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.

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