War and fantasy movies on their own are nothing new whatsoever in the world of cinema. The average movie fan can find hundreds, if not thousands, of movies that all fit into one genre or the other, many of which are superb and memorable in all the right ways. What’s not as common is when filmmakers decide to get a little more creative and blend the two genres, making for a refreshing approach.
Naturally, war fantasy movies usually have a little bit of reality to them, taking place during real events or periods in history. This distinctive angle sets them to the genre of low fantasy, in which the story takes place on Earth, in the real world, but has fantasy elements. Those who are looking for a bit of magic mixed in with their war movies have more than a good handful of entries to choose from. These are the best war fantasy movies, cinematic gems that defy genres and definitions to produce something new and exciting.
10. ‘300’ (2007)
Directed by Zack Snyder
One of the best war movies where the heroes lose, the hyper-stylized 300 is based on a graphic novel of the same name by Frank Miller. The story follows the King of Sparta, Leonidas I (Gerard Butler), as he leads a force of 300 Spartans to meet thousands of Persian invaders at Thermopylae in what is effectively a suicide mission. Though this was a real battle that happened two and a half thousand years ago, 300 lends itself to some elements of Greek mythology, including strange and mysterious creatures that the Persians use as beasts of burden, along with the Oracle of Delphi.
The movie’s action is unlike anything seen in other movies. Every shot feels tight, impactful, and precise. Aside from its action and gore, it proves to be an inspiring tale of heroic sacrifice and remains incredibly close to its source material, with some shots and lines of dialogue ripped straight from the graphic novel. Zack Snyder really struck gold when he made this film, as it hasn’t aged a bit even though it’s nearly 20 years old.
300
R
Action
Drama
WHERE TO WATCH
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Release DateMarch 9, 2007
CastGerard Butler , Lena Headey , David Wenham , Dominic West
Runtime117 minutes
WritersZack Snyder , Kurt Johnstad , Michael B. Gordon
9. ‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)
Directed by Patty Jenkins
Wonder Woman is a newer movie that comes as part of the now-defunct DC Extended Universe. It stars Gal Gadot as the titular superheroine as she takes part in World War I, as her sole duty as a member of the Amazons is to protect humanity from conflict and tragedy. While the movie is obviously far from historically accurate, it’s nice to see DC’s most popular female superhero get a movie all to herself for once, with Gadot delivering an exceptional performance as the eponymous character.
DCEU films have been pretty hit-and-miss, but this one is definitely a hit, providing stellar action, CGI, and cinematography with a World War I twist. It’s not every day a superhero movie takes place during a real historical event, which makes Wonder Woman stand out amongst others in its genre. While it’s not the best movie ever made, it’s still a fun ride for comic book and superhero fans and does a surprisingly good job showcasing World War I.
Wonder Woman
PG-13
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Sci-Fi
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Release DateMay 30, 2017
CastGal Gadot , Chris Pine , Ewen Bremner , Robin Wright , David Thewlis , Danny Huston
Runtime141
WritersJason Fuchs
8. ‘Freaks Out’ (2021)
Directed by Gabriele Mainetti
Freaks Out is a highly underrated Italian movie set during World War II. As World War II rages on, a circus full of superhuman individuals decides it is time to move to America in order to survive. It premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Lion award and was met with nothing but excellence.
Many praised it for its acting, cinematography, message, and production value, all of which are taken way beyond the levels that other movies have. The characters are all so memorable, possessing unique powers such as talking to insects and producing electricity from thin air. While it wasn’t received as well overseas as it was in its country of origin, that doesn’t change the fact that Freaks Out is still a macabre and fascinating blend of war and fantasy themes that’s definitely worth the watch.
7. ‘Highlander’ (1986)
Directed by Russell Mulcahy
Highlander starts in the present day but reveals the history of its main character, Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert), through a series of flashbacks. It turns out Connor is an immortal who has been feuding with another Scottish clan since the Middle Ages. The movie then proceeds to jump forward and backward in time, revealing more and more about Connor and his age-old war.
This movie can be a bit polarizing. Some hate how cheesy and ridiculous it is, but others are really into that. Still, there’s no denying that Highlander left a sizable legacy in movie history, especially because it does a lot of things right, technically-wise. Nearly 40 years later, fans can still find internet memes and references to the movie’s famous line, “There can only be one,” which speaks to its quality and its legendary status. An upcoming remake starring Henry Cavill has been announced, but there’s no release date yet.
Highlander
R
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
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Release DateMarch 7, 1986
CastChristopher Lambert , Roxanne Hart , Clancy Brown , Sean Connery , Beatie Edney , Alan North
Runtime116 minutes
WritersGregory Widen , Peter Bellwood , Larry Ferguson
6. ‘Mulan’ (1998)
Directed by Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft
Disney’s original animated musical Mulan is based on the ancient Chinese folk song “The Ballad of Mulan.” The song tells the story of a young woman who decides to join the army but can’t because women were forbidden from participating at the time. Thus, she disguises herself as a man and goes to war against the Hun invasion. In the animated movie, Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) takes her sick father’s place in the army when the Emperor summons an army to fight the Huns.
