2024 is nearly over, and while this year saw the release of many brilliant movies, in this article, we are only discussing the best fantasy movies that came out. Fantasy is one of those genres that invokes something magical in all of us, from the heroic journey in The Lord of the Rings films to the coming-of-age fantastical story in Harry Potter, and maybe that’s why this genre has one of the most loyal fan bases. So, let’s find out which fantasy movies released in 2024 were the absolute best.
IF (Prime Video, Paramount+ & MGM+)
IF is a fantasy comedy film written and directed by John Krasinski. The 2024 film follows Bea, a young girl who discovers she can see imaginary friends of other people. She soon sets out on a magical adventure to find human kids to pair them with forgotten imaginary friends. IF stars Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carell.
Orion and the Dark (Netflix)
Orion and the Dark is an animated fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Sean Charmatz from a screenplay by Charlie Kaufman. Based on the 2014 children’s book of the same name by Emma Yarlett, the 2024 film follows Orion, a young boy who fears the dark the most, but when the physical embodiment of the dark takes him on an adventure to prove to him that there is nothing to fear. Orion and the Dark’s voice cast includes Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Colin Hanks, Mia Akemi Brown, Ike Barinholtz, Nat Faxon, Golda Rosheuvel, Natasia Demetriou, Carla Gugino, and Angela Bassett.
The Imaginary (Netflix)
The Imaginary is a Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Yoshiaki Nishimura. Based on the 2014 novel of the same name by A.F. Harrold, the 2024 film follows Rudger, a boy who was created because of a young girl named Amanda. Rudger soon learns that he will disappear if Amanda forgets him, after which he arrives in a town where imaginary friends live after their humans have forgotten about them. The Imaginary stars Kokoro Terada, Rio Suzuki, Sakura Ando, Riisa Naka, Takayuki Yamada, Atsuko Takahata, and Issey Ogata.
Mononoke The Movie: Phantom In The Rain (Not Available for Streaming)
Mononoke The Movie: Phantom In The Rain is a Japanese animated supernatural fantasy psychological horror film directed by Kenji Nakamura. Based on the 2007 anime series Mononoke by Toei Animation, the 2024 film follows a master of the occult who sets out on a quest across feudal Japan to find and kill malevolent spirits called Mononoke. Mononoke The Movie: Phantom In The Rain’s English voice cast includes Crispin Freeman, Alejandra Reynoso, Abby Espiritu, Janet Borrus, Felecia Angelle, Natalie Van Sistene, and Ashley Biski.
The Greatest Hits (Hulu)
The Greatest Hits is a romantic fantasy drama film written and directed by Ned Benson. The 2024 film follows Harriet, a young woman who discovers that certain songs allow her to travel back in time to relive romantic memories with her dead boyfriend. She soon meets a new guy, but her time travelling interferes with the new relationship. The Greatest Hits’ voice cast includes Lucy Boynton, Justin H. Min, David Corenswet, and Austin Crute.
Kung Fu Panda 4 (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
Kung Fu Panda 4 is an animated fantasy martial arts comedy film directed by Mike Mitchell from a screenplay co-written by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, and Darren Lemke. The fourth film in the Kung Fu Panda film franchise follows Po, who must train a new warrior to become the Dragon Warrior after being chosen to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. Kung Fu Panda 4’s voice cast includes Jack Black, Awkwafina, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Dustin Hoffman, and Viola Davis.
Pedro Páramo (Netflix)
Pedro Páramo is a Mexican fantasy magical realism drama film directed by Rodrigo Prieto from a screenplay by Mateo Gil. Based on the 1955 novel by Juan Rulfo, the 2024 film follows Juan Preciado, a man who sets out to find his father, Pedro Páramo, after the death of his mother. He soon comes across a ghost town doomed by violence and fury. Pedro Páramo stars Manuel García Rulfo, Tenoch Huerta, Ilse Salas, Mayra Batalla, Héctor Kotsifakis, and Roberto Sosa.
Moana 2 (In Theaters)
Moana 2 is an animated musical fantasy adventure film directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, from a screenplay co-written by Jared Bush and Miller. The 2024 sequel film follows Moana as she sets out on a perilous adventure to the far seas of Oceania after her wayfinding ancestors call upon her. Moana 2’s voice cast includes Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Hualālai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Awhimai Fraser, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, and Alan Tudyk.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Max & Rent on Prime Video)
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a gothic dark fantasy horror comedy film directed by Tim Burton from a screenplay co-written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The 2024 sequel film follows a now grown-up Lydia, who Beetlejuice still haunts, and her nightmare is soon realized when someone says his name three times. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice stars Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, and Willem Dafoe.
Wicked: Part One (In Theaters)
Wicked: Part One is a musical fantasy film directed by John M. Chu from a screenplay co-written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox. Based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire and the musical of the same name by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman, the 2024 film follows the origins of Elphaba and Glinda. Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.