10 Best Fantasy Movies To Watch During The Holiday Season

During the holiday season, it’s natural to want to curl up on the couch with a cozy movie, and fortunately, the fantasy genre has a number of movies that are perfect for this time of year. When it comes to Christmas movies, there are an increasing number of films to watch in order to get into the holiday spirit, from Elf to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. However, for those who enjoy an extra bit of magic in their holiday films, these fantasy movies are the perfect way to go.

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The best part of holiday fantasy movies is that they often don’t even take place during the holidays. More often than not, these films evoke a sense of holiday spirit simply by being joyful and nostalgic. Viewers feel as if they are coming home when watching these movies, and better yet, they access an old sense of childhood wonder. Of course, some of the following ten movies are deeply rooted in the holidays, but either way, these fantasy movies will get audiences into a relaxing and happy mood, no matter the setting.

10 Edward Scissorhands

A Winter Wonderland

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8/10 Edward Scissorhands PG-13RomanceFantasyDrama

From director Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands follows the titular character, an artificial human created by an inventor, who has scissor blades instead of fingers. After his creator’s death, Edward is taken in by a normal suburban family and becomes attracted to the family’s teenage daughter, Kim Boggs. Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder star as Edward and Kim. 

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*Availability in US Release Date December 14, 1990 Cast Vincent Price , Dianne Wiest , Anthony Michael Hall , Johnny Depp , Winona Ryder , Kathy Baker Director Tim Burton Writers Caroline Thompson

Although Tim Burton movies are often reserved for Halloween, Edward Scissorhands is a film that defies holiday seasons. In this movie, Johnny Depp plays the titular Edward Scissorhands, a young man with a sweet spirit who becomes an outcast due to having scissors for hands. Yet, through the kindness of a mother and her teenage daughter, Edward gets to experience a love and care that he never had before, and furthermore, gets to grow into his gentle personality.

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Edward’s dark appearance may make viewers think of the monsters of Halloween, but Edward Scissorhands is actually an underrated Christmas classic. Alongside Burton’s vivid images of green hedges and Edward’s black castle, the movie also showcases ice sculptures and delicately falling snow. More than that, the film evokes a sense of community and kindness that is necessary for a holiday movie. Though it may come as a surprise, Edward Scissorhands can quickly get viewers into the holiday spirit.

9 Krampus

A Holiday Horror

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7.3/10 Krampus PG-13FantasyComedyHorror

Directed by Michael Dougherty, Krampus is a 2015 Horror and Comedy release that stars Adam Scott, David Koechner, Toni Collette, and Allison Tolman. The film sees a feuding family accidentally unleash a darkness on their home which sees Krampus stalking them on Christmas Eve.

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*Availability in US Release Date December 4, 2015 Runtime 98minutes Cast Luke Hawker , Toni Collette , Adam Scott , Emjay Anthony , Allison Tolman , Stefania Owen , David Koechner , Conchata Ferrell Director Michael Dougherty Writers Michael Dougherty , Todd Casey , Zach Shields

Along the same quirky lines, another great fantasy film for those who want to go outside the box this Christmas is Krampus. Released in 2015, this black comedy Christmas horror movie tells the story of the Engel family who are visited by a Christmas creature who is far different from Santa Claus. The horned beast called Krampus arrives when son Max loses his holiday spirit, forcing the family to band together against the demon in order to make it out alive.

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Krampus is a real figure from European folklore.

It is only natural for audiences to get sick of the same old Christmas movies, and Krampus makes for a perfect alternative. This movie succeeds at getting viewers into a festive mood, while also subverting the typical expectations for a Christmas movie. Rather than seeing characters naturally come together for the holidays, the Engels are shoved into a hilariously horrifying situation that still ends with a heightened sense of love and family that just about anyone can relate to.

8 Rise Of The Guardians

A Underrated Holiday Gem

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9/10 Rise of the Guardians PGAnimationAdventureFamilyFantasy

Rise of the Guardians is a DreamWorks animated movie where Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost, and the Sandman join forces to protect the world’s children from the evil Boogeyman. It features a stellar cast of actors such as Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, Chris Pine, and Jude Law.

