Fantasy: 264

Dumbo (2019), an American fantasy period adventure film directed by Tim Burton and written by Ehren Kruger, is a live-action adaptation and reimagining of Walt Disney’s 1941 animated feature film of the same name. Based on the novel by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl, it takes place in 1919 Sarasota, Florida. Equestrian performer and World War I amputee Holt Farrier has returned to his previous employer, the Medici Brothers’ Circus, which is run by Max Medici. ...

How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019) is an animated short film by DreamWorks, helmed by Tim Johnson. As New Berk prepares for the festive Snoggletog season, Hiccup and Astrid discover that their children, Zephyr and Nuffink, have acquired a fear of dragons upon uncovering some of Stoick’s old books. Determined to prevent their offspring from inheriting the same animosity towards dragons as their ancestors did, Astrid suggests reviving the Snoggletog Pageant, which tells the story of how Vikings and dragons found harmony. Gobber eagerly joins forces with them in organizing the pageant, viewing it as an ...

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) is a thrilling animated fantasy movie based on Cressida Cowell’s popular book series. Following his rise to chiefdom, Hiccup and his trusty Night Fury, Toothless, alongside their fellow dragon-riders, continue to save captured dragons and bring them back to Berk. However, the island is becoming crowded with these newfound creatures. Determined to find a safe haven for the dragons as told by his late father Stoick, Hiccup sets out to locate the fabled ‘Hidden World’. At the same time, a Light Fury dragon is being used as bait for notorious dragon hunter Grimmel the Grisly by warlords who want Toothless ...

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019) is an American fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. It is a sequel to Maleficent (2014) and directed by Joachim Rønning, with a screenplay written by Linda Woolverton, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, and Noah Harpster. Angelina Jolie reprises her role as the iconic title character. After King Stefan’s passing, Aurora has ruled as Queen of the Moors while Maleficent remains its ...

Directed by Guy Ritchie and coproduced by Walt Disney Pictures and Rideback, Aladdin (2019) is a musical fantasy film that serves as a live-action adaptation of Disney’s beloved 1992 animated movie. It draws inspiration from Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, a French addition to the Middle Eastern folktales found in One Thousand and One Nights. The story follows Aladdin, an orphaned street urchin living in the fictional city of Agrabah (based on Baghdad), and his trusty sidekick, Abu the monkey. Their paths cross with Princess Jasmine, who longs to take over her father’s role as Sultan but is ...

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018) is an adventure drama film, directed by Andy Serkis. The screenplay, written by Callie Kloves, is based on tales from All the Mowgli Stories by Rudyard Kipling. In the Indian jungle, the wise Indian python seer Kaa witnesses Shere Khan, a cruel Bengal tiger, breaking ‘jungle law’ by attacking a human family. After finding a surviving infant, Bagheera takes him to an Indian wolf family led by Nisha and Vihaan. However, their presence is noticed by Tabaqui, Shere ...

The American fantasy comedy film, The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018), directed by Eli Roth, is based on John Bellairs’ novel of the same name from 1973. After losing his parents in a car accident in 1955, ten-year-old Lewis Barnavelt moves to New Zebedee, Michigan to live with his Uncle Jonathan. His possessions now consist only of a Magic 8-Ball and family photo. Shortly after arriving at his new home, he meets Florence Zimmerman, Jonathan’s neighbor and closest friend. In the night, Lewis hears a ticking noise inside the walls and begins exploring ...

Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost (2018), an American animated comedy mystery film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, follows the gang as they travel to the Rocky Harbor Inn at the invitation of Fred’s uncle, world-renowned chef Bobby Flay. Upon their arrival, Fred is surprised to discover his family connection to the inn’s founder, Edward Flay. However, while exploring the lobby and learning about Edward’s mysterious disappearance centuries ago, they are interrupted by groundskeeper Jeremiah Noseworthy who mentions a red ghost. Bobby explains that this ghost was said to have been responsible for ...

The Grinch (2018) is an animated Christmas comedy produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures. In the lively town of Whoville, the human-like inhabitants known as Whos are eagerly anticipating their festive celebrations. However, there is one exception – the grumpy and green-furred Grinch, whose heart is notoriously ‘two sizes too small’. He resides in his cave with his faithful dog, Max, and typically only ventures into Whoville for essential errands or to annoy the locals. One day, young Cindy Lou Who notices her mother Donna struggling to care for herself and her infant twin brothers Buster and Bean. Initially, she plans to ...

