More often than not,fantasymovies include an element of romance in their stories, as these two genres easily go hand in hand. Since the aspects of fantasy that make it otherworldly, likemagic and mystery, are used to reflect real-life struggles and topics,it’s natural that love and relationships are touched upon as well. However, this doesn’t mean that every movie ends happily for its central couple, as fantasy is just as filled with violence and tragedy as it is magic and goodness. This makes it even more exciting when the lovers do get a happily-ever-after.
Thebest fantasy romance movies ever madeare notable for their stories and visuals but are often elevated to classic status thanks to the performances. For audiences to get invested in the romance angle of a narrative,the love interests must have a dynamic and believable chemistry.In the films where the lead couple gets to win the day and ride off into the sunset together, the actors are clearly having fun together and have the kind of spark that can’t be manufactured.
The Princess Bride
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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 Brideis an iconicmovie that blends fantasy and romance, and as time has passed, the film has only continued to demonstrate that it will never lose its status as a classic. The central romance between Buttercup and Westley is written to be as epic and sweeping as possible, tearing them apart only to bring them back together with dramatic intensity.Robin Wright and Cary Elwes' chemistry helps make the audience care about their relationship,but it’s the script that makes it so touching.
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There’s a lot of room for variety within the fantasy genre, and no matter what niche these movies fill, they’re considered the best of their class.
However, romantic love is far from the only type of love demonstrated inThe Princess Bride, as much of the story hinges on a grandfather’s affection for his grandson in the frame narrative. Additionally, friendship plays a huge role in the film, asWestley relies on the help of Inigo and Fezzik to reunite him with Buttercupand save the day. Though it’s clear throughoutThe Princess Bridethat love will conquer all, this doesn’t make the ride to get there any less enjoyable.
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Beauty and the Beast
A selfish prince is doomed to become a monster for the rest of his life, unless he manages to fall in love with a beautiful young woman.
Beauty and the Beastis one of thebest movies of the Disney Renaissance, a period from 1989 to 1999 when the studio was releasing some of its most enduring hits.Based on the French fairytale of the same name,Beauty and the Beastis a tale of finding love in unlikely places and seeing beyond someone’s physical appearance to see into their soul. Though Belle is uncertain about the Beast’s true nature, as he’s afraid to let anyone in, they slowly warm to each other throughout the story.
Of course,Beauty and the Beastupdates some of the more mature and old-fashioned aspects of the fairytale, as the studio does with most princess movies. However, the heart and central messages remain the same, as not only do Belle and the Beast find love and solace in each other, but they also stand up for their love in the face of prejudice. While many Disney movies have love stories,Beauty and the Beastis one of the most unabashedly romantic.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
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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.
Before Charlie Cox and Claire Danes were known for their action-packed TV showsDaredevilandHomeland, they played love interests in the fantastical romanceStardust. Based on the novel of the same name,Stardusttransports the protagonist, Tristan, and the audience to the world beyond the wall,where magic is real, princes fight to the death for the throne, and fallen stars turn into human women. Yvaine is one of these fallen stars, and when she and Tristan find each other, all she wants to do is go back to the sky.
While their relationship might start out in rocky territory, they learn and grow together, allowing the viewer to root for them with no reservations.
However,Yvaine finds there are things on Earth worth staying for.One of the best parts ofStardustis the fact that through falling in love with Yvaine and going on his travels, Tristan isn’t changed, but he comes into himself and has the confidence to test his limits. While their relationship might start out in rocky territory, they learn and grow together, allowing the viewer to root for them with no reservations. Though the climax of the movie is dark and a little scary, Tristan and Yvaine come out on top.
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About Time
When Tim Lake learns that he, like all the men in his family, has the ability to travel back in time, he decides to use this ability to help him find love and improve his and his loved ones' lives.
Plenty of time travel movies touch upon the impact this has on romantic love, butAbout Timeis a soft fantasy that uses its magical elements to elevate the everyday aspects of the story. When Tim, played by Domhnall Gleeson, discovers his gift for time travel,he realizes that what he wants most in the world is to find the person he loves.Though he ends up making things worse for himself more often than not, most ofAbout Timeis formatted as a classic rom-com with the typical triumphs and failures.
Though there’s sadness and regret inAbout Time, this is framed as something that’s simply part of life and unavoidable. Even when Tim is at his lowest and experiencing loss, he finds comfort in Mary, Rachel McAdams, and his family. The final monologue inAbout Timeexplains that Tim has found joy in not using time travel anymore, ashis life with Mary and their children brings him all the happiness he could ask for.
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Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted is a fantasy film directed by Tommy O’Haver, based on Gail Carson Levine’s novel. The story follows Ella (Anne Hathaway), who is under a spell that forces her to obey any command given to her. As she embarks on a quest to break the enchantment, she encounters various characters and challenges. The film also stars Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, and Minnie Driver, blending humor, romance, and adventure.
This off-beat take on a classicCinderellastory stars Anne Hathaway as Ella,a young woman who leaves home to change her fate. Though it isn’t her fault, Ella is cursed with obedience, stripping her of her agency and forcing her to do whatever people tell her. While this is an extreme example, it’s a relatable experience for many young audiences, as coming of age means asserting one’s wants and needs, even if this means breaking from the norm.
One of the biggest ways Ella finds herself is through her burgeoning connection with Prince Charmont, played by a fittingly charming Hugh Dancy.
One of the biggest ways Ella finds herself is through her burgeoning connection with Prince Charmont, played by a fittingly charming Hugh Dancy. Char learns about the injustices of the kingdom through Ella, andElla discovers that the power to break her curse was inside her all along,thanks to her love for Char. After her many hardships and terrible treatment from the people who wished to keep her down, Ella deserves every moment of her triumph.
