Summary
- Toothless from
How To Train Your Dragon
captivates audiences with his sleek design and amicable personality. - The amazing special effects in
The Lord Of The Rings
bring Treebeard to life, emphasizing the ethereal history of Middle-earth. - Pepita from
Coco
stands out with her unique design and formidable presence, adding depth to the story and Imelda’s character.
Fantastical creatures that look incredibly cool are a key part of some of the most popular fantasy movies ever. Many of the best fantasy movies of all time feature magical creatures based on mythology and legend that contribute to the settings and provide jaw-dropping spectacle. Some fantasy creatures play more important roles in their respective movies than others, as they may serve as a classic dragon to defeat or a loyal steed/lifelong friend.
How these creatures are rendered depends on when the movie was made. Certain older fantasy and sci-fi movies with practical effects too good to be real make the case for such beings to be created with costumes and puppetry. It might not convince the audience of realism, but it looks great in a classic way. Other more recent fantasy movies demonstrate that modern CGI is a valuable tool in this regard, while some underrated fantasy animated movies suggest watercolors and digital art are the best way to go about this.
Related 10 Coolest Dragons In Fantasy Movies, Ranked
The coolest dragons in fantasy movies include Haku, Toothless, and Maleficent, due to their narrative complexities and stunning and scary designs.
10 The Lord Of Darkness
From Legend (1985)
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The Lord of Darkness’ relatively basic devil imagery works well for the movie he is in. Legend is an almost goofy fantasy adventure movie that sets stringent ideals of good and evil against each other, with Darkness being the very personification of the latter. His past is a mystery, and he simply exists to be the antagonistic force that corrupts this world and threatens its peace, spurring Tom Cruise’s Jack into action.
The costume design serves the old-school adventure movie, and Tim Curry can pull off an amazing evil laugh. However, Legend‘s Lord of Darkness is also very alluring and charismatic, strangely drawing Princess Lili and the viewers into his world. The fact that his physical presence is so dominating and even corny creates a satisfying dissonance with his carefully chosen words. Legend is a dark movie for many reasons, including themes of corruption and horror, but Curry’s performance is the biggest contributor.
Legend PG
In a fantastical realm, Jack must save Princess Lili from the clutches of the sinister Lord of Darkness, who plans to bring eternal night by killing the last unicorns. Teaming up with a group of mystical companions, Jack ventures through dark forests and treacherous terrains to stop Darkness and ensure the survival of their magical world.
Director Ridley Scott Release Date April 18, 1986 Writers William Hjortsberg Cast Tom Cruise , Mia Sara , Tim Curry , David Bennent , Alice Playten , Billy Barty , Cork Hubbert Runtime 94 Minutes
9 Falkor
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
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The NeverEnding Story introduces Falkor as a “luck dragon,” which is possibly the most endearing term ever given to a fantasy creature. As a movie also coming from before reliable CGI, Falkor’s design is a simple but cozy take on a serpentine dragon. He is big enough to be fierce but also soft and friendly-looking enough to be very cuddly. It’s believable that the different heroes can rely on him for encouragement in their darkest hour and to be their lovable best friend.
The NeverEnding Story ends with its previously saddened protagonist flying through the real world on Falkor’s back, experiencing pure joy and adrenaline. Falkor is an effective symbol of what makes The NeverEnding Story a fantasy cult classic, as a dragon with the cheesy vibes of coming from Jim Hensen’s creature shop who is still undeniably cool. The NeverEnding Story remake might think it has an advantage with modern CGI when it comes to Falkor, but this might not produce the best results.
The Neverending Story PG Where to Watch
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Based on the German novel of the same name, The NeverEnding Story centers on Bastian Bux, a young boy who finds a book about a fantasy world called Fantasia, and becomes inexplicably connected to the book’s plot as he begins to read it. Barret Oliver stars as Bastian, with Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach, and Alan Oppenheimer as part of the main cast.