Based on Luke Pearson’s graphic novel series of the same name, Hilda (2018–2023) is an exciting animated streaming TV show that has received critical acclaim throughout its run. It tells the story of Hilda, a brave 11-year-old with blue hair, her mother Johanna, and their deerfox companion Twig as they move to Trolberg after their home in the forest is destroyed. Despite leaving the wilderness for a bustling city, Hilda still manages to make friends with even the most dangerous of monsters. The show has been recognized for its excellence, winning several Annie Awards, including ‘Best Children’s ...

Howard Lovecraft and the Kingdom of Madness (2018), a Canadian animated film from 2018, is the third and final installment in the series. Written, directed, and produced by Sean Patrick O’Reilly, it follows the 2016 and 2017 films Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom and Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom. At SDCC ’18, Shout! Factory revealed their upcoming titles, including Howard Lovecraft and the Kingdom of Madness. This series is based on a graphic novel by Bruce Brown. In an interview with WIRED, Brown mentioned that ...

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), a fantasy film directed by David Yates and written by J. K. Rowling, is the sequel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016). Serving as the second part in the Fantastic Beast series and the tenth in the Wizarding World franchise, it follows the events of 1927. During this time, Grindelwald escapes as MACUSA transports him to Europe for trial. Three months later, Newt Scamander meets his former Hogwarts classmate Leta Lestrange in London, where he also requests to have his travel ban ...

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) is an American fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan. The screenplay was written by the teams of Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg, and Jeff Pinkner, based on a story conceived by McKenna. In 1996, teenager Alex Vreeke of Brantford, New Hampshire receives the game from his father after it was previously discarded by ...

The Dark Tower (2017), an American science fantasy Western action film directed and co-written by Nikolaj Arcel, is based on Stephen King’s novel series of the same name. Eleven-year-old Jake Chambers is plagued by visions of a mysterious warlock known as the Man in Black, who aims to destroy a Tower and bring devastation to the Universe. Opposing him is a Gunslinger. Though Jake’s mother, stepfather, and psychiatrists dismiss his visions as mere nightmares resulting from the trauma of losing his father the year before, he knows they are real. When a group of ...

Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017) is a film based on the beloved comic series by Peyo. Produced by Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, and The Kerner Entertainment Company, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, this delightful animated fantasy takes audiences on an adventure with the lovable Smurfs who live in their peaceful village. Among them is Smurfette, created by the evil wizard Gargamel but redeemed by Papa Smurf. Despite her acceptance into the village, she struggles to find her purpose in life as the other Smurfs have. Meanwhile, Gargamel has his sights set on capturing the Smurfs and stealing their ...

Emerald City (2017) is a captivating American fantasy drama on NBC, brought to life by Matthew Arnold and Josh Friedman. Inspired by L. Frank Baum’s classic Oz book series, the show takes place in the enchanting world of Oz. In this land, a widowed king weds the alluring Clementianna, but his disappearance during a battle against an evil force leaves her as Queen. Meanwhile, the beautiful stepdaughter, Princess Snow White, is confined to the palace walls. After ten long years, Snow White yearns for adventure ...

An American computer-animated short film, Lou (2017), was written and directed by Dave Mullins and produced by Pixar. The lost-and-found box on the kindergarten playground becomes a home for Lou, a creature created from unclaimed items and named after the three missing letters on the box sign. After each recess, Lou gathers abandoned toys and items, placing them back in the box while subtly encouraging their owners to retrieve them. However, when a bully named J.J. begins taking toys from other children and storing them in his backpack, Lou becomes upset. In retaliation, he decides to take J.J.’s backpack when he ...

Animal Crackers (2017) is an animated comedy-fantasy film directed by Scott Christian Sava and Tony Bancroft, written by Sava and Dean Lorey and based on the animal-shaped cookie. In 1962, brothers ‘Buffalo’ Bob and Horatio Huntington run a successful traveling circus together, despite their contrasting personalities. After one of their shows, Esmerelda, the circus’ fortune teller introduces her beautiful niece Talia to the brothers in hopes of finding her ...

Howard Lovecraft & the Undersea Kingdom (2017) is an animated direct-to-video film, based on the graphic novel of the same name. The voice cast for this animated feature includes Mark Hamill, Christopher Plummer, Jeffrey Combs, and Doug Bradley. Hamill plays Dr. Henry Armitage, while Plummer reprises his role as Dr. Herbert West. Additionally,

Bright (2017) is an American urban fantasy action film directed by David Ayer and written by Max Landis. Set in Los Angeles, the movie depicts a world where humans coexist with orcs and elves. The story follows LAPD police officer Dayl Ward, who becomes partners with orc officer Nick Jakoby. When an orc shoots Ward and Jakoby fails to apprehend the suspect, Ward begins to doubt his partner’s loyalty. During a routine patrol, the two officers arrest a man who claims that Ward is meant to fulfill a prophecy. Meanwhile, Internal Affairs pressures Ward to uncover the ...