10 Fantasy Movies That Aren’t As Good As We Remember

Some fantasy movies that were initially loved are simply not as good as we remember. Fantasy has grown exponentially, with many brilliant fantasy movies conceived over the years. There are several factors that an excellent fantasy movie requires, including thrilling storylines, complex characters, and dazzling effects. These elements often produce fantastic results, including visually stunning fantasy movies or perfect villain performances in fantasy movies. Some fantasy movies are so good that they cannot be watched once, and no matter how many times these movies are seen, they are just as good as the first watch.

Although there are many amazing fantasy movies, some are not as appealing as they used to be. There are several reasons why these fantasy movies are not as good as they once seemed. Sometimes, production companies such as DreamWorks now make better movies, and certain factors—such as nostalgia or iconic pop culture—that cloud proper judgment when first watching a fantasy movie. Regardless of the reason, these fantasy movies are not as good as previously thought. They are not necessarily terrible, but it is still disappointing to look back and realize the magic is simply not there.

You are watching: 10 Fantasy Movies That Aren’t As Good As We Remember

10

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

The Hybrid Live-Action Animated Movie Feels Like A Mary Poppins Knockoff

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Bedknobs and Broomsticks

G

Musical

Fantasy

Adventure

Release Date

October 7, 1971

Runtime

117 minutes

Director

Robert Stevenson

Writers

Bill Walsh, Don DaGradi

Cast

See All

• 

  Angela Lansbury

• 

  David Tomlinson

• 

  Roddy McDowall

During World War II, three orphaned siblings are sent to live with Miss Eglantine Price, a somewhat clumsy witch-in-training. When they discover her magical bed knob, which allows her bed to travel anywhere, they embark on a fantastical journey to find the missing spell that will aid in the war effort for their homeland.

Main Genre

Musical

Studio(s)

Walt Disney Productions

Distributor(s)

Buena Vista Distribution

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Bedknobs & Broomsticks is one of Disney’s rare hybrid live-action and animation films. It is a fun musical based on Mary Norton’s children’s books, The Magic Bedknob and Bonfires & Broomsticks. The plot of Bedknobs & Broomsticks is fascinating, revolving around three children who become immersed in the world of witchcraft as they help their guardian, Miss Eglantine Price, find the last spell she needs to complete her magical work. Despite the unique storyline, Bedknobs & Broomsticks simply bears too many similarities to Disney’s previous hybrid live-action and animation movie, Mary Poppins.

The similarities between Mary Poppins and Bedknobs & Broomsticks—including themes, effects, and actors—make the latter not as good watching it a second time.

Mary Poppins is a revolutionary film and one of Disney’s most timeless classics—not to mention that Mary Poppins is also one of the best live-action children’s fantasy movies. For Bedknobs & Broomsticks to follow only a few years later loses some of the film’s magic. It also does not help that David Tomlison has a significant role in both movies, as the father in Mary Poppins and Mr. Emelius Browne in Bedknobs & Broomsticks. The similarities between Mary Poppins and Bedknobs & Broomsticks—including themes, effects, and actors—make the latter not as good watching it a second time.

9

Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003)

Sinbad Fails To Live Up DreamWorks Classics

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Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas

PG

Adventure

Animation

Fantasy

Comedy

Release Date

July 2, 2003

Runtime

86 minutes

Director

Patrick Gilmore, Tim Johnson

Writers

John Logan

Cast

See All

• 

  Brad Pitt

• 

  Catherine Zeta-Jones

• 

  Michelle Pfeiffer

• 

  Joseph Fiennes

Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas is an animated adventure film featuring the legendary sailor Sinbad, voiced by Brad Pitt. The plot follows Sinbad as he is wrongly accused of stealing the magical Book of Peace and must embark on a perilous journey to retrieve it. Alongside his loyal crew and childhood friend Marina, voiced by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sinbad confronts fearsome creatures and overcomes numerous challenges.

Main Genre

Animation

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Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas seems like a great movie after watching it for the first time. Sinbad and Marina’s forbidden romance, Proteus’ unwavering belief in his friend, and Sinbad’s emotional turmoil make it a compelling film. In the long run, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas does not compare to other DreamWorks movies. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas was released in 2003, only two years after Shrek and five years after The Prince of Egypt, two of DreamWorks’ most critically acclaimed films.

Furthermore, Shrek 2 was released only 10 months after Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas, which was quickly followed by Shark Tale and Madagascar. As a result, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas got lost among DreamWorks’ more memorable movies. In hindsight, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas is mediocre, especially compared to these other innovative movies that undoubtedly changed the animation landscape forever.

