Fantasy Nightlife: 10 Enchanting Films

Description: This French film, with English subtitles, features a surreal, steampunk world where a mad scientist kidnaps children to steal their dreams. The nightclub scenes are where the film's fantastical elements are most vividly portrayed.

Fact: The film was co-directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro, who also collaborated on "Delicatessen." The film's visual style was heavily influenced by German Expressionism.

Description: This film starts as a crime thriller but quickly turns into a vampire fantasy when the characters enter a nightclub that's actually a vampire den. The transformation of the setting from ordinary to extraordinary is what makes it fit this theme.

Fact: The film was directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino, who also stars in it. The Titty Twister bar, where the action takes place, was a real bar built for the movie.

Description: While more of a psychological thriller, the film's setting includes a mysterious, almost otherworldly nightclub where the protagonist encounters strange characters, adding a layer of fantasy to the narrative.

Fact: The film is based on the novel by Armistead Maupin, which was inspired by his own experiences. The nightclub scenes were shot in a real club in New York City.

Description: This film blends fantasy with a gritty reality, where a young girl escapes into a fantastical world through dance and music in a nightclub-like setting. The film's visual style and narrative structure make it a standout in this collection.

Fact: Zack Snyder directed this film, which was his first original screenplay. The film's alternate ending was released on the DVD, showing a different fate for the protagonist.

Description: While not centered around a nightclub, the film features a magical theater troupe that travels through dimensions, and the nightclub-like atmosphere of their performances adds to the fantasy element of the film.

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.

Description: This film involves a secret organization that controls human destiny, and one of the key settings where the characters meet is a nightclub, which serves as a portal to different realities, blending fantasy with the everyday.

Fact: The film is loosely based on a Philip K. Dick short story. The hats worn by the members of the Adjustment Bureau are a nod to Dick's original story.

Description: Although primarily a drama, the film's depiction of the male stripping industry and the nightlife scene has a fantastical, almost dreamlike quality, especially during the dance sequences which could be seen as a form of modern-day enchantment.

Fact: Channing Tatum, who stars as Mike, was actually a stripper before becoming an actor. The film was inspired by his own experiences.

Description: This experimental film by Guy Maddin and Evan Johnson features a series of nested stories, one of which involves a nightclub where strange and fantastical events unfold, making it a fitting addition to this list.

Fact: The film was inspired by lost silent films, and its structure mimics the experience of watching a series of short films in a cinema.

Description: A Polish film with English subtitles, "The Lure" tells the story of two mermaid sisters who perform in a nightclub. It's a dark, whimsical tale that combines elements of fantasy, horror, and romance, making it a unique addition to this list.

Fact: The film was inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Little Mermaid." It also features original songs performed by the actresses playing the mermaids.

Description: While not strictly fantasy, the film's surreal, dreamlike atmosphere and its portrayal of the cutthroat world of modeling in Los Angeles give it an otherworldly vibe, making it a perfect fit for this list. The nightclub scenes are where the film's dark, fantastical elements truly shine.

Fact: The film was shot entirely on 35mm film, giving it a unique visual texture. Also, director Nicolas Winding Refn has stated that the film is about beauty as a destructive force.