The Best Fantasy Movies Of 2022
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1Sophia Anne Caruso, Sofia Wylie, Charlize TheronThe School for Good and Evil is steeped in the lore of fairy tales, but with a twist that undermines traditional expectations. The story, situated in an enchanted realm, follows best friends Sophie (Sophia Anne Caruso) and Agatha (Sofia Wylie), as they're swept into a fantastical school that grooms the next generation of fairy tale heroes and villains. However, the girls find themselves on opposite sides of the good-evil divide, challenging not only their friendship but also their identities. Directed by Paul Feig, the film wades into themes of friendship and belonging, and the relationship between good and evil.
2Idris Elba, Tilda Swinton, Nicolas MouawadWhile attending a conference in Istanbul, Dr. Alithea Binnie happens to encounter a djinn who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom. This presents two problems: first, she doubts that he's real, and second, because she's a scholar of story and mythology, she knows all the cautionary tales of wishes gone wrong. The djinn pleads his case by telling her fantastical stories of his past. Eventually, she's beguiled and makes a wish that surprises them both.- #3 of 16 onThe Best Movies With Genies
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3Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy QuanWith a feature debut like Swiss Army Man you know the Daniels are going to give us something unexpected and incredibly enteraining. While Awkwafina didn't make the final cut due to scheduling conflicts, the cast still boasts Michelle Yeoh, Jenny Slate, and Jamie Lee Curtis, you know there are going to be some comical moments as well as incredible fight scenes.
In Everything Everywhere All at Once, Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn Wang, a seemingly ordinary woman grappling with the bureaucracy of her family-run laundromat. An unexpected visit from an inter-dimensional messenger (Ke Huy Quan) catapults her into a cosmic journey across parallel universes. This sci-fi comedy-drama, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, weaves together themes of identity and connectivity in a universe-bending narrative. The film's intricate storytelling is complemented by its memorable characters including her estranged husband (James Hong) and quirky daughter (Stephanie Hsu), adding depth to this visually stunning cinematic marvel.
4Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared HarrisNetflix's newest family film centers on a young girl who stows away on a monster hunter's ship. With bright colors and exciting monsters this animated adventure is perfect for the whole family.
The life of a legendary sea monster hunter is turned upside down when a young girl stows away on his ship.More The Sea Beast
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5Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel EjioforAfter unleashing the multiverse to protect Peter Parker's identity in Spiderman: No Way Home, Dr. Stephen Strange must face the consequences in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Joining him is the all-powerful Wanda Maximoff and newcomer America Chavez. Genres and words will bend as they as they try to save Earth 616.
With help from old and new allies, Dr. Stephen Strange travels into the multiverse to face a mysterious adversary.
6Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Mads MikkelsenProfessor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful, dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards and witches. They soon encounter an array of old and new beasts as they clash with Grindelwald's growing legion of followers.
7Ewan McGregor, Gregory Mann, David BradleyA grieving father's wish magically brings a wooden marionette to life, giving him a chance to care for the child. However, the pair must struggle to find a place for themselves as Italy becomes embroiled in fascism.
8Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James MarsdenGiselle upsets the balance of Andalasia and the real world.
9Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney WeaverJake Sully, Neytiri and their children explore the mysterious lands of Pandora. When a familiar threat resurfaces, they must fight a difficult war to protect their planet.
10Raffiella Chapman, Eddie Marsan, Rosy McEwenStruggling to survive with her father after the collapse of Earth's ecosystem, 13-year-old Vesper must use her wits, strength and bio-hacking abilities to fight for the future.
11Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava MorseStreaming directly to Disney+, this Pixar film captures the hearts and imagination of both young and older audiences. This movie makes for a great family film night, especially for the mothers and daughters in the room. Your young ones will explore how to reconcile strong emotions in the funny context that getting overly excited about something might turn you into a giant red panda.
A 13-year-old girl suddenly turns into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited.
12Zac Efron, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Sydney LemmonStephen King's work is prolific and Firestarter is no exception. Zac Efron plays the father of a young daughter with the ability to literally set the world on fire. Ryan Kiera Armstrong plays the young woman the entire world is looking for.
Firestarter reignites the chilling narrative of Stephen King's classic novel with a modern adaptation. The film ignites with the story of young Charlie, a girl with pyrokinetic powers she can neither fully control nor understand. Her abilities make her the target of a secretive government agency that seeks to harness her extraordinary gift as a weapon. As Charlie's powers grow increasingly volatile amid their attempts to evade capture, her desperate father (Zac Efron) and mother (Sydney Lemmon) must protect her from those who wish to exploit her. The plot goes into themes of exploitation, family bonds, and the fear of the unknown. Firestarter attempts to spark the intrigue of a new generation, although it didn't flare up major accolades on the awards circuit.
13Gaten Matarazzo, Leighton Meester, Jackie Earle HaleyMy Father's Dragon is an animated fantasy adventure film that brings to life the beloved children's book by Ruth Stiles Gannett. The story centers on a young boy named Elmer Elevator (Jacob Tremblay), who embarks on a journey to rescue a captive dragon on Wild Island. Along the way, Elmer encounters a host of whimsical creatures and learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the power of ingenuity. The film is directed by Nora Twomey and features the voices of notable talents, including Gaten Matarazzo. It explores themes of bravery and the art of problem-solving in the face of adversity. The vibrant animation and heartwarming plot make it a delightful watch for audiences of all ages.