8

Click (2006)

Click Did Not Age Well

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Click

PG-13

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

Release Date

June 23, 2006

Runtime

107 minutes

Director

Frank Coraci

Producers

Adam Sandler, Barry Bernardi, Jack Giarraputo, Mark O’Keefe, Neal H. Moritz, Steve Koren

Cast

See All

• 

  Adam Sandler

  Michael Newman

• 

  Kate Beckinsale

  Donna Newman

• 

  Christopher Walken

  Morty

• 

  David Hasselhoff

  Ammer

Click is a fantasy comedy film starring Adam Sandler as workaholic architect Michael Newman. Released in 2006, the narrative follows Michael’s discovery of a magical remote control that allows him to fast-forward through mundane aspects of his life, leading to unforeseen consequences as he navigates the demands of family and career.

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Click was initially a funny and thought-provoking movie despite a couple of problematic elements. The film features critical themes, including appreciating what one has, the importance of family, and valuing loved ones over material items. However, Click soon became part of fantasy movies from the 2000s that aged badly because of some poor jokes that did not age well. One scene portrays Michael Newman, now in 2017, listening to the radio to catch up on recent news. The host mentions Britney Spears and Kevin Federline having their 23rd child together, illustrating Click‘s attempt at making a joke about Britney Spears.

Now knowing the horrors Spears experienced, including her conservatorship (via The Independent), this joke leaves a bad taste. The radio host also mentions that Michael Jackson is suing a cloned version of himself for molestation. Not only are molestation jokes never okay, but Click was also released three years before Michael Jackson’s tragic death. Watching the movie knowing Jackson is not alive in 2017 makes Click even worse. Click also makes fatphobic jokes, which cannot slide by these days. Ultimately, Click is not that great of a movie anymore.

7

Twilight (2008)

Twilight’s Cultural Phenomenon Obscures Its Mediocrity

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Twilight

PG-13

Romance

Fantasy

Drama

6/10

20

6.6/10

Release Date

November 21, 2008

Runtime

121 minutes

Director

Catherine Hardwicke

Writers

Melissa Rosenberg

See more : What Happened to Roo on Home and Away?

Sequel(s)

The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1

Cast

See All

• 

  Robert Pattinson

• 

  Ashley Greene

Based on Stephenie Meyer’s book of the same name, Twilight follows Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), who falls madly in love with Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), who she soon finds out is a vampire. Falling in love with her at the same time, Edward and Bella must overcome obstacles to preserve their forbidden relationship.

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Although the Twilight Saga was always a subject of debate because of the movie’s controversial romance, the film series becoming a key part of pop culture quieted the concerns. Looking back on this iconic franchise, Twilight is the first installment of a mediocre fantasy film series. It is not just about the romance—the plot is predictable and cringe-worthy, the writing is not the best, and the directing and editing did not produce a decent movie.

The Twilight Saga
Movie	Release Date	Director	Writer
Twilight	November 21, 2008	Catherine Hardwicke	Melissa Rosenberg
The Twilight Saga: New Moon	November 20, 2009	Chris Weitz	Melissa Rosenberg
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse	June 30, 2010	David Slade	Melissa Rosenberg
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1	November 18, 2011	Bill Condon	Melissa Rosenberg
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2	November 16, 2012	Bill Condon	Melissa Rosenberg

Edward Cullen and Bella Swan’s relationship might be controversial, but Twilight is mediocre because of its fantastical aspects. There is nothing compelling about the vampire lore, and werewolves are not thoroughly explored until future installments. The visual effects do not even help Twilight; they stop the film from attempting to be adequate. Twilight may have instigated a cultural phenomenon, but as a fantasy movie, it is not as good as it used to be.

6

17 Again (2009)

17 Again Has Too Many Cringe-Worthy Moments

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17 Again

PG-13

Comedy

Drama

Fantasy

Romance

8/10

Release Date

March 11, 2009

Runtime

105 Minutes

Director

Burr Steers

Writers

Jason Filardi

Cast

See All

• 

  Zac Efron

• 

  Leslie Mann

17 Again is a comedy-drama film by director Burr Steers and starring Zac Efron and Matthew Perry. As his life begins to spiral into a depressive state, Mike O’Donnell moves in with his friend after his wife files for divorce. Having lost a passion and drive for life, Mike meets a mysterious janitor one night who puts him back in his seventeen-year-old body to rediscover himself and find the answers to fix his life before it’s too late.