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*Availability in US Release Date November 21, 2012 Runtime 97 minutes Cast Chris Pine , Alec Baldwin , Jude Law , Isla Fisher , Hugh Jackman , Dakota Goyo Director Peter Ramsey Writers David Lindsay-Abaire , William Joyce

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Among the many animated holiday movies out there, one that often gets overlooked is Rise of the Guardians. The movie revolves around spirits like Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, who bring children joy during the holidays. However, in this world, these figures also serve as guardians, protecting the world’s children from evil. When a dark demon called Pitch tries to make the kids forget about these guardians, Jack Frost must band together with them to fight back.

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With a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, Rise of the Guardians is a truly solid holiday movie that is often overshadowed by more traditional holiday films. Rise of the Guardians boasts a fantastic cast, including Chris Pine, Jude Law, Hugh Jackman, and Isla Fisher. Furthermore, it imagines a world that is both colorful and magical, yet also high-stakes and action-packed. Overall, this flick is the perfect mix of fantastical and thrilling.

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7 The Princess Bride

A Heartfelt Favorite

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9.2/10 The Princess Bride PGFantasyFamilyAdventure

Based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is a comical fantasy adventure film that tells a swashbuckling tale of a hero and a princess, read to a young, sick boy in bed by his grandfather. The story itself follows farmhand Westley, who embarks on an epic journey to save his beloved princess from an evil prince as he meets strange but reliable companions along the way.

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*Availability in US Release Date October 9, 1987 Runtime 98 minutes Cast Mandy Patinkin , Chris Sarandon , Robin Wright , Cary Elwes , Christopher Guest Director Rob Reiner Writers William Goldman

When it comes to holiday movies, sometimes it is best to bring out Hollywood classics, and one such film is The Princess Bride. Initially released in 1987, and based on a novel of the same name, this fairytale follows a young man named Westley who falls in love with a woman named Buttercup. After being unwillingly separated for years, Westley returns to find Buttercup forcibly engaged to a cruel prince. Thus, Westley travels across the land to rescue his beloved with the help of some quirky characters.

Despite the conflict at the center of this tale, the movie is unapologetically joyful, with countless hilarious moments that can make anyone feel good.

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The Princess Bride is one of those films that has absolutely nothing to do with the holidays, yet feels like the perfect movie to cozy up with on a snowy night. The main reason for this is that The Princess Bride is oozing with good energy. Despite the conflict at the center of this tale, the movie is unapologetically joyful, with countless hilarious moments that can make anyone feel good. Ultimately, the classic moments of bravery and love within The Princess Bride will make viewers feel like heroes themselves.

6 Lord Of The Rings

A Fantasy Favorite

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The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Movie(s) The Lord of the Rings (1978) , The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring , The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers , The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King , The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey , The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug , The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies , The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Created by J.R.R. Tolkien Cast Norman Bird , Anthony Daniels , Elijah Wood , Ian McKellen , Liv Tyler , Viggo Mortensen , Sean Astin , Cate Blanchett , John Rhys-Davies , Billy Boyd , Dominic Monaghan , Orlando Bloom , Christopher Lee , Hugo Weaving , Sean Bean , Ian Holm , Andy Serkis , Brad Dourif , Karl Urban , Martin Freeman , Richard Armitage , James Nesbitt , Ken Stott , Benedict Cumberbatch , Evangeline Lilly , Lee Pace , Luke Evans , Morfydd Clark , Mike Wood , Ismael Cruz Cordova , Charlie Vickers , Markella Kavenagh , Megan Richards , Sara Zwangobani , Daniel Weyman , Cynthia Addai-Robinson , Lenny Henry , Brian Cox , Shaun Dooley , Miranda Otto , Bilal Hasna , Benjamin Wainwright , Luke Pasqualino , Christopher Guard , William Squire , Michael Scholes , John Hurt Expand

Another fantasy classic that often gets pulled out around the holiday season is T he Lord of the Rings series. Based on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings movies begin with the story of Frodo, a young Hobbit who is thrown into a centuries-long conflict when he is given the One Ring, which could save or destroy the world as he knows it. Over the course of three movies, the franchise introduces countless wonderful characters and a captivating fight for good over evil.

