Most viewers know to take the world-building within fantasy movies with a grain of salt, as the magical systems and cultural hierarchies aren’t always easy to follow. However, a good speculative fiction film will ease audiences in and help them understand the characters and the universe they inhabit. Despite this, there are plenty of examples of when a movie slips up and incorporates a scene that doesn’t align with the logic of the world or makes a character act unlike themselves. These missteps often occur when a film needs to move the plot forward, whether it makes sense or not.
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Confusion is hardly unique to the fantasy genre, as there are superhero movie scenes that make no sense, and plenty of sci-fi films are confusing from beginning to end. However, viewers are already looking for holes in the plot and character development, so the pressure is doubly on. While these moments don’t typically make or break a story, they do take the audience out of the world for a second, which is the opposite of what a fantasy narrative wants to do. When the plot moves forward seamlessly, it’s the mark of a flawless addition to the genre.
10 Tristan Not Leaving A Note For Yvaine
Stardust (2007)
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7.3/10 Stardust PG-13AdventureComedyFantasyRomance
Stardust is a fantasy-based romantic adventure-comedy by director Matthew Vaughn and based on the original novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess. In the film, Tristan, a young man who lives in an English town near a magical border wall, decides to catch a fallen star to win the affection of a woman named Yvaine. However, Tristan soon learns what – or who – the star is, and a grand adventure back to England begins.
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*Availability in US Release Date August 10, 2007 Runtime 128 Minutes Cast Claire Danes , Charlie Cox , Sienna Miller , Ricky Gervais , Jason Flemyng , Rupert Everett , Peter O’Toole , Michelle Pfeiffer , Robert De Niro Director Matthew Vaughn Writers Jane Goldman , Matthew Vaughn Budget $88.5 Million Studio(s) Marv , Ingenious Film Partners Expand
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Tristan and Yvaine’s love story is one for the ages, and though a good romance is full of miscommunications, the final complication for them is a little confusing. Played by Charlie Cox and Claire Danes, Tristan and Yvaine have an amazing chemistry, which makes it all the more exciting when they finally get together in the final act of Stardust. However, Yvaine is devastated to find herself alone when she wakes up and learns that Tristan’s gone back to the other side of the wall to see Victoria.
Leaving her a note or even waking her up to let her know he was going makes a lot more sense and is more in line with Tristan’s character.
However, this isn’t exactly the truth, as Tristan has merely gone to make good on his promise and say farewell to Victoria. Leaving this rather complicated message in the hands of an innkeeper who clearly doesn’t care is too naive a move for Tristan at this point. Leaving her a note or even waking her up to let her know he was going makes a lot more sense and is more in line with Tristan’s character. It’s because of this action that Yvaine gets kidnapped in time for the film’s climax.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Stardust (2007) |
77% |
86% |
9 Leaving Mina Alone In The Asylum
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
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Bram Stoker’s Dracula RHorrorRomance
Bram Stoker’s Dracula, set in 19th century England, follows Count Dracula as he journeys to London. There, he encounters Mina Harker, who bears a striking resemblance to his long-lost love.
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*Availability in US Release Date November 13, 1992 Runtime 127 Minutes Cast Gary Oldman , Winona Ryder , Anthony Hopkins , Keanu Reeves , Sadie Frost , Cary Elwes , Richard E. Grant , Billy Campbell , Tom Waits , Monica Bellucci , Florina Kendrick , Michaela Bercu , Jay Robinson , I.M. Hobson , Laurie Franks , Maud Winchester , Octavian Cadia , Robert Getz , Dagmar Stansova , Eniko Öss , Nancy Linehan Charles , Tatiana von Furstenberg , Jules Sylvester , Hubert Wells , Daniel Newman , Honey Lauren , Judi Diamond Director Francis Ford Coppola Writers Bram Stoker , James V. Hart Expand
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a fantasy movie that’s actually pretty dark and is very memorable for its polarizing style. Though it’s universally agreed upon that Francis Ford Coppola’s seminal vampire story is gorgeous to behold, Coppola wasn’t afraid to experiment with emotional realism and fantastical elements rather than a script that’s easy to follow. One of the most egregious examples of this is through how the men overlook Mina’s importance and think she’ll be safe alone in an asylum.
