In theory fantasy films are films with fantastic themes, usually involving magic or exotic fantasy worlds, as distinct from science fiction films or horror films. The category has as much to do with approach as with context.

More specifically, the requirements for a fantasy film can be considered to be:

1. That magic be involved in some signifigant way.
2. That a good deal of the film takes place in a setting apart from the ordinary and mundane world. Often, magic defines this setting. An historical setting (especially medieval) can also fufil this requirement.

Even if these requirements are met, a film will usually not be considered a true fantasy film if modern or futuristic technology is involved in a signifigant way. Thus, although there is magic in Star Wars (The Force), this is not a fantasy film because the technology of space travel and combat is much more important to the plot.

Films featuring superheroes also seem to fufil the requirements of the fantasy genre, but they are widely considered to be a genre all their own.

Animated films are not always classified as fantasy. Many are not fantasy films because they lack magic. The toys of Toy Story are not brought to life by magic, as in Pinocchio, but move and talk like humans because that is how the movie operates. However, The Secret of NIMH is a fantasy film, not because it features talking animals, but because there is actual magic involved with the plot.

Surrealist film also describes the fantastic, but it dispenses with genre narrative conventions, and commercial and financial aims, and is usually considerd a separate category.

Sub-Genres

There are many sub-categories of fantasy films that can be identified. The most prevalent of these is High Fantasy and Sword and sorcery. These are the films that are likely to feature medieval-like settings, wizards, magical creatures and the like. Some people consider only such films to "true" fantasy. Sword and sandal films are close cousins of Sword and Sorcery films, only they usually lack prominent magical elements.

Another important genre of fantasy films, more popular in recent years, is Contemporary fantasy. Such films feature magic (often figured as the supernatural) in the real world.

History

Fantasy as a genre in film has existed since the beginning of films, although the offerings were sporatic until the 1980's, which saw a flourishing of the genre. This trend died off in the 90's, but has been reborn in the new millennium.

Examples

Examples of fantasy films include:

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• Labyrinth
• Legend
• The Company of Wolves
• The Dark Crystal
• Dragonheart
• Excalibur
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Heavy Metal
• Hexer (Wiedźmin)
• Jason & the Argonauts
• Princess Mononoke (Mononoke Hime)
• The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad
• Indian in the Cupboard
• The Witches
• and many more...

Many fantasy films are considered to be among the ranks of the classics:

• The Wizard of Oz
• Alice in Wonderland (1933 movie) - with Charlotte Henry, W.C. Fields, Cary Grant
• Alice in Wonderland (1951 movie) - Disney animated film
• 20,000 Leagues under the Sea

Others have become cult favourites:

• Highlander
• Ladyhawke
• The Last Unicorn
• The Neverending Story
• The Princess Bride
• Willow

See also

• List of fantasy films