The 5 Greatest Fantasy Movies That You Haven't Seen

Published Oct 5, 2026, 7:32 AM EDT

David is a Senior Editor at Collider focused primarily on Lists. His professional journey began in the mid-2010s as a Marketing specialist before embarking on his writing career in the 2020s. At Collider, David started as a Senior Writer in late 2022 and has been a Senior Editor since mid-2023. He is in charge of ideating compelling and engaging List articles by working closely with writers, both Senior and Junior, as well as other editors. Occasionally, David also reviews movies and TV shows and writes episode recaps. Currently, David is also writing his second novel, a psychological horror satire that will, hopefully, be picked up for publication sometime next year.

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Fantasy is rich with memorable movies, TV shows, books, and even songs. Indeed, as a genre that dates back to the most ancient times and has inspired some of the most memorable works of art in our collective history, it's practically bursting at the seams with choices. In the movies department, particularly, fantasy has plenty of juggernauts, universally loved movies that almost everyone knows, loves, and has watched at least once in their lives.

Some other movies, however, are not so lucky. Indeed, many of fantasy's most creative and interesting movies have flown under the radar, buried by piles of other more mainstream and high-profile efforts. It's a shame that these projects haven't received the recognition they deserve, but there is still plenty of time to rectify that. Here, we'll be celebrating the best fantasy movies that you surely haven't seen, those amazing adventures that have spent way too long ignored by most mainstream audiences.

'The Adventures of Prince Achmed' (1926)

Image via University Arts Foundation

I can't really blame you for not having seen this one; in fact, you might not even know it exists. The Adventures of Prince Achmed remains the oldest surviving animated movie, though, and its reputation as a stunning pioneer of the genre speaks for itself. Based on several elements from the One Thousand and One Nights, the plot centers on the titular prince and his many adventures atop his flying horse, crossing paths with numerous characters, including Aladdin himself.

What's immediately striking about this gem is its distinct visual approach: it uses a silhouette animation technique that director Lotte Reiniger perfected by using cardboard cutouts and thin sheets of lead. Achmed showcases the power of human ingenuity and artistry, the passion that drives creatives to innovate, even when the technology available to them hasn't quite caught up to their ambitions. Today, the film remains a sweeping and truly awe-inspiring adventure full of action, joy, and even some unexpected romance. Moreover, it's a testament to the power of early cinema and the creativity born out of necessity.

Image via Sanrio

Anthology movies can be hard to understand, especially if they're the surreal kind. Case in point: 1977's Metamorphoses, director Takashi Masunaga's retelling of stories from Ovid's Metamorphoses told in animated form. Using two recurring protagonists, a boy and a girl, the anthology retells some of the poet's most famous myths, including "Orpheus and Eurydice," "The House of Envy," and "Perseus."

I won't like: this movie is weird. The visuals are trippy, the music is intense, and the execution itself is challenging, to say the least. Oscar winner Peter Ustinov narrates, and the film heavily uses music to support its visuals, resulting in a psychedelic version of Fantasia. Admittedly, the appeal for this one will be niche, but for all those willing to give it a chance, Metamorphoses will be a wild and ultimately worthwhile viewing experience. It's the type of movie you don't see too often, a wholly unrestrained and unexpectedly confident project that could only exist in animated form.

'The Flight of Dragons' (1982)

Image via Warner Bros Television Distribution

Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. are two of the most important figures in animated history. Although perhaps best known for their animated classics, the duo produced many other animated projects, none more underappreciated than the 1982 fantasy The Flight of Dragons. The plot centers on a 20th-century scientist who travels back to an era of magic, where three wizards are trying to stop a fourth one from corrupting the world. The voice cast includes John Ritter, James Earl Jones, and Harry Morgan.

The Flight of Dragons is quite thematically ambitious, revolving around the central idea of magic versus science. As the world of men begins to embrace logic and science, magic fades from the world, leading to an interesting clash of ideas that's seldom explored in fantasy. It's narratively ambitious, with a story that embraces traditional tropes (dragons, magic, power, etc.) but injects them with modern twists. Yes, the animation is... underwhelming, even by 1982 standards, but the voice cast is stellar, and the narrative is fascinating. The Flight of Dragons is a rare breed of animated movie that doesn't just settle for entertaining. Rather, it aims to leave its audience pondering, and at that, it largely succeeds.

'Ladyhawke' (1985)

Image via Warner Bros.

Fantasy and romance go together like peanut butter and jelly, and movies like Ladyhawke prove it. Oscar nominee Michelle Pfeiffer and the late Rutger Hauer star as two lovers cursed to be separate: he will turn into a wolf at night, and she into a hawke by day. Young thief Phillipe "The Mouse" Gaston (Matthew Broderick) agrees to join them in their fight against the Bishop of Aquila (John Wood), looking for a way to destroy the curse that keeps them apart.

Ladyhawke is a classic fairy tale adventure perfect for all those who love fantasy at its most traditional. The movie has everything: a timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, a plucky, unlikely hero, fights, curses, medieval castles, sweeping vistas, humor, and heart. Yes, Broderick's character is slightly grating, and the film would be far stronger if the focus was squarely on Hauer and Pfeiffer's characters. Still, Ladyhawke is a charming and romantic fantasy, a heartwarming fairy tale that we seldom see on the big screen anymore.

'The Head Hunter' (2018)

Image via © Vertical Entertainment /courtesy Everett Collection

Now on to something far, far darker. The fantasy horror The Head Hunter tells the story of a nameless knight and bounty hunter who earns a living hunting the dangerous beasts that terrorize his bleak world. All the while, he hopes to cross paths with the cruel creature that took his daughter's life. Jordan Dawney directed, wrote, edited, and produced the film, which stars Norwegian actor Christopher Rygh.

A perfect example of grimdark fantasy, The Head Hunter is one of the bleakest entries into the genre, and that's saying a lot. The atmosphere is gloomy and defeatist, almost oppressive, as we watch the hunter embark on a relentless quest that can only end in tragedy. Indeed, by the time the incredibly depressing ending arrives, we can't help but feel numb, even though we could see it coming from a mile away. The Head Hunter won't be for everyone, but those who are willing to endure its rather pessimistic approach to fantasy will surely find it worthwhile, if not necessarily enjoyable.

The Head Hunter