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A magical journey.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 1 Review
• Kids Say 2 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Muddled fantasy-adventure has peril, some mild language.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the Ukrainian/Belgian film A Magical Journey is a child-centric fantasy adventure where kids face a variety of threats. Among them, getting chased, locked up, nearly poisoned, threatened with electrocution, mocked, almost cooked for dinner, thrown to the ground, and chased by adults…

Why Age 10+?

A child is locked in her room and her aunt and cousin try to poison her. She's t

"Damn," "hell," "ass," "idiot."

A woman smokes cigarettes. A group of soldiers drink out of a bottle and appear

A man tells a young girl to kiss a frog and see if it turns into a prince, and t

Any Positive Content?

Many adults behave in an abusive way toward kids. Others help the children. Poli

Kids can be brave and clever. Family matters.

Some international accents heard here even in dubbed English version. Three diff

Violence & Scariness

A child is locked in her room and her aunt and cousin try to poison her. She's told her parents are dead, and we later see how two members of her family did die in a fire (caused by another relative). She's chased by men, and finds herself in a series of dangerous situations. In one, she's in a war-ravaged landscape and sees a man taken hostage at gunpoint. In another, schoolchildren are made to wear dunce caps, threatened by a teacher, and shut into a cage at the back of a classroom. Men engage in fist and sword fights, where one dies but is brought back to life, and a man gets hit over the head with a pan. A woman directs her servants to prepare a child for her to eat for dinner. A man threatens to conduct experiments on kids and tries to electrocute a small boy, getting electrocuted himself. A young girl and a grown man engage in a boxing match where they both get thrown around, as does another man who jumps in to help.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

A woman smokes cigarettes. A group of soldiers drink out of a bottle and appear drunk.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A man tells a young girl to kiss a frog and see if it turns into a prince, and that she'll need to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. A man and a woman kiss and snuggle.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Role Models

Many adults behave in an abusive way toward kids. Others help the children. Polina shows courage and ingenuity in escaping danger and attempting to solve a mystery. She and her group of mostly kids help each other out, even at risk to themselves.

Positive Messages

Diverse representations.

Some international accents heard here even in dubbed English version. Three different men have physical disabilities.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Parents need to know that the Ukrainian/Belgian film A Magical Journey is a child-centric fantasy adventure where kids face a variety of threats. Among them, getting chased, locked up, nearly poisoned, threatened with electrocution, mocked, almost cooked for dinner, thrown to the ground, and chased by adults. Other men are beaten up, killed then brought back to life, hit over the head, thrown around, electrocuted, taken hostage at gun point, and tied up. A young girl watches how two members of her family die in a fire that was intentionally set by another relative. All of this is played for fantasy, as if inside different movies, but the dangers are real to the characters. Language includes "damn," "hell," "ass," "idiot." There's occasional cigarette smoking and one scene where a group of men appear to be drunk. A young girl is told to kiss a frog to see if he turns into a prince. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (1)
• Kids say (2)

Based on 1 parent review

It’s simply not giving, i wanted to fall asleep but couldn’t cause I was crying at the fact of it being so bad.

What's the story.

A MAGICAL JOURNEY sees 11-year-old Polina (Polina Pechenenko) escape her abusive home, where she lives with an aunt and grown male cousin, to try to find out what happened to her missing parents. She knows the mystery involves a movie studio, and once there, a man ( Jean Reno ) appears to her in a hologram and tells her she must piece together the sections of a family photo in order to solve the mystery before midnight, when she turns 12. Her search for the missing pieces of the photo takes her to different stages in the studio, each of which sends her into a different setting, or movies starring a shared cast of actors. She must escape a variety of threatening situations on the various sets, and in between she's still being chased by her cousin. Some of the actors help her and others seem intent on hurting her or the new friends she's made.

Is It Any Good?

There's an adage in storytelling that encourages writers to "show, don't tell"; this film could have benefited from that advice. Instead, A Magical Journey relies heavily on a character's recollection of events to compensate for a disjointed storyline that doesn't add up to much of anything. An oddball collection of characters moves from disconnected setting to setting, or more accurately, from soundstage to soundstage of a magical movie studio, as a young girl tries to solve a mystery by midnight.