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Winona Ryder’s turn as Mina is as tragically romantic as possible, and she has already made it clear in the story that she feels drawn to Dracula and likely won’t be able to resist him. It’s also a known fact that she’s the only person he wants, and putting bars on a window isn’t going to keep him out. As soon as Mina is left on her own, it’s difficult not to stifle a groan, as it’s incredibly obvious this was just a way to get her and Dracula in the same room.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) |
69% |
79% |
8 The Burrow Being Set On Fire
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince (2009)
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8.3/10 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince PG-13AdventureFamilyFantasyMystery
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth film in the Harry Potter film franchise, and continues the adventures of the titular protagonist and his friends in their sixth year at the wizarding school of Hogwarts. As Voldemort and his minions continue to wage war on the world of muggles and wizards, Harry discovers one of his textbooks is filled with mysterious spells and information connected to an individual known as the Half-Blood Prince. Meanwhile, Dumbledore begins the search for a means to defeat Voldemort.
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*Availability in US Release Date July 7, 2009 Runtime 153 Minutes Cast Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Michael Gambon , Tom Felton , Alan Rickman , Jim Broadbent , David Thewlis , Maggie Smith , Robbie Coltrane , Julie Walters Director David Yates Writers Steve Kloves Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures , Heyday Films Expand
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A moment from the original Harry Potter movies that had audiences up in arms was when a scene that was not in the books was added to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Though Death Eater activity is ramping up in the sixth installment, and Harry is harboring anger toward Bellatrix for murdering Sirius the year before, their burning down the Burrow doesn’t elevate or change this. During Christmas, which is usually a welcome break in the action during the Harry Potter year, the Death Eaters strike the Burrow.
Destroying the Weasleys’ home doesn’t add motivation, as the characters are already certain of their mission to defeat Voldemort.
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Not only is this not part of the book’s canon, but it also just adds another unnecessary moment of grief to a year that’s been bleak to begin with. Destroying the Weasleys’ home doesn’t add motivation, as the characters are already certain of their mission to defeat Voldemort. HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV show should remember the moments like this that were so polarizing to audiences and not vital to the plot. Additionally, this moment isn’t a plot point that the movies come back to.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) |
83% |
78% |
7 Alan Somehow Remembering The Previous Timeline
Jumanji (1995)
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9.7/10 Jumanji PGActionAdventureComedy
Jumanji is an action-adventure comedy film by director Joe Johnston and starring Robin Williams. Two orphan siblings move into a home occupied by the former Parrish family, whose son disappeared years ago. When the two start playing a mysterious board game known as “Jumanji,” they unknowingly release the missing Alan Parrish later, along with various other jungle-themed dangers that can only be stopped if they finish the game.
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*Availability in US Release Date December 15, 1995 Runtime 104 Minutes Franchise(s) Jumanji Cast Robin Williams , Kirsten Dunst , David Alan Grier , Bonnie Hunt , Jonathan Hyde , Bebe Neuwirth Director Joe Johnston Writers Jonathan Hensleigh , Greg Taylor , Jim Strain Studio(s) TriStar Pictures , Interscope Communications Expand
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There’s little question that Robbin Williams’ performance is a large part of why Jumanji has become such an enduring children’s fantasy franchise. Though the recent reboots try to grapple with some of the holes in the universe’s logic, there’s no going back to fix the original. Williams’ character, Alan, has a pretty tragic arc at the beginning of the film, as he’s trapped inside the game for decades and has his entire life stolen from him.
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This is a dark element of Jumanji, but it’s also resolved too easily by the movie in the final hour. When Alan and the others beat the game, it resets and Alan gets his life back. However, in this new timeline Alan seems to possess some residual knowledge from his first life, allowing him to prevent the deaths of Judy and Peter’s parents. Of course, this provides the happily-ever-after that children’s movies rely on, but how this is possible is never explained by Jumanji.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Jumanji (1995) |
52% |
63% |
6 Jareth Wanting To Marry Sarah
Labyrinth (1986)
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8.3/10 Labyrinth PGFantasyFamilyAdventureMusical
Directed by Jim Henson and written by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, Labyrinth stars Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, a teenage girl whose accidental wish that her baby brother be taken by the Goblin King results in an epic quest to save the baby from the King through a vast labyrinth, accompanied by its inhabitants. David Bowie also stars as Jareth, the Goblin King, and many of the characters are played by puppets created by Henson.