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Once again, ​​​​​​The L​ord of the Rings is a complete departure from the holiday season, but that does not decrease its ability to make viewers smile. The Lord of the Rings is the definition of an epic fantasy story, which takes audiences through devastating lows and incredible highs. To see Frodo and his peers take on a massive enemy is daunting, but it also creates an inevitable sense of hope that is integral for this time of year. The Lord of the Rings offers all the nostalgia necessary to ride out the holidays.

5 Gremlins

An Unexpected Holiday Classic

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6.9/10 Gremlins PGComedyFantasyHorror

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.

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*Availability in US Release Date June 7, 1984 Runtime 106 minutes Cast Phoebe Cates , Corey Feldman , Zach Galligan , Hoyt Axton , Polly Holliday , Howie Mandel Director Joe Dante Writers Chris Columbus Sequel(s) Gremlins 2: The New Batch , Gremlins 3 Expand

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One fantasy movie that many may forget actually takes place during Christmas is Gremlins. The 1984 film centers on Billy, a teenage boy who is gifted a strange creature called a mogwai for Christmas. The mogwai, named Gizmo, comes with three rules: do not expose him to sunlight, do not put him in contact with water, and never let him eat past midnight. Of course, these three rules eventually break, leading to a horrifying outbreak of little creatures called gremlins.

Gremlins is not only a fantastic creature feature, but it also makes for a wonderful Christmas movie. Despite starring an odd furry creature, the film has quite a lot of depth, and can even feel frightening at times in a thrilling way. The heart of Gremlins truly lies in its exploration of love and family, and how we treat others. If Gremlins’ Christmas setting doesn’t get audiences excited for the holidays, nothing will.

4 The Polar Express

A Nostalgic Journey

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10 8/10 The Polar Express GAnimationAdventureFantasyHoliday

Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is an animated holiday-fantasy film by director Robert Zemeckis. A young boy is spirited away on Christmas Eve aboard the magical Polar Express, where he meets new friends on a journey to rediscover their belief in Christmas.

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*Availability in US Release Date November 10, 2004 Runtime 100 Minutes Cast Tom Hanks , Daryl Sabara , Nona Gaye , Jimmy Bennett , Eddie Deezen , Peter Scolari , Michael Jeter Director Robert Zemeckis Writers Robert Zemeckis , William Broyles Jr.

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Many iconic Christmas movies combine the holidays with fantasy, and one great example of this is The Polar Express. Based on the book of the same name, this story follows a young boy who is unsure of Christmas until, one night, a mysterious train stops outside his house. The boy is beckoned onto the train, which is headed for the North Pole, where he will discover the true meaning of Christmas.

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Many audiences first saw The Polar Express as children, which makes it the perfect nostalgic watch now, 20 years after its release. The Polar Express is all about the Christmas spirit and what it means to believe, even when circumstances make it hard to do so. There is little doubt that The Polar Express is the type of movie that can make its viewers feel like they are children again, getting excited to wake up on Christmas morning. Thus, it is a great watch during the winter season.

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3 It’s A Wonderful Life

The Original Christmas Movie

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It’s a Wonderful Life PGDramaFamilyFantasy

It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic American film released in 1946. It follows George Bailey, who runs a building and loan company in Bedford Falls, as he faces financial ruin on Christmas Eve. His company is the only obstacle preventing the wealthy Mr. Potter from taking over the town.

