Sometimes, the best thing afantasymovie can be is weird, as this instantly sets it apart from the typical sword and sorcery fare that audiences associate with the genre. However, there are plenty of titles that cross the line into overly unconventional. While these projects are strange and might not appeal to all fans of the genre, just because they subvert expectations doesn’t mean they’re not incredible contributions to cinema.The ambition and vision of the filmmakers behind these films are evidentin every frame and have inspired some of the best fantasy movies in the following years.
While there are somefantasy movies that fans of the genre must see, these are lesser-known projects that are typically forgotten about. In the years since they premiered, many of these films have become cult classics, finding a following of viewers who are willing to delve into the nuances of the narrative and uncover their hidden meanings. Often deeply entrenched in intertextual references and in conversation with contemporary social issues, these projects use their otherworldly stories to engage with the real world. However, it’s easy to lose sight of reality when watching these unique works of fantasy.
The science-fantasy movieZardozstars Sean Connery as Zed,the unexpected hero of the piece and a character unlike anything Connery had taken on before. One of the biggest issues withZardozis that the rules of the world and magic system remain unclear throughout the film’s runtime, making it difficult to grasp what Zed is fighting against.Zardozcouples post-apocalyptic elements with a story that goes off the rails by the final moments, somehow connecting back to theWizard of Ozas a primary motivator for the revolution within the narrative.
John Boorman is known within the fantasy sphere for making bold choices. He crafts worlds that are visually unique and are more concerned with the feel of the story rather than its logic. ThoughZardozdoesn’t take itself too seriously, the narrative becomes increasingly difficult to followas the movie progresses, and the over-reliance on special effects only makes the holes in the narrative more obvious. With heavy-handed allusions to contemporary social issues and needlessly complex explanations for the plot’s mysteries,Zardozwill certainly keep the audience guessing.
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One of the mostvisually stunning fantasy moviesof all time,The Fall, was unavailable to watch online for many years, making it critically underrated for a long time. However, now that it’s reentered the cultural conversation, audiences are rediscovering the vivid and strange world ofThe Fall. Starring Lee Pace as Roy Walker, a man who narrates a magical story of adventure and intrigue for a young girl hospitalized with him,The Fallhas a deep emotional message within its nontraditional story structure.
The Fallis also in conversation with the nature of cinema itself and the price that people pay to create unforgettable art.
The frame story ofThe Fallhelps anchor the unwieldy narrative, but the large jumps in period, setting, and magic systems can makeThe Falldifficult to follow.The Fallis also in conversation with the nature of cinema itself and the price that people pay to create unforgettable art. This mirrors the ambition ofThe Fallitself, as it was shot in many locations and is defined by the unique visual language. Though it’s an unusual piece of cinema, it’s widely agreed upon that these risks paid off.
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Out of allYorgos Lanthimos' best movies,The Lobsteris arguably one of his projects that’s rooted in something closer to reality.Anchored by stellar performances by Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz,The Lobsteris as darkly comic and unconventional as fans of the filmmaker would expect. Examining society’s obsession with romantic love and finding a life partner to “complete” you,The Lobsterraises the stakes and sees Farrell’s David go to extreme and sometimes shocking lengths to find his soulmate.
However, David quickly becomes disillusioned with the life of relentlessly pursuing romantic relationships and falls in with the guerrilla group of single people living in the woods.All these strange events are accompanied by Lanthimos' characteristic cold, distant dialogue and aesthetic choicesthat purposely hold the viewer at arm’s length. Punctuated by shocking moments of gore and violence, it’s not easy to adjust to the otherworldly logic ofThe Lobster. Even understandingThe Lobster’s purpose as an extended allegory doesn’t disrupt the strangeness of the conceit of people transforming into animals and hunting each other.
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Alejandro Jodorowsky is well known for being a filmmaker who refuses to be pinned down or defined by the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Though his techniques stirred up controversy, he gifted the world with some of the most interesting and bizarre pieces of cinema in history.The Holy Mountainis full of religious imagery and surrealist visions of the world,relying on metaphor and metatextual references to drive the story forward rather than plot. Though this isn’t uncommon within the fantasy genre, few went as far as Jodorowsky.