The adventure leaves nothing for viewers to grab onto -- no fully-developed characters, no hoped-for outcome. Other aspects add to the weirdness, including some poorly-dubbed actors in the English version and dismal attempts at humor (?) often involving kids getting hurt. A final fight scene made to look like an early-era video game is vexing. French veteran Jean Reno's apparition as an omniscient hologram does nothing to lift the proceedings, nor does the presence of a few other familiar faces. Take a pass on this muddled journey.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the idea of going "behind the screen" or inside a movie, as Polina does in A Magical Journey . What movie would you like to go inside of?

Polina narrowly escapes danger in many scenes. How does she rely on the help of others to save herself? How does she help others stay safe?

Of all the worlds Polina enters, which felt the most realistic? Which the least? Did any remind you of other movies you've watched?

Movie Details

• On DVD or streaming : October 19, 2021
• Cast : Polina Pechenenko , Virginie Ledoyen , Jean Reno
• Director : Olias Barco
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Blue Fox Entertainment
• Genre : Fantasy
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Brothers and Sisters , Fairy Tales , Friendship
• Run time : 94 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : August 14, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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A magical journey.

A Magical Journey is the story of an 11-year-old orphan girl who escapes from home in search of the truth about herself and her family. She has less than 24 hours before midnight of her 12th birthday to figure out the puzzle of events through imaginary worlds to avoid the nasty intentions of her aunt and cousin.

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Kevin Bacon’s 90s Horror Classic With 88% on Rotten Tomatoes Is a Smash Hit on Peacock

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Long before Kevin Bacon played himself in the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special , but still several years after starring in his most famous movie, Footloose , he appeared in a horror classic that's dominating the streaming charts nearly 25 years after release. Tremors , the 1990 monster horror film in which Bacon stars alongside Fred Ward , Finn Carter , and Michael Gross , has claimed the #6 spot on Peacock, falling just short of the Tom Hardy and Austin Butler -led motorcycle drama, The Bikeriders . Tremors follows natives of a small, isolated town who struggle to defend themselves against strange underground creatures who are picking them off one by one. In addition to Bacon, Ward, Carter, and Gross, Tremors also stars Reba McEntire and Charlotte Stewart , and the film currently sits at an 88% score from critics and a 75% rating from general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes .

S.S. Wilson , Brent Maddock , and Ron Underwood all teamed up to write the screenplay for Tremors . Wilson is best known for writing Wild Wild West , a 1999 buddy cop action comedy starring Will Smith and Kenneth Branagh . Maddock also worked with Wilson on Wild Wild West , and has also received credit for the story in the subsequent Tremors sequels to Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell , which was released in 2018. Underwood also directed the film, and it is still among his most famous works to this day, along with City Slickers , the 1991 western buddy comedy starring Billy Crystal and Jack Palance , and Heart and Souls , the 1993 romantic comedy starring Robert Downey Jr. and Alfre Woodard . Downey and Woodard later teamed up for the elevator scene in Captain America: Civil War .

What Are the Most Popular Things To Watch on Peacock?

Since premiering on Peacock, both the standard and extended editions of The Fall Guy , the action rom-com starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt , have both been in the Peacock top 10, with the extended cut seeing a considerable run in the top spot. Tom Cruise 's Mummy film hasn't let its poor Rotten Tomatoes score stop it from sitting in the #2 spot on Peacock, with several Fast & Furious movies also landing in the top 10 spots on Peacock.

Tremors stars Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward and was written by S.S. Wilson and directed by Ron Underwood. Stay tuned to Collider for future streaming updates and check out Tremors , now streaming on Peacock .

Natives of a small isolated town defend themselves against strange underground creatures which are killing them one by one.

WATCH ON PEACOCK

Netflix just got one of the best war movies ever made — and its 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

'Grave of the Fireflies' is now streaming on Netflix.

