On-screen fantasy has positively exploded in the 21st century, and the most epic movies to join the genre in the last 25 years demonstrate why. As a category, fantasy can be difficult to do justice on-screen — and, in some ways, a movie format complicates things further. While a theatrical release lends itself to an epic and immersive experience, the budget and production quality can make or break a project. Fitting the world-building, lore, and character work fantasy demands into a movie’s runtime is also no easy feat. Fortunately, there are films that juggle these things successfully, drawing fans of the genre and mainstream audiences alike.
The greatest epic fantasy movies of the 21st century are prime examples, whether they’re blockbuster hits or more niche releases. The strongest offerings so far are made up of both, proving a massive IP isn’t needed to succeed (though it certainly helps). These titles deliver the stakes, complexity, and scale fantasy lovers expect from epics. They’ll go down as the category’s greatest hits, even if they don’t all remain in the top 10 as the century continues.
Why You Should Trust Me: I’ve been writing about pop culture for a decade now, and fantasy has been my area of expertise for years. It was my focus while I was an editor at ScreenRant and continues to dominate my coverage at MovieWeb.
‘The Hobbit’ (2012-2014)
Any Trip to Middle-earth Is Destined to Be Epic
The Hobbit movies aren’t on the same level as the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, but they’re still great examples of how to bring epic fantasy to the big screen. Although the choice to adapt J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel into three parts shows some cracks, the end result is a trilogy that’s action-packed, full of incredible talent and characters, and still conveys the themes of the author’s work. An Unexpected Journey probably functions best as an adaptation, but all three movies showcase the expansive world-building and visuals that make high fantasy great — and the action and stakes that epics demand.
Watch This If: You love The Lord of the Rings and still haven’t dug in, or you’re a fan of quest narratives.
Skip This If: Fidelity to the book is deeply important to you, or if you’re a stickler about CGI and visual effects.
‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’ (2005)
It’s a Worthy Classic Despite Its Sequels
The Narnia movies get a bad rap, but The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is one of the more remarkable feats to emerge from the 21st century (even if Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptations may knock it off this list). The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe benefits from the gorgeous and extensive world-building of C.S. Lewis’s books, which is captured masterfully on-screen. It also presents its characters with the ingredients of many epics: prophesied futures and a large fight between good and evil. It’s a classic, even if it’s not perfect — and even if its sequels are less than ideal.
Watch This If: You like epic fantasy with a more whimsical vibe, and you don’t mind allegorical elements.
Skip This If: Either of the above qualities isn’t what you tend to look for in epic fantasy adventures.
‘The Northman’ (2022)
This Viking Revenge Story Deserves Far More Love
Despite its critical acclaim, The Northman is one of the less widely referenced releases on this list — but it’s no less epic. Directed by Robert Eggers and starring Alexander Skarsgård, the 2022 film follows a Viking prince on a quest for vengeance. That premise gives it a powerful emotional core, and the star-studded cast bring that to life in stunning fashion. On top of that, The Northman boasts standout cinematography and choreography, as well as historical accuracy when it’s called for. It’s a masterclass, and it deserves far more attention as one of the century’s greatest epics so far.
Watch This If: You enjoy Viking stories, revenge plots, and eye-catching visuals.
Skip This If: You’re looking for a more traditional, easy-to-root-for hero’s journey.
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010)
How to Train Your Dragon may be a children’s movie, but it’s surprisingly epic considering. The fantasy film’s world feels appropriately vast, delivering a believable depiction of its Vikings and a thoughtful breakdown of the dragons and their lore. The imagery is also gorgeous, making the animated movie more immersive. And there are dragon flights, action, and some fairly hefty stakes — even if the impact of the latter is limited to Hiccup’s village and the dragons in the first film. The movie is epic and beloved enough to qualify as one of the best, and it proves epic fantasy isn’t limited to live-action.
Watch This If: You love dragon stories and lore, and you don’t mind animation and a more lighthearted approach.
Skip This If: You’re looking for a live-action epic fantasy that’s darker and more serious.
‘Harry Potter’ (2001-2011)
The Movies That Defined Fantasy for a Generation
There’s some debate about whether Harry Potter qualifies as epic fantasy, but in terms of world-building and lore, I’d argue it’s fairly extensive compared to many other movie offerings. The films may be set in the real world, but there’s an entire society with their own systems, government, and norms hovering beneath the surface. Those details are well fleshed out, and the story that unfolds within the setting offers the same life-or-death stakes you’d expect from an epic. And considering Harry Potter defined fantasy for an entire generation of viewers, it feels fitting enough to include the series among the best of the 21st century.
Watch This If: You don’t mind the nature of an epic fantasy in a real-world setting.