Director Wolfgang Petersen Release Date July 20, 1984 Writers Herman Weigel , Wolfgang Petersen Cast Patricia Hayes , Noah Hathaway , Barret Oliver , Sydney Bromley , Gerald McRaney , Tami Stronach Runtime 94 minutes
8 Buckbeak
From Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004)
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A hippogriff is a creature originating in Greek mythology with the anatomy of both an eagle and a horse, branching off from other mythological hybrid creatures in the same vein as a griffin (ironically the namesake of Gryffindor House). The subplot with Buckbeak in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is an apt lesson in animal cruelty when the very point of the Care of Magical Creatures class is to learn about treating such creatures with respect, as they may become volatile if threatened or insulted. The story frames Buckbeak as a noble yet fierce and proud magical creature.
The filmmakers did an amazing job bringing Buckbeack to life on screen, utilizing both CGI and animatronics.
The filmmakers did an amazing job bringing Buckbeack to life on screen, utilizing both CGI and animatronics. In the book, when Hagrid remarks that the hippogriffs are “beautiful,” Harry thinks that he can understand what Hagrid means — and the movie’s depiction has the same effect. Buckbeak is rendered as a grand and stylish magical creature whose threatening features are not hidden, but blend well with his kind personality when the students interact with him correctly.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban pg-13 Where to Watch
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) is the third film in the Harry Potter film series. Based on the 1999 novel of the same name by J.K. Rowling, the film was directed by Alfonso Cuarón, with a screenplay by Steve Kloves. The movie stars Daniel Radcliffe in the title role, alongside Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, who play his best friends, Ron and Hermione. The film follows Harry’s third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and his attempt to solve the mystery of his connection to Sirius Black, played by Gary Oldman, who recently escaped from Azkaban prison.
Director Alfonso Cuarón Release Date May 31, 2004 Writers J.K. Rowling , Steve Kloves Cast Gary Oldman , David Thewlis , Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Robbie Coltrane , Timothy Spall , Maggie Smith , Michael Gambon , Richard Griffiths , Fiona Shaw , Alan Rickman Runtime 144 Minutes
7 Pepita
From Coco (2017)
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The production design in Coco is astounding, utilizing various neon colors to highlight different features of the characters and setting in bringing to life the Land of the Dead. In Coco director Adrian Molina’s interview with Screen Rant, he discussed adapting the Mexican art figurines called alebrijes into characters seen in the movie. One such alebrije is Pepita, who serves as a guide and protector to the late members of the Rivera family, primarily answering to their first matriarch Imelda.
Pepita has the features of a jaguar, an eagle, a ram, and an iguana; she might be described as a kind of chimera. Pepita is a fantastic addition to Coco‘s story because of how formidable she is, contrasting with Miguel’s goofy guardian Dante. Her design is just as bright and intriguing as the rest of the world, but this doesn’t make her less intimidating. Pepita is also an excellent contribution to Imelda’s character, who proves that being unwavering and fierce are natural qualities of a matriarch and homemaker.
Coco PG Where to Watch
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Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on a journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
Director Adrian Molina , Lee Unkrich Release Date October 27, 2017 Writers Lee Unkrich , Jason Katz , Matthew Aldrich Cast Gael García Bernal , Alanna Ubach , Anthony Gonzalez , Selene Luna , Jaime Camil , Edward James Olmos , Renee Victor , Sofía Espinosa , Benjamin Bratt , natalia cordova-buckley , Alfonso Arau Runtime 105 minutes
6 The Pale Man
From Pan’s Labyrinth (2007)
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The symbolism of the Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth adds depth to the figure beyond his morbid encounter with Ofelia. Guillermo del Toro is a master of monsters, creating many terrifying beings that often connote more than what can be inferred about them at first glance — both positive and negative elements. The Pale Man is uninterested in the veritable feast laid out in front of him, the only purpose of which is to tempt the children that he is truly after, symbolizing corrupt institutions eating up innocence.
The Pale Man is rendered practically, as is the foreboding and whimsical faun in Pan’s Labyrinth. The Pale Man’s stilted movements and tangible features only make him scarier, provoking disgust at the very real eyes embedded in his palms and arachnid fingers. Del Toro did eventually begin to utilize CGI when it came to creating his monsters, but still knows how to leverage old-school techniques to his advantage.
