10 Fantasy Films About Dorm Life

Description: Four teenage girls at a Catholic boarding school form a coven, turning their dorm into a place of witchcraft and power. Their shared living space becomes a hub for their magical practices.

Fact: The film was one of the first to explore the theme of teenage witchcraft in a modern setting, influencing many subsequent works in the genre.

Description: This film introduces us to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where Harry shares a dormitory with Ron Weasley and others, embarking on magical adventures. The dorm life here is anything but ordinary, filled with spells, potions, and the occasional troll.

Fact: The film was shot at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England, which served as the exterior of Hogwarts. The set for the Gryffindor common room was built to be as cozy and inviting as possible, reflecting the warmth of the dorm life.

Description: Mia Thermopolis moves into the Genovian palace, which serves as a grand dorm for her royal training. While not a traditional dorm, the palace life with its rules, lessons, and shared living spaces captures the essence of dorm life.

Fact: The film was shot in various locations in Los Angeles, with the palace scenes filmed at the Greystone Mansion, giving it a regal yet somewhat collegiate feel.

Description: While not strictly about a dorm, the film features a group of kids who essentially turn their neighborhood into a shared living space to combat a haunted house. Their teamwork and makeshift dorm-like setup make it a fitting addition to this list.

Fact: The film uses a unique animation style known as "performance capture," where actors' movements were recorded and then animated, giving the characters a more realistic feel.

Description: Four young men with supernatural powers attend a prestigious university, living in a dorm that's more like a secret society. Their shared living space is filled with magic, rivalry, and dark secrets.

Fact: The film was shot in Montreal, Canada, with the university scenes filmed at McGill University, adding an authentic collegiate atmosphere.

Description: Dave Stutler, a physics student, finds himself living in a magical world when he becomes the apprentice to Balthazar Blake. His apartment becomes a sort of magical dorm where he learns spells and faces challenges.

Fact: The film includes a scene where Dave uses magic to clean his apartment, reminiscent of the famous "Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment from Fantasia.

Description: Lewis Barnavelt moves into his uncle's mansion, which becomes his new home and a sort of magical dorm. Here, he learns about magic, friendship, and the secrets hidden within the walls of his new abode.

Fact: The film is based on the book by John Bellairs, and the house itself was designed to be a character in the story, with its own personality and quirks.

Description: A stray cat finds refuge in a house filled with magical inventions, essentially turning it into a whimsical dorm for all its inhabitants. The house itself becomes a character, offering a unique take on dorm life.

Fact: The film was originally released in French as "Le Manoir magique" before being dubbed into English.

Description: Two best friends are kidnapped and sent to an enchanted school where they are trained to become fairy tale heroes or villains. Their dorm life is anything but ordinary, filled with magic, rivalry, and transformation.

Fact: The film is based on the book series by Soman Chainani, and the school's design was inspired by various architectural styles to give it a fantastical yet educational feel.

Description: While not about a traditional dorm, the film features a bakery owner and a princess switching places, living in each other's homes, which could be seen as a form of shared living space with a magical twist.

Fact: The film was shot in Romania, with the castle scenes filmed at the Peleș Castle, adding a fairy-tale quality to the setting.