14Joey King, Dominic Cooper, Olga KurylenkoJoey King is trading kissing booths for swords in this fantasy action comedy from Hulu. Dominic Cooper plays the baddie – a suitor who doesn't get is way and is now out to get the princess (King). Expect intense fight scenes, fast one-liners, and a whole lot of girl power.
When a strong-willed princess refuses to wed a cruel sociopath, she is kidnapped and locked in a remote tower. With her scorned, vindictive suitor intent on taking her father's throne, the princess must protect her family and save the kingdom.- 15Matt Ryan, Ray Chase, Robin Atkin DownesAn interactive film based on the character John Constantine from DC Comics.
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16Jason Momoa, Marlow Barkley, Chris O'DowdA young girl discovers a secret map to the dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she will be able to see her late father again.
17Pierce Brosnan, Kaya Scodelario, Benjamin WalkerFantasy and adventure meet in this tale about a king's daughter who befriends his captive mermaid that he uses in his quest for immortality. A quest that is sure to cause a bit of tension between father and dughter.
Hoping to achieve immortality, King Louis XIV (Pierce Brosnan) captures a mermaid and steals her life force, but a discovery by his illegitimate daughter threatens to ruin the king's plans.More The King's Daughter- #371 of 375 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
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18Iko Uwais, Lewis Tan, Lawrence KaoFans of Wu Assassins are not going to want to miss this follow up film to the first season. Much like the title suggests, it's an action-packed revenge thriller that has the series cast reprising their roles along with some new faces. Get ready to ride or die with Kai as he tries to set things right.
Fistful of Vengeance is an action-packed film that serves as a follow-up to the Netflix series "Wu Assassins." The story centers on Kai Jin (Iko Uwais), a chef turned Wu Assassin who embarks on a quest for vengeance after the murder of a loved one. Teaming up with his former allies, Lu Xin Lee (Lewis Tan) and Tommy Wah (Lawrence Kao), Kai travels to Bangkok where they uncover a plot that threatens the world. As they confront powerful new enemies and grapple with their inner demons, the themes of retribution, destiny, and camaraderie drive the narrative. The film blends martial arts sequences with supernatural elements, delivering high-action entertainment.More Fistful of Vengeance- #63 of 63 onThe 60+ Best Dark Fantasy Movies, Ranked
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19Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim S. Falck-Jørgensen, Mads Sjøgård PettersenTroll is a Norwegian fantasy adventure film that debuted in 2022 and plunges viewers into a world where myth becomes reality. When a gargantuan troll is awakened from its slumber in the Norwegian mountains, it sets off towards the capital, sparking panic and evoking awe. The narrative follows a group of heroes led by a determined paleontologist as they attempt to thwart the creature's advance without causing harm to it, confronting themes of nature versus humanity, folklore intersecting with the modern world, and the battle between preservation and destruction. The film captures the imagination with its stunning visual effects and exhilarating action sequences as Norway grapples with this unearthed legend.- 20Tom Hanks, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Joseph Gordon-LevittThe 2022 adaptation of Pinocchio is a live-action/CGI retelling of the beloved classic tale, directed by Robert Zemeckis and co-written with Chris Weitz. The kind-hearted woodcarver Geppetto (Tom Hanks) crafts a wooden puppet he names Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth), who is brought to life by a magical wish. Pinocchio embarks on a whimsical and perilous journey to become a real boy. Alongside Hanks, the film features the Blue Fairy (Cynthia Erivo), and the Coachman (Luke Evans). This version is a mix of adventure, moral lessons, and the timeless theme of parental love and the essence of what it means to be human.
21Tilda Swinton, Elkin Díaz, Jeanne BalibarTilda Swinton continually challenges audiences in the best way by picking unique and interesting projects. Memoria is no exception, it's difficult to pin down in terms of genre but you'll be glad you embarked on this journey with Swinton as your guide.
While traveling in Colombia, a woman from Scotland begins to notice strange sounds. Soon she begins to think about their appearance.
22Javier Bardem, Winslow Fegley, Shawn MendesWhen the Primm family moves to New York City, their young son, Josh, struggles to adapt to his new school and friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle, a singing crocodile that loves baths, caviar and great music. The two become fast friends, but when evil neighbor Mr. Grumps threatens Lyle's existence, the Primms must band together to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places.
23Mutsumi Tamura, Asami Seto, Daiki YamashitaDuring summer break, sixth graders Kosuke and Natsume play in an apartment building set to be demolished. They find themselves caught up in a strange phenomenon. All they can see around them is a vast sea.
24Eva Noblezada, Simon Pegg, Jane FondaLuck is an animated fantasy film directed by Peggy Holmes. The story focuses on Sam Greenfield (Eva Noblezada), the unluckiest person in the world. When she ages out of her orphanage, Sam discovers the Land of Luck and embarks on a quest to bring good fortune back in the human world. Along her journey, Sam uncovers the mechanics of luck itself and teams up with magical creatures including a lucky black cat (Simon Pegg). The film emphasizes themes of chance versus effort, friendship, and the quest for good fortune. It's a whimsical adventure that questions whether luck is something that happens to us or something we can create for ourselves and others.
25Wendy Chinchilla Araya, Daniel Castañeda Rincón, Ana Julia Porras EspinozaIn a remote village in Costa Rica, Clara, a 36-year-old woman, takes off on a journey to break free from social and religious conventions and become the master of her sexuality and newfound powers.
