
Narrative Fantasy movies
A realistic world with one impossible rule used to drive relationships and emotions—not worldbuilding or a magic system.

1. Harold and the Purple Crayon
Family Comedy Adventure Fantasy Coming-of-Age Adventure2024•1h 30min
United States
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Vibe
Inside of his book, adventurous Harold can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book's pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life.
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2. La Chimera
Drama Fantasy Comedy Historical Drama Parody2023•2h 11min
Italy, France
Director: Alice Rohrwacher
Vibe
Just out of jail, rumpled English archaeologist Arthur reconnects with his wayward crew of tombaroli accomplices – a happy-go-lucky collective of itinerant grave-robbers who survive by looting Etruscan tombs and fencing the ancient treasures they dig up.
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Vibe
When Branch's brother, Floyd, is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-star villains, Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.
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4. Disenchanted
Comedy Family Fantasy Holiday Family Narrative Fantasy2022•1h 58min
United States
Director: Adam Shankman
Vibe
Disillusioned with life in the city, feeling out of place in suburbia, and frustrated that her happily ever after hasn’t been so easy to find, Giselle turns to the magic of Andalasia for help. Accidentally transforming the entire town into a real-life fairy tale and placing her family’s future happiness in jeopardy, she must race against time to reverse the spell and determine what happily ever after truly means to her and her family.
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5. Nine Days
Drama Fantasy Psychological Drama Narrative Fantasy2021•2h 4min
United States
Director: Edson Oda
Vibe
A bureaucrat interviews five souls to decide which of them will be given a life on Earth. But he soon faces an existential challenge of his own.
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6. Petite Maman
Drama Fantasy Family Family Drama Parent-Child Family2021•1h 12min
France
Director: Céline Sciamma
Vibe
After the death of her beloved grandmother, eight-year-old Nelly meets a strangely familiar girl her own age in the woods. Instantly forming a connection with this mysterious new friend, Nelly embarks on a fantastical journey of discovery which helps her come to terms with this newfound loss.
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7. The Red Turtle
Animation Drama Fantasy Family Stop-Motion Animation2016•1h 21min
Belgium, France
Director: Michael Dudok de Wit
Vibe
The dialogue-less film follows the major life stages of a castaway on a deserted tropical island populated by turtles, crabs and birds.
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8. Strange Magic
Music Animation Family Fantasy Narrative Musical2015•1h 39min
United States
Director: Gary Rydstrom
Vibe
A love potion works its devious charms on fairies, elves and the swamp-dwelling Bog King as they all try to possess the potion for themselves.
Themes
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9. Penelope
Fantasy Comedy Romance Fantasy Romance High-Concept Comedy2007•1h 43min
United Kingdom, United States
Director: Mark Palansky
Vibe
Forlorn heiress Penelope Wilhern is cursed, and the only way out is to fall in love with someone of suitable stock. But how can she find her soulmate when she's sequestered inside her family's estate with only her parents to keep her company? This untraditional fairy tale is about a girl who bucks convention to create her own happy ending.

