The 2000s were positively rife with fantasy films. The popularity of movie series like Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings led to an influx of movies in a similar vein, with several fantasy books getting big-screen adaptations and other magical-leaning stories getting their chance as well. While many of them weren’t particularly well-received at the time and have since faded into obscurity, some are definitely worth a rewatch.
Even if critics weren’t particularly fond of them, there are plenty of fantasy movies from the 2000s that have gained cult followings and stir up feelings of nostalgia for those who grew up with them. They might not have been the top titles in the genre, but many of them are better than one might expect, even without nostalgia goggles. From Inkheart to Peter Pan, here are ten such fantasy movies that deserve another look.
Inkheart Is a Book Lover’s Dream
Based on Cornelia Funke’s book of the same name, Inkheart is about a bookbinder named Mortimer who can transport characters and objects out of books and into the real world when he reads aloud. When Mortimer accidentally brings the terrible villain Capricorn out of the book Inkheart, he must try to keep his daughter, Meggie, safe. Critics found the story too derivative and the performances a little lackluster, but there’s plenty to like about this fantasy film.
Inkheart certainly doesn’t surpass the book, but it’s still a perfectly enjoyable movie, especially for fans of classic literature. The cast is quite charming as well, particularly Brendan Fraser as Mortimer, which is quite fitting since Funke has said that he inspired the character. Although Inkheart deserves a full remake that adapts all the books in the series, many also agree that the movie is underrated and deserves more credit for its faithfulness to the source material.
Aquamarine Is a Quintessential Girlhood Movie
Aquamarine is loosely based on the novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman. Best friends Hailey and Claire are about to be separated when Hailey’s family moves to Australia, but in their final days together, the friends meet a mermaid named Aquamarine. In exchange for helping her prove to her father that love is real, the mermaid agrees to grant them a wish. Most critics found the performances lacking and the film too saccharine, but for tween girls of the 2000s, it was an instant classic.
Although it might be a little corny at times, Aquamarine does a great job of capturing the tween girl experience of the era. It’s a film that knows exactly what it is and embraces it to the fullest, and it even incorporates some genuinely great messages along the way. Aquamarine might not be the most magical mermaid movie, but it’s still enchanting in its own way and a lot of fun to revisit.
Ella Enchanted Is a Refreshing Twist on Cinderella
Loosely based on Gail Carson Levine’s book of the same name, Ella Enchanted puts a new spin on the Cinderella story by giving its heroine the “gift” of obedience. In addition to her love story with Prince Charming, or Char, Ella is on a quest to break the curse placed on her as an infant so she can finally live life on her own terms. The modern anachronisms weren’t for everyone, but this jukebox musical take on Cinderella has aged surprisingly well.
There have been numerous Cinderella adaptations over the years, and Ella Enchanted owes its most unique addition to its source material, but it’s still a satisfying film on its own. Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy’s chemistry is irresistible, and Ella’s desire for social justice is admirable. While it might not be the best Cinderella musical, the musical numbers are undeniably fun and introduced a new generation to the songs of Queen and Elton John.
Penelope Brings Fairy Tale Magic to the Modern Age
Penelope tells the story of a young woman born with a pig snout due to a curse placed on her family several generations prior. The only way to break it is to find someone who will accept her “’til death do they part,” setting Penelope up on a quest to find true love. Although critics took issue with the script, claiming it was too predictable and that the film’s first half was stronger than the second, it’s arguably one of the best modern-day fairy tales of the era.
With such a stellar cast, it’s difficult not to be charmed by Penelope‘s characters, especially its leads, played masterfully by Christina Ricci and James McAvoy. The plot twists might not be difficult to see coming, but they are still effective because they’re well-executed. Penelope isn’t without moments of darkness, but it’s an excellent feel-good movie with a timeless message about love.
City of Ember Is the Unsung Post-Apocalyptic Story
Based on the book by Jeanne DuPrau, City of Ember is set in an underground city where humans have lived for over 200 years after an unspecified disaster. When the generator that powers the city starts to fail, young Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow uncover a secret that just might be the key to saving Ember—and finding out what lies beyond. Critics were hoping for more action and found some of the plot twists underwhelming, but the movie deserves more credit for its vibrant worldbuilding.
