Summary
The combination offantasyandromance, especially in movies, is a magical one.The cinematic universe has introduced all manner of whimsical and beautiful stories in this subgenre, but some stand out more than others. Many of these titles come frombooks that perfectly blend fantasy and romanceand are then adapted for the silver screen, bringing some of the most beloved fictional characters to life. However, fantasy, especially in regard to romance, can vary in definition. Not every fantasy movie includes mythical creatures or a duel between the hero and villain.
The majority of thebest fantasy movies of all timefocus on relationships or have a subplot that delves into the complications of love. But sometimes, the definition of the concept is murky. Somemovies about cheating and infidelityare considered romance because a character overcomes their mistreatment and finds someone better. However,in fantasy, romances are generally more cheerfulor, at least, less extreme. While a stunning and mystical world is life-changing enough, some movie characters are also fortunate enough to find their true love.
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The Princess Bride
Cast
Based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is a comical fantasy adventure film that tells a swashbuckling tale of a hero and a princess, read to a young, sick boy in bed by his grandfather. The story itself follows farmhand Westley, who embarks on an epic journey to save his beloved princess from an evil prince as he meets strange but reliable companions along the way.
The Princess Bridenot only merges fantasy and romance butalso includes some amazing comedy for good measure. The journey to save Buttercup from the abhorrent Prince Humperdinck is an enjoyable one, and it becomes even better with hilarious lines likeWestley’s repetitive “As you wish” quote.
The Princess Bride’s main romance, which is set in the backdrop of the fictional kingdom of Florin, makes the film not only exhilarating and action-packed but also endearing.Buttercup and Westley’s love story, while comedy-focused, is relatable and heartfelt throughout,making it easy to root for the pair.
Legend
Legend, released in 1985, is a fantasy film set in a mythical forest where a mystical forest dweller, chosen by fate, embarks on a heroic quest to rescue Princess Lili and thwart the evil Lord of Darkness, preventing the world from succumbing to an eternal ice age.
Legend,Tom Cruise’s only box office bomb, is a fabulous tale about the romance between Jack and Lili. WhileLegend’s story of good vs. evil isn’t an original idea,Jack and Lili’s love story raises the stakes significantly.Jack’s compelling battle against the Lord of Darkness results in some brilliant pacing inLegend, but the hero’s motivation to save the world and Lili makes it even better. The use of fantasy creatures is prominent inLegend, too, with Jack crossing paths with elves, unicorns, and even an ogre throughout the film.
The Shape of Water
Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water is set in Baltimore, Maryland in 1962, and follows Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins), a shy, mute woman who works as a custodian at a secure government facility. While at her job, Elisa meets and falls in love with a human-amphibian hybrid man, who is being held and experimented on at the facility by the evil Colonel Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon). Risking her life and the lives of her friends, Elisa hatches a plan to help her amphibian lover escape, pursued by Strickland and his forces in the government.
The relationship between mute cleaner Elisa and the enigmatic Amphibian man in Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece is deeply emotional.
The Shape of Waterfeatures one ofthe most unconventional love stories in a movieever. The relationship between mute cleaner Elisa and the enigmatic Amphibian man in Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece is deeply emotional. Despite being set in a version of the real world, the translation ofthe Amphibian Man’s mistreatment and his developing romance with Elisa is perfection.
Their lack of communication makes their story much more impactful, and the lengths Elisa goes to protect him is a brilliant commentary on appearances, so it makes sense thatThe Shape of Wateris an Oscar Best Picture winner.
Enchanted
Starring Amy Adams as Giselle, Enchanted follows its heroine as she is cast out of her animated fantasy world by an evil queen, ending up in the middle of New York City where she meets Robert, a jaded lawyer who reluctantly takes the clueless Giselle in. As Giselle begins to adjust to life in the real world, and her relationship with Robert deepens, she must reconcile what she thought she wanted with where life has taken her. Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Idina Menzel, and Susan Sarandon also star.
Enchantedis a fascinating take on a naive heroine thrust into a new world. In fact,Enchanted’s director’s commentaryreveals that it tries to offer a new angle on the typical Disney Princess.Giselle’s abrupt arrival in the real world and her interactions with the straight-thinking Robert highlight the tropes of romance stories,but it embraces them in such a way that it teaches audiences to want more from a partner. Their contrasting views are both correct and even though Giselle is from a fairytale land, she teaches Robert how to take life a little less seriously.
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Labyrinth
Directed by Jim Henson and written by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, Labyrinth stars Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, a teenage girl whose accidental wish that her baby brother be taken by the Goblin King results in an epic quest to save the baby from the King through a vast labyrinth, accompanied by its inhabitants. David Bowie also stars as Jareth, the Goblin King, and many of the characters are played by puppets created by Henson.
