The 10 best fantasy movies on Netflix to watch right now

Listen, the world is a scary place, everyone needs an escape every once in a while, and our list of the best fantasy movies on Netflix can provide just that. From family-friendly adventures to action flicks, this list covers a wide range of stories that will expand your imagination, set in magic faraway lands much different from our own.

Our roundup boasts gorgeous animated gems such as Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, to action-packed films like The Old Guard and its long-awaited sequel The Old Guard 2. There’s something for everyone, and as one of the best streaming platforms out there, Netflix has plenty of options to keep you entertained.

To cut down on your scrolling time, we've curated the 10 best fantasy movies on Netflix to watch right now. When you've worked your way through this little lot, check out our picks of the best Netflix sci-fi movies, or dive into our selection of the best Netflix action movies.

10. Damsel

Year: 2024
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Available on: Netflix US/UK

We're starting this list off strong with a spin on a classic fairy tale, but this princess isn't going to be saved by her Prince Charming. Damsel stars Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown as a young woman named Elodie, excited to marry a prince. But unbeknownst to her, the ceremony is a trap. In order to feed a twisted curse, the prince and his family throw Elodie into a cave with a fire-breathing dragon.

Danmsel puts a modern twist on old-fashioned tales like Sleeping Beauty, as instead of relying on a man to come and save her, Elodie must rely solely on her wits and will to survive. This Netflix original switches gender roles, and even makes us question who is really the villain when it comes to seemingly black and white stories such as this.

For more information, check out our Damsel review!

9. Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle 

Year: 2018
Director: Andy Serkis
Available on: Netflix US/UK

Andy Serkis, arguably the king of motion-capture acting, turns his attention behind the camera in this live-action spin on Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book stories. Most of us are familiar with Disney's animated take on the books, but Mowgli sets a more mature tone.

With a nuanced understanding of how to get the best out of mo-cap technology and voiceover performances, Serkis uses the experience he gained from being Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, Snoke in the Star Wars timeline, and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes movies to shape a new adventure. Legend of the Jungle follows the classic beats and is about a child raised by wolves in the Indian jungle. It has familiar characters like Baloo the bear, top-notch action sequences, and stretches its budget to the max to create a tense adaptation.

8. Afterlife of the Party 

Year: 2021
Director: Stephen Herek
Available on: Netflix US/UK

Something a little lighter, perhaps? We can benefit from a dose of silliness on occasion, and Afterlife is a good antidote to those Monday blues. It's an easy-watch and trope-filled story about a social butterfly who dies but is given a second chance to right her wrongs before moving on.

If you're a fan of watching the best Netflix comedies and films about fixing things on a timer – think Happy Death Day and any film about Ebenezer Scrooge – this will scratch an itch you weren't even aware of. It stars Victoria Justice, too, which is an extra point for those of us who grew up on a Nickelodeon and Disney Channel diet. The narrative itself isn't much to write home about, but it's good vibes all around here if you're not in the mood for something weightier. The best fantasy movies are often expansive and attached to longer running times, but not this one.

7. Over the Moon 

Year: 2020
Director: Glen Keane and John Kahrs
Available on: Netflix US/UK

Driven into action by memories of her mother, an optimistic young girl called Fei Fei builds a rocket to fly to the moon. She's on a mission to prove a legendary moon goddess exists, but finds lots of trouble on the journey. Over the Moon struggles to stand tall among the countless animated kids movies that deal in similar topics, but it's a heartfelt adventure to kick back with nonetheless.

It has musical numbers, a vibrant aesthetic, and a tear-jerking plot about grief and acceptance. Even if it feels like you've seen versions of its story before, Over the Moon nails its emotional stings enough for it to be a worthy addition to your watchlist, especially if you are after the best kids movies on Netflix to watch with your family. There's also a bunny rabbit in this that is simply begging to be bought in plushie form.

6. The Old Guard 2

Year: 2025
Directors: Victoria Mahoney
Available on: Netflix US/UK

The Old Guard 2 is not only the newest movie on our list, but it is also a follow-up to one of Netflix's best fantasy films, but more on that later. Once again starring Charlize Theron as Andy, The Old Guard 2 follows the warrior as she leads her group of powerful immortals against a new, threatening enemy. However, their mission gets a little harder when they come face to face with a long-lost immortal, further complicating their mission to safeguard humanity.