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*Availability in US Release Date June 27, 1986 Runtime 101 minutes Cast Christopher Malcolm , Toby Froud , Shelley Thompson , Jennifer Connelly , David Bowie Director Jim Henson Writers Terry Jones Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Expand
For all the magic and mysticism of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, the relationship between Jareth and Sarah has only become more uncomfortable with time. David Bowie plays the Goblin King Jareth, who has an unhealthy and borderline creepy obsession with the young Sarah, played by Jennifer Connelly. Though he traps her in the Labyrinth so she can get her baby brother back after she makes a rash wish, the movie includes a scene where Jareth attempts to seduce her.
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The movie itself is a gorgeous and moving addition to the fantasy genre, elevated by Henson’s classic puppetry and understanding of the pitfalls of coming-of-age.
As time has passed, this dynamic doesn’t fly anymore, not that it really did in 1986, either. The movie itself is a gorgeous and moving addition to the fantasy genre, elevated by Henson’s classic puppetry and understanding of the pitfalls of coming-of-age. Unfortunately, the scene between Jareth and Sarah raises eyebrows and doesn’t further the plot, only confusing the viewer about his role as a villain in the story. Though this dynamic can be interpreted as Sarah’s first steps into her sexual awakening, this could’ve been handled more delicately.
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5 Brenda Easily Identifying The Sword
Highlander (1986)
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9/10 Highlander RActionAdventureFantasy
Connor MacLeod, born in 16th century Scotland, is one of a few immortals who can only be killed by beheading. Now, in 1985, the immortals who have survived their centuries-long secret war meet in New Yor for the “Gathering” to fight for the mysterious “Prize.” It’s up to MacLeod to make sure that the Prize does not fall into the hands of his enemy, Kurgan.
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*Availability in US Release Date March 7, 1986 Runtime 116 minutes Cast Christopher Lambert , Roxanne Hart , Clancy Brown , Sean Connery , Beatie Edney , Alan North Director Russell Mulcahy Writers Gregory Widen , Peter Bellwood , Larry Ferguson Studio(s) 20th Century Expand
Brenda is the love interest in Highlander, and Roxanne Hart does a great job of rolling with the punches in the action-fantasy film. Christopher Lambert is Connor MacLeod, the titular Highlander, an immortal being from Scotland locked in an epic battle of good versus evil until the end of time. Of course, Brenda doesn’t know this when she first encounters clues that ancient beings might be in 1980s New York City, discovering a sword whose origins plague her.
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She’s ultimately led to Connor because she has a deep knowledge of metallurgy and just so happens to be working for the NYPD when Connor clashes with one of his foes. Why a metallurgy expert would be lending her skills to the police as a forensic scientist is unclear, and how she was able to instantly recognize how unique the sword is with limited testing is also a bit too convenient. It’s fairly obvious that this underdeveloped plot point was meant to get Connor and Brenda together.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Highlander (1986) |
69% |
79% |
4 Giving Lucy A Dagger
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
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9.3/10 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe PGAdventureFantasy
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) is a fantasy film directed by Andrew Adamson. It follows the story of four siblings who discover a magical wardrobe that leads to the enchanted land of Narnia. They join forces with Aslan, the majestic lion, to battle against the evil White Witch. The film features Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, and Anna Popplewell in the leading roles.
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*Availability in US Release Date December 9, 2005 Runtime 143 Minutes Cast William Moseley , Anna Popplewell , Skandar Keynes , Georgie Henley , Tilda Swinton , James McAvoy , Jim Broadbent , Liam Neeson Director Andrew Adamson Writers Ann Peacock , Andrew Adamson , Christopher Markus , Stephen McFeely Studio(s) Walt Disney Pictures , Walden Media , Mark Johnson Productions Expand
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In any children’s fantasy series, kids go through a lot more than they should and are put in dangerous situations. However, in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, this happens to an extreme degree. Already, the Pevensies are asked to save Narnia as soon as they get there despite having recently evacuated a city wracked with bombings. However, by the end, when they unite with Aslan, they fight in an actual war against the White Witch and are given weapons to do so.
Lucy, the youngest Pevensie, is given a dagger among her gifts at eight years old.
Lucy, the youngest Pevensie, is given a dagger among her gifts at eight years old. While she’s been holding her own thus far, it asks a bit too much of the audience to make them believe that giving an elementary-aged child a dagger is the right thing to do. The author of the original series, C.S. Lewis, might have made this choice to increase the drama and give her a tangible gift, but the movie could’ve altered this and made it safer.
