Fantasy movies can be difficult to get right, as the importance of visual effects and the right cast can make or break a film. There are some cases when a fantasy film might have been better received if it was released later, as technology moves quickly, making the cinematic landscape completely different after just ten years. Additionally, the tastes and interests of audiences shift just as fast, meaning the trends of what’s popular and does well at the box office could be considerably different a decade after a movie initially failed to connect with viewers.
There are plenty of fantasy movies that bombed at the box office but had comebacks many years later, thanks to critical and audience reappraisal. When the bones of a story are good, which typically happens when a film is based on a book series, there’s potential for a movie to find its audience later, when the narrative is more popular within the present culture. However, as reboots and revivals are a large part of filmmaking today, it’s likely that many of these less-than-successful movies, whether critically or at the box office, might get another chance to prove their worth.
10 Eragon (2006)
Directed by Stefen Fangmeier
Eragon PG.FamilyAdventureAction
Eragon is based on the book series of the same name, part of a more extensive book series known as the Inheritance Cycle. In his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy named Eragon (Ed Speelers) happens upon a dragon’s egg. This egg leads him on a journey to protect his home from tyrannical monarch Galbatorix (John Malkovitch) and a dark sorcerer named Durza (Robert Carlyle). However, Eragon discovers that the egg contains a mighty dragon named Saphira (Rachel Weisz) that he bonds with, and with the help of friends and family, Eragon will challenge the empire and do what he can to keep the dragon safe.
Director Stefen Fangmeier Release Date December 15, 2006 Writers Christopher Paolini , Peter Buchman Cast Jeremy Irons , Rachel Weisz , Ed Speleers , Djimon Hounsou , Robert Carlyle , Sienna Guillory , John Malkovich , Garrett Hedlund , Joss Stone Runtime 103 minutes
The failed start of a franchise, Eragon did a poor job adapting Christopher Paolini’s novel of the same name and ended the potential for a series of films before they even began. However, that didn’t change the fact that audiences were enraptured with the books, and they have remained an important part of the fantasy canon to this day. This makes it especially poignant that Disney has plans to develop an Eragon TV series (via Variety).
Now that it’s been over ten years since the first movie failed, there’s a chance Paolini’s vision of the series can be done justice, and the scenes with the dragons can be better realized.
The Eragon Disney reboot must save the movie franchise, or Eragon will likely stop holding the potential for additional screen iterations. However, now that it’s been over ten years since the first movie failed, there’s a chance Paolini’s vision of the series can be done justice, and the scenes with the dragons can be better realized. While there were issues with how the character dynamics were portrayed and the way the story was structured, Eragon‘s VFX was not up to the challenge of capturing Saphira, the all-important dragon companion of Eragon.
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Eragon (2006) |
16% |
46% |
Related 10 Failed Fantasy Movies That Deserve A Reboot (Even Though They Bombed The First Time)
These 10 fantasy movies were massive box office bombs, but they could easily become huge hits if they were rebooted with better scripts and effects.
9 The Black Cauldron (1985)
Directed by Ted Berman & Richard Rich
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10/10 The Black Cauldron PGAnimationAdventureFantasy
The Black Cauldron is an animated fantasy film from Walt Disney Studios, directed by Ted Berman and Richard Rich. Released in 1985, it follows the young hero Taran and his quest to prevent the evil Horned King from obtaining a powerful magical relic known as the Black Cauldron. Featuring the voices of Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, and John Hurt, the film combines elements of adventure, mystery, and dark fantasy.
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*Availability in US Director Ted Berman , Richard Rich Release Date July 24, 1985 Writers Lloyd Alexander , David Jonas , Vance Gerry , Ted Berman , Richard Rich , Al Wilson Cast Grant Bardsley , Susan Sheridan , Freddie Jones , Nigel Hawthorne , Arthur Malet , John Byner Runtime 80 Minutes
The somewhat confusing and misunderstood dark fairytale The Black Cauldron had a lot working against it when it went into production. Many of the Disney films from this era were plagued by underfunding and had to use recycled animation to cut costs. However, this wasn’t the end of The Black Cauldron‘s troubles. Animators were consistently being fired, and new talent was brought in because of the cost of labor. The film was ultimately recut to make it more family-friendly, even though this destroyed the movie’s throughline (via Collider).