Jodorowsky was interested in many different facets of human belief and religion, incorporating them intoThe Holy Mountain, as the protagonist, the Thief (Horacio Salinas), ascends the titular mountain.The director also appears as an actor in the film, as the Alchemist,one of the Thief’s companions, and guides him on the symbolic journey. There are many intense and surprising filmmaking choices made throughoutThe Holy Mountain, and the conclusion’s jarring fourth-wall break is an iconic moment within Jodorowsky’s filmography.
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Though not everyone will connect withThe Adventures of Baron Munchausen,Terry Gilliam’s fantastical adventure into the depths of childhood imagination revels in its own uniqueness.Blurring the line between fantasy and reality throughout its story,The Adventures of Baron Munchausenis told through the lens of the titular Baron (John Neville), who invents his own truths and otherworldly exploits, but they quickly start bleeding into the frame story, making the audience question where the tales begin and end.
While we know that the Baron’s descriptions of his escapades are likely a lie, Gilliam creates another version of truth inThe Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
While we know that the Baron’s descriptions of his escapades are likely a lie, Gilliam creates another version of truth inThe Adventures of Baron Munchausen. As the story progresses, the tales get taller and the adventures get stranger, contradicting themselves as the film delves deeper into the Baron’s mind. There’s a reason whyThe Adventures of Baron Munchausenis so beloved, as it might be impossible to pin down, but this is what makes it such a vivid portrait of imagination.
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Bringing the stage musicalCatsto life on stage was already a tall order, as it’s a successful but unique story that has polarized audiences for years.Catsis a movie that would’ve benefited from relying on practical effects rather than CGI, as the film was lambasted by critics and audiences for the look of the characters and setting. Instead of leaning into the magic of the theater and the wayCatslooks on stage,the movie tried to make the fantasy more realistic, ending in uncanny territory.
It’s fair to say thatCatsis not remembered as one of thebest modern movie musicals, as the production was riddled with issues, and the story’s world didn’t translate well to the screen. Whilethe performances from the main cast, particularly Jennifer Hudson, are riveting,this doesn’t make up for the flaws that have come to define the film’s legacy. The story itself is already unconventional for musical theater, and this became even stranger and harder to follow in the movie.
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The word Lynchian is thrown around too often within the fantasy and mystery spheresto describe any project that falls into surreal or dreamlike territory. However, it’s an appropriate descriptor when the film was actually written and directed by David Lynch.Inland Empire, the upsetting and spellbinding psychological thriller, is one of the late director’s most experimental movies and is not for the faint of heart. Starring Laura Dern in one of her most challenging roles,Inland Empiretakes the viewer on an off-putting and cryptic journey.
Inland Empireis a great example of a movie that is doubtlessly dense and strange,but worth committing to for its deeper themes that fans of Lynch appreciate about his style. It’s not a film for everyone, but for those who want to be scared and enjoy an active viewing experience,Inland Empirewill hit home. At this point in Lynch’s career, the director was more aware of his persona within the cinema landscape than ever, and this informs the wild swings and big choices throughoutInland Empire.
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It’s hard to describe the surreal fantasy experience of watchingMirrormask,as it’s the kind of movie that has to be seen to be believed. Whenever magical films enter the dreamscape, they’re destined to push the boundaries of reality and leave behind the typical trappings of the genre. This is the case inMirrormask, which follows the story of Helena (Stephanie Leonidas), who unexpectedly falls into a land of masked people and must confront the problems with her life in reality.
ThoughMirrormaskhas become something of a cult classic, the visual style of the project is distinct and elevates the story as a whole. However,Mirrormaskdoesn’t always justify the strangeness of its fantasy world, relying too heavily on the audience’s confusion to allow for inconsistencies in the plot. When the conceit of thefantasystory is ultimately revealed, it’s even more unexpected than viewers can imagine, pushing the boundaries of the plot to its limits.
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