Main Genre

Comedy

Studio(s)

New Line Cinema, Offspring Entertainment

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

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When 17 Again was first released, it seemed like it would become a classic. This fantasy comedy has everything to create the perfect teen movie—Zac Efron’s irresistible charm, memorable scenes, and well-timed jokes. The fantasy aspect of 17 Again only served to elevate the film. However, watching 17 Again a second time proves this movie is not as good as it once was. While 17 Again is funny and has iconic moments, the film has too many cringe-worthy scenes that stop it from being a decent movie.

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Some scenes in 17 Again are just strange, such as when Maggie O’Donnell attempts to seduce Mark Gold, not realizing that he is her father, Mike O’Donnell. Other scenes attempt humor but fall flat and become awkward—such as Mark’s monologue about making love and reproducing children in health class. Furthermore, the fantasy elements in 17 Again are not strong or compelling enough to ignore the weird moments throughout the film. As a result, 17 Again is not as good as it initially was.

5

Shrek Forever After (2010)

Shrek Forever After Is A Pointless Adventure

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Shrek Forever After

PG

Comedy

Fantasy

4/10

8.5/10

Release Date

May 21, 2010

Runtime

93 minutes

Director

Mike Mitchell

Writers

Josh Klausner, Darren Lemke

Prequel(s)

Shrek the Third

Cast

See All

• 

  Mike Myers

• 

  Eddie Murphy

In the fourth film in the series, Shrek finds himself overwhelmed and wishing for the days when he lived a simple ogre’s life. He is tempted into a contract with Rumpelstiltskin to earn a day of the life he wants, but it turns out to have dire consequences.

Studio(s)

DreamWorks Distribution, Paramount Pictures

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

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It is hard to believe DreamWorks will soon release Shrek 5, given how the franchise goes downhill after Shrek 2. Shrek the Third tries too hard to be like its predecessors and completely flops as a movie. The fourth installment, Shrek Forever After, is considerably better than Shrek the Third and even returns to its roots. Since Shrek Forever After is a great improvement from Shrek the Third, it first seems like the movie is a great fantasy film. However, taking this context away and allowing Shrek Forever After to stand alone illustrates that this movie is not very good.

Shrek
Movie	Release Date	Director(s)	Screenwriter(s)
Shrek	May 18, 2001	Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson	Joe Stillman, Roger S. H. Schulman, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio
Shrek 2	May 19, 2004	Andrew Adamson, Conrad Vernon, Kelly Asbury	Andrew Adamson, David N. Weiss, J. David Stem, Joe Stillman
Shrek the Third	May 18, 2007	Chris Miller, Raman Hui	Aron Warner, Chris Miller, Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman
Shrek Forever After	May 21, 2010	Mike Mitchell	Darren Lemke, Josh Klausner
Shrek 5	December 23, 2026	Brad Ableson, Conrad Vernon, Walt Dohrn	Michael McCullers

Shrek Forever After has a compelling premise, exploring what the world would look like if the titular character never existed. However, Shrek Forever After‘s execution does not live up to the potential of this premise. While it is wonderful to watch Shrek and Fiona fall in love in every universe, the characters endure this whimsical journey only for true love’s kiss to erase everything. Shrek has incredible character development, but this movie would have been infinitely better if the other characters had remembered this alternate universe. Then, it would not feel like the events of Shrek Forever After occurred for nothing.

4

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

The Film Adaptation Is Not That Much Of An Improvement From Shadowhunters

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The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

PG-13

Action

Adventure

Documentary

Drama

Fantasy

See more : Who is Raila Odinga? Where is Raila Odinga Right Now? Is Raila Odinga Hospitalized?

Mystery

Romance

3/10

Release Date

August 21, 2013

Runtime

130 minutes

Director

Harald Zwart

Writers

Cassandra Clare, I. Marlene King, Jessica Postigo

Cast

• 

  Aidan Turner

• 

  Lena Headey

In The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, teenager Clary Fray discovers she is a Shadowhunter, a human-angel hybrid destined to fight demons. She delves into an underworld of magic and danger when her mother is kidnapped. Teaming up with fellow Shadowhunters Jace, Alec, and Isabelle, Clary embarks on a quest to save her mother and uncover her own hidden past. Amidst battles with dark forces and a journey of self-discovery, Clary learns the true extent of her powers.