However, there’s something special about The Black Cauldron that makes it one of the best movies from the Disney Dark Ages: the name given to this period of unrest in the studio. There’s no question that The Black Cauldron would have had access to better resources and a more interested fanbase had it come out ten years later, as that was during the height of the Disney Renaissance. Over the years, The Black Cauldron‘s offbeat sensibilities and unique aesthetics have ignited viewers’ imaginations, proving there’s something good inside the difficulties of The Black Cauldron.
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The Black Cauldron (1985) |
54% |
48% |
8 Inkheart (2008)
Directed by Iain Softley
Inkheart PGAdventureFamilyFantasy
Inkheart is a fantasy adventure film directed by Iain Softley, based on Cornelia Funke’s novel. Brendan Fraser stars as Mo Folchart, a “silvertongue” who can bring characters from books to life by reading aloud. When an ancient villain escapes into the real world, Mo, his daughter Meggie (Eliza Bennett), and a band of allies must stop him. The film explores themes of literature, magic, and family bonds.
Director Iain Softley Release Date December 11, 2008 Writers David Lindsay-Abaire , Cornelia Funke Cast Brendan Fraser , Sienna Guillory , Eliza Bennett , Richard Strange , Paul Bettany , Helen Mirren Runtime 105 minutes
The amazing cast and compelling story behind Inkheart could have made for a smash hit, but sadly, Inkheart has faded into relative obscurity. Based on Cornelia Funke’s novel series, Inkheart had similarities to the popular magical movie franchises of the early 2000s, but it also had a unique spin that set it apart. Deeply in conversation with literature and the history of fantasy, Inkheart is a reader’s dream, but the screen adaptation lacked the breadth of the books.
Funke’s books are still popular, so waiting a few years to ensure the adaptation was right would only have helped.
Inkheart is a great Brendan Fraser YA movie that deserves a TV reboot since, like so many fantasy stories, it would likely work better in a television format. However, even if Inkheart had received a film iteration only a few years ago, it might have found greater success. Of course, the visual effects would have been updated, but the film also could’ve taken on a darker tone and leaned even further into the magic of the story. Funke’s books are still popular, so waiting a few years to ensure the adaptation was right would only have helped.
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Inkheart (2008) |
38% |
45% |
7 The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (2005)
Directed by Andrew Adamson
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9.7/10 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 Director Andrew Adamson Release Date December 9, 2005 Studio(s) Walt Disney Pictures , Walden Media , Mark Johnson Productions Writers Ann Peacock , Andrew Adamson , Christopher Markus , Stephen McFeely Cast William Moseley , Anna Popplewell , Skandar Keynes , Georgie Henley , Tilda Swinton , James McAvoy , Jim Broadbent , Liam Neeson Runtime 143 Minutes Expand
The magic and escapism of C.S. Lewis’ seminal fantasy children’s series has never failed to capture the hearts of readers, and the 2005 adaptation of the first book did a decent job bringing it to life. Every Chronicles of Narnia book has something to offer, but the first novel in the series will always be special for readers and audiences. However, the early film iteration could have gone further in updating the world of the story to reflect the present-day and done more to differentiate itself from similar works.
Though the early 2000s Narnia franchise did adapt Prince Caspian and Voyage of the Dawn Treader, neither was as popular as the first movie. This meant the Disney Narnia movies slowly faded from the cultural conversation. One of the issues with Narnia was that it came out during the height of Harry Potter‘s popularity and didn’t do enough to show that it was different than the other magical series. Without the competition of Harry Potter, the Chronicles of Narnia movie might have found its niche.
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe |
75% |
61% |
Related Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Reboot Will Struggle To Fix 1 Problem From The Books
There are plenty of ways that the upcoming Narnia movies will expand upon the original world, but some problems will be difficult to resolve.
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6 Penelope (2006)
Directed by Mark Palansky
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10/10 Penelope PGComedyFantasyRomance
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*Availability in US Director Mark Palansky Release Date February 29, 2008 Runtime 101 minutes
Christina Ricci continued her streak of starring in fantastical fairytales with Penelope, and she’s not the only cast member who has a history of seeking out projects like this. James McAvoy, Catherine O’Hara, and Reese Witherspoon round out the cast, and they all fit into the charming and whimsical world of Penelope. Though Penelope performed decently at the box office, it doesn’t have the legacy of similar works, like much of Tim Burton’s filmography.
Though
Penelope
is ultimately about self-love and acceptance, the secondary themes of class and inequality would have been elevated in the 2010s.