City of Ember‘s story might not be as nuanced as it was in the source material, but it did an amazing job of bringing the underground city to life on the big screen. Saoirse Ronan and Harry Treadaway are easy to root for as the protagonists, and Bill Murray is enjoyable as the dubious Mayor Cole. Even if the story isn’t as complex as others in the same genre, City of Ember is still a solid adaptation and a movie worth rewatching.
MirrorMask Is an Evocative Fever Dream
MirrorMask follows a young woman named Helena, who wants to leave her family’s circus to experience “real life.” Helena is then magically transported to a strange place called the City of Light, which is under threat by destructive shadows after its queen falls into a coma, and she vows to save the city before returning to her world. Although critics thought its story and characters needed to be fleshed out more, fans were delighted by its off-kilter visual style.
Even if the script could’ve used another draft, MirrorMask‘s heavily stylized world is perfect for its Alice in Wonderland-esque story. The CGI might be dated and even nightmarish at times, but this feels quite purposeful and lends the other world a dreamlike quality that feels truly unique. MirrorMask might be flawed, but it’s imaginative in a way that is rather rare in today’s movie landscape.
Tuck Everlasting Is an Endearing Period Romance
Adapted from Natalie Babbitt’s book of the same name, Tuck Everlasting is about a girl named Winnie Foster, who wants to escape her family’s restrictive upper-class lifestyle. She gets her wish when she meets the Tucks, a family with a peculiar secret living in her family’s woods. Despite critics’ complaints that the movie was too slow, had a couple of glaring plot holes and didn’t delve that deeply into its themes, many have been won over by its sweet romance and beautiful musical score.
Tuck Everlasting makes a couple of key changes to the source material, namely, aging up Winnie to explore a romance between her and Jesse Tuck. This might have been a controversial choice with book fans, but Alexis Bledel and Jonathan Jackson’s performances charmed many fans, and the adaptation is otherwise pretty faithful. With its slow pacing, Tuck Everlasting is an excellent lazy day watch.
Nanny McPhee Is a Whimsical Romp That Packs a Punch
Nanny McPhee is based on the Nurse Matilda book series by Christianna Brand and follows the Brown family, consisting of widower Cedric and his seven unruly children. After driving away their seventeenth nanny, Nanny McPhee arrives to teach the kids some much-needed lessons. While some found the children’s movie overstimulating and the color palette too garish, enough viewers enjoyed the film for it to earn an equally liked sequel.
Although comparisons to Disney’s Mary Poppins are inevitable, Nanny McPhee stands on its own as an entertaining movie with great messages for its young target audience. The performances from its star-studded cast are all pretty great, and there’s certainly no shortage of magic. Nanny McPhee is a great choice for viewers of all ages looking for a whimsical movie that doesn’t pull its punches.
Stardust Is a Brilliant Fantasy Adventure
Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, Stardust centers on a young man named Tristan Thorne, who lives in a village next to a wall that supposedly leads to another world. When he agrees to cross the wall to retrieve a fallen star for a girl he likes, Tristan is shocked to discover that the star is actually a woman named Yvaine, and she’s in terrible danger. Although some didn’t enjoy the humor and found the story too formulaic, many appreciated it for the fun adventure movie that it is.
Stardust makes several deviations from the source material, and most of them are for the better. The film finds the humor in some rather dark situations, and every cast member is a joy to watch, as each major character goes on their own internal journey. Additionally, the movie’s sweeping landscapes and VFX lend it the grandeur and magic needed for a fantasy epic.
Peter Pan Is a Fairy Tale Classic
Peter Pan is adapted from J.M. Barrie’s classic play and book. It follows the Darling siblings, who are whisked away by a flying boy named Peter to the magical world of Neverland, where they’ll never have to grow up. While critics were mixed on the film’s heavy usage of CG and some of the acting, most agree that it’s one of the most faithful adaptations of the source material.
In a sea of Peter Pan adaptations, the 2003 film stands out because of how it embraces the novel’s themes and darker story elements. It also includes more authentic Indigenous representation than most other versions, as well as a top-notch musical score by James Newton Howard. Above all, Peter Pan‘s tale of swashbuckling adventures, young love and growing up is as enchanting today as it was when it was first released, making this a perfect film to revisit every once in a while.