Summary
A number offantasymovies have been released in 2024, but only a handful of them can be considered the best. The most notable fantasy movies of this year, first and foremost, must have elements of magic in them to be considered part of the fantasy genre. Secondly, they must stand out among the other 2024 fantasy films and thebest fantasy movies in recent years. They have to excel in terms of storytelling, box office performance, and critical acclaim.
The followingmovies have been chosen and ranked by Screen Rant editors knowledgeable in the genre. These films have not only distinguished themselves among others in their genre, but they are also projects that come highly recommended. They come from thebest fantasy franchisesor are completely original stories. Viewers seeking out their new favorite fantasy movie should definitely check out these movies as they represent the best of the best of 2024 fantasy.
10 Best Fantasy Movies Like Netflix’s Damsel
Netflix’s newest fantasy film Damsel has many similarities and shares tropes with these movies that offer inventive takes on fairytales.
IF
Cast
IF, originally titled Imaginary Friends, is a comedic fantasy film written and directed by John Krasinski. A young girl who experiences a tragic moment early in her life discovers she can see the imaginary friends of others who leave them behind as they grow older.
One of the best fantasy movies to come out of 2024 isIF.Released in May 2024, this movie tells the story of a young girl who, with the help of her father, realizes that she can see imaginary friends. With this newfound power, she decides to help reunite imaginary friends with their former children. Mixing live-action with animation,IFis one of the more unique fantasy films to come out of 2024. The movie’s premise is interesting enough, but its execution via animation makes it even better. Plus,IFsucceeds at balancing the silly world of imaginary friends with real issues surrounding grief and growing up.
Aside from its storytelling,IFhas proven itself to be fairly profitable. Though the film did not break even on its $110 budget, it did gross a solid $160 million, and held the top spot at the box office during its opening weekend. Furthermore,IFhas earned many average to positive reviews. Though the film’s pacing and worldbuilding has faced some criticism,the overall message of the movie has received the stamp of approval from critics.
What really sets the movie apart, however, isIF’svoice cast. John Krasinski directed the film, while the ensemble includes Ryan Reynolds, Matt Damon, Steve Carrell, Emily Blunt, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Awkwafina, among others. ThoughIFwas not a critical or box office smash, its cast and heartwarming story make it a notable fantasy release in 2024.
Damsel
A dutiful damsel agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt. Thrown into a cave with a fire-breathing dragon, she must rely on her wits and will to survive
This Netflix fantasy adventure film follows Princess Elodie, who weds a prince but quickly discovers their marriage is a deadly trap. With only herself to rely on, she must escape a fire-breathing dragon and get revenge on her husband. AlthoughDamseluses standard fantasy tropes like dragons and far-off medieval lands, the movie does have more depththan it seems. It flips the damsel-in-distress story completely on its head, and has a leading actor that embodies aperfect fantasy heroine.Damsel’sstory may be simple, but it could spur an entirely new fantasy franchise that explores new lands and more complex tales.
For the most part, the film’s praise has gone to Millie Bobby Brown, who perfectly portrays Elodie’s transition from princess to survivor.
When it first premiered on Netflix,Damselappeared to flop. The movie’s early reviews were mostly negative, with critics calling the film predictable and “fine enough.“However, the longerDamselhas been out, the better its reviews have become. Currently, the film has a 57% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 60% audience score. The film’s praise has mostly gone to Millie Bobby Brown, who perfectly portrays Elodie’s transition from princess to survivor. Regardless,Damsel’sfate has turned around so much that it is now Netflix’s 8th most popular movie ever. This breaking of records meansDamselis most definitely one of 2024’s stand-out fantasy flicks.
Kung Fu Panda 4
Kung Fu Panda 4 is the fourth film in the animated martial arts adventure franchise. The film will see Po leave his home and enter the city to search for his future Dragon Warrior replacement while dealing with a dangerous shapeshifting foe known as The Chameleon.
The fourth installment in theKung Fu Pandafranchise premiered in March 2024, and unsurprisingly, it is one of the year’s best fantasy movies.Kung Fu Panda 4centers on Po as he becomes the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. Problems arise, when a mysterious shape-shifting sorceress arrives intending to take his Staff of Wisdom. Since 2008,Dreamworks has always provided entertaining movies in theKung Fu Pandafranchise, andKung Fu Panda 4is no different. With Jack Black reprising his role as Po, and a cache of new characters played by iconic actors,Kung Fu Panda 4is a strong entry among 2024’s fantasy line-up.
