Movies

Discover 9 Must-Watch Fantasy Movies You Can Stream for Free on YouTube!

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People adore fantastic films because they whisk us away to realms unvisited or reveal sights unseen. The worlds of fantasy offer vast possibilities for audiences, breathing life into tales that might have remained mere figments of imagination. While some fantasy movies are suitable for everyone, others cater more to adults, delving into deeper themes or featuring mythical beings of a darker nature. Being largely fictional, these films necessitate a willing suspension of disbelief.

A fantasy tale can become legendary when the audience becomes invested. Notably, the fantasy masterpiece “Pan’s Labyrinth” received the longest ovation in history at the Cannes Film Festival, which lasted an astonishing 22 minutes. When executed well, fantasy films leave lasting impressions. Interestingly, you might be surprised to discover that YouTube offers a number of movies that can be streamed for free right from home when deciding what to watch.

Here are the best fantasy films audiences can watch on YouTube for free.

9
‘The Keep’ (1983)

In 1981, Michael Mann made a striking first impression with his debut film, Thief. His subsequent project was The Keep, a movie featuring actors like Scott Glenn, Gabriel Byrne, Ian McKellen, Jürgen Prochnow, and Alberta Watson. Unfortunately, this film encountered significant obstacles during production at Paramount, resulting in the removal of 90 minutes from Mann’s original vision. After unfavorable test screenings, the final cut was just 96 minutes long, making it challenging to follow. Additionally, the film’s creation was unusual due to the untimely demise of its visual effects artist before completion.

Over time, “The Keep” has developed a devoted following among fans. This movie is set in Romania where a band of Nazi soldiers discover an ancient fortress harboring an age-old evil. It’s a unique blend of supernatural fantasy and thriller, with a distinctive electronic score by Tangerine Dream. Despite being somewhat unusual, it’s a captivating watch for those who appreciate the distinctly psychedelic mood that was characteristic of the 1980s.

8
‘Ella Enchanted’ (2004)

In 2004, Anne Hathaway, fresh from “The Princess Diaries” and prior to its sequel, played the lead role in the film “Ella Enchanted.” Based on Gail Carson Levine’s 1997 novel of the same name, the story follows Ella of Frell, a young woman under a curse that requires her to obey any order she receives. After the death of her mother, Ella embarks on a journey to break this curse, and the film tells her contemporary fairy tale as she pursues her goal.

The film initially met with unfavorable reviews from critics due to its departure from the original book’s storyline. However, over time, it has gained more appreciation. Starring alongside are Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Steve Coogan, Eric Idle, Vivica A. Fox, and Minnie Driver.

Initially panned by critics for straying too far from the book’s plot, this movie has grown in popularity over the years. It features a star-studded cast that includes Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Steve Coogan, Eric Idle, Vivica A. Fox, and Minnie Driver.

7
‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’ (2013)

Prior to their success on Netflix, Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower were already familiar faces, having starred together in the film adaptation of “City of Bones,” the first novel in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. Notably, Collins is recognized for her role in “Emily in Paris,” while Bower has been a staple on “Stranger Things.” In this movie, Collins portrayed Clary Frey, a New York City teenager who stumbled upon a band of Shadowhunters, demon-fighting warriors. As the story unfolds, Frey uncovers a family secret that binds her to these supernatural beings.

The book sequence became extremely popular, yet the movie received unfavorable reviews from critics. It grossed about $95 million at the theater, though it didn’t quite replicate the enchantment of the book series. A follow-up film intended to adapt City of Ashes was ultimately scrapped due to the initial film’s disappointing box office returns. However, it’s worth a look for those who are enthusiasts of the book series or appreciate the acting skills of Collins and Bower, who delivered commendable performances.

6
‘Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods’ (2014)

An animated French fantasy movie titled “Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods” is an excellent choice for family-friendly entertainment, available for free on YouTube. This film serves as the initial installment in the Asterix and Obelix series, which is inspired by the popular Asterix comic book series. Directed by Louis Clichy, it was dubbed twice to cater to different audiences – a Canadian version that debuted in 2015, and a U.K. version released in 2016.

The YouTube version is the authentic one. It unfolds a narrative that takes place post-Gallic Wars, where Asterix and Obelix stumble upon a village being constructed by Julius Caesar as a Roman civilization outpost for Gauls. They engage in numerous comedic escapades, making the 85-minute watch enjoyable. When it first hit theaters, it topped the French box office, leading to several spin-offs, both animated and live-action films.