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Practical Magic
Practical Magic is a romantic fantasy film directed by Griffin Dunne, featuring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, born into a family of witches. Living under a curse that dooms any man they fall in love with to an untimely death, the sisters navigate love, loss, and their magical heritage while confronting family secrets and societal prejudices.
The sisterly love between Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gilly (Nicole Kidman) is the strongest forceinPractical Magic, but that doesn’t make it less satisfying to see Sally find love once again. Both sisters have a difficult journey inPractical Magic, as Sally loses the man she loves, and Gilly chooses all the wrong men.Practical Magic’s inciting incident sees the women attempt to cover up a murder in their small town as Sally finds herself inexplicably falling in love with the man who’s investigating them.
Thanks to its cult classic status,Practical Magic 2is confirmed, and it’s likely that the sequel will maintain the cozy and gorgeous aesthetic of the first movie’s atmosphere. It will be interesting to catch up with Sally and Gilly, asPractical Magicleft Sally happy with her new man, and their family is finally acceptedby the community, who are no longer afraid of their magical powers. Though critical reception is mixed forPractical Magic, it’s easy to watch Bullock and Kidman work onscreen.
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Howl’s Moving Castle
Howl’s Moving Castle, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, follows Sophie, a young milliner transformed into an elderly woman by a witch’s curse. She becomes involved with the enigmatic wizard Howl, who is resisting participation in a war for the king, as she searches for a way to break the spell.
Based on the novel by Diana Wynne Jones,Howl’s Moving Castleis a loose adaptation of the story, but it successfully captures the emotional core of the relationship between Sophie and Howl. Studio Ghibli movies are known for their incredible visuals and tender character development, but there’s little question thatHowl’s Moving Castleis the most explicitly romantic movie in Miyazaki’s oeuvre.There’s something so beautiful and aspirational in the fact that Howl falls for Sophie when he can’t see the real her.
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20 years later, Howl’s Moving Castle is still a thrilling and gorgeous addition to Miyazaki’s filmography and will continue to connect with viewers.
However,it’s clear that Howl isn’t fooled by the curse because he knows Sophie’s heart,and this encourages him to take back the burden of his own.Howl’s Moving Castlereminds the audience that the pain and heartache of living are worth it for the moments of love and happiness that come with it. Despite, or even because of, the many flaws that the pair of them don’t bother hiding from each other, Howl and Sophie have no trouble falling for each other.
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The Mummy
The Mummy, released in 1999, follows dashing legionnaire Rick O’Connell as he discovers the hidden ancient city of Hamunaptra in 1920s Egypt. The adventure unfolds with the accidental awakening of Imhotep, a former High Priest who was cursed over three thousand years ago, threatening doom upon the world.
With a combination of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, it’s hard to argue thatThe Mummyhas the kind of old-fashioned Hollywood romantic chemistry that many modern romance movies are missing. Fraser is Rick, the devil-may-care adventurer searching for treasure, while Weisz plays Evelyn, the bookish librarian who’s ready to step outside her world of research and experience the thrill of danger. Between his courage and her intelligence, there’s little that the pair can’t accomplish, andthey can’t help noticing how well they work together.
However,as Rick and Evie fall in love, the world falls apart around themas the titular mummy, Imhotep, releases his curse on the universe because his long-lost love was stolen from him. Unfortunately, not everyone can find their happy ending inThe Mummy, as Imhotep’s time is over, and instead of passing on peacefully, he visits his evil onto others. However, in their quest to defeat him, Evie and Rick cement their connection and allow themselves to fall head over heels.
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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.
A tragic curse tears apart young lovers inLadyhawke, the slightly campy but very memorable fantasy romance movie from the 1980s.Starring a young Matthew Broderick, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Rutger Hauer,Ladyhawkeis told from the perspective of Broderick’s character, Phillipe, who encounters Isabeau and Etienne, a couple cursed to be forever apart. Isabeau is transformed into a hawk during the day while Etienne is a wolf at night, forcing them to miss each other eternally.
The thrust of the story revolves around Phillipe’s resolve to help them break the curse and retain their human forms.
The thrust of the story revolves around Phillipe’s resolve to help them break the curse and retain their human forms. Of course,there are evil dukes and terrible villains who attempt to prevent them from lifting the spell,but Phillipe keeps faith that love will conquer all, and the pair shouldn’t give up hope. Though it would be better if the curse never happened, it makes it all the sweeter when it’s broken, allowing the couple to find true happiness.
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It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s a Wonderful Life is a classic American film released in 1946. It follows George Bailey, who runs a building and loan company in Bedford Falls, as he faces financial ruin on Christmas Eve. His company is the only obstacle preventing the wealthy Mr. Potter from taking over the town.
The seminal Christmas classic,It’s A Wonderful Life, is one of the best collaborations between Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra, an actor and filmmaker who defined the traditional American film genre about family and class. Though it ends happily,It’s A Wonderful Lifeis surprisingly dark,with Stewart’s character, George, facing tremendous setbacks and failing to accomplish the great dreams he had for himself as a young man. These feelings of failure all change when George sees what the world would be like without him.
By the end of thefantasyfilm, George realizes that the life he has is the one he wants and that he’s touched more people than he ever realized. Mary, played by Donna Reed, George’s wife, is the stalwart companion of his life, standing by him and supporting him even in the darkest of times. Though he never stops loving her, George sees what a gift their life together is and understands that falling in love is an adventure in and of itself.
