10 Enchanting Picks for Fans of Hans Christian Andersen

Description: A quintessential fantasy adventure that explores the power of imagination and storytelling. Its dreamlike landscapes and mythical creatures create a world that feels like a living fairy tale.

Fact: The film only covers the first half of the original German novel. Falkor the luckdragon was operated by a team of puppeteers and required 15 people to bring to life on set.

Description: A darkly whimsical fantasy that follows a young girl's journey through a maze of strange creatures and puzzles. Its blend of music, puppetry, and surreal visuals creates a uniquely fairy-tale-like experience.

Fact: David Bowie's tight pants in the film caused controversy during production. The film's goblins were created by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, with some puppets requiring multiple operators.

Description: A timeless tale that combines romance, adventure, and humor in a way that feels both classic and fresh. Its self-aware storytelling and memorable characters embody the spirit of beloved fairy tales.

Fact: The movie was initially a modest box office success but gained a massive following through home video. Many of the film's iconic lines were improvised by the actors.

Description: This film blends dark fantasy with fairy tale elements, featuring a world where folklore comes to life in unexpected and often eerie ways. Its whimsical yet sinister tone mirrors the duality of classic fairy tales.

Fact: The movie was originally intended to be a more straightforward adaptation of the Grimm brothers' lives, but evolved into a fantastical adventure. Many of the creatures and scenarios are inspired by lesser-known Grimm tales.

Description: A beloved adaptation of C.S. Lewis's classic, this film immerses viewers in a magical world filled with talking animals, epic battles, and timeless moral lessons. Its blend of adventure and allegory resonates deeply with fairy tale traditions.

Fact: The movie was filmed primarily in New Zealand, using many of the same locations as The Lord of the Rings. Aslan's roar is a mix of several big cats, including lions, tigers, and leopards.

Description: A family-friendly fantasy that brings to life a hidden world of fairies, goblins, and other creatures from folklore. Its sense of wonder and danger reflects the duality of classic fairy tales.

Fact: The movie combines elements from all five books in the Spiderwick series. The creatures were designed using a mix of practical effects and CGI to stay true to the book illustrations.

Description: A charming adventure that captures the magic and wonder of classic fairy tales, complete with witches, fallen stars, and daring quests. Its blend of humor, romance, and fantasy creates a timeless feel.

Fact: The movie is based on a novel by Neil Gaiman, who initially wrote it as a prose fairy tale. The story was inspired by a shooting star Gaiman saw while staying in the English countryside.

Description: This series creates a fantastical world where mythical creatures coexist with humans, exploring themes of prejudice and love. Its lush, fairy-tale-inspired setting and intricate lore draw heavily from folklore and myth.

Fact: The show was in development for over a decade before its release. The creatures' designs are based on a mix of European folklore and original creations.

Description: This miniseries delves into a world where magic is real but fading, blending historical drama with fantastical elements. Its meticulous attention to period detail and magical realism echoes the enchantment of folklore.

Fact: The show is based on Susanna Clarke's novel, which took her over a decade to write. The book and series feature extensive footnotes creating a rich, alternate history of English magic.

Description: A gothic horror series that reimagines classic literary characters and myths, weaving them into a dark, interconnected narrative. Its rich storytelling and atmospheric visuals evoke the haunting beauty of traditional folklore.

Fact: The show's title refers to 19th-century British pulp fiction magazines, which often featured sensational stories. It combines characters from Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dorian Gray into a single universe.