The best thing about thefantasyromancegenre is that it allows viewers to escape into a magical world where anything is possible for a few hours. The movies that fall in the ballpark have jaw-dropping visuals andhighly emotional stories, epic battles with mystical creatures, or simply a passionate romance between a headstrong heroine and her handsome savior. After all, what more could you want for a light and dreamy night in?
These imaginative movies take the traditional romantic plot and raise the stakes by exposing their characters to lavish worlds of wizardry, time travel, swashbuckling adventures and enchanted lands. By the third act, the lovers have endured so many trials that their bonds are stronger than ever. They earn their happy ending and have us swooning overthe breathtaking and epic conclusion.
The 20 movies on this list best capture fantasy romance’s blend of thrill, peril and passion. So, without much ado, let’s take a look at the best fantasy romance movies of all time.
20Beautiful Creatures (2013)
Beautiful Creatures
Ethan White, a shy and introverted bookworm, lives in a small South Carolina town. On his first day of college, he finds himself drawn to a mysterious new girl named Lena Duchannes, who resembles the girl in Ethan’s recurring dreams. As their romance intensifies, Lena begins exhibiting supernatural powers and when Ethan finds out that she comes from a long line of witches, he is willing to do what it takes to break the curse that would bind her to dark magic forever.
Tragic and Bittersweet Love Story
In an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of The Twilight Saga, which concluded just a year before,Beautiful Creaturesbrought the same kind of star-crossed mystique to the fantasy romance genre. Directed by Richard LaGravenese, the movie features sweeping cinematography and a lore that immerses viewers in the gorgeous, timeless and bittersweet love story. At the center of it all were Alice Englert and Alden Ehrenreich, whose crackling chemistry fueled the narrative.
1913 Going on 30 (2004)
13 Going on 30
Set in a suburban wonderland,13 Going on 30casts a nostalgic spell on the fish-out-of-water premise. We follow an unpopular girl named Jenna Rink, who is so embarrassed by her teenage life that on her 13th birthday, she wishes we were “30 and flirty and thriving.” Next morning, she wakes up as her 30-year-old self and realizes she has a job and real, adult responsibilities. But the chance to rewrite her past and revisit her former mistakes comes with a small price.
Garner Is Magical in the Role
This 2004 charmer picks a brilliant body-swap concept and delivers equal amounts of belly laughs and romance in its hour-and-a-half runtime, while also imparting poignant lessons about caring less about where you are in life and more about chasing your dreams. Jennifer Garner, who earned nominations from both the MTV Movie Awards and the Teen Choice Awards, shone as a girl rediscovering herself alongside Mark Ruffalo,whose charm as the childhood crush was undeniable.
18Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Edward Scissorhands
InEdward Scissorhands, a sympathetic inventor creates an artificial man named Edward and temporarily gives him scissor-like hands. After the scientist passes away, Edward is found, lonely and abandoned, by a kindly Avon lady. But Edward’s outfit makes him a target in the suburbs and he faces both suspicion and violence. The only picture-perfect thing in his life is Peg’s teenage daughter, Kim, whom he loves.
Features Depp In His Most Endearing Role
Tim Burton is a master of Gothic storytelling. When channeling his talents onto the romance genre, he infuses the fairy tale with empathy and kindness. Burton crafts a socially outcast character, who was immortalized by Johnny Depp.
In one of his most endearing and unusual roles, Depp brings visual poetry to his character through dream-like dialogue and disarming innocence. He is the perfect foil to Winona Ryder’s fascinating heroine. That said,Edward Scissorhandsis a terrific movie.
Related:Edward Scissorhands: Why it Could be Tim Burton’s Best Film
17Palm Springs (2020)
Palm Springs
Directed by Max Barbakow for Hulu,Palm Springsis a fantasy romance that follows a carefree young man, Nyles, bonding with a beautiful but reluctant wedding guest, Sarah, at a reception evening in Palm Springs. Their chance encounter forces Sarahinto the same infinite time-loopNyles has been stuck in for a long time. As they repeat the same day over and over, attending the never-ending wedding together, the unlikely duo falls in love.
Quirky Twist on the Time-Loop Trope
With Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti owning the screen with their wonderful and hilarious chemistry, this clever odd-couple movie is both heartfelt and entertaining. The movie is Barbakow’s first foray into directing feature films, and it proves him as a marvelous director capable of bringing out the zaniest versions of his characters. Critics and audiences praised the movie for logic and emotion, as well as the contemporary escapism it offers.
16Ghost (1990)
One of the highest-grossing films of all time during its release,Ghostrevolves around Sam Wheat, a banker, and his artist girlfriend Molly Jensen, who have recently moved into a new loft apartment. But when Sam is murdered during a bank robbery, he realizes that there is no way he can protect Molly, who is still in danger. He gets help from a psychic and tries to physically manifest to communicate with her and stop the killer.