Labyrinthisn’t an immediately obvious romance movie, but the budding fondness between Jareth and Sarah is subtle. While the one-sided connection between the Goblin King and a 16-year-old isn’t exactly appropriate,it’s apparent that Jareth feels something for Sarah that is more than just general approval.
Sarah’s creativity and love for her brother attract Jareth’s attention, a refreshing change of pace for him, but his failure to defeat her fuels the fire even more so.Labyrinthcelebrates its 40th anniversaryin 2026, honoring one of the most fantastical and eerie films of all time.
Stardust
Stardust is a fantasy-based romantic adventure-comedy by director Matthew Vaughn and based on the original novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess. In the film, Tristan, a young man who lives in an English town near a magical border wall, decides to catch a fallen star to win the affection of a woman named Yvaine. However, Tristan soon learns what - or who - the star is, and a grand adventure back to England begins.
Stardustfocuses on the love story and often bickering of human Tristan and star Yvaine.The contrast between the fictional town of Wall and the fantasy kingdom of Stormhold illuminates the differences in its characters,but despite the world’s attempts to keep them apart, their romance blooms.
Tristan’s quest before and after meeting Yvaine is dramatic and enthralling, especially because of the threats he faces along the way, such as the witches and even his romantic rival Humphrey,Henry Cavill’sStardustcharacter. The Neil Gaiman adaptation is heartwarming and wholesome, with a happy ending that is impossible to argue with.
The Time Traveler’s Wife
In the 1970s, Henry DeTamble discovers he’s a time traveler after a tragic accident. His life intersects with Clare Abshire’s repeatedly, as she’s known him since childhood. Despite marrying, their relationship is challenged by Henry’s uncontrollable jumps through time, leaving Clare to wait for his return. As they navigate the complexities of love and loss, they confront the limitations of Henry’s condition and the impact it has on their family.
The Time Traveler’s Wifeis one ofRachel McAdams' multiple time travel movies. McAdams plays Clare, a woman who meets librarian Henry, who has a genetic disorder that makes him time travel at random. From the get-go, their relationship becomes increasingly more complicated, especially after they marry.
While Henry’s lack of control over his movements is far from ideal, the fact that they have to appreciate every second they have together strengthens their bond. However,Henry meeting his wife out of order also allows him to be the ultimate romanticand to commit fully.
Ladyhawke
Ladyhawke is a fantasy adventure film directed by Richard Donner. The story follows a young thief, a disillusioned knight, and a beautiful noblewoman cursed to transform into a hawk by day. Set against a medieval backdrop, the trio seeks to outwit the malevolent bishop responsible for the curse. Starring Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, and Michelle Pfeiffer, the film combines elements of romance, action, and supernatural intrigue.
The medieval fantasy movieLadyhawkeintroduces an unusual love story to the screen.The relationship between Lady Isabeau and Captain Etienne Navarre is eternally doomed due to a curse that keeps them in the form of a hawk and a wolf,respectively, but at different times of the day.
The sacrifices the two make are heartbreaking, but the journey they take across the imaginary kingdom of Aquila to defeat the villainous Bishop and hopefully break the curse provides hope. Luckily, the two succeed in their efforts, which makes their near-supernatural experience even more satisfying upon every rewatch.
Mirror Mirror
Mirror Mirror is a new adaptation of the original Brothers Grimm tale Snow White that stars Lilly Collins and Julia Roberts as Snow White and the enchantress Clementianna. When Snow White’s father goes missing, her stepmother assumes control of the kingdom, hiding Snow White away from the world, and jealously banishes her into the nearby woods. As time passes, Snow White, with the help of the dwarves that helped raise her, decides to fight back and reclaim her kingdom from her cruel stepmother.
The 2012 movieMirror Mirrorisan intriguing retelling ofSnow White, with the princess fighting back against her evil stepmother, Queen Clementianna. However,Mirror Mirrorabruptly cuts off certain fairytale tropes, most notably in the relationship between Snow and Prince Alcott.
Snow faces Clementianna as a romantic rival, andalthough her primary goal is to regain her throne, she falls in love with Alcott.While there are several fantastical elements inMirror Mirror, like magical creatures and curses, the development of feelings between Snow and Alcott never becomes more important than their quest at hand.
Shrek
A solitary ogre named Shrek embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded castle. Accompanied by Donkey Shrek sets out to fulfill a bargain with Lord Farquaad.
The hit children’s movie establishes that any creature, no matter their size or appearance, is deserving of affection and that true love is about what’s within.
EveryShrekmovieis famous for subverting many romance tropes on its head, but the original breaks the mold. The hit children’s movie establishes thatany creature, no matter their size or appearance, is deserving of affectionand that true love is about what’s within. Even dragons and donkeys find happiness.
The titular character and Fiona’s relationship is realistic yet endearing,and the fact that they don’t fall for each other immediately makes it easy to cheer for them. Their fairytale world is stubborn, but their feelings are powerful enough to scrap its standards and form a new society.
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