 10/10
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The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
Movie(s) The Lord of the Rings (1978) , The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring , The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers , The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King , The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey , The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug , The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies , The Lord of The Rings: The War of The Rohirrim Created by J.R.R. Tolkien Cast Norman Bird , Anthony Daniels , Elijah Wood , Ian McKellen , Liv Tyler , Viggo Mortensen , Sean Astin , Cate Blanchett , John Rhys-Davies , Billy Boyd , Dominic Monaghan , Orlando Bloom , Christopher Lee , Hugo Weaving , Sean Bean , Ian Holm , Andy Serkis , Brad Dourif , Karl Urban , Martin Freeman , Richard Armitage , James Nesbitt , Ken Stott , Benedict Cumberbatch , Evangeline Lilly , Lee Pace , Luke Evans , Morfydd Clark , Mike Wood , Ismael Cruz Cordova , Charlie Vickers , Markella Kavenagh , Megan Richards , Sara Zwangobani , Daniel Weyman , Cynthia Addai-Robinson , Lenny Henry , Brian Cox , Shaun Dooley , Miranda Otto , Bilal Hasna , Benjamin Wainwright , Luke Pasqualino , Christopher Guard , William Squire , Michael Scholes , John Hurt TV Show(s) The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Expand
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) |
92% |
95% |
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) |
95% |
95% |
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) |
94% |
86% |