The 19 best fantasy movies on Netflix in 2022

Fans of witches and wizards, magic, curses, dragons, monsters, and other mythical beasts may want to have a look at what’s available to stream on Netflix. To make the search easier, we’ve compiled a list of the 19 best fantasy movies on Netflix.

See also: The best sci-fi movies on Netflix

There are a lot of fantasy heavy hitters you simply won’t find on Netflix. There’s no The Lord of the Rings, no Labyrinth, no The Wizard of Oz, no The Neverending Story, no Willow. But have a look below. There’s a lot more to choose from than you might realize.

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The best fantasy movies on Netflix

Editor’s note: This list will be updated as new fantasy movies leave and others make their debut on Netflix.

The New Guard (2020)

A group of immortals has lived among us as invulnerable mercenaries for generations in this Netflix original fantasy movie starring Charlize Theron and Kiki Layne, from Love and Basketball director Gina Prince-Bythewood. When the undying warriors become targets of a shadowy organization, they have to fight for their lives, all as they welcome a new recruit to their ranks, the first new immortal in centuries.

The Sea Beast (2022)

Featuring gorgeous animation from Sony Pictures Imageworks, the talent behind the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Sea Beast is one of the best fantasy movies on Netflix and one of the best Netflix original movies. When a young girl stows away on a monster-hunting ship, she and its captain’s adopted son find themselves marooned together on an island of monsters, where some lessons about their supposed foes will be eye-opening.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

The first feature film from the iconic British comedy troupe, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of the funniest movies of all time but also a great fantasy movie on Netflix. An absurd send-up of Arthurian legends, the film sees the storied king on a quest to find the Holy Grail. He assembles a team of loyal comrades and together they head off on a grand adventure through the grim Middle Ages, facing various outlandish obstacles and foes along the way.

Check out: The best comedies on Netflix

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021)

Following the immense success of The Witcher on Netflix, based on the novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, the streamer produced this animated spin-off film. The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf tells the story of Geralt of Rivia’s mentor and fellow witcher Vesemir, who faces off against the demons of his past along with the literal monsters he is paid to hunt in this dark fantasy adult animated feature.

Check out: Shows like The Witcher

A Monster Calls (2016)

Conor is having a rough go. His mother is ill, his father isn’t around, and he doesn’t get along with his grandmother. One day, a monster appears at his window and whisks him off on an adventure, helping him find his courage and stake out a place for himself in the world. A Monster Calls is a touching coming-of-age story featuring performances by Felicity Jones and Liam Neeson. It’s among the best fantasy movies on Netflix.

The Golden Compass (2007)

The Golden Compass admittedly strays quite significantly from its source material, and it’s a weaker film for it, despite some spot-on casting choices that feel like they leap directly out of the pages of Philip Pullman’s eponymous novel. Having said all that, as a standalone fantasy movie, it is quite a bit of fun. In a world ruled by religious zealots, where everyone has a soul that takes the form of an animal companion, a young girl named Lyra sets out to find her friend when he’s kidnapped by evil forces that may have bigger, darker plans for her world.

Big Fish (2003)

Tim Burton’s Big Fish is a beautiful story about the magic of stories and the difficult relationships between fathers and sons. William Bloom has a complicated relationship with his father, who has a habit of telling exaggerated stories mythologizing his own life. When his father falls ill, he continues to tell his tall tales, while William goes out looking for real answers and discovers the truth behind the myths.

FullMetal Alchemist (2017)

Based on the anime series and manga of the same name, FullMetal Alchemist tells the story of alchemist Edward Elric, who seeks out the Philosopher’s Stone to restore his brother to his human form after an attempt to resurrect their dead mother goes horribly wrong. Elric must operate carefully as he is under the watchful eye of the military government and mysterious monsters.

The Water Man (2020)

Desperately hoping to find a way to save his sick mother, a boy ventures into a remote forest where legend suggests he might find a mythical creature that can cheat death in this touching, tragic family drama. The Water Man stars David Oyelowo, who also directs, along with Rosario Dawson, Alfred Molina, Maria Bello, and more.