Historically, "Grave of the Fireflies" has been harder to stream than some of Studio Ghibli's other efforts but that's all changed now that this heartbreaking war movie has landed on Netflix .

If you're used to some of the studio's more whimsical projects, just know that you're in for a rather different experience. Instead of being transported to a fantastical world like that seen in " The Boy and the Heron " — which recently made its streaming debut on Max — "Grave of the Fireflies" instead asks us to go on a very different journey altogether. 

Here, we see the horrors of war through the eyes of two young siblings as a brother and sister try to survive in the final days of World War Two in Japan. If it's not clear already, this is a harrowing watch... but it's also one you simply must make time for if you haven't already. 

Though it's almost certainly going to reduce you to tears, "Grave of the Fireflies" artfully balances the sorrowful mood with beautiful visuals and some moments of childlike wonder. It's a deeply moving experience — that's why it's got a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes — and one that deserves a place on your Netflix watchlist.

What is 'Grave of the Fireflies' about? 

Created by Studio Ghibli co-founder, Isao Takahata — who also wrote and directed the movie — "Grave of the Fireflies" depicts the tragic lives of two war orphans living through the end of World War II in Kobe, Japan. 

Based on Akiyuki Nosaka's semi-autobiographical short story, the movie follows Seita (voiced by Tsutomu Tatsumi / J. Robert Spencer in the English dub) and his younger sibling Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi /  Rhoda Chrosite) as they do their best to survive in this dangerous environment, confronts the horrors of war as they go. 

Should you stream 'Grave of the Fireflies'?

Absolutely. While I'd wager that "Grave of the Fireflies" won't become one of your go-to movies (I think it's simply too devastating for frequent repeat viewings), it's a movie that will absolutely have a lasting impact on you, because of how it contrasts the grim realities of war with its moments of childlike glee.

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It's not just me who thinks this is a beautiful piece of work, though. As you might have guessed from the movie's perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes , "Grave of the Fireflies" comes highly recommended by movie critics.

Back in 2000, Roger Ebert gave the movie a perfect 4/4 rating and claimed it "belongs on any list of the greatest war films ever made," adding that it's "an emotional experience so powerful that it forces a rethinking of animation" as not just being "for kids."

Singling the movie out as a New York Times Critic's Pick in 2019, Glenn Kenny praised the movie as "one of the most startling and moving animated films ever" and "one of the finest films about being young in an indifferent world," using its animated medium "to heighten a harrowing realism."

In his short reflection on the movie in The Guardian , Steve Rose described the movie as "a war story as wrenching as any live-action movie," but one which finds a "magical moment of natural beauty and childish delight [...] which only make the tragedy even more harrowing."

And in their four-star review for Empire , Dan Jolin described "Grave of the Fireflies as "a devastating heart-stab of a movie" and "a beautifully constructed, animated drama."

Not sure you're ready for such a heartbreaking experience, but still looking for something new to watch? Be sure to check out our guide to the best Netflix war movies and all the best movies on Netflix for more streaming recommendations. 

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Martin is a Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things movies and TV. If it’s in the theaters or available to stream somewhere, he’s probably watched it… especially if it has a dragon in it. Before joining the team, he was a Staff Writer at What To Watch where he wrote about a broad range of shows that stretched from "Doctor Who" and "The Witcher" to "Bridgerton" and "Love Island". When he’s not watching the next must-see movie or show, he’s probably still in front of a screen playing massive RPGs, reading, spending a fortune on TCGs, or watching the NFL.

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A Magical Journey (2019)

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DreamWorks' Newest Animated Movie Debuts With Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score

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DreamWorks Animation has found another hit with the studio's newest movie. The Wild Robot , which will have its wide release on Sept. 27, has debuted with a perfect score of 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes in its early reviews.

With nearly 30 reviews submitted by approved critics at this point, the praise for The Wild Robot has been agreed upon by all. The praise goes beyond calling the movie enjoyable, with Jack Martin of Film Feeder declaring it to be "one of the best things that has ever come out of DreamWorks' wheelhouse." Louis Roberts of Loud and Clear Reviews called the movie "the most creative and original animation we've seen from a major studio in quite some time."

