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.
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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.
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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
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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.
Director Anna Biller Release Date November 11, 2016 Cast Elle Evans , Jeffrey Vincent Parise , Samantha Robinson , Katy Morris , Ryan Poole , Robert Michael Anderson Runtime 120 minutes Writers Anna Biller
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.
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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Love Witch (2016) |
95% |
61% |
9 Crimson Peak (2015)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Crimson Peak 4
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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.
Director Guillermo del Toro Release Date October 13, 2015 Cast Charlie Hunnam , Jessica Chastain , Tom Hiddleston , Mia Wasikowska , Doug Jones , Burn Gorman Runtime 119 minutes Studio(s) Universal Pictures Writers Matthew Robbins , Lucinda Coxon , Guillermo del Toro Expand
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.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
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Crimson Peak (2015) |
73% |
56% |
Related 10 Best R-Rated Fantasy Movies, Ranked
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.
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8 Coraline (2009)
Directed by Henry Selick
Coraline 5
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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.
Director Henry Selick Release Date February 5, 2009 Cast Dakota Fanning , Teri Hatcher , Jennifer Saunders , Dawn French , Keith David , John Hodgman Runtime 100 minutes Studio(s) Focus Features Writers Henry Selick , Neil Gaiman Expand
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.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Coraline (2009) |
91% |
74% |
7 Beetlejuice (1988)
Directed by Tim Burton
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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.
Director Tim Burton Release Date September 6, 2024 Cast Michael Keaton , Jenna Ortega , Winona Ryder , Monica Bellucci , Willem Dafoe , Justin Theroux , Catherine O’Hara Runtime 104 Minutes Studio(s) KatzSmith Productions , Tim Burton Productions , Warner Bros. Pictures , Plan B Entertainment Writers Alfred Gough , Miles Millar , Mike Vukadinovich , Seth Grahame-Smith , Michael McDowell , Larry Wilson Expand
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.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Beetlejuice (1988) |
83% |
82% |
Related Adam & Barbara Maitland’s Subtle Beetlejuice 2 Returns Perfectly Honor Their Original Story
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice unfortunately doesn’t bring back Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, but the Maitlands are honored in one major Easter egg.
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6 Gremlins (1984)
Directed by Joe Dante
Gremlins 6
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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.
Director Joe Dante Release Date June 7, 1984 Cast Phoebe Cates , Corey Feldman , Zach Galligan , Hoyt Axton , Polly Holliday , Howie Mandel Runtime 106 minutes Studio(s) Warner Bros. , Amblin Entertainment Writers Chris Columbus Expand
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.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Gremlins (1984) |
86% |
78% |
5 Interview With A Vampire (1994)
Directed by Neil Jordan
Interview with the Vampire 2
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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.
Director Neil Jordan Release Date November 11, 1994 Cast Kirsten Dunst , Brad Pitt , Christian Slater , Antonio Banderas , Tom Cruise Runtime 123 minutes Studio(s) The Geffen Film Company Writers Anne Rice Expand
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.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Interview With the Vampire (1994) |
63% |
86% |
4 The Witch (2015)
Directed by Robert Eggers
The Witch 2
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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.
Director Robert Eggers Release Date February 19, 2016 Cast Kate Dickie , Wahab Chaudhry , Ellie Grainger , Ralph Ineson , Sarah Stephens , Lucas Dawson , Anya Taylor-Joy , Bathsheba Garnett , Harvey Scrimshaw , Julian Richings Runtime 92minutes Studio(s) A24 Writers Robert Eggers Expand
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.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
The Witch (2015) |
91% |
60% |
3 Suspiria (1977)
Directed by Dario Argento
Suspiria (1977) RHorror
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.
Director Dario Argento Release Date August 12, 1977 Cast Jessica Harper , Stefania Casini , Flavio Bucci , Miguel Bosé , Barbara Magnolfi , Susanna Javicoli , Eva Axén , Alida Valli Runtime 92 Minutes Writers Dario Argento , Daria Nicolodi , Thomas De Quincey
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.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Suspiria (1977) |
94% |
83% |
2 House (1977)
Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi
House (1977) 2
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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.
Director Nobuhiko Obayashi Release Date July 30, 1977 Cast Kimiko Ikegami , Miki Jinbo , Ai Matubara , Kumiko Oba , Mieko Sato , Eriko Tanaka , Masayo Miyako , Yōko Minamida Runtime 88 Minutes Studio(s) Toho Writers Chiho Katsura Expand
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.
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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
House (1977) |
91% |
79% |
1 Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
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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.
Director Guillermo del Toro Release Date January 19, 2007 Cast Sergi López , Doug Jones , Ivana Baquero , Ariadna Gil , Maribel Verdú Runtime 118 minutes Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Guillermo del Toro Expand
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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Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) |
95% |
91% |
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