Fantasy Films for the Adventurous Traveler

Description: Although not about tourists in the traditional sense, the film follows Jen, a Gelfling, on a quest in a world where he's an outsider, much like a tourist in a foreign land, encountering strange creatures and magical events.

Fact: The film was directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, known for their work with the Muppets, and it used advanced puppetry and animatronics.

Description: A boy named Bastian escapes into a book where he becomes part of the story, exploring the magical land of Fantasia. His journey from reader to participant mirrors a tourist's adventure in a new world.

Fact: The film's theme song, "The NeverEnding Story," became a hit single in Europe, reaching number one in several countries.

Description: A young boy, sick in bed, is read a story by his grandfather about a farmhand named Westley who embarks on a fantastical journey to rescue his true love. The story within the story creates a meta-narrative of a tourist in a fairy tale.

Fact: The film has become a cult classic, known for its quotable lines and its blend of romance, adventure, and humor.

Description: Harry Potter, an ordinary boy, discovers he's a wizard and enters the magical world of Hogwarts. His initial experiences at the school are akin to a tourist exploring a new, magical country.

Fact: The film was the highest-grossing film of 2001, earning over $974 million worldwide.

Description: Four siblings stumble upon a magical wardrobe that leads them to Narnia, a land filled with mythical creatures and epic battles. Their journey from tourists to heroes in this enchanted world is a classic tale of fantasy adventure.

Fact: The film was shot in New Zealand, the same location used for "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, adding to its fantastical landscape.

Description: A young man named Tristan ventures into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star for his beloved, encountering witches, pirates, and other fantastical beings. His journey is that of a tourist in a land of enchantment.

Fact: The film was adapted from Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name, and its script was co-written by Gaiman himself, ensuring fidelity to the source material.

Description: Alice returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland, where she's no longer a tourist but a key player in a battle against the Red Queen. The film's surreal landscapes and characters make it a perfect fit for this collection.

Fact: Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland was the first film ever to be released in digital 3D and IMAX 3D simultaneously.

Description: A traveling theater troupe led by the titular Doctor Parnassus offers tourists a chance to enter a fantastical world through a magical mirror. The film's narrative weaves through reality and fantasy, making it a unique entry in this list.

Fact: Heath Ledger died during filming, and his role was completed by Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, each playing different versions of his character in the Imaginarium.

Description: While not strictly fantasy, this film features a tourist, played by Johnny Depp, who gets entangled in a world of intrigue and mistaken identity in Venice, Italy. The film's setting and the twist of mistaken identity give it a fantastical feel.

Fact: The film was originally set to star Tom Cruise and Charlize Theron, but after Cruise dropped out, the roles were recast. The movie was also a remake of the 2005 French film "Anthony Zimmer."

Description: A young boy discovers a family of tiny people living under the floorboards of his aunt's house. This Studio Ghibli film explores the world from the perspective of a tourist in a miniature universe.

Fact: The film is based on the novel "The Borrowers" by Mary Norton, but adds a unique Japanese twist to the story.