But it isn’t just about China’s war with the Hun invaders. Thrown into the mix are dragons and guardian spirits, powerful figures from Chinese folklore. Eddie Murphy plays Mushu, a small red dragon assigned to watch over Mulan and keep her safe. Full of classic Disney energy, Mulan has some surprisingly stellar action sequences that warranted a live-action, non-musical remake of the movie in 2020. And while it couldn’t compare to the original, it at least didn’t stain its legacy, either.
Mulan (1998)
G
Animated
Coming-of-Age
Action-Adventure
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Release DateJune 19, 1998
CastMing-Na Wen , Eddie Murphy , BD Wong , Miguel Ferrer , June Foray , James Hong , Pat Morita , George Takei
Runtime87 Minutes
5. ‘In My Mother’s Skin’ (2023)
Directed by Kenneth Dagatan
In My Mother’s Skin is a Philippine war-horror movie that also plays into a lot of fantastical aspects. Set during the Pacific Theatre of World War II, the movie was a crowning achievement for director Kenneth Dagatan and received superb reviews. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, a young girl named Tala (Felicity Kyle Napuli) is left all alone after her father disappears and her mother’s health declines. Desperate, she seeks assistance from a magical fairy (Jasmine-Curtis Smith), who secretly plans to eat Tala and her entire family.
It may look innocent or ridiculous on the surface, but In My Mother’s Skin is actually a really creepy, phenomenal, and deceitfully complex movie. It’s a great example of a war movie mixed with dark fantasy to explore the consequences of conflict and death through the eyes of the most vulnerable. It has a unique plot filled with unsettling yet thought-provoking ideas, and it was even acquired by Amazon quickly after debuting at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
4. ‘The Shape of Water’ (2017)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
The Shape of Water comes from the macabre mind of Guillermo del Toro, who is notorious for making dark fantasy flicks. Set during the Cold War, the story follows a mute agent named Elisa (Sally Hawkins) who discovers that the facility she works for has captured a strange amphibious creature from South America. After repeatedly visiting him in secret, the two form a rather unconventional romantic relationship.
The movie was commended for its sensitive handling of hot-button issues like disabilities, which it lends a compassionate ear to. Critics also commended it for how visually distinct it is from other films, in classic del Toro fashion. The Shape of Water uses its Cold War setting to its fullest, exploring the common themes of paranoia and intolerance to frame its unconventional love story. Despite its weird premise, it’s a must-watch for fans of dark fantasy and romance movies, and audiences will quickly come to appreciate the beauty of it.
The Shape of Water
R
Drama
Fantasy
Romance
Thriller
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Release DateDecember 1, 2017
CastMichael Shannon , Michael Stuhlbarg , Sally Hawkins , Octavia Spencer , Richard Jenkins , Doug Jones
Runtime123 minutes
WritersGuillermo del Toro
3. ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Guillermo del Toro strikes again with Pan’s Labyrinth, which is arguably the best movie he ever made. Set in 1944 while World War II rages on in the rest of Europe, the neutral country of Spain is just recovering from a civil war. A young girl named Ophelia (Ivana Baquero) discovers an ancient maze near an old mill. Reaching the center, she encounters a mysterious faun, who informs her of a legendary princess that Ophelia is destined to replace, but only if she can make it through a series of trials.
This movie is the epitome of dark fantasy, with the creatures being intimidating and, in the case of the Pale Man, downright terrifying. Though it isn’t a horror movie per se, it comes pretty darn close. Apart from its creepy visuals, Pan’s Labyrinth is a fantastic adventure through a magical world invisible to human eyes, with many unique and creative settings and beings to discover within. However, it never forgets to depict the cruelties of war, with del Toro portraying them in several brutal sequences.
Pan’s Labyrinth
R
Drama
Fantasy
War
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Release DateAugust 25, 2006
CastIvana Baquero , Sergi López , Maribel Verdú , Doug Jones , Ariadna Gil , Álex Angulo
Runtime112 minutes
WritersGuillermo del Toro
2. ‘Ugetsu’ (1953)
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi
Ugetsu is a Japanese jidaigeki film that takes place during the Feudal Period, a time when multiple lords were constantly at war with each other. There are many samurai movies out there like it, but most manage to stay grounded in reality, whereas Ugetsu adds a fantastical twist. The plot follows a middle-aged potter who decides to leave his wife and family to move away and pursue pottery full-time, only to be captivated and seduced by a malicious spirit.
The movie holds a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s often considered among the most perfect efforts from the Golden Age of Japanese cinema. Ugetsu was even nominated for an Oscar and won other awards, both internationally and domestically. Nowadays, Ugetsu remains a masterpiece of war and fantasy, thanks to its violent undertones and strange, mesmerizing relatability, even though it is clearly a work of fiction.
1. ‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957)
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
The Seventh Seal is a Swedish arthouse film that takes place during the Crusades, at a time when the Bubonic Plague was rampant throughout Europe. After a knight returns from the Crusades in the Middle East, he is faced with none other than a personified version of Death himself (Bengt Ekerot). Strangely, Death challenges the knight to a chess match, and the knight accepts, believing he can stay alive so long as the game continues.
This is a movie that has seen multiple homages and parodies in other films, with the character of Death and his love of board games referenced in movies and shows. It blends theological and philosophical themes, and while the combat is never present, it looms largely in the background. The film launched director Ingmar Bergman straight to the big leagues, and it is to this day widely considered one of the greatest movies ever made. The Seventh Seal is an essential piece of movie history that any cinephile is all but required to see at some point.
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