10 DreamWorks Jokes for Adults (That Go Over Kids' Heads)

DreamWorks Animation created many beloved children's movies that featured some tastefully mature jokes that still hold up.

" The Wild Robot is destined to become an animated classic," reads another review by Avi Offer of NYC Movie Guru . "An exhilarating, wise, funny, poignant and uplifting adventure well worth taking."

The Wild Robot is destined to become an animated classic.

The Curvy Film Critic's Carla Renata also said, " The Wild Robot is a heartfelt story about the love which only comes from believing in yourself regardless of what materials you’re made of. After all, sometimes hearts have their own conversations leading one to answers that reside within all along."

DreamWorks' Dog Man Movie Gets New Look Revealed

A new look at the Dog Man movie from DreamWorks has been revealed.

"A visual stunner with an A+ voice performance from Lupita Nyong’o," reads another review by critic Perri Nemiroff . "It's an all-around beautiful story about adapting and found families, one powered by an infectious celebration of life."

Chris Sanders wrote and directed The Wild Robot , which is based on the original book series by Peter Brown. Lupita Nyong'o ( Black Panther , A Quiet Place: Day One ) leads the cast as the voice of Roz, the titular robot. Other stars of the voice cast include Pedro Pascal ( The Last of Us , The Fantastic Four: First Steps ), Kit Connor ( Heartstopper ), Catherine O'Hara ( Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ), Bill Nighy ( Pirates of the Caribbean ), Stephanie Hsu ( Everything Everywhere All at Once ), Mark Hamill ( Star Wars ) , Matt Berry ( What We Do in the Shadows ), and Ving Rhames ( Dawn of the Dead ).

Lupita Nyong'o Teases Roz's Journey

“The journey that Roz goes on, as this robot who finds herself with the task of being a mother, illuminates the fact that every parent is doing it for the first time. There’s a learning curve,” Nyong'o previously told Variety about her role in the film. “We see that projected on Roz, who has the naiveté of a child, but in the role of a parent, we expect her to know everything.”

On the movie's emotional scenes, Nyong'o added, "I’ve watched it only one time, but it was heartwarming at the end of the day. And that kind of cry is worth it .”

The Wild Robot will be released in theaters on Sept. 27.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

The Wild Robot

Screen Rant

10 movies that perfectly blend fantasy & horror.

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10 Best R-Rated Fantasy Movies, Ranked

Adam & barbara maitland's subtle beetlejuice 2 returns perfectly honor their original story, 15 lengthy fantasy book series & sagas that are totally worth committing to.

Fantasy and horror genres go hand in hand in movies, as magic, the supernatural, and mythical creatures can be as thrilling as they are dangerous. However, it's not enough for films to simply make the mystical aspects of the story scary. There must be a certain atmosphere within a project that makes it a true blend of fantasy and horror. Speculative fiction has drawn upon different elements of the genre for generations to create unforgettable narratives. It's not surprising that so many of these films draw from literature, as many dark fantasy books border on being horror .

It's through the worldbuilding, atmosphere, and character dynamics that the audience learns about how the magic and terror of the story will uplift each other throughout the plot.

While there are plenty of dark fantasy TV shows that have time to flesh out both the horror and magic of the story's world, movies must make this connection even more quickly. It's through the worldbuilding, atmosphere, and character dynamics that the audience learns about how the magic and terror of the story will uplift each other throughout the plot. Films that fall into this category don't necessarily have to be overly violent or graphic to be considered part of the horror canon, as dread and the implication of terrifying events can be enough to make any magical moment scary.

10 The Love Witch (2016)

Directed by anna biller, the love witch.

Not available

The Love Witch, directed by Anna Biller, follows Elaine, a modern-day witch, who uses magic to make men fall in love with her. Set in a meticulously crafted 1960s aesthetic, the film explores themes of love, desire, and gender dynamics through a unique blend of horror and satire. Samantha Robinson stars as Elaine, whose quest for romance leads to unforeseen complications.