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|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) |
75% |
61% |
3 Persephone Being In The Underworld
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
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Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief PGActionAdventureFantasy
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, directed by Chris Columbus, follows a teenager who learns he is the demigod son of Poseidon. Faced with the task of recovering Zeus’ stolen lightning, Percy must harness his newfound abilities to avert a catastrophic war among the gods.
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*Availability in US Release Date February 12, 2010 Runtime 119 Minutes Cast Logan Lerman , Brandon T. Jackson , Alexandra Daddario , Sean Bean , Pierce Brosnan , Steve Coogan , Rosario Dawson , Catherine Keener , Kevin McKidd , Joe Pantoliano , Uma Thurman Director Chris Columbus Writers Craig Titley Studio(s) Fox 2000 Pictures , Dune Entertainment , 1492 Pictures , Sunswept Entertainment Expand
It’s universally agreed upon that the 2010 adaptation of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books doesn’t do justice to the original work. The Percy Jackson TV show will return with season 2, and this version has been praised by fans and critics alike. However, the bar is quite low, as not only did the Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief movie alter the novel, but it also contradicted Greek mythology for no reason. If it wasn’t enough to age the actors up, the movie put Persephone in the Underworld.
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While this might not sound too bad, the movie takes place during the summer solstice, the time of year when Persephone is above ground and making the world warm with her mother, Demeter. Percy and his friends only encounter Hades when they make it to the Underworld, and Persephone’s character is just played for laughs, undercutting the gravity of their journey. The Underworld scenes should be impactful and dangerous, and Persephone would never be there.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) |
48% |
53% |
2 Westley Declaring Buttercup & Humperdinck Not Married
The Princess Bride (1987)
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9.2/10 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 Release Date October 9, 1987 Runtime 98 minutes Cast Mandy Patinkin , Chris Sarandon , Robin Wright , Cary Elwes , Christopher Guest Director Rob Reiner Writers William Goldman Studio(s) 20th Century Expand
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Based on the seminal novel by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is well known within the fantasy world as being a romantic and hilarious addition to the genre. Full of heart and humor, there are many tongue-in-cheek jokes in The Princess Bride, as the plot plays with the tropes traditionally found in sweeping fantasy romances. This means that there are moments when the audience must suspend their disbelief and let the unrealistic elements of the story go by.
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Between the Pit of Despair and the Fireswamp, few creatures or terrifying settings could surprise the viewer, but when Westley makes his interpretation of the law his reality, it’s a little silly. Westley successfully interrupts Buttercup’s marriage to Humperdinck, but only at the last second when their vows are pretty much complete. However, since Buttercup never said “I do,” Westley claims it doesn’t count. While this might be wishful thinking, it’s still a nice ending to the classic movie.
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|
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Princess Bride (1987) |
96% |
94% |
1 Dumbledore Yelling At Harry
Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire (2005)
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8/10 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire PG-13AdventureFamilyFantasyMystery
The fourth film in the Harry Potter movie franchise, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, sees the titular hero and his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermoine Granger, return for their fourth school year at Hogwarts. Hogwarts is hosting the International Triwizard Tournament, a friendly sporting contest between several magical schools this year. Despite being ineligible to participate in the event due to being under seventeen, Harry’s name mysteriously appears during the drawing process for the school’s elected champions alongside another, Cedric Diggory. Harry will train and prepare himself for a challenging contest while still trying to find out the truth of how his name was chosen in the first place.
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*Availability in US Release Date November 18, 2005 Runtime 157 Minutes Cast Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Tom Felton , Robbie Coltrane , Ralph Fiennes , Michael Gambon , Brendan Gleeson , Gary Oldman , Timothy Spall , Alan Rickman , Maggie Smith Director Mike Newell Writers Steve Kloves , J.K. Rowling Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures , Heyday Films Expand
The actor who portrayed Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies, Richard Harris, tragically passed on before he could continue with the role. While his performance as the Headmaster of Hogwarts is of a gentle yet firm mystic being, his successor, Michael Gambon, needed to stand apart. Gambon was a touch more serious and authoritative, which suited the shifting tone of the movie as Harry got older and his responsibilities became more complex.
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However, Gambon’s line reading of the moment when he questions Harry about putting his name in the goblet of fire differs so sharply from the book’s description that it’s difficult not to notice. He grabs Harry and yells at him, which is a kind of intensity and frustration that Dumbledore doesn’t show Harry for a few more years, if ever. While part of this is likely due to the direction of Mike Newell as well, it changes the wizard’s characterization in the fantasy film.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) |
88% |
74% |