About Love Beyond Death
Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg are the trio we did not know we needed in a sublime combination of supernatural love story and fast-paced crime thriller until director Jerry Zucker thought it fitting. The movie pulls its viewers in with a universally relatable story, a sizzling chemistry between the leads, and themes of loss, eternal devotion, and the power of second chances. A true pioneer of the genre,Ghost’sinfluence on pop culture is still felt.
15The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
The Time Traveler’s Wife
An adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s 2003 novel of the same name,The Time Traveler’s Wifetells the epic love story of Clare and Henry, who meet and fall in love but are never able to share quality moments like normal couples. Henry suffers from a rare condition where he involuntarily travels to the past and future, always leaving Clare behind during the most important events of their lives.
An Ode to Time and Destiny
Despite being criticized for inconsistencies in the plot at the time of its release,The Time Traveler’s Wifegrew in popularity over time. Fans had a lot to praise. For starters, Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana are a powerful and poetic portrait of soulmates.
The artistic cinematography brings the otherworldly premise to life in a stunning manner. Whilecomplex because of its jumps from past to present to future, the romance remains the focus of the movie, which is both whimsical and heart-wrenching and imaginative.
14Avatar (2009)
Still considered one of the highest-grossing films ever,Avatartells the story of a paraplegic former marine named Jake Sully, who takes part in an operation on the lush planet of Pandora, where a valuable mineral is mined. He assumes control of an ‘avatar,’ a remotely controlled body with Na’vi alien DNA. But after he is accepted by the natives as their own, and he falls in love with Neytiri, a Na’vi woman, Sully switches sides and fights for their cause instead.
A Visual Masterpiece Like No Other
Written and directed by James Cameron, the movie was a technical marvel at the time. Its amazing visual effects and mind-blowing cinematography made it a genuinely beautiful intergalactic romance. Playing out against the backdrop of the rainforest of a hostile extraterrestrial moon, it was not only imaginative and adventurous, but it also gave out sobering messages about the environment. An immersive blockbuster like no other,Avataris worth watching.
13Labyrinth (1986)
Labyrinthstars Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, a teenage girl who secretly wishes her infant half-brother Toby away out of anger. When it actually happens, she is forced to navigate a fantastical medieval-style labyrinth designed by the Goblin King Jareth and rescue her baby brother. In confronting her maturity, Sarah is aided by several allies.
Iconic ’80s Fantasy Romance
Hailed by critics as “a fantasy fan’s gourmet delight,”Labyrinthis a cult classic. It is a surreal coming-of-age movie that features catchy music and splendid visuals. Apart from Connelly, it also features David Bowie, who plays the subversive role of Gareth with effortless charm. Of course, the movie hassome dark psychological complexity, but at the same time, its delightful exploration of what it is like to grow up and learn lessons about life adds nostalgia and resonance.
Related:20 Most Underrated Fantasy Movies of All Time
12The Shape of Water (2017)
The Shape of Water
This Best Picture Academy Award winner was directed by Guillermo del Toro and written by del Toro and Vanessa Taylor. A magical fantasy,The Shape of Wateris set in Cold War-era Baltimore, and it follows Elisa Esposito, a lonely and mute young woman who works as a custodian in a secret government facility. At work, she discovers a mysterious sea creature and develops a special bond with it.
A Unique Cinderella Story
An ode to outcasts,The Shape of Wateris del Toro’s visually opulent masterpiece. It stars Sally Hawkins as Elisa, who expresses both torment and tragedy with care. The movie, which bridges land and see, fantasy and reality, is a fairy tale unlike any seen before. For its amazing storytelling, deeply impactful core message, and for demonstrating just how capable the genre is of telling inclusive stories, it deserves all the praise.
11Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
scott pilgrim vs. the world
Scott Pilgrim vs. the Worldis a live-action adaptation of the graphic novels of the same name written by Bryan Lee O’Malley. The title character, Scott Pilgrim is a guitarist in a garage band who wants to win a competition. He falls for Ramona Flowers, an enigmatic American delivery girl. But to win her affection, Scott mustdefeat her seven evil exes in a battle– literally. In the process, Scott faces over-the-top challenges and learns to fight back.
Wright’s Love Letter to Comic Books and Gaming
Not only doesScott Pilgrim vs. the Worldtell an innovative and subversive geek love story, but it also features an outstanding indie rock soundtrack to go with all the action and romance. Directed by Edgar Wright, the movie brings to life a flawless universe and combines it with pop culture references and creative fight sequences. Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead are simply phenomenal in their roles as the witty and driven leads.