Anna Biller's The Love Witch is a campy, stylistic tribute to the female revenge horror genre, letting its protagonist be as beautiful and aesthetically pleasing as she is ruthless. Samantha Robinson stars as Elaine, a witch who seeks her soulmate but can never find a man who shows her the love she desires. Magic and witchcraft are a significant part of The Love Witch , and Elaine's connection to her powers draws men to her. Rituals, her coven, and her outlook on the world contribute to the fantastical atmosphere.

Every moment of violence throughout The Love Witch is inherently campy, and the effects are purposefully outdated.

Every moment of violence throughout The Love Witch is inherently campy, and the effects are purposefully outdated. The Love Witch is unique because, though it came out in the 2010s, the film looks and feels as if it could have come out in the 1960s. This means that the aesthetics of how the acts of violence unfold are just as stylistic as the dest or costume designs. Elaine is the one most often committing the murders, and having her serve as both the protagonist and the killer is a compelling format.

9 Crimson Peak (2015)

Directed by guillermo del toro, crimson peak, your rating.

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In turn-of-the-century England, young heiress Edith Cushing marries Sir Thomas Sharpe, who whisks her off to his family's mansion in a largely rural and mountainous region. But when she is visited by spirits and inflicted with mysterious ailments, she discovers that her charming new husband is not who he appears to be.

Guillermo del Toro is an expert at blending fantasy and horror, and his dark fairy tales are some of the most memorable ever put to screen. Crimson Peak is a romance film, but it's comparable to the unsettling atmosphere of older novels like Jane Eyre , taking this gothic narrative to its most thrilling conclusion. With an all-star casting including Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, and Jessica Chastain, Crimson Peak appeals to a wide array of audiences despite its intense plot.

Wasikowska's character, Edith, is the hero and finds herself falling in love with a man who is hiding many secrets within his mansion in the remote English countryside. While Edith has seen ghosts before, she starts being haunted in earnest when she arrives at her new husband's mansion, Crimson Peak. As the film progresses, it's revealed that the source of the ghost's presence and Edith's fear is more sinister than she realizes and comes from a dark place of violence.

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.

8 Coraline (2009)

Directed by henry selick.

Based on Neil Gaiman's novella, Coraline follows Coraline Jones, a lonely young girl who, after moving to a new house with her inattentive parents, discovers a portal to another, more sinister alternate reality behind one of the house's many doors. Written and directed by Henry Selick, the film uses stop-motion animation and stars Dakota Fanning as Coraline. 

Many stunning stop-motion animation movies aren't horror , but the medium of animation does lend itself to creating terrifying and fantastical visuals that are perfect for a blend of narrative styles and tones. In Coraline , the story acts as the perfect introduction to scarier and more intense themes for younger audiences while staying true to the escapist aspects of fantasy. After discovering a secret world hidden in her new home, Coraline is transported to a seemingly better version of reality, but the price to stay there is steep.

For a children's movie, Coraline is surprisingly scary and doesn't shy away from putting Coraline in real danger, which the audience feels acutely.

The source material for Coraline is a great example of books that perfectly blend fantasy and horror , as the novel is just as strong as the movie adaptation. Fifteen years later, Coraline is just as timeless as it was when it first premiered, and the visuals of the film hold up extremely well. For a children's movie, Coraline is surprisingly scary and doesn't shy away from putting Coraline in real danger, which the audience feels acutely.

7 Beetlejuice (1988)

Directed by tim burton, beetlejuice beetlejuice.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.

The success of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice resulted in a cultural phenomenon. The recent release of the long-awaited sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has hit many box office milestones , cementing the franchise as a beloved addition to the fantasy and horror genres. One of the highlights of the original Beetlejuice movie is that even in its scariest moments, it's also a comedy and has many moments of dark levity. Featuring amazing comedic actors like Catherine O'Hara and Michael Keaton is a large part of how Beetlejuice achieved this distinct tonal balance.