There are many aspects of Penelope that push the film into dark territory, but they’re brushed off and not addressed properly by the movie to keep the story on the lighter side. However, the more gritty sensibilities of the 2010s would have demanded that the story grapple with the inherent sadness that permeates the project. Additionally, though Penelope is ultimately about self-love and acceptance, the secondary themes of class and inequality would have been elevated in the 2010s.
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Penelope (2006) |
53% |
73% |
5 Underworld (2003)
Directed by Len Wiseman
Underworld RFantasyActionThriller
Underworld is a 2003 action-horror film directed by Len Wiseman. The plot revolves around Selene (Kate Beckinsale), a vampire warrior caught in a centuries-old conflict between vampires and Lycans, a race of werewolves. As she delves deeper into the ongoing war, Selene uncovers hidden truths that challenge her allegiance and perception of both factions. The film features a dark, gothic aesthetic and blends elements of horror and thriller genres.
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*Availability in US Director Len Wiseman Release Date September 19, 2003 Studio(s) Screen Gems , Lakeshore Entertainment , Laurinfilm , Subterranean Productions LLC , Subterranean Productions UK Ltd. , Underworld Produktions GmbH Writers Danny McBride Cast Kate Beckinsale , Scott Speedman , Michael Sheen , Shane Brolly , Bill Nighy Runtime 122 Minutes Expand
There’s no question that despite the mixed-to-negative critical response, Underworld was a success, performing well at the box office and earning a string of sequels. For cult films like Underworld, this is a best-case scenario. However, had the film come out in the following years, it might have been a crossover hit and well-remembered franchise. Action franchises like Taken, The Equalizer, and John Wick all draw parallels to Underworld. Conversely, they were released later and have become more synonymous with the genre because of it.
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
From the early 2010s up through today, more room is being made for female-led action films, and Underworld was well ahead of its time in centering on Kate Beckinsale. Having a strong woman as the protagonist and utilizing such a distinct aesthetic made Underworld unlike anything else coming out at the time, but it also meant that the movie didn’t reach the heights it could have. Fortunately, Underworld found its fanbase, but it’s spent too many years being overlooked.
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Underworld (2003) |
31% |
79% |
4 The Golden Compass (2007)
Directed by Chris Weitz
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4/10 The Golden Compass PG-13AdventureFamilyFantasy
The Golden Compass is a fantasy adventure film based on Philip Pullman’s novel. Released in 2007, the film stars Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra Belacqua, who embarks on a journey to the Arctic to rescue her kidnapped friend and uncover a secret involving a substance called Dust. Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig play pivotal roles in this visually captivating adaptation directed by Chris Weitz.
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*Availability in US Director Chris Weitz Release Date December 7, 2007 Studio(s) New Line Cinema , Ingenious Film Partners , Scholastic Productions Writers Chris Weitz Cast Nicole Kidman , Daniel Craig , Sam Elliott , Eva Green , Ian McKellen , Dakota Blue Richards Runtime 113 Minutes Expand
Enough went wrong with The Golden Compass to make it impossible for the movie to warrant sequels and complete the story of Philip Pullman’s book trilogy. Though the effects aren’t bad for 2007, much of the narrative relies on the interactions between the actors and their animal dæmons, and these moments felt stilted in the film. Additionally, the film wasn’t as incisive in its themes and criticisms of the government and religion within the story’s world, which was likely an attempt to appeal to the widest audience base.
Trying to please all viewers often backfires, and this was the case for
The Golden Compass
, which failed to take a concrete stance and so didn’t have strong stakes or conflict.
However, trying to please all viewers often backfires, and this was the case for The Golden Compass, which failed to take a concrete stance and so didn’t have strong stakes or conflict. The success of films that came out only a few years later but explored similar themes, like The Hunger Games, proves that The Golden Compass would have found success with many audience members if it had pushed itself further. Pullman’s classic work of children’s literature later found the right home as the TV series His Dark Materials on HBO, released in 2019.
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The Golden Compass (2007) |
42% |
51% |
3 The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones (2013)
Directed by Harald Zwart
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones PG-13ActionAdventureDocumentaryDramaFantasyMysteryRomance
In The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, teenager Clary Fray discovers she is a Shadowhunter, a human-angel hybrid destined to fight demons. She delves into an underworld of magic and danger when her mother is kidnapped. Teaming up with fellow Shadowhunters Jace, Alec, and Isabelle, Clary embarks on a quest to save her mother and uncover her own hidden past. Amidst battles with dark forces and a journey of self-discovery, Clary learns the true extent of her powers.
