My Top 10: Fantasy Films

Since the birth of motion picture, many film pioneers have taken the opportunity to use celluloid to make our dreams a reality. Since then, the fantasy genre has been one of the most important in the film industry. It has made our dreams and ideas become real. We can create worlds, cultures and characters we can love for all-time.

Some of the best fantasy films were originally books, but some have gone straight onto the big screen. My top 10 has you transported to many different worlds. From cartoon characters interacting with real people, to a world full of witches, talking animals and deadly creatures made of stone.

There is something for everyone in my top 10 including what I consider to be the greatest trilogy of all-time. Here it is:

10) Pan's Labyrinth - Director Guillermo Del Toro is all about fantasy, and his terrific character design.

This feature is by far his most ambitious. This Oscar award-winning fantasy adventure has captured many hearts all around the world.

Outside of the fantasy elements, there is also a captivating war story going in the middle of it.

9) The Never Ending Story - Another childhood classic from the 80's. A lot of people forget this is officially a German film.

There is great imagination and the design of the creatures is brilliant and I am so glad this was set during the pre-CGI era.

9) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Part one of Peter Jackson's prequel from Lord Of The Rings.

A bit more light-hearted, but still an incredible thrill ride that keeps showing Jackson is the king of the fantasy genre.

It is great to be back in Middle-Earth.

7) Big Fish - A bit of an odd tale, even by director Tim Burton's standards.

It features a man who goes on a quest to find about the stories his dying father told him during his childhood.

It's a well told story, with lots of great performances and it will leave smiling till the emotional ending.

6) Stardust - This completely caught me off-guard. It's tagline 'the fairy tale that won't behave' perfectly describes this brilliant story.

There is lots to like in this new modern hit and I think people need to watch more of director Matthew Vaughn's other material.

5) The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug - Recently released in cinemas, and Peter Jackson has created another amazing experience of Middle-Earth. More new characters including a haunting performance by Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug.
Some bits added by Jackson which does not differ the main story at all. A terrific sequel to build up the epic conclusion of The Hobbit.

4) Return To Oz - Already stated how underrated this unofficial Oz sequel is.

Still entertains me no matter how many times I watch this.
Unlike the 1939 musical classic, this feels more like the books and it's passionate about showing the real world of Oz.
Even though it is quite dark and at time disturbing, its heart is in the right place.

3) The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers - Part two of the amazing trilogy which sees the continuing quest of the fellowship that is now split.

One on its way to Mordor with a former owner of 'the ring of power', the other is involved in one of the greatest battles ever shown on the big screen.


2) The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King - The final part of this epic tale. It sees Frodo and Sam on the brink of reaching Mount Doom, and the rest of the fellowship trying to defeat the whole of Sauron's army.

Will the ring of power be destroyed, or will darkness cover the lands of Middle-Earth?

1) The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring - Director Peter Jackson has introduced us to the world of Middle-Earth.

It is everything you could ever want in one of the greatest adventures of all-time.

Jackson and his amazing team in New Zealand were setting all sorts of new bench-marks into how to present a fantasy epic.