The performance from a young Winona Ryder as Lydia has inspired generations of actors who have dipped their toes into the campy horror genre. Beetlejuice exemplifies Burton's style as a director and completely immerses the audience in the otherworldly aspects of the story while remaining emotionally compelling. Though the film is only rated PG, it's plenty terrifying and delves deeply into the lore and mystery surrounding the afterlife and supernatural occurrences.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice unfortunately doesn't bring back Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, but the Maitlands are honored in one major Easter egg.

6 Gremlins (1984)

Directed by joe dante.

When a father gives his son Billy a magical creature known as a Mogwai as a gift, the boy is given strict rules to follow regarding its care. When a lapse in judgment creates the mischievous Gremlins - creatures intent on destruction that threaten to ruin Christmas for the entire town of Kingston Falls - it's up to Billy and his Mogwai companion Gizmo to save the town from the army of little monsters.

The 1980s were a great time for genre work, as fantasy, sci-fi, and horror all rose to prominence. Gremlins is one of the most enduring works from this period, as the original movies and its many sequels are cult classics among both horror and fantasy audiences. Gremlins sees its protagonist, Billy, be gifted a mogwai, a magical creature who seems like the perfect pet at first. However, the mogwai, Gizmo, spawns more creatures, and they turn into monsters when Billy accidentally feeds them after midnight.

Though it is a comedy, the story of Gremlins unfolds similarly to how the titular Gremlins themselves seem innocent at first but quickly become nightmares.

While it isn't as intense as some contemporary movies, Gremlins initially shocked viewers with its violence and the many character deaths in the film. Though it is a comedy, the story of Gremlins unfolds similarly to how the titular Gremlins themselves seem innocent at first but quickly become nightmares. Billy and Gizmo make it out of the movie alive, but many other characters can't say the same. However, this intensely dark thematic nature is what has made Gremlins stand apart from similar films.

5 Interview With A Vampire (1994)

Directed by neil jordan, interview with the vampire.

Based on Anne Rice's 1976 novel, Interview with the Vampire tells the story of two vampires, Lestat and Louis, and their complicated relationship after Lestat turns Louis in 1791. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt star as Lestat and Louis respectively, with a cast that includes Kirsten Dunst as Claudia, the two men's young charge who Lestat also turns in an attempt to keep a disillusioned Louis from leaving. Christian Slayter rounds out the cast as Daniel Molloy, a reporter to who Louis tells his story in the mid-1990s. 

The recent TV adaptation of Anne Rice's classic vampire novel, Interview With the Vampire , is arguably more faithful to the source material, but the 1994 film will likely never be forgotten. Starring Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Kirsten Dunst, the movie has long been praised for its gorgeous design and realization of many periods of history through the eyes of Louis (Pitt). Additionally, the performances were recognized across the board, as both Pitt and Cruise stepped outside their comfort zone in embodying the gothic creatures.

Where the new Interview With the Vampire shines is in making the implication of the romantic nature of the relationship between Louis and Lestat explicit and a major part of the story. Vampire narratives have long been used as a metaphor for LGBTQ+ identities and exploration throughout history. As the vampires in the story wreak havoc everywhere they go, Interview With the Vampire provides an insight into the minds of the creatures of darkness that are usually only defined by their monstrous natures and not their humanity.

4 The Witch (2015)

Directed by robert eggers.

Distributed by A24, The Witch marks the feature directorial debut of Robert Eggers and the first film appearance of Anya Taylor-Joy. Written by Eggers, The Witch follows a puritanical family in New England in the 1630s who are forced to leave their community after a religious dispute. Attempting to set up a farm in the New England countryside, the family soon find themselves beset by malevolent and supernatural forces beyond their comprehension.

Anya Taylor-Joy's starring role in The Witch illustrated how skilled the actress is in the horror genre at a young age, but the magical aspects of the film are just as compelling as her spiral into darkness. Fantasy is sometimes pigeonholed into the hard magic systems of high fantasy narratives. However, folktales and lore can be just as intriguing. The Witch delves into the territory of early Puritan New England and the fears regarding naturalism and witchcraft that resulted in violence and persecution.

