10 Fantasy Movies You Should See Instead of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

I'm sick. And tired. Of that fucking Boy Who Lived. Here’s a list of ten fantasy movies that deserve your attention way more than that nightmare of a series. This is a list for those fed up with Harry Potter and who want to delve into some fantasy movies they may have forgotten about or have never seen before—none of which feature a pussy with a wand. And don’t expect any golden compasses, lions, witches, and/or wardrobes for that matter. We’re not animals here at Cinemecca.

#10. The Dark Crystal

Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, this was Henson’s most adult attempt at puppeteering. He created a dark world for these characters to thrive in while they search for a shard to repair a magical crystal to restore order to their world. While I was a late bloomer to this 1982 cult classic, it’s a ballsy kids movie that’s full of creepy creations and a keen sense of fantasy and adventure. I’m pretty sure Aughra, the Keeper of Secrets could easily brick all over Hagrid’s beard no sweat.

#9. The Neverending Story

This was before Atreyu was a bullshit emo band. A young boy finds a magical book that transports him to a new world. It’s a bad ass movie that’s just as good now as it was when I was a child. The special effects are incredible, the themes are wholesome, and there’s action and fantastical elements that still hold up well almost thirty years after its release. While the sequels failed to really get my rocks off, the original is such a fun escape that makes you actually want to read a book instead of dream up gross things to do with an invisibility cloak.

#8. The Princess Bride

A not-yet-dead Peter Falk plays a guy telling his bratty little bastard of a grandchild played by a pre-Wonder Years Fred Savage an epic fantasy tale full of charm, wit, and little nuances that break the very fabric of linear storytelling. Starring Cary Elwes as the dashing Westley, the movie kicks so much ass that it seems to get better with every watch. I mean, there are damsels in distress, sword fights, Andre the Giant, and a rich sense of humor that’s not only very funny, but doesn’t ruin the slick demeanor the movie strives for in terms of fantasy. Definitely one of the best movies of the late eighties for sure. Harry Potter being better than this is inconceivable!

#7. Pan’s Labyrinth

Let’s jump into modern times really quick—as most of this list are from the eighties. Pan’s Labyrinth isn’t a typical fantasy movie, but it easily tops Guillermo del Toro’s best films as well as being one of the best films to demonstrate what the fantasy genre is capable of. Released in 2006, the movie takes place in Spain circa 1944 where a little girl escapes from the fascist and tyrannical realm of her everyday life into a creepy fantasy world and meets some extremely bizarre characters. The flick works wonders because it actually develops both worlds simultaneously and beautifully to give us some amazing villain characters as well as a rich depth that makes it such an unforgettable piece of filmmaking. Harry Potter doesn’t even known Spanish, that little twat.

#6. The Wizard of Oz

1939’s The Wizard of Oz is a prime example of cleverly adapting a book into cinematic form without making a carbon copy, instead expanding the concepts and making them much better than the source material. This should be a classic in everyone’s mind, with a story that’s easy to stomach and hard to forget. A small town Kansas girl is transported to a colorful world via a tornado where she meets a dazzling amount of characters, befriends three zany characters, and sets off on a quest to get home amidst a conflict with a mean old witch (a wicked witch). Part fantasy, part musical, all rad. Harry Potter would get his ass kicked by those flying monkeys for sure—even Dorothy could easily beat him down.

#5. Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien may not be the best writer of all time and hopefully we can all agree that The Hobbit was better than all three Lord of the Rings books, but Peter Jackson successfully made a stunning series that was able to bridge the gap between the books and films. He even made mainstream audiences feel less geeky for going to see a wizardy/dwarfy/hobbit movie. That’s pretty impressive as it is, but the real meat of the series was the likable characters as they embarked on their quest to defeat an ancient evil in order to save the world. Sure, this concept has been shoved down everyone’s throats a ton, but these movies are fucking awesome as they are so full of action, elegant music, and richness of costumes and set design. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King) easily trumps the Harry Potter franchise. Gandalf could easily just walk up to Hogwarts and murder everyone inside with a giant dragon. In my opinion, that's cooler than all thirty-eight movies based on seven books. The Lord of the Rings may also be the only trilogy longer than an 8-film series, as Jackson made sure fans got the most possible bang for their buck.

#4. Labyrinth

Not to toot Jim Henson’s horn, but this guy was a complete genius. Labyrinth is another children’s fantasy movie that actually succeeds in making itself fun for adults as well. Starring an uber young Jennifer Connelly who wishes away her young brother only to be whisked away on an adventure to get him back, Labyrinth demonstrates awesome lifelike puppets and a super sexy David Bowie that could almost impregnate anyone by just staring into the camera. It’s safe to say this is one of the best movies of all time because of the themes that permeate the story and also the super inventive premise, as well as all of its cheesy and fun glory rooted in 80s culture. I’d rather watch David Bowie juggling those balls for hours than spend one second hearing Harry Potter talk in a fake British accent—I’m pretty sure that actor is South African.

#3. The Fall

This was one of those underrated gems of 2008 few people saw, but those few people thought it was one of the most intriguing and original movies ever released (I’m one of these people). Directed by Tarsem, most known for his direction of the one good J-Lo movie, The Cell, it takes place in a hospital during the 1920s where an injured stuntman tells a little girl with a broken arm a story about some heroes, ultimately entrancing the little girl (and us, the audience). There’s much more to the story, but things I won’t give away here. The naturalism of the performances, the crazy visuals Tarsem is known for, and the sheer ingenuity of the screenplay and execution of all the working parts make this a dream of an adventure and a movie that’s certainly never been done before. Harry Potter doesn’t even dream.

#2. Conan the Barbarian

Judge me all you want, but Arnold Schwarzenegger used to be a primetime killing machine and this was one of his first major roles from the early 1980s where a warrior seeks revenge against an evil ruler who killed his tribe. Has this movie aged well? No, but seeing Ah-Nold running around with barely any clothes on, ridiculous sets, and cheesy action pieces make this a fantasy movie to behold. It’s definitely not a good movie by many standards, but it’s one of those crapsterpieces that’s super fun to watch because of how outlandish all of the many elements are. Also see: Conan the Destroyer and Red Sonja. Harry Potter couldn’t be semi-nude in his films because he’s not a manly man. Potter also likes to stab horses in the face while nude in his free time.

#1. The Pagemaster

Imagine being in a library one second, then washed over in a tidal wave of color the next instant where the same said library turns into a crazy world full of books—some, which actual aid you on your adventure to find the exit and befriend you as well. I won’t be the first to say that this movie is corny and stars Macaulay Culkin, but it’s such a fun little fantasy movie that’s part live-action, three-quarters animated that is very imaginative and entertaining. The theme of kids reading and opening new worlds of the imagination is revisited here and I remember totally digging this movie as a child because it made me excited to read. Couple that with some fun nods to classic pieces of literature like Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and sweet animation including a dragon-tastic finale and you have a pretty fun movie on your hands. Harry Potter doesn’t even know how to read. Plus, I heard that he’s totally boning that owl.

There you have it. Ten movies that are worth your time more than the newest Harry Potter film. They actually deserve your time and money because they are modern classics that will hopefully live on past the Harry Potter frenzy. They are full of great moments, characters, and special effects that lend credence to the aspect of filmmaking in general instead of putting asses into seats in favor of capitalizing on an overrated series of books. If you’re wondering where Willow or Legend is on this list then we have already lost you to the dark side.

© Jason Haskins, 2011