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*Availability in US Director Harald Zwart Release Date August 21, 2013 Writers Cassandra Clare , I. Marlene King , Jessica Postigo Cast Aidan Turner , Lena Headey , Lily Collins , Jonathan Rhys Meyers , Robert Sheehan , Jamie Campbell Bower Runtime 130 minutes
Lily Collins might be best known for Emily in Paris today, but she also starred in the ill-fated film adaptation of The Mortal Instruments. Based on the book series by Cassandra Clare, The Mortal Instruments was much like other YA fantasy stories but ended up bombing at the box office and disappointing fans of the novels. In trying to emulate its contemporaries, The Mortal Instruments lost much of what set the books apart.
City of Bones premiered during the height of interest in the young adult dystopian genre, with movies like The Hunger Games and Twilight premiering around the same time. However, even though this seemed like it would be the perfect moment to try and kickstart The Mortal Instruments franchise, it ended up being poorly compared with the more successful projects.Shadowhunters, the more popular TV series based on the books, ended up being the successor to the failed film. However, there’s been a recent resurgence in YA popularity in the past few years, which The Mortal Instruments could have capitalized on.
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The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) |
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58% |
2 Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
Directed by Chris Columbus
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.
Director Chris Columbus Release Date February 12, 2010 Studio(s) Fox 2000 Pictures , Dune Entertainment , 1492 Pictures , Sunswept Entertainment Distributor(s) 20th Century Fox Writers Craig Titley Cast Logan Lerman , Brandon T. Jackson , Alexandra Daddario , Sean Bean , Pierce Brosnan , Steve Coogan , Rosario Dawson , Catherine Keener , Kevin McKidd , Joe Pantoliano , Uma Thurman Runtime 119 Minutes Expand
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief was a massive disappointment for critics and audiences alike, as Rick Riordan’s middle-grade series had significant potential. As soon as it was announced that the characters were going to be aged up and played by older actors instead of kids, it was a sure sign of disaster. The 2010 movie made all the wrong choices and changed the story to be more mature and adult, which isolated the central audience base.
The way the Disney
Percy Jackson
series has connected with audiences and already surpassed the original film shows that time needed to pass in order to do Riordan’s story justice.
The way the Disney Percy Jackson series has connected with audiences and already surpassed the original film shows that time needed to pass in order to do Riordan’s story justice. Simultaneously staying true to the essential narrative while making thoughtful updates to make the story and characters more representational of wider audiences, Percy Jackson is succeeding in almost every avenue. Additionally, in the years since 2010, Riordan’s books have only become more iconic.
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Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) |
49% |
53% |
1 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010)
Directed by Jon Turteltaub
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice PGFantasy
Balthazar Blake and and Maxim Horvath are rival sorcerers, hundreds of years old. In modern-day Manhattan, Balthazar fights the forces of evil, while Horvath searches for the person destined to inherit the powers of the mythical Merlin. This turns out to be Dave Stutler, whom Balthazar takes in as a reluctant apprentice to help him stop Horvath from destroying the world.
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*Availability in US Director Jon Turteltaub Release Date July 14, 2010 Studio(s) Disney , Jerry Bruckheimer Films , Broken Road Productions , Saturn Films Writers Doug Miro , Carlo Bernard , Matt Lopez Cast Jay Baruchel , Alfred Molina , Teresa Palmer , Toby Kebbell , Omar Benson Miller , Monica Bellucci , Alice Krige , Robert Capron , Ian McShane , Nicolas Cage Runtime 109 minutes Expand
Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel make an interesting pair in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and their unexpected but dynamic chemistry is a large part of why the movie didn’t completely fade from cultural memory. It follows the tradition of classic sword and sorcery stories but attempts to update them with a modern setting and more contemporary dialogue and humor. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice wasn’t a failure and had some fun moments, but this hasn’t helped the project hold up today.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice came out during a transitional period for fantasy, but overall, the story lacked the worldbuilding and lore to compete with iconic works of cinema. The movie wasn’t quite deft enough in its storytelling to be considered a modern fantasy classic, and it wasn’t stylized or interesting enough to earn the title of campy or a cult film. If The Sorcerer’s Apprentice had been released in the early 2020s, it would have leaned into the edgier aspects of the story and not tried as hard to make the narrative tongue-in-cheek.
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The Sorcerer’s Apprentice |
40% |
53% |