Family-friendly fantasy films have the power to bring people together as viewers of all ages enjoy tales of magic and wonder. Whether it’s being whisked away to another world or offering a satirical slant on classic fairy tales, it’s incredible just how broad the appeal of a good fantasy movie can be.
While studios like Disney may be the first that come to mind for these kinds of releases, DreamWorks, Japan’s Studio Ghibli, and Jim Henson’s Creature Shop are also responsible for some great fantasy releases. With each bringing something special to the genre, there’s a whole oeuvre of fantasy classics to enjoy.
With a mix of live-action, traditional animation, and more modern 3D works, fantasy films can conjure imaginative worlds and portray some of the most wondrous ideas ever committed to screen. From coming-of-age tales of magical wizards to mythical creatures rooted in Irish folklore, fantasy is a genre that thrives on innovation and can explore deeply sentimental and mature themes.
There have been so many great fantasy movies released over the years, but few can boast that they are genuinely fantastic from start to finish. With big ideas and even bigger visuals, all of these family-friendly stories will have you hooked until the credits roll and represent the very best of what great cinema can achieve.
The NeverEnding Story (1984)
The NeverEnding Story pioneered the kind of self-referential media that has become intensely popular in recent years. Telling the story of a boy who begins reading a book that starts to acknowledge him, director Wolfgang Petersen was not afraid to break the fourth wall in this 1980s classic fantasy.
Emotional worldbuilding, incredible special effects, and intensely complex themes helped spread a mature anti-escapism message that encouraged children to address their problems head-on. With an amazing first film, The NeverEnding Story sequels did not have the same impact, as the second and third installments were badly received.
Labyrinth (1986)
Bringing Jim Henson’s Creature Shop together with glam rock icon David Bowie was a stroke of genius that helped turn Labyrinth into one of the most enduring cult classics of all time. With Bowie in the movie as the baby-stealing Goblin King, this coming-of-age tale saw a young Jennifer Connelly go on a surreal adventure to save her young brother.
Labyrinth seamlessly blended human characters with fantasy puppets and featured an incredibly idiosyncratic soundtrack from Bowie to boot. While it underperformed at the box office, time has been kind to Labyrinth, and it now stands out as an offbeat family favorite fantasy.
Song Of The Sea (2014)
Through the ingenious use of Irish folklore, Song of the Sea told a tale of acceptance and grief. Set in 1981, this deeply psychological story is about a family in turmoil that has a deep connection to the spiritual world, as a child’s mother is revealed as a selkie, a mythical creature that can shapeshift between seal and human form.
With beautiful animation, Song of the Sea combined traditional artwork with 3D to create something that was unlike anything before. Featuring notable Irish names like Brendan Gleeson, Lisa Hannigan, and Pat Shortt, Irish filmmaker Tom Moore managed to top his outstanding debut, The Secret of the Kells, with this one.
How To Train Your Dragon (2010)
DreamWorks has had plenty of classic releases throughout the 21st century, but with How to Train Your Dragon, they truly hit on something special. Set in the mythical Viking village of Berk, this story saw the budding dragon slayer Hiccup find friendship in the most unlikely of places when he encountered the feared Night Fury dragon Toothless.
With top-tier animation, a strong script, great voice performances, and beautifully rendered 3D visuals, How to Train Your Dragon was a sight to behold and will have viewers, young and old, gasping in awe. Not only that, but this story was genuinely funny, and its two excellent sequels expanded on its carefully crafted world even further.
Mary Poppins (1964)
Julie Andrews delivered a truly supercalifragilisticexpialidocious performance in Mary Poppins. This incredible musical story of a magical nanny visiting a dysfunctional family in London has truly stood the test of time and has songs that have become totally entrenched in mainstream pop culture.
Mary Poppins remains one of the most charming movies of all time, as Dick Van Dyke gave a career-defining performance and Andrews helped elevate already great material to extraordinary heights. It’s sweet, it’s sentimental, and it’s fun that the whole family can enjoy.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
While the later movies in the Harry Potter series explored dark and more mature themes, the first outing is truly a family-friendly classic that all can enjoy. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone told the story of the Boy Who Lived, who is whisked away from his dreadful life in the cupboard under the stairs to discover he’s a wizard.
From forging lifelong friendships with his pals Ron and Hermione to witnessing the wonder of Hogwarts, Harry Potter is truly one of the most iconic fantasy series of all time. Whether it’s enjoying Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans on the Hogwarts Express or finding out he’s a Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, there’s so much to love about this first installment.
Shrek (2001)
Shrek truly changed the game for DreamWorks when it was released in 2001, as they finally had an IP that could rival Disney when it came to mass appeal. They did this not by reinventing the wheel, but by taking the conventions of fairy tale stories and turning them on their head with a hilarious satirical spin.
Shrek told the love story of an ogre who lives in the swamp and a beautiful princess, but rather than lean into the stereotypes of classic Cinderella-style stories, it instead focused on inner beauty and being true to oneself. With classic characters like Eddie Murphy’s Donkey, there’s a reason that Shrek was such a global hit.
The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
It’s amazing to think that The Wizard of Oz is over 85 years old, because its technical innovations still have the power to leave both adults and children in a state of absolute wonder. Telling the story of Dorothy and her journey down the yellow brick road, characters like Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion remain iconic.
Representing a breakthrough moment in the history of film, as it highlighted the transition from black-and-white to color, The Wizard of Oz saw Dorothy leave the colorless Kansas for the wondrous Technicolor land of Oz. Considering the recent success of the prequel Wicked, there’s never been a better time to go back and check out this timeless classic.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
My Neighbor Totoro is a Studio Ghibli classic that best represents the power of beauty in Japanese animation. As the studio behind classics like Castle in the Sky and Spirited Away, they are one of the few production companies that rival Disney when it comes to family-friendly fantasy classics.
Coming from director Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbor Totoro explored themes of childhood innocence, the importance of nature, and the power of imagination as viewers were thrust into a world of awe and wonder. With iconic imagery, this masterwork was both sentimental and profound.
The Princess Bride (1987)
The greatest family-friendly fantasy of them all is The Princess Bride. Coming from the late, great director Rob Reiner, the way this classic tale blended comedy, fantasy, romance, and swashbuckling adventure meant that it was impossible, no matter your age, not to be swept away by its cinematic wonder.
Whether it’s Inigo Montoya’s iconic quote, “You killed my father! Prepare to die,” or the standout performance from Andre the Giant, The Princess Bride has earned a special place in popular culture. By framing the narrative as the story of a grandfather reading the story to himself, it truly embodied family-friendly themes and was able to directly address the audience.