Pan’s Labyrinth R Where to Watch
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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 Writers Guillermo del Toro Cast Sergi López , Doug Jones , Ivana Baquero , Ariadna Gil , Maribel Verdú Runtime 118 minutes
Related 10 Scariest Creatures In Guillermo Del Toro Movies, Ranked
With Guillermo del Toro’s anthology series bringing new horrors, take a look back at the scariest creatures in the director’s filmography so far.
5 Maleficent
From Sleeping Beauty (1959)
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Almost all dragons in modern media take inspiration from Maleficent, or at least the villainous ones. The climatic battle in Enchanted is an intentional homage to Sleeping Beauty, while Maleficent is about the same character rendered in live-action. Smaug in The Hobbit is inspired by Old English literature, but Peter Jackson likely reviewed how dragons had previously been captured in cinema before producing this movie. However, no cinematic magical creatures are as classic as Maleficent’s original, animated dragon form.
To this day, the animation of this sequence holds up amazingly well, even if Sleeping Beauty falls lower in a ranking of animated Disney movies. Maleficent’s signature purple and green palette is perfect for both the transformation and the battle, highlighting her dark magic and neon flames even better. Maleficent is a classic Disney villain who is unapologetically evil; both her dragon form and the theatrics of her final fight do justice to her character.
sleeping beauty G
In Disney’s take on the classic fairy tale, Princess Aurora has been cursed by the evil Maleficent to prick her finger and fall into a deep sleep on her sixteenth birthday. Despite the efforts of the three fairies who raised her, the curse is soon upon Aurora, but hope lies with the handsome Prince Phillip.
Director Clyde Geronimi , Wolfgang Reitherman Release Date January 29, 1959 Writers Erdman Penner , Joe Rinaldi , Winston Hibler , Bill Peet , Ted Sears , Ralph Wright , Milt Banta Cast Mary Costa , Bill Shirley , Eleanor Audley , Verna Felton , Barbara Jo Allen , Barbara Luddy , Bill Thompson Runtime 75minutes
4 The Wolf
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
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Spoilers ahead for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish! The latest Puss in Boots movie is not just a feat of animation that completely revamps the Shrek universe, but an excellent, contained story about Puss’ deepest fears. Down to only one of his nine cat lives, Puss is pursued by a skilled bounty hunter with a chilling presence, taking the form of a “Big Bad Wolf” from the type of fables that typically make their way into Shrek. The new style of animation certainly elevates this character, down to his smooth movements and glowing red eyes.
However, the plot twist of who the Wolf really is only makes him cooler. The embodiment of Death itself coming after Puss perfectly underscores the main point of Puss having become too dependent on a net to break his fall. However, he learns to live even more daringly in the face of Death because of his mortality. After their final confrontation in an amazing swirl of color, the Wolf respectfully acknowledges who Puss has become before disappearing again.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish PG Where to Watch
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In Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Puss learns he has reached the end of his nine lives. To restore his lives and continue his journeys, he will set forth on a quest to the Black Forest to find a Wishing Star that can bring them all back. To succeed, he enlists help from his former partner/rival, Kitty Softpaws, and a chatty canine friend, Perrito. Unfortunately, they’re in a race against many other fairytale characters and villains, including the bounty hunter looking to collect on Puss, The Big Bad Wolf.
Director Joel Crawford Release Date December 21, 2022 Writers Paul Fisher Cast Antonio Banderas , Salma Hayek Pinault , Olivia Colman , Harvey Guillen , Samson Kayo , Wagner Moura , Anthony Mendez , John Mulaney , Florence Pugh Runtime 102 minutes
3 Treebeard
From The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
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The special effects in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy have stood the test of time; everything that is rendered on screen looks amazing, whether created with costumes or computers. Treebeard and the Ents are more dependent on computer effects, but the VFX perfectly incorporated facial features into tree trunks to create these wise and magical habitats of Middle-earth. They are mostly friendly and even comical, but can become a force to be reckoned with.
