Entertainment, art, and escape. The fantasy genre, with its wide range of films, is one of the most celebrated and iconic genres in the film industry. Filled with movie magic and fantastical settings, the fantasy genre serves as a heaven for our sometimes-too-mundane world. Whether it’s medieval high fantasy, a ghost story, or science fiction, the expansive genre defines itself through the supernatural, otherworldliness, and magic. If it seems too far-fetched for our world, then it may just be fantasy.
A24 is an independent entertainment company that was founded in 2012. Originally the company concentrated solely on film distribution, but later expanded into production as well; this includes television series and their own original podcast. The name is inspired by the Italian A24 motorway, which in the Italian film industry is known for its historical use in depicting small towns and rural landscapes. The origin of this newer distribution company was motivated by the want to showcase films with a distinct and unique perspective. Since its inception, the company has gone on to receive much critical acclaim. Although A24 skews much of its content toward the horror genre, it has quite a few noteworthy fantasy films as well. Here are the very best, ranked.
7 A Ghost Story (2017)
A24
This 2017 horror-fantasy film is both directed and written by David Lowery, who is also known for his 2021 film The Green Knight. A Ghost Story stars Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, and McColm Cephas Jr. and tells the story of a single white-sheeted ghost who returns to his suburban dwelling place in search of his wife. The film is shown in a 1.33 square aspect ratio, and like its unorthodox medium, the film is quite a peculiar experience. The film received positive reviews for its unique display of themes such as love, death, and loss. Richard Brody, a film critic for The New York Times, placed the film on his list of the 27 best films of the past decade.
6 The Lobster (2015)
Element Pictures
The 2015 film, The Lobster, depicts a universe in which single people are forced to stay at a hotel in which they are meant to meet the love of their life. If this is not accomplished in forty-five days, they are transformed into animals and sent off into the woods. The director, Yorgos Lanthimos, the filmmaker behind The Killing of a Sacred Deer and Dogtooth, creates a truly unique story around this premise. Starring in the film are Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, and Jessica Barden. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
5 The Lighthouse (2019)
The Lighthouse is a 2019 film starring Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, and depicts two lighthouse keepers, known as wickies, battling the psychological stress that grows from their isolation. The film was directed by Robert Eggers and is shot in black and white with a 1.19:1 aspect ratio. The unsettling iconography and line delivery from the actors resonated with viewers, and the film was nominated for best cinematography at the Academy Awards and the British Academy Film Awards.
4 The Witch (2015)
The Witch is a dark fantasy thriller and was again directed by Robert Eggers, as his directorial debut. It depicts a lone Puritan family in the 1930s, who live in New England and encounter a mysterious and vicious evil force. The film stars Anya Taylor-Joy in her first feature-length performance, as well as Ralph Ineson, and Kate Dickie. Like The Lighthouse, the sparse and solemn dialogue gives the film an eerie and realistic tone. The film gained a positive reception with its slow-burn pacing, and Eggers won an award for his direction at the Sundance Film Festival.
3 The Green Knight (2021)
The Green Knight is adapted from a 14th- century poem titled Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; it was directed by David Lowery and stars Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, and Joel Edgerton. The medieval epic tells the story of King Arthur’s nephew, Sir Gawain, on his quest to face the legendary Green Knight. The 2021 film was received positively and well-reviewed within the fantasy genre.
2 Swiss Army Man (2016)
The truly fantastical film, Swiss Army Man, is one of the most popular A24 films. It was directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, known otherwise as “The Daniels.” The film won an award for its directing at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, and features a powerful acting duo consisting of Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe. The movie tells the story of a man on a deserted island, who finds a dead corpse washed ashore. He discovers that he can manipulate the body similarly to the tools available in a Swiss Army Knife. The unusual and wondrous film shows incredible set design, visual effects, and acting. The heartwarming storyline makes it an absolute must-watch for lovers of the fantasy genre.
1 Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
A new film to A24’s lineup, Everything Everywhere All at Once tells the story of a middle-aged Chinese immigrant, whose life is thrown into upheaval when she discovers the existence of parallel realities. The film is another great work by The Daniels, both written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The film stars Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Ke Huy Quan. The film premiered at South by Southwest in March 2022, has already received much positive acclaim, and serves as a testament to the success and importance of independent productions.