Wish Dragon

Featuring the voices of Jackie Chan, Constance Wu, John Cho, and more, Wish Dragon is an original family fantasy movie on Netflix, and it’s a real treat. Teenager Din longs to reconnect with his childhood best friend when he suddenly meets a wish-granting dragon, showing him the endless possibilities that come with a bit of magic.

A Whisker Away (2020)

A Whisker Away is part of Netflix’s Japanese anime collection, and the streamer serves as international distributor. The film tells the story of Miyo Sasaki, who becomes a cat while trying to get her classmate Kento Hinode’s attention. As she visits him in cat form, she begins to lose sight of the line between her human self and cat self. A Whisker Away is available to stream in the original Japanese or dubbed into English.

Mirai (2018)

When Kun runs away from home, jealous of his new baby sister, he stumbles upon a magical garden. When he realizes the garden is a time travel portal, he embarks on a series of adventures, meeting his mother as a child and his sister all grown up. Mirai is the first anime feature film from a studio other than Ghibli to be nominated for an Oscar. It’s among the best anime and the best fantasy movies on Netflix right now.

Afterlife of the Party (2021)

They say ghosts linger because they have unfinished business. That’s definitely the case for party girl Cassie in the Netflix original comedy Afterlife of the Party. After she dies in a freak accident during a wild night out, Cassie has to make amends for all of the wrongs she committed in life before she can get her wings and move on to the other side.

Nightbooks (2021)

Nightbooks is a great fantasy movie on Netflix that also doubles as a perfect spooky movie suitable for kids. Alex loves scary stories. One night, he goes to bed and wakes up in a witch’s magical apartment. Along with a fellow prisoner, Alex has to tell a scary tale to satisfy the witch each night, or else he’ll be trapped in her home forever.

Dark Shadows (2012)

Based on the cult classic TV show, Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows is a fish-out-of-water comedy fantasy. When 18th-century playboy Barnabas Collins angers a witch, she turns him into a vampire and buries him alive. When he finally breaks free from his tomb in 1972, he’s a man out of time trying to make sense of his new (after)life. Dark Shadows wasn’t very well received upon release, and Johnny Depp’s performance as Collins is a little blandly excessive, but Burton’s signature style and some standout supporting performances do make this one shine.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

DreamWorks’ standout family franchise continues to soar in How to Train Your Dragon 2, a strong follow-up to the heartfelt first film and one of the best fantasy movies on Netflix. It’s been five years since the truce between the Vikings and dragons, which has meant peaceful coexistence for all. Hiccup and Toothless are part of a group mapping unknown territories. The peace is threatened when they discover a cave full of hundreds of dragons and find themselves standing between the people of Berk and a power-hungry warrior.

The Knight Before Christmas (2019)

It would be hard to make a case that Netflix’s slate of Christmas movies is good in the traditional sense of the word, but each one is certainly fun in its intended way. The low-budget holiday features include some especially amusing outings, including The Knight before Christmas, a rather silly fantasy movie on Netflix that will help you get into the Christmas spirit. Starring Vanessa Hudgens, the film sees a young woman helping a medievel knight find his way home when he’s accidentally transported into the present day during the holidays. But not before developing feelings for him.

Over the Moon (2020)

Featuring beautiful animation and a touching story, Over the Moon is a Netflix original fantasy film in which the adventurous young Fei Fei builds a rocket ship to fly to the moon, where she hopes to meet the mythical goddess Chang’e. If Fei Fei can prove the goddess’ existence, it will honor her mother’s memory.

Rise of the Guardians (2012)

What if figures like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and more weren’t just holiday symbols but actually protected the Earth’s children from evil forces? That’s the premise of Rise of the Guardians, an animated children’s film fast approaching classic status. When an evil bogeyman attempts to overthrow the Guardians by eroding children’s belief in them, Jack Frost hatches a plan to save the day.

Those are our top picks of the best fantasy movies on Netflix.

What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments!