10 Films About Magical Worlds You Must See

Description: This classic film takes Dorothy from the mundane world of Kansas to the vibrant, magical land of Oz, where she encounters witches, wizards, and talking animals. It's a timeless journey that showcases the power of friendship and the quest for home.

Fact: Judy Garland's dress was actually pink and white, not blue and white as it appears on screen. The film was one of the first to use Technicolor, revolutionizing the film industry.

Description: In this Jim Henson creation, a Gelfling embarks on a quest to restore balance to the world by healing the Dark Crystal, encountering various creatures and learning about his own destiny.

Fact: The film used no CGI; all creatures were puppets or animatronics. It took over five years to create the film, with hundreds of artists and craftsmen involved.

Description: Bastian enters the magical world of Fantasia through a mysterious book, where he becomes part of the story, helping to save the land from destruction by the Nothing.

Fact: The film was shot in Germany, and the iconic flying scene with Falkor was done with a combination of animatronics and puppetry. The book in the film was created to look ancient and magical, with real leather binding.

Description: This fairy tale adventure features a mix of romance, comedy, and fantasy, with a story within a story, where a farmhand named Westley rescues his true love from the clutches of an evil prince in a world filled with giants, swordsmen, and rodents of unusual size.

Fact: The film was initially considered a box office disappointment but has since become a cult classic. The screenplay was adapted from William Goldman's novel, which he wrote as a bedtime story for his daughters.

Description: A farmer named Willow Ufgood is chosen to protect a special baby from an evil queen, leading him on an epic journey through a world of magic, mythical creatures, and high adventure.

Fact: George Lucas wrote the story, inspired by his love for fantasy films like "The Wizard of Oz." The film was one of the first to use extensive digital morphing effects for character transformations.

Description: The first installment in the Harry Potter series introduces us to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a place where magic is real and young wizards learn to harness their powers. It's a gateway to a world where magic is both a tool and a way of life.

Fact: The film's sets were so detailed that they were kept intact for the entire series. The Hogwarts Express is actually the Jacobite steam train, which still runs in Scotland.

Description: This film transports four siblings into the magical land of Narnia, where they encounter talking animals, mythical creatures, and engage in a battle against the White Witch to restore peace.

Fact: The film was shot in New Zealand, the same location used for the Lord of the Rings films, to capture the magical essence of Narnia. The wardrobe used in the film was made from a real oak tree.

Description: Set against the backdrop of post-Civil War Spain, this dark fantasy film follows Ofelia as she discovers a labyrinth and meets a faun who claims she is a princess of an underground realm. It's a blend of harsh reality and magical escape.

Fact: The film was shot in English and Spanish, with the English version being dubbed by the actors themselves. The creature designs were inspired by the works of Goya and Bosch.

Description: A young man ventures into a magical kingdom to retrieve a fallen star, only to find that the star is a woman, leading to a series of adventures involving witches, princes, and sky pirates.

Fact: The film's setting, Stormhold, was inspired by the English countryside. The movie features a cameo by Neil Gaiman, the author of the novel on which the film is based.

Description: Tim Burton's adaptation of Lewis Carroll's tale brings to life the surreal and whimsical world of Wonderland, where Alice encounters peculiar characters and navigates through a landscape of illogical logic.

Fact: Johnny Depp improvised many of the Mad Hatter's lines, adding to the character's eccentricity. The film used over 20,000 props, including 40,000 teacups.