5
‘Cool World’ (1992)

In a repeat appearance on this list, Gabriel Byrne is recognized for his role in the movie “Cool World.” Released in 1992, this film featured Byrne as Jack Deebs, a cartoonist who, while serving time in prison, devised a world called Cool World. The movie shares similarities with “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” as it combines live-action scenes with animated characters. Brad Pitt and Kim Basinger shared the screen as Frank and Holli, two inhabitants of Cool World.

In this movie, you’ll find both animated and live-action characters. Unfortunately, its tone isn’t quite up to par with Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and box office receipts weren’t particularly generous. However, it offers a distinctive approach to filmmaking that is worth exploring for enthusiasts of mature-themed animated films.

4
‘Ghost Rider’ (2007)

A year prior to when Iron Man launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe in its present form, the movie Ghost Rider, featuring Nicolas Cage, hit the screens. Based on a Marvel Comic book, Cage portrayed Johnny Blaze, a daredevil motorcycle performer who made a pact with the devil to save his father’s life. He is compelled to fight against Mephistopheles, played by Peter Fonda, and his son Blackheart, enacted by Wes Bentley. Both seek to bring about the apocalypse on Earth, but Blaze aims to protect humans from such terror.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself captivated by “Ghost Rider” (2007), where Eva Mendes portrayed my character’s love interest, Roxanne Simpson. Sam Elliott brilliantly embodied the original Ghost Rider, Carter Slade. The film was quite campy and the CGI effects for that time were commendable. While it may not have had the most compelling storyline, it managed to rake in an impressive $228M at the box office and even led to a sequel. It’s a stark contrast to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it was undeniably entertaining.

3
‘Gremlins’ (1984)

In 1984, the movie “Gremlins” emerged as a memorable film from the ’80s. This classic was helmed by director Joe Dante. The story revolves around a young lad named Billy, who receives an enigmatic creature called a Mogwai as a gift from his father. Despite being given clear instructions on how to care for this Mogwai, Billy makes mistakes and inadvertently spawns the mischievous creatures known as Gremlins. The primary objective of these Gremlins was to bring about chaos and spoil Christmas celebrations for Billy’s entire town.

The movie offers plenty of enjoyment due to several factors such as its Christmas setting and the memorable Gremlins that emerged following its premiere. Produced on a budget of $11 million, it brought in an impressive $213 million at the box office. Gizmo, the Mogwai character, is deeply ingrained in ’80s pop culture, and the film led to a sequel titled “Gremlins 2: The New Batch“.

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2
‘Ghost’ (1990)

Whenever “Unchained Melody” is heard, it’s difficult not to associate it with the classic film “Ghost”. This iconic supernatural fantasy movie, featuring Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, and Whoopi Goldberg, has indelibly linked this song to America’s collective memory through the pottery wheel scene. In the film, Swayze’s character is murdered and becomes a ghost with Goldberg’s psychic’s help, protecting his girlfriend, portrayed by Moore. At that time, both Swayze and Moore were major stars, and Goldberg won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie.

The movie turned out to be an enormous success at the box office, earning an impressive $505 million. It was Jerry Zucker’s debut as a solo director, having previously worked in a trio famous for creating comedies like “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun.” This heartwarming tale has managed to withstand the passage of time, making it an ideal choice for a romantic evening out.

1
‘Jumanji’ (1995)

The phrase “In the jungle, you must wait, until the dice, read five or eight” is deeply etched in the minds of certain age groups, as it was the catchy theme of the 1995 blockbuster movie Jumanji. Starring Robin Williams as Alan Parrish, a character who got trapped inside a board game in the 60s and freed in the 90s, this film grossed an impressive $262M at the box office. However, with his release from the game, the terrifying elements that had imprisoned him were also unleashed upon the world. Adapted from Chris Van Allsburg’s renowned picture book, Jumanji introduced a fantastical universe unlike any other.

The film featured Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bebe Neuwirth, David Alan Grier, Bradley Pierce, and Jonathan Hyde. Williams’ performance was highly praised. Since then, there have been two sequels produced, with Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black starring in the follow-up films that earned a total of almost $2 billion at the box office.

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2025-05-22 22:05

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