Kung Fu Panda 4has the most impressive box office performance on this list;Kung Fu Panda 4grossed $544 million at the box office on a budget of $85 million. This number is to be expected from theKung Fu Pandafranchise, but it is still an incredible success. Furthermore,Kung Fu Panda 4garnered a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes. Although critics noted that the fourth movie wasn’t much different from its predecessors, it still managed to provide a fun time.Kung Fu Panda 4’scast additionsof Awkwafina, Ronnie Chieng, and Ke Huy Quan certainly helped in this respect. Ultimately,Kung Fu Panda 4’sfinancial and critical success proves its a worthy fantasy watch.
Kung Fu Panda 4is available to rent on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire continues the story of a new generation of ghost hunters composed of Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Podcast (Logan Kim), who received help from the original team in the previous movie. Paul Rudd returns as Gary Grooberson and franchise co-creator Ivan Reitman returns to write and produce.
Another sequel to make the best fantasy films of 2024 list isGhostbusters: Frozen Empire.Frozen Empirecenters on the Spengler family, who return to New York City, only to find that a powerful spirit is on the loose and intent on freeing the city’s captured ghosts. The movie includes the new era cast, including McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Paul Rudd, and Carrie Coon, along with members of the original film series, such as Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts. Ultimately,this mix of old and new is what makesFrozen Empiresuch an entertaining experience.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empiredid fairly well at the box office, earning about $200 million on a budget of $100 million. It’s the lowest-grossingGhostbustersfilm, yet it still topped the box office in its first weekend and pushed the franchise past the $1 billion mark. The plot, though compelling, was criticized for being overcrowded. The movie’s greatest strength also proved to be its biggest weakness: critics foundFrozen Empire’scast to be too big,but the return of originalGhostbusterscharacters gave the movie a huge boost. To see the old Ghostbusters unite with the new is enough to makeFrozen Empireworth the time.
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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empireis available to rent on Youtube and Amazon Prime Video.
The Tiger’s Apprentice
Based on the novel by Laurence Yep, The Tiger’s Apprentice is a 2024 animation action-adventure film. When Tom Lee discovers that his family has been protectors of a mysterious Phoenix Egg for centuries, he must learn from a new mentor named Mr. Hu, a tiger, to live up to his family’s legacy and save the world from a new threat.
Despite being one of the first fantasy movies of 2024,The Tiger’s Apprenticestill ranks high among this year’s fantasy films. The Paramount+ animated movie tells the story of Tom Lee, a young boy who finds out his family comes from a long line of guardians who protect the magical Phoenix Egg. When Tom unexpectedly becomes the guardian, he must learn to follow in his ancestor’s footsteps with the help of a tiger named Mr. Hu.The Tiger’s Apprenticeblends the modern era with Chinese mythologyto make a visually thrilling adventure. Although it pulls from familiar concepts, the film executes its plot and animation captivatingly.
The Tiger’s Apprenticeis based on a 2003 novel of the same name by Laurence Yep.
The Tiger’s Apprenticehas an interesting Rotten Tomatoes profile, as the critics' score is an average 53% while the audience score is a much better 72%. While many critics claimed the film was too predictable and bland,audiences found themselves invested inThe Tiger Apprentice’sheartwarming story, which includes strong moments of friendship, family, and finding oneself. The addition of Chinese myth and lore also added an element of intrigue to the film. Overall,The Tiger’s Apprenticemay follow a familiar path, but it is one that is still riveting.
Orion and the Dark
Orion and the Dark is an animated family comedy film by director Sean Charmatz, released in 2024, based on the book by Emma Yarlett. Orion, a boy with a powerful imagination, is thrown into a gauntlet of all his fears when he is dragged along by his greatest fear, the Dark, to discover that his fears of the night may be unfounded.
What could be considered the best fantasy movie of 2024 is Netflix’sOrion and the Dark.The movie follows young Orion, whose biggest fear is the dark. That is until Dark visits him and proves that there is nothing to fear about nighttime. Based on this premise alone,Orion and the Darkhas a sweet and powerful story that is perfect for children and adults alike. With a strong cast behind it and stunning visuals, this movie is a joy to look at. Plus, it successfully walks the line between exploring serious topics while also maintaining its sense of wonder and light.
Critics were impressed with the movie’s ability to effectively navigate big ideas about childhood and fear
Of the fantasy movies of 2024,Orion and the Darkis the most critically acclaimed. The film earned a 91% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a 61% audience score. Critics were impressed with the movie’s ability to effectively navigate big ideas about childhood and fear. Audiences also mentioned how theOrion and the Dark’sdialogue was particularly inspiring and thought-provoking. One ofOrion and the Dark’sonly critiques was the personality of the main character, which could be grating at times. Overall,Orion and the Darkis a hidden gem and the best of 2024’sfantasyreleases.
Orion and the Darkis available to stream on Netflix.
