There’s a certain kind of magic that lives in ‘90s fantasy movies. Not the slick, CGI-heavy kind you find today, but the tangible, practical-effects kind—the kind of magic created by people who grew up turning a stick into a thousand different weapons with nothing but imagination.
These were the movies that made kids believe goblins definitely lived under the bed, that dragon caves were everywhere, and that stormy castles always housed fair princesses. For anyone born post-90s, it’s important to remember: ‘90s kids didn’t have unlimited access to every form of entertainment imaginable. If you wanted to watch a movie, you had to go to a store to either buy or rent the VHS (that’s Video Home System, for the younger generations).
For those who grew up during the ‘90s, fantasy movies were proof that the world could be weirder, wilder, and far more wonderful than it looked outside a bedroom window.
So let’s rewind those tapes, take a seat, and go through our ranked list of the best ‘90s fantasy movies of all.
10. Dragonheart (1996)
Look, is Dragonheart a little hokey? Absolutely. But that’s part of its charm.
This medieval buddy dramedy stars a dragon voiced by Sean Connery—need we say more? There’s something oddly comforting about a jaded knight and a wise, sarcastic dragon teaming up to stop a tyrant—especially when said dragon literally gave the bad guy half his heart.
It’s campy, earnest mythmaking with that unmistakable ‘90s energy. It might not be perfect, but it will make you feel things. Especially during that ending (you know the one).
9. Hocus Pocus (1993)
Let’s be honest—no one expected this quirky Halloween comedy to become a cultural juggernaut. Yet here we are, decades later, and the Sanderson Sisters are still icons.
Bette Midler as the unhinged Winifred, Sarah Jessica Parker’s delightfully ditzy Sarah, and Kathy Najimy’s lovable Mary form a chaotic coven of perfection. It’s campy (we’re seeing a theme here), endlessly quotable, and delivers more Halloween spirit in 90 minutes than a haunted hayride ever could. It’s fantasy filtered through a Salem-sized dose of sass, and we are definitely here for it.
8. Jumanji (1995)
Yes, Jumanji is often labeled an “adventure” movie—but if a magical board game that unleashes stampedes, giant spiders, and a lost Robin Williams into your living room isn’t fantasy, what is?
It’s intense, heartfelt, and has just enough genuine menace to make you think twice about your Monopoly box. The real magic of Jumanji is how it made the ordinary feel extraordinary—and a little dangerous.
7. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
No fantasy lineup is complete without a nod to Tim Burton, the master of the weird and wonderful.
Edward Scissorhands doesn’t have dragons or enchanted castles, but it delivers whimsy, melancholy, and its own brand of suburban magic. It’s sweet, stylized, and leaves you wondering how a gentle, scissor-handed man will find his place in a pastel neighborhood.
6. The Pagemaster (1994)
Think libraries are just about overdue fines and silence? Think again. The Pagemaster says, “Actually, it’s a secret fantasy realm guarded by sentient books.”
Macaulay Culkin goes from anxious realist to swashbuckling adventurer, and the shift from live-action to animation adds a layer of charm. It’s a loving nod to the fantasy genre that never takes itself too seriously.
5. The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue (1998)
This one’s a deep cut. While the original Secret of NIMH is more widely remembered, the sequel leans hard into fantasy with glowing amulets, warring animal kingdoms, and a mouse with a heroic destiny.
It may not carry the same dark depth as the first film, but for kids watching at the time, it felt massive.
4. The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990)
Returning to Fantasia was like slipping back into a dream. While The Next Chapter doesn’t quite reach the heights of the original, it captures that same blend of melancholy and magic.
This time, Bastian’s journey is more personal, with a compelling new villain (the elegantly evil Xayide) and a deeper internal conflict. It’s a quieter fantasy—but sometimes, those are the ones that linger.
3. Hook (1991)
For ‘90s kids, Hook wasn’t just a movie—it was a movement.
Spielberg reimagined a grown-up Peter Pan and delivered a vibrant, emotional story filled with sword fights, food fights, and unforgettable performances. Robin Williams brought heart; Dustin Hoffman gave Hook theatrical brilliance; and the Lost Boys became legends. “Rufio! Rufi-oooooo!” is forever etched in our memories. And that imaginary feast? Still looks delicious.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
This one’s for the spooky kids—and anyone who likes a little gothic with their fairy tale.
Jack Skellington’s holiday identity crisis is surprisingly relatable, and the stop-motion animation remains stunning. The Nightmare Before Christmas lives in its own unique world—where pumpkin kings sing ballads and holiday rules are made to be broken. It’s moody, magical, and a visual masterpiece.
1. The Princess Bride (1987… but let’s be real, it defined the ‘90s)
Yes, technically this came out in 1987—but The Princess Bride doesn’t just deserve honorary ‘90s status; it is a ‘90s fantasy movie in spirit.
For an entire generation, it wasn’t just a film—it was a phenomenon. Endlessly quoted, lovingly reenacted, and passed around like a sacred text. It’s funny, romantic, ridiculous, and deeply sincere. And few movies can match its sheer number of iconic lines: “As you wish,” “Inconceivable!,” “You killed my father, prepare to die.”
It’s not just beloved—it’s great.
Turn your Wall Into Your Fantasy Multiverse
If reading this has you itching to revisit these classics—or introduce them to someone new—why not bring some of that magic into the real world?
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