The Witch explores the intersection between religion, mysticism, and womanhood in storytelling across time.

The director, Robert Eggers, is known for his tense and stylistically cohesive films that unpack particular periods and the folklore associated with them. However, The Witch takes the familiar stories of the Salem Witch Trials. It subverts them, turning them into a narrative about Thomasin's (Taylor-Joy) isolation and journey to becoming a witch. The Witch explores the intersection between religion, mysticism, and womanhood in storytelling across time. While Taylor-Joy has gone on to star in many horror films, her part in The Witch remains one of her best.

3 Suspiria (1977)

Directed by dario argento, suspiria (1977).

Suspiria, directed by Dario Argento, is a horror film set in a prestigious German ballet academy. The story follows American dancer Suzy Bannion, played by Jessica Harper, as she uncovers the academy's dark and supernatural secrets. The film is renowned for its striking visuals, stylistic cinematography, and haunting score by the band Goblin.

The original 1977 Suspiria has become a cult classic in the decades following its release, leading to the 2018 remake from Luca Guadagnino. However, it's not just the recent reimagining of the movie that has been influenced by the first Suspiria , as its atmosphere and aesthetics have been frequently referenced and paid homage to. Following the story of Suzy (Jessica Harper), a ballet dancer who travels from the U.S. to a German dance school, Suspiria transports its protagonist to a world of terror and beauty.

Suspiria interacts with the physical toll a discipline like ballet takes on the body and centers a coven of women at the school who sacrifice the students. Much of Suspiria 's visual style is similar to early works of German expressionism in film. These movies prioritized harsh lighting with sharp shadows and vibrantly painted set pieces. Though the plot is terrifying, it serves as a secondary aspect to the fantastical look and feel of the project.

2 House (1977)

Directed by nobuhiko obayashi, house (1977).

House is a Japanese horror-comedy film released in 1977 and was directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi. A schoolgirl and her group of friends travel to the countryside to visit her aunt only to discover the house is haunted as it slowly consumes the girls.

The cult Japanese horror movie House is a surrealist nightmare that has gone down in history as an influential piece of horror and fantasy. Focusing on the experiences of a group of young girls who are violently attacked by a house they visit, the movie might look dated by today's standards, but the narrative is just as thrilling and affecting. While House was made many years ago, many of the effects are meant to look straight out of the nightmares of a child.

House incorporates supernatural and surrealist themes that leave the audience guessing about the nature of the story's haunting.

Though House is terrifying, the story is rooted in tragedy, as the house's evil actions are caused by the long-held grief of a young woman who lost her love. Much of House could be classified as pure horror, but the stylistic choices and youthful imagery lend themselves to being considered part of the fantasy genre. Additionally, House incorporates supernatural and surrealist themes that leave the audience guessing about the nature of the story's haunting.

1 Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Pan's labyrinth.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pan's Labyrinth follows Ofelia, a ten-year-old girl living in 1940s Spain who learns she is actually a long-lost fairy princess. With the help of a faun, she is set a series of tasks to complete in order to return to her true home in the fairy underworld. Ivana Baquero stars as Ofelia, with Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, and Doug Jones making up the rest of the main cast. 

One of the best fantasy films of all time, Pan's Labyrinth , is a beloved but terrifying work of fiction that is possibly del Toro's best film to date. Though it came out in 2006, Pan's Labyrinth has a timeless quality that's achieved through its vivid details and practical effects that transport the viewer into Ofelia's world. Ofelia is the young protagonist of Pan's Labyrinth who escapes into a hidden underworld of dangerous fairies and flesh-eating demons to hide from the horrors of her life.

The audience can't be sure if Ofelia's journey into the underworld and her secret identity as a princess is real or a fragment of her imagination. However, it doesn't matter by the end of the film. Pan's Labyrinth is set during the rise of fascism in 1940s Spain, and the fantasy fairy tale is a reflection of the real issues that Ofelia is watching hurt the people she loves. While the magical elements are terrifying, some of the most horrifying acts are committed by people in Pan's Labyrinth .

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