Top Fantasy Films of 2021

Top Fantasy Films of 2021

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In the 1970s and 80s, science fiction and fantasy genres weren’t considered part of the mainstream. Even superhero comics were regarded as a fringe interest, while authors like JRR Tolkien were seen as outliers. Today, however, both genres are some of the most popular in media—whether that means books, video games, or films.

Fantasy, in particular, has seen a boom in popularity. Audiences today are interested in imagined worlds, unforgettable characters, and super-human conflicts. Though fantasy began as a commercial fiction genre, it’s now a mainstream theme that regularly influences media, and video games in particular. After all, video games often rely on imaginative settings and vibrant characters to add new dimensions to gameplay.

Beyond video game developers, iGaming companies are also all-in on fantasy slots. For example, Chumba Casino offers dozens of slots online, which cover a range of themes from the Wild West to space adventures. However, one of the most popular themes is fantasy, covered in slots titles like The Last Empress and Quest West.

Even the fashion world has taken a peek behind the curtain, from the classic pairing of black-on-black in goth aesthetics to the latest runways, immortalized in projects like the Vogue: Fantasy and Fashion editorial. Still, one of the most developed mediums for fantasy is film.

Each year, cinema pundits who follow the releases from top studios always keep an eye out for the latest fantasy releases. In 2021, dozens of films were released worldwide. While sci-fi titles like Dune and Lapsis stole the limelight, it was a blockbuster year for fantasy fans, who packed back into theatres and viewed new releases remotely.

Keep reading for four of the top releases from 2021.

The Green Knight

This project, written and directed by David Lowery, follows the Arthurian legend of a green knight who challenges King Arthur’s court. Dev Patel stars as Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, who will set out to meet the challenge put forth by a mysterious ‘green knight’.

The film takes a highly nuanced and mysterious journey into the legend, which was written by an anonymous author sometime in the Middle Ages. The result is a high medieval fantasy adventure, which delivers an atmosphere that audiences feel they can touch, along with breathtaking shots and thought-provoking ambiguity.

Godzilla vs. Kong

Though this monster film was met with mixed reviews from both critics and audiences, it’s an all-out action-adventure project worth catching. Combining elements of the Hollow Earth theory with original source material on both Godzilla and Kong, the result is a nod to global pop culture.

The film was hailed for its action scenes, which drew on state-of-the-art visual effects technology. In fact, most criticisms were leveled at the human elements, from character motivation to acting chops. A sequel is currently in development from Legendary Pictures.

Nightbooks

This dark fantasy combines all the visual appeal of fantasy themes, from witches to cryptozoology, with a heartwarming coming-of-age story. Based on a horror-fantasy book of the same title, this project from Ghost House Pictures follows the story of an unlikely hero who must find a way to help a witch named Natacha sleep every night by telling a new story.

Here, the emphasis is on light horror, which is treated with a whimsical and creative new outlook.

Free Guy

So far, we’ve covered fantasy projects with historical, action, and horror sub-themes. Free Guy, a project from 20th Century Studios, brings a new theme to the fantasy scene: comedy. The film covers the life of a man who discovers that life is an MMO game… and he’s a non-playing character.

From there, he sets out to change his reality, drawing from similar films like The Matrix and The Truman Show. With a star-studded cast that includes Ryan Reynolds, Taika Waititi, and Sarah Shechter, many regarded the film as a highly self-aware spin on fantasy.

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