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*Availability in US Release Date December 20, 1946 Runtime 130 minutes Cast Donna Reed , James Stewart , Lionel Barrymore , Thomas Mitchell , Henry Travers , Beulah Bondi , Frank Faylen , Ward Bond , Gloria Grahame , H.B. Warner , Frank Albertson , Todd Karns , Samuel S. Hinds , Mary Treen , Virginia Patton , Charles Williams , Sarah Edwards , William Edmunds , Lillian Randolph , Argentina Brunetti , Robert J. Anderson , Ronnie Ralph , Jeanne Gail , Jeanine Ann Roose , Danny Mummert Writers Albert Hackett , Frances Goodrich Expand

Nowadays, there are countless Christmas and holiday movies right at audiences’ fingertips, but none are as classic as 1946’s It’s A Wonderful Life. In this movie, George Bailey is a man who is depressed and considering taking his own life. Yet, when he saves his guardian angel, Clarence, he is shown all the ways that he has helped his community over time. Through flashbacks and time jumps, audiences come to understand George’s life and impact.

It’s A Wonderful Life may start in a dark place, but that only makes its happy ending all the more impactful. The story of George is one that is not only common, but it can also be relatable to audiences, even so many decades later. It’s A Wonderful Life succeeds at infusing George (and viewers) with hope that things will get better. In many ways, this movie is the core of how the holiday season should feel, which makes it a must-watch.

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2 The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe

A Snowy Fantasy

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9.3/10 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe PG

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) is a fantasy film directed by Andrew Adamson. It follows the story of four siblings who discover a magical wardrobe that leads to the enchanted land of Narnia. They join forces with Aslan, the majestic lion, to battle against the evil White Witch. The film features Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, and Anna Popplewell in the leading roles.

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*Availability in US Release Date December 9, 2005 Runtime 143 Minutes Main Genre Fantasy Cast William Moseley , Anna Popplewell , Skandar Keynes , Georgie Henley , Tilda Swinton , James McAvoy , Jim Broadbent , Liam Neeson Director Andrew Adamson Writers Ann Peacock , Andrew Adamson , Christopher Markus , Stephen McFeely Sequel(s) The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian , The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Expand

Another pillar of the fantasy genre that is definitely worth checking out during Christmastime is The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Adapted from C.S. Lewis’ novel, this movie follows the Pevensie siblings who find themselves in a magical land called Narnia after crawling through a magical wardrobe. In this new world, the Pevensies run into some interesting figures who are both good and bad, leading them to fight for this magical land.

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The Chronicles of Narnia is a classic story all on its own, but the 2005 movie is a particularly wonderful watch during the holidays. Watching the Pevensies come out of the snowy woods into Narnia is a breathtaking experience, and makes viewers yearn for their own snowy paradise. Even the White Witch with her Turkish Delights is a chilling hint at the holiday season. All in all, this heartwarming fantasy is good for watching on a stormy afternoon.

1 Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone

A Magical Christmas

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8.3/10 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone PGAdventureFamilyFantasy

The beginning of the adaptations of one of the most-read fantasy novel series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, was directed by Chris Columbus and follows the titular Harry Potter as he discovers he has magical powers. Living with his cruel aunt and uncle, the orphaned Harry lives a challenging life that is changed when he meets a gentle giant named Hagrid, who spirits him away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he soon learns his destiny.

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*Availability in US Release Date November 16, 2001 Runtime 152 Minutes Cast Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson , John Cleese , Robbie Coltrane , Warwick Davis , Richard Griffiths , Ian Hart , John Hurt , Alan Rickman , Fiona Shaw , Maggie Smith Director Chris Columbus Writers J.K. Rowling , Steve Kloves Sequel(s) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets , Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire , Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix , Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Expand

Finally, one of the greatest fantasy movies to watch during the holiday season is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Although the Harry Potter movies are all nostalgic in their own right, the best option for Christmas is definitely the first movie. In this film, Harry goes to Hogwarts for the first time and meets his friends Ron and Hermione, before coming face-to-face with Lord Voldemort for the first time.

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Only a small fraction of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone takes place during Christmas, but it is an element of the film that is unforgettable. Without having any place to go for the holidays, Harry stays at Hogwarts with Ron and Hermione. He is gifted a sweater from the Weasleys and his father’s invisibility cloak. To see Hogwarts covered in snow with gorgeous decorations and lights is a lovely experience, and it makes viewers want to dive right in. Overall, this is a fantasy movie that sparks a feeling of magic during this special time of year.

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