Skip This If: You want an epic high fantasy story that transports you elsewhere.
‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ (2023)
This D&D Heist Movie Makes Epic Fantasy Fun
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves may have made less money than ideal when in theaters, but as its high Rotten Tomatoes scores suggest, that’s hardly a reflection of the film’s quality. The movie does an impressive job of bringing D&D to the screen, capturing the vast possibilities of a campaign, along with pieces of lore that players will appreciate. Honor Among Thieves functions as a fantasy heist, but the high-stakes fight against evil makes it more epic. The ensemble cast does an impressive job of fleshing out their characters within a movie’s runtime, and there’s a solid balance of action, suspense, and the humor that D&D projects tend to infuse. Everything comes together to create an epic adventure, and it’s a shame it’s not more acknowledged as one of fantasy’s most impressive live-action outings.
Watch This If: You love D&D, fantasy heists, or stories that juggle drama with comedy.
Skip This If: You expect fantasy epics to take themselves more seriously, or you prefer to follow a single hero.
‘The Green Knight’ (2021)
This Dark, Thoughtful Story Is an Undeniable Spectacle
A24’s The Green Knight adapts one of the oldest fantasy epics — Sir Gawain and the Green Knight — and it expands on its 14th-century source material in truly intriguing ways. The Green Knight isn’t an epic fantasy movie because it’s full of large-scale action sequences and world-ending stakes. It takes Dev Patel’s lead (and viewers) on a more personal journey, but everything from the massive and immersive setting to the lore and mythical inspirations lands it in the epic category. And it really is a stunning title, whether you’re looking at the cinematography or the writing. It’s a strange take on the poem and Arthurian legend for sure, but it’s one of the biggest dark fantasy spectacles in decades.
Watch This If: You don’t mind slower, more thoughtful storytelling that leans into the bizarre.
Skip This If: Fast-paced epics with broader stakes and gripping action is what you’re looking for.
‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Trilogy (2003-2007)
Disney’s Original Trilogy Takes Viewers on an Epic Adventure
Not all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies land among the best fantasy epics of the 21st century, but all three installments of Disney’s original trilogy deserve a spot on the list. The films blend historical fiction with a swashbuckling supernatural story, and both have a grand scale. Despite the setting being a fictionalized version of the real world, Pirates of the Caribbean‘s backdrop feels appropriately large. (The seafaring helps with that.) The stakes are also massive, as is the lore surrounding the major conflicts. The ensemble cast is incredible, and Pirates of the Caribbean has some truly solid fantasy action — most of which holds up today. The trilogy may be a couple of decades old now, but it will continue to be looked back upon as a staple of the genre.
Watch This If: You enjoy any combination of the following: adventures at sea, supernatural curses, the undead, and high-stakes epics that don’t get too dark.
Skip This If: Supernatural fantasy or pirates aren’t your cup of tea, or you want something dark and heavy.
‘The Odyssey’ (2026)
Christopher Nolan’s 2026 Epic Is Already an All-Timer
Christopher Nolan’s fantasy epic is newer than the other offerings on this list, but it’s already one of the genre’s all-timers. It’s one of the best of the 21st century, and it also topples almost everything to come before that. The Odyssey is epic in every regard, offering an expansive and high-stakes iteration of Homer’s classic poem. It’s also ambitious in other ways. The Odyssey‘s star-studded cast is impressive, its writing and storytelling reach great depths, and there’s lots of thrilling action. It’s no surprise that even audiences who don’t usually reach for fantasy are rushing out to see it. The Odyssey‘s massive $250 million budget pays off, ensuring very few fantasy movies compare in terms of quality.
Watch This If: You’re looking for a high-budget, grandiose fantasy film. It will also appeal to Christopher Nolan fans and those who love Greek mythology.
Skip This If: You’re a stickler for faithful adaptations and historical accuracy when it comes to minor details.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ (2001-2003)
Peter Jackson’s Trilogy Is the Standard for Epic Fantasy
When it comes to epic fantasy, The Lord of the Rings movies continue to top the category, offering the massive scale, depth, and action that fans of the genre tend to seek out. Tolkien’s Middle-earth feels as expansive on-screen as it does on the page, and Peter Jackson’s movies do a great job of capturing its variety of locations and people. They also convey the huge stakes of Frodo’s undertaking, both on a personal and societal level. The trilogy weaves many character arcs and story threads into its lengthy installments, and it has some of the greatest and most ambition in fantasy to date. No list of fantasy epics would be complete without all three LOTR films.
Watch This If: You’re a fantasy fan and somehow haven’t. It’s essential viewing!
Skip This If: You can’t deal with longer runtimes; then these movies probably aren’t for you.
