Top 10 Fantasy Gangster Films

Description: While not directly about gangsters, this film features a dark fantasy world where creatures vie for power, akin to the power struggles in crime syndicates.

Fact: The film was directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, using advanced puppetry techniques. It was one of the first films to use CGI for some of its effects.

Description: This beloved fairy tale includes elements of crime and deception, with characters like the Dread Pirate Roberts, who could be seen as a fantasy version of a gangster.

Fact: The film has a cult following and is often quoted for its memorable lines. It was adapted from a novel by William Goldman.

Description: While primarily a children's fantasy, this film involves a secret society of witches with criminal intentions, making it a unique entry in this list.

Fact: The film was directed by Nicolas Roeg and based on a book by Roald Dahl. Anjelica Huston's performance as the Grand High Witch is particularly memorable.

Description: In this surreal French film, a mad scientist kidnaps children to steal their dreams, involving a gang of circus performers in a dark, fantastical crime narrative.

Fact: The film was directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, known for their visually striking films. It was shot in a studio built specifically for the film.

Description: This film brings together iconic literary characters to form a team of Victorian-era superheroes, including a criminal mastermind with supernatural abilities, making it a unique entry in the fantasy gangster genre.

Fact: The film was based on a comic book series by Alan Moore. Sean Connery, who plays Allan Quatermain, was so dissatisfied with the final product that he retired from acting.

Description: The Grimm brothers, known for their fairy tales, are con artists in this film, using their stories to swindle townspeople. However, they encounter real magic and must confront a dark force, blending fantasy with criminal deception.

Fact: The film was directed by Terry Gilliam, known for his surreal and fantastical storytelling. The movie was shot in the Czech Republic, giving it an authentic European fairy tale atmosphere.

Description: A master magician in Vienna uses his skills to manipulate the criminal underworld, creating an illusion of power and control, making this film a blend of fantasy and crime.

Fact: The film was inspired by a short story by Steven Millhauser. Edward Norton, who plays the magician, performed many of the magic tricks himself.

Description: Two rival magicians in Victorian London engage in a deadly game of one-upmanship, involving deception, murder, and the supernatural, making it a dark fantasy with criminal undertones.

Fact: The film was directed by Christopher Nolan, known for his complex narratives. The Tesla machine in the film was inspired by Nikola Tesla's real-life experiments.

Description: In this modern-day fantasy, a young sorcerer's apprentice must stop an evil sorcerer from taking over the world, with the help of a gang of magical outlaws. The film's unique blend of magic and crime makes it a perfect fit for this list.

Fact: The film features a cameo by Nicolas Cage as the legendary sorcerer Merlin. The movie's magical effects were inspired by the classic Disney animated segment of the same name.

Description: A fantastical tale where a magician with a dark past makes a deal with the devil, leading to a journey through a magical mirror into a world where crime and magic intertwine.

Fact: After Heath Ledger's untimely death, his role was completed by Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, each playing different versions of his character in the Imaginarium.