Movies are the best type of escapism, and when you truly want to disappear into a fictional world for a bit, no genre is better than fantasy. Whether it's the grandeur of medieval-set tales, the epic slashing of clashing swords, or the dark forests in fairy tales reimagined, fantasy excels at immersion. You'll want to get lost in these worlds, and who can really blame you? However, the next question becomes how do you watch them on streaming.
With no shortage of streaming services available these days, fantasy movies exist in the libraries of all of them. However, if you want to watch something epic without dishing out the big bucks, then free streamers like Hoopla, Plex, and Pluto will be your best bet. To take out some of the guesswork that follows, here are the 10 best fantasy movies streaming for free right now.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail isn't the movie to watch when you're craving a serious fantasy movie. As a parody of Arthurian legend, this one is for fantasy fans who don't mind comedy aimed at the genre's tropes and clichés. Don't expect historical accuracy; if anything, prepare yourself for the wonkiest quest for the Holy Grail in all of film, littered with absurd and hilarious scenes.
Those familiar with Monty Python or the comedy group's other movies, like Life of Brian (1979), will feel right at home with the witty British humor often disguised beneath seemingly stupid jokes. This movie is quotable, so lock in and prepare to hurl all manner of iconic lines at your friends and family for the foreseeable future.
The Last Unicorn (1982)
The Last Unicorn sounds cute, right? Well, think again. The movie follows one unicorn's desperate search to discover what happened to the rest of her species, and what follows is a story packed with themes about mortality, existential fear, and regret. For these reasons, it's best suited for older kids and adults. This isn't My Little Pony (1986), meaning young children might have difficulty processing these mature themes despite the G-rating.
Beautifully animated by Topcraft and produced by Rankin/Bass Productions, The Last Unicorn features a unique mash-up of Japanese and American animation, similar to the studios' previous collaboration with The Hobbit (1977). Coupled with an immersive soundtrack and star-studded voice cast, The Last Unicorn makes for a solid fantasy movie night pick.
The Company of Wolves (1984)
If you ask me, the best fairy tale adaptations have a tinge of darkness to them, and that's certainly the case with The Company of Wolves. This dark retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" sees Rosaleen (Sarah Patterson) traveling through the woods to visit her grandmother (Angela Lansbury). Where the movie truly differentiates itself from the classic tale is with the wolf.
While the original story has always acted as a metaphor about the predatory behavior of some men, The Company of Wolves shows how sexuality and dangerous desire can complicate that by throwing werewolves in the mix. It's unique, creepy, and perfectly weird. If you like the surrealist vibes of David Lynch movies like Blue Velvet (1986), you'll find something similar here.
Highlander (1986)
The Highlander franchise is sprawling and mighty, but really, it never reaches the heights of the first movie. Starring Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, Highlander chronicles his century-spanning story as he battles other immortals like himself. Told in a non-linear fashion with some genuinely impressive transitions between time periods, the movie offers a compelling time-travel story steeped in action and fantasy.
Like many of the entries on this list, Highlander was a commercial failure upon release that went on to amass a massive cult following. While most critics point their fingers at the movie's corny acting and, at times, confusing plot, that's precisely why fans love it. If action-heavy sword and sorcery fare is your weakness, you really can't do much better than Highlander.
Labyrinth (1986)
Right off the bat, if you don't like musicals, Labyrinth probably isn't for you. However, musical fans or those who don't mind some singing interludes will find an imaginative fantasy story that (mostly) stands the test of time. While the movie is symbolic of many things, in its simplest form, it follows a teenage girl's quest to save her brother from the Goblin King Jareth, played with smooth charisma by David Bowie.
Whether you've seen Labyrinth or not, most people know Bowie in that voluminous blonde wig. Thanks to its large cult following, the movie has found a place in pop culture. Admittedly, the plot can get… confusing (and yes, the age gap is problematic), but the real draw is the visuals. Director Jim Henson brings the creativity and whimsy expected of him, with some truly staggering puppetry and practical effects.
Ella Enchanted (2004)
If you like fairy tale-inspired stories, Ella Enchanted is one of the best. Based on Gail Carson Levine's Cinderella retelling, the movie stars Anne Hathaway as Ella, a woman seeking to undo the curse of obedience placed upon her at birth and live her own life. And, if it isn't already apparent by that description, Ella Enchanted is a feminist movie that seeks to give its heroine the agency and independence so many other fairy tale fatales lack.
While the book offers a more well-rounded story, the movie leans more into humor. Although that was an issue for some critics upon release, most audiences agree that Ella Enchanted is nothing but delightful. Sweet, silly, and romantic, it's the perfect choice for anyone craving a little fantasy romance in their lives. (Just note: There is singing!)
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
As a horror fan, I will never stop recommending this movie. This genre-blending mash-up tosses you into a world where Santa Claus isn't a jolly man who brings gifts on Christmas, but a bizarre, wild species that humans train and distribute as commodities. It sounds strange, but believe me, it somehow works to create a believable and effective story about consumerism and exploitation.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale isn't fantasy in the knights in shining armor sense. Still, it's a dark delight for audiences craving something in the realm of a dark fairy tale. From dead reindeer to supernatural Santas, Rare Exports is the ultimate holiday horror movie. Watch it now, or wait until Christmas. Either way, make sure to check it out.
Ne Zha (2019)
If you haven't heard about Ne Zha yet, then meet the current record-holder of the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Pulled loosely from Xu Zhonglin's 16th-century novel, Investiture of the Gods, the movie follows a young boy who learns to use his powers to fight demons and win back the hearts of those who turned on him.
This modern riff on ancient Chinese mythology offers a compelling tale about challenging fate. Critics love it, and audiences do, too. It's not often a Chinese animated film takes off in China and the rest of the world, but Ne Zha proves its story is universal. If you like other animated fantasy movies, especially those of the Disney and Pixar variety, you'll find a similar style here. Think Turning Red (2022), but with an emphasis on retelling a Chinese legend rather than just using mythology as a clever metaphor.
Gretel & Hansel (2020)
When it comes to fairy tales, you can't get much darker than "Hansel and Gretel." First collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, the story follows the titular children's confrontation with a cannibalistic witch. While there have been many adaptations of the story since, none do it better than Osgood Perkins' Gretel & Hansel.
The movie's biggest selling point, like many of Osgood Perkins' movies, is its creepy, atmospheric horror. If you like dark fairy tales, Gretel & Hansel fully immerses you in its dark, sprawling forest filled with witchcraft and supernatural stakes. The 87-minute runtime can feel long at times, but for audiences with horror inclinations, Gretel & Hansel is a worthy fairy tale adaptation for your next movie night.
Dark Harvest (2023)
Like Rare Exports, Dark Harvest plants itself firmly in fantasy horror. Revolving around the supernatural legend of Sawtooth Jack, the movie thrusts teenage boys into a Halloween ritual that involves hunting and killing the monster before it reaches a church. Set against a rural Midwestern backdrop, Dark Harvest drips with an unsettling atmosphere and small-town horror vibes.
Based on a book by Norman Partridge, Dark Harvest delivers on the gore and mystery. Sawtooth Jack is sufficiently creepy and will most definitely appeal to anyone who appreciates the creature designs in Trick' r Treat (2007) and Pumpkinhead (1988). If you like your fantasy to feel like it's ripped from the pages of folklore, then add Dark Harvest to your watch list now.
