Fantasy: 264

The film, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), directed by Peter Jackson and written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Stephen Sinclair, and Jackson himself, is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s second volume of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, titled The Two Towers. In one of his dreams, Frodo Baggins envisions Gandalf battling a Balrog in Moria, before ...

The fantasy film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), was directed by Chris Columbus and written by Steve Kloves, adapting J.K. Rowling’s novel of the same name from 1998. While spending the summer with the Dursleys, Harry Potter meets Dobby, a house-elf who warns him not to return to Hogwarts as danger is looming. Despite Dobby’s warning, Harry refuses to stay away and ends up getting locked up by his relatives. Luckily, Ron Weasley and his brothers Fred and George come to his rescue in their ...

Hearts in Atlantis (2001), directed by Scott Hicks, is an American mystery drama film loosely based on Stephen King’s Low Men in Yellow Coats, a story from his 1999 collection of the same name. In the film, middle-aged photographer and businessman Robert ‘Bobby’ Garfield returns to his hometown after learning about the death of his best friend, decorated soldier John ‘Sully’ Sullivan, in a car accident. As he visits his childhood home, now abandoned, Bobby reflects on his past. During one summer in the 1960s, eleven-year-old Bobby ...

The Mummy Returns (2001) is an American adventure horror film written and directed by Stephen Sommers. Set in 3067 B.C., the movie tells the story of the Scorpion King, a formidable warrior who leads an army in an attempt to conquer the world. After their defeat, they are banished to the desert of Ahm Shere where the Scorpion King makes a desperate deal with Anubis – exchanging his soul for power to defeat his enemies. In return, Anubis conjures up an oasis and golden pyramid, along with an army of jackal-like warriors to help him conquer Egypt. However, once his purpose is served, Anubis claims his soul and sends the ...

A Spanish thriller film, directed and co-written by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Intacto (2001) delves into a trade based on luck. Adopting a magical realism approach, the movie showcases how luck can be traded between individuals, with the idea that it can be accumulated and exchanged like any other commodity. The plot follows various characters who take part in increasingly dangerous games of chance in order to eliminate their own bad luck. This is a mysterious story about four individuals whose paths are intertwined by the hand of fate. They soon realize that luck is an invaluable ...

Monsters, Inc. (2001) is an animated comedy created by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. In this unique world where monsters reside, the city of Monstropolis relies on the screams of human children for their main source of energy. At Monsters, Incorporated, highly skilled ‘scarers’ venture into the human world through portals located in children’s bedroom closets to collect screams. This job is known to be perilous as humans are believed to be poisonous and even capable of killing a monster upon physical contact. However, energy production has been on the decline due to a decrease in fear among children. The ...

The American animated fantasy comedy film, Shrek (2001), is loosely based on the 1990 children’s picture book by William Steig of the same name. The main character, an anti-social and territorial ogre, thrives in the isolation of his swamp and takes pleasure in warding off trespassers. However, his peaceful existence is disrupted when the short-tempered ruler of Duloc, Lord Farquaad, banishes a multitude of fairy-tale creatures who mistakenly end up in Shrek’s territory. Seeking retribution for the invasion, Shrek sets out to confront Farquaad and demand that the creatures be relocated elsewhere. Although he ...

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) is an epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson and written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Jackson. It is based on the first volume of J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel, also titled The Fellowship of the Ring, which was published in 1954. The story takes place during the Second Age of Middle-earth and revolves around the Rings of Power given to the ...

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) is a magical film helmed by director Chris Columbus and produced by David Heyman. The screenplay, written by Steve Kloves, is based on J.K. Rowling’s popular novel from 1997. Late one evening, professors Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall, along with Hogwarts groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid, bring an orphaned infant wizard named Harry Potter to his Muggle aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley – his only ...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) is an American Christmas fantasy comedy film directed by Ron Howard, who also produced with Brian Grazer. It is based on Dr. Seuss’s beloved 1957 children’s book of the same name and was the first to be adapted into a full-length feature film. As Whoville gears up for the holiday season, their plans are threatened by the Grinch, a grumpy green creature living in isolation on Mount Crumpit. One day, six-year-old Cindy Lou Who encounters him at the town’s post office and ...

A film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s comedic play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999), was written, produced, and directed by Michael Hoffman. Set in the 1890s in Monte Athena, a fictional Italian kingdom, the story follows the preparations for Duke Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding banquet. During this time, Egeus, father of young Hermia, approaches the Duke to request his support in forcing his daughter to marry Demetrius. Egeus threatens that Hermia will die if she does not comply. In response, Theseus offers Hermia four days to decide between ...