This sequel ups the stakes and adds even more star power, with Kill Bill actor Uma Thurman playing an immortal named Discord who certainly gives Theron's protagonist a run for her money. Let's just say, The Old Guard 2 hosts some pretty impressive fight scenes.

5. The Sea Beast 

Year: 2022
Director: Chris Williams
Available on: Netflix US/UK

We’re hitting the high seas now for an inspirational tale of standing up for what’s right, even when the odds seem insurmountable. When young Maisie stows away on the ship of the sea monster hunter Jacob Holland, they end up coming face to face with a legendary creature. But all is not as it seems… maybe this monster ain't so bad.

The Sea Beast’s themes aren't unique, especially not in the children's genre, but it has a bit more teeth to it and refreshingly doesn't water its ideas down. The characters are what make it sing, with complicated people littered around the story. Fantasy is a great genre to find heroes in, and The Sea Beast lets its young and brilliant protagonist, Maisie, shine. That's no easy feat next to a Karl Urban-voiced character.

4. The Old Guard

Year: 2020
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Available on: Netflix US/UK

A Charlize Theron action vehicle with surprising amounts of world-building, The Old Guard follows a group of four immortal warriors who protect humanity from the shadows. Everything hits the fan when they are targeted because of their unyielding life force.

The plot isn't the most cohesive in the world, and if you're looking for the best action movies starring its lead, you'll be better served by Mad Max: Fury Road or Atomic Blonde, but Theron stills punches a lot of people in this. What more can we ask for? It's based on the Greg Rucka comics of the same name, and the undying mercenaries with hearts of gold hook does a lot of heavy lifting.

For more information check out our The Old Guard review!

3. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio 

Year: 2022
Directors: Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson
Available on: Netflix US/UK

Two Pinocchio movies were released in 2022. One was a Disney Plus remake as flavorful as oatmeal with no toppings; the other was a reimagining for Netflix, spearheaded by fantasy filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. He and Mark Gustafson abandoned the safety net of the traditional Pinocchio fable for something more politically charged, adventurous, and stylized.

Del Toro told Total Film, "When we started this journey, we said, 'Well, what can we shake, in terms of story, and what haven't we seen before?'" And shake they did. Pinocchio is a labor of love, which is obvious in every painstakingly animated frame. From the story's additional bite to the visual storytelling, it's the finest adaptation of the story since Disney's classic.

Read our Pinocchio review if you fancy learning more about the latest Disney take on this classic story. But be warned, Guillermo del Toro's movie is far better, in our opinion.

2. Okja

Year: 2017
Director: Bong Joon Ho
Available on: Netflix US/UK

Now, you may be thinking, 'Hey, Okja isn't a fantasy movie,' and although you're partly right, it would be a shame not to include this fantastic picture by Parasite director Bong Joon Ho, which borders on many different genres from drama to sci-fi, and of course, fantasy. The movie follows a young girl named Mija who has been the caretaker to a huge animal named Okja. But after 10 years of living in bliss in the Korean mountains, a multinational conglomerate (run by a narcissistic CEO played by Tilda Swinton) takes Okja from Mija and transports her to the US.

Fueled by the need to save her friend, Mija leaves the only home she has ever known and sets out on a rescue mission. This is a beautiful movie that explores unusually hard-to-discuss themes such as the environment, animal rights, and hardcore capitalism, and puts those issues into terms that anyone can grasp.

1. Nimona 

Year: 2023
Directors: Troy Quane, Nick Bruno
Available on: Netflix US/UK

Nimona has a frenzied and explosive spirit that makes it a delight. The visual language is fast-paced and dynamic; the world moves quickly, and there are details in every corner. That being said, the heart of the narrative in this Netflix fantasy movie is delicate and complex. Like many movies aimed at youngsters, Nimona teaches us to embrace our uniqueness.

It casts a light on how we 'other' people out of fear or ignorance, dehumanizing them. These are heavy topics, but the delivery makes it digestible. The characters are lively, the animation marches to the beat of its own drum, and it addresses important topics without being hamfisted in its execution. Watching the relationships and people in the story grow is super rewarding, too.

After more streaming recommendations? Well, you can head over to our lists of the best Netflix TV shows, the best Netflix sci-fi movies, and the best anime on Netflix for more binge-worthy titles. Or read our guide on everything you need to know about The Sandman season 2!