A strong-willed young woman fighting for her life against a motherfricking dragon, that’s all you need to know about Netflix’s Damsel. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Damsel follows the story of a young woman who marries a handsome prince but realizes that it is all a trap when she is thrown into a cave. Now, she must fight and win against the dragon living in the cave to get back to her family and exact her revenge on her soon-to-be ex-in-laws. If you love the fantasy action film here are some similar movies you could watch next.
Ready or Not (Rent on Prime Video & Fubo)
Evil in-laws and a deadly ceremony, that’s what is common in Netflix’s fantasy thriller Damsel and Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin directed horror thriller Ready or Not. The 2019 film follows the story of Grace, who couldn’t be happier as she just married the man of her dreams at his family’s opulent estate but the only problem is that she must play a deadly game of hide and seek until dawn as her in-laws hunt her with guns and crossbows. Ready or Not stars Samara Weaving in the lead role with Adam Brody, Andie MacDowell, Mark O’Brien, Henry Czerny, Nicky Guadagni, Guy Busick, and Melanie Scrofano starring in supporting roles.
Brave (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video)
If you love the independence and brave nature of Princess Elodie in Damsel, then this Pixar animated film is for you. Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, the 2012 film Brave is set in medieval Scotland and it follows the story of Princess Merida, the daughter of Scottish King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Princess Merida is a skilled archer who stands up against an age-old tradition, angering the Highland lords. Her defiance ends up causing chaos in the kingdom forcing her to seek help from an eccentric witch who cruses her in the guise of fulfilling her wish. Now, Merida must put an end to the chaos in the kingdom while also trying to break the curse before it’s too late.
The Hunger Games (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video)
There are no evil in-laws in The Hunger Games but our heroine does fight valiantly, while the evil oppressors are entertained by all the death and carnage caused by them. Based on a young adult dystopian novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games is set in the Capitol of Panem, in a dystopian future where the rich and powerful force their 12 districts to select one of their boys or girls (known as Tributes) to take part in a nationally televised event called the Hunger Games. The film follows the story of District 12’s Katniss Everdeen who relies on her sharp hunting and survival skills to stay alive in the game. The Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence in the lead role with Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Alexander Ludwig, and Wes Bentley starring in supporting roles.
Get Out (Prime Video)
There are no dragons and adventures in the 2017 psychological horror film Get Out, but it does capture the horror of evil in-laws perfectly. Written and directed by Jordan Peele, Get Out follows the story of Chris, a young African-American man who is going on a weekend getaway to meet his girlfriend’s parents. At first, he thinks that her parents are nice enough, if not a little bit weird but it soon becomes apparent there is something darker lurking under the surface. Get Out is simply one of the best horror films of recent times and it stars the always brilliant Daniel Kaluuya in the lead role with Allison Williams, LaKeith Stanfield, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford, Lil Rel Howery, Caleb Landry Jones, Betty Gabriel, Marcus Henderson, and Stephen Root starring in supporting roles.
Eragon (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video)
Eragon is a fantasy adventure film directed by Stefen Fangmeier. Based on the first book of the same in The Inheritance Cycle novel series, the fantasy film follows the story of Eragon, a poor farm boy in Alagaesia, a kingdom ruled by the oppressive Galbatorix. While hunting for deer, Eragon finds a beautiful stone and soon realizes that it is a dragon’s egg. After the egg hatches, it forces Eragon on a path to face off against the tyrannical monarch to restore his kingdom to its previous glory. Eragon stars Ed Speelers in the lead role with Jeremy Irons, Sienna Guillory, John Malkovich, Garrett Hedlund, Djimon Hounsou, and Rachel Weisz starring in supporting roles.
The Princess (Rent on Prime Video)
The basic concepts of Damsel and The Princess are similar but instead of a dragon, the soon-to-be husband is the main villain in this one. Directed by Le-Van Kiet, The Princess is a fantasy action film and it follows the story of a headstrong princess who refuses to marry a sociopathic son of a royal diplomat. Now, her not-so-soon-to-be husband is intent on taking over her father’s kingdom and to save her family, the princess must fight several foes. The Princess stars Joey King in the lead role with Katelyn Rose Downey, Olga Kurylenko, Dominic Cooper, Ngô Thanh Vân, and Ed Stoppard starring in supporting roles.
Maleficent (Starz & Prime Video Add-On)
Maleficent is Disney’s retelling of the story of the antagonist in Charles Perrault’s 1697 fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. Directed by Robert Stromberg, the 2014 film follows the story of Maleficent, a powerful fairy and the protector of the Moors, a magical forest. Maleficent was once kind, but after a heartbreaking betrayal she embarks on the path of revenge, resulting in her cursing the newborn princess, but she later realizes that the child is the one who will bring back peace in the Kingdom. Maleficent stars Angelina Jolie in the lead role with Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Juno Temple, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, Imelda Staunton, Lesley Manville, Sharlto Copley, Ella Purnell, and Brenton Thwaites starring in supporting roles.