Created by John R. Dilworth for Cartoon Network, Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999–2002) is an animated comedy horror series that follows the story of Courage, a kind but easily scared dog who was abandoned as a puppy. His parents were sent into outer space by a deranged veterinarian. He was rescued by Muriel Bagge, a friendly Scottish woman who took him in and gave him his name after their chance meeting in an alleyway. Currently, Courage lives with Muriel and her husband Eustace Bagge at an isolated farmhouse near the town of Nowhere. Eustace is a grumpy and greedy man who constantly belittles Courage with insults like ...

Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost (1999) is an American direct-to-video animated film that combines elements of supernatural horror and comedy. It is the second in a series of direct-to-video films based on the popular Scooby-Doo Saturday morning cartoons. After renowned horror writer Ben Ravencroft helps Velma Dinkley and Mystery Inc. with a case at a museum, he invites them to his hometown of Oakhaven, Massachusetts. Upon arrival, they discover that Mayor Corey has turned the town into a tourist spot centered around the ghost of Sarah Ravencroft, an ancestor of Ben’s who was believed to be a witch and executed by Puritan townspeople in 1657. ...

SpongeBob SquarePants (1999–2024) is an American animated TV series created by Stephen Hillenburg, a marine science educator and animator. It first aired on Nickelodeon as a sneak peek after the 1999 Kids’ Choice Awards, with an official premiere on July 17, 1999. The show centers around SpongeBob and his group of underwater pals. He himself is a cheerful and energetic yellow sea sponge who resides in a pineapple under the sea. SpongeBob’s enthusiasm for life also extends to his job as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab fast food restaurant. Though he dreams of obtaining a boat-driving license from Mrs. ...

The Mummy (1999), an American action-adventure film written and directed by Stephen Sommers, is a remake of the 1932 film with the same title. In ancient Egypt, high priest Imhotep engages in an illicit affair with Anck-su-Namun, the mistress of Pharaoh Seti. Despite strict rules forbidding any other men from touching her, their romance is discovered by the Pharaoh. To cover their tracks, Imhotep and Anck-su-Namun murder him and flee before his guards can find them. Tragically, Anck-su-Namun commits suicide with the hope of being resurrected by Imhotep. However, their plans are foiled when Seti’s guards catch them ...

The Green Mile (1999), an American fantasy drama film based on the novel with the same title by Stephen King, was written, directed and co-produced by Frank Darabont. In 1935, at Cold Mountain Penitentiary’s death row, nicknamed ‘The Green Mile’, retiree Paul Edgecomb served as an officer. Whilst watching the film Top Hat in 1999 at a Louisiana assisted-living home, Paul begins to cry. His companion Elaine becomes concerned and he explains that it reminded him of events he witnessed during his time as an officer. He worked alongside corrections officers ...

Charmed (1998–2006), a popular American fantasy drama TV series, was created by Constance M. Burge and produced by Aaron Spelling’s company, with Brad Kern as showrunner. The show originally aired on The WB from October 7, 1998 to May 21, 2006 and follows three powerful good witches known as The Charmed Ones. Using their ‘Power of Three’, they protect innocent lives from evil beings like demons and warlocks. Each sister has unique magical abilities that evolve as they navigate modern-day life in San ...

The American dark fantasy drama film, Jack Frost (1998), was directed by Troy Miller. The lead singer of a rock band based in the fictional town of Medford, Colorado neglects his family, including his 11-year-old son Charlie, due to his focus on music and hopes of a record deal. However, Jack and Charlie bond while building a snowman together and Jack gifts Charlie his best harmonica that he received on the day of Charlie’s birth. In jest, Jack tells Charlie it is magical and that he will always be able to hear it wherever he is. Despite promising his wife Gabby that he will attend their son’s hockey game, ...

The film Meet Joe Black (1998), directed and produced by Martin Brest, tells the story of media mogul Bill Parrish. He’s considering a merger while his daughter Allison plans his 65th birthday bash. The younger daughter, Susan, is a resident in internal medicine who is dating Drew, a member of Bill’s board. As Bill observes Susan’s relationship with Drew and realizes she may not be truly in love, he encourages her to wait for true love instead. During their helicopter ride, Bill hears a mysterious voice but tries to brush it off. Later at the office, he experiences chest pains and hears the voice again ...

The American fantasy drama film, What Dreams May Come (1998), was directed by Vincent Ward and adapted from Richard Matheson’s novel of the same name. During a vacation in Switzerland, pediatrician Chris Nielsen falls in love with artist Annie Collins. They have two children, Ian and Marie, but their happy life is shattered when the kids die in a car accident. Tragically, Chris himself dies in a car crash four years later. Confused and unaware that he has passed away, Chris remains on Earth and watches as Annie struggles with her grief. Despite being warned not to ...