Treebeard offers a lot to the Lord of the Rings story, showcasing a history of Middle-earth outside many of the characters’ understanding and the environmental destruction wrought by Sauron’s army. His design only makes his small part in the movie adaptation of The Two Towers more effective. The Ents are foreboding yet ethereal creatures that needed skilled artists to bring them to life, which is luckily what the fans got.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers r Where to Watch
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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a Fantasy film by director Peter Jackson and is based on The Two Towers book by author J. R. R. Tolkien. A sequel to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, this installment continues Frodo’s journey to take the One Ring to Mount Doom to destroy it.
Director Peter Jackson Release Date January 15, 2002 Writers Peter Jackson Cast Elijah Wood , Ian McKellen , Viggo Mortensen , Orlando Bloom , Bruce Allpress , Sean Astin , John Bach , Sala Baker , Cate Blanchett , Andy Serkis Runtime 179 Minutes
2 The Ikran
From Avatar (2009)
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The decades-long development of both Avatar and its sequels is largely due to the amount of time that went into bringing the world to life, and James Cameron waiting for the technology he needed to come into existence. Everything about Pandora’s flora and fauna is meticulously designed, showcasing a complex fictional ecosystem characterized by harmony among all its living things, characterized by blue and green coloring to remind the audience of Earth’s own natural wonders. However, the Ikran are still the highlight of the animals seen in the first movie.
There are also careful variations between individual Ikran, including the giant known as Toruk.
Also referred to as mountain banshees, the Ikran showcase some amazing anatomical and color designs that are reminiscent of real and fictional bat-like creatures but are still wholly unique to Avatar. They have sharp, threatening features that emphasize how dangerous they are, but are still strangely beautiful in their own right and in how they interact with the Na’vi. There are also careful variations between individual Ikran, including the giant known as Toruk.
Avatar PG-13 Where to Watch
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Avatar is a sci-fi action/adventure film created by James Cameron and released in 2009. Set in the fictional world of Pandora in the distant future, humans seek a rare mineral found on the planet but find a race of highly-intelligent beings directly in their mining path. To attempt to communicate and work with them, scientists create body replicas called “avatars,” and one man will change the destiny of both races using an avatar of his own.
Director James Cameron Release Date December 18, 2009 Writers James Cameron Cast Sam Worthington , Zoe Saldana , Sigourney Weaver , Stephen Lang , Joel David Moore , Giovanni Ribisi Runtime 162 minutes
Related Avatar: 30 Pandora Animals From The Movies Explained
Avatar introduced the world to a variety of new and exciting creatures all across the Pandoran landscape, with unique traits and looks for each.
1 Toothless
From How To Train Your Dragon (2010)
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Toothless’ design was completely changed from the How to Train Your Dragon books to facilitate having a bigger role in the action, and this undeniably benefited the movie. Toothless’ sleek, dark appearance and deadly features like his claws, teeth, and plasma blasts make him a steed anyone would want to bond with. On the other hand, the filmmakers also essentially gave him the personality of a cat in service of his funny bonding scenes with Hiccup.
However, this does not detract from Hiccup and Toothless’ coolest scenes together. The coup de grâce is their first real flight, where the epic score, the gorgeous production design, and Toothless’ own figure come together in the most breathtaking scene of the franchise. Few creatures in fantasy movies are as beloved as Toothless today when he is such a perfect combination of adorable, fierce, and inspiring.
How to Train Your Dragon PG Where to Watch
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How to Train Your Dragon is a 2010 animated film set in the Viking world of Berk, where Hiccup, the son of Stoick the Vast, befriends a dragon and defies the village’s traditional dragon-slaying ways, leading to a reevaluation of the Viking-dragon conflict.
Director Dean DeBlois , Chris Sanders Release Date March 18, 2010 Writers Chris Sanders , Dean DeBlois , William Davies Cast Jay Baruchel , Gerard Butler , Craig Ferguson , America Ferrera , Jonah Hill Runtime 98 Minutes