Main Genre

Action

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The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is an adaptation of the first installment in Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments book series. Despite being a box office success internationally (via Box Office Mojo), the film failed domestically. Despite the wide anticipation for this movie, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones does not hold up all these years later. There are a few reasons why The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones was a failure, and they reflect the film’s diminishing quality upon rewatching it.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones only seems good because Shadowhunters fails to live up to Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower’s electrifying portrayal of Clary Fray and Jace Herondale’s romance. Shadowhunters is a better adaptation of The Mortal Instruments overall, but Katherine McNamara and Dominic Sherwood’s portrayal of Clary and Jace is a disservice to the beloved characters. However, Collins and Campbell Bower’s portrayal is the only positive aspect of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones; they cannot hold the movie alone.

3

Cinderella (2015)

Cinderella’s Storyline Fell Short At The End

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Cinderella

PG

Adventure

Drama

Family

6/10

Release Date

March 13, 2015

Runtime

1h 52m

Director

Kenneth Branagh

Writers

Chris Weitz

Franchise(s)

Disney

Cast

See All

• 

  Richard Madden

• 

  Hayley Atwell

A live-action remake of Disney’s 1950 animated classic, Cinderella follows Ella (Lily James), a kind-hearted girl left by her late father in the care of her stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett). Controlling the family fortune, Tremaine dotes upon her daughters while forcing Ella to work tireless around the home. However, when Prince Charming (Richard Madden) announces a ball, Ella is given help by her fairy godmother to seek true love. 

Studio(s)

Disney

Distributor(s)

Disney

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Cinderella is often praised as one of Disney’s best live-action remakes, especially because most of these films are not great. However, Cinderella is not an enticing fantasy movie on its own. The movie initially seems great because of the stunning visuals and gorgeous aesthetics, but watching it again illustrates Cinderella‘s issues regarding the storyline. Cinderella has a strong beginning because it builds on her backstory with Prince Charming by having them meet before the ball.

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The Best Live-Action Cinderella Renditions, Ranked By IMDb

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Despite this unique change, Cinderella still falls flat because the movie does not see this storyline through to the end. Once the ball occurs, the movie forgets that Cinderella and Prince Charming established their dynamic before the grand event. After the ball, the storyline rushes through the end, providing a disappointing execution despite the potential the film established in its first half. It is critical not to rush through storylines in any movie, but it rings true, especially for a fantasy film. Cinderella had the potential to be great, but there is nothing special about it other than its visuals.

2

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)

Welcome To The Jungle Does Not Compare To The Original Jumanji

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Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

PG-13

Action

Adventure

Comedy

6/10

8.3/10

Release Date

December 5, 2017

Runtime

119 Minutes

Director

Jake Kasdan

Writers

Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg, Jeff Pinkner

Prequel(s)

Jumanji

Cast

See All

• 

  Dwayne Johnson

• 

  Jack Black

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is an action-adventure comedy directed by Jake Kasdan and acts as the sequel to the original 1995 film. When a group of disconnected high school students end up in detention, they stumble upon a video game titled “Jumanji.” When they decide to try it, the group is dragged into the video game world, all in entirely different bodies. Trapped in a lush-jungle-themed digital world, the four teenagers must play by the game’s rules if they hope to return home.

Studio(s)

Columbia Pictures, Matt Tolmach Productions, Seven Bucks Productions

Distributor(s)

Sony Pictures Releasing

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Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is an action-packed reboot of the iconic Jumanji movie from the 1990s. Instead of featuring a board game coming to life, Welcome to the Jungle revolves around surviving a video game. Welcome to the Jungle seems like an exciting new take on this narrative, especially considering how the movie reveals this jungle setting is where Alan Parrish was trapped for 26 years. However, Welcome to the Jungle lacks authenticity, a key element in a successful fantasy movie. As a result, Welcome to the Jungle falls short, even if it is initially appealing.

A fantasy movie does not necessarily have to be revolutionary for it to be good, but Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle focuses more on nailing action sequences than attempting to bring originality to this movie. It is disheartening to see how Welcome to the Jungle cannot live up to the original Jumanji because it lacks soul and creativity. A fantasy movie does not have to break barriers, but any good fantasy film must be creative to portray authenticity, and Welcome to the Jungle fails on that front.

1

Barbie (2023)

Childhood Nostalgia Clouds Judgment On Barbie

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Barbie

PG-13

Comedy

Adventure

Fantasy

9/10

11

7.9/10

Release Date

July 21, 2023

Runtime

114 Minutes

Director

Greta Gerwig

Writers

Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig

Franchise(s)

Barbie

Cast

See All

• 

  Margot Robbie

• 

  Ryan Gosling

Barbie is a film adaptation of the generational iconic toy directed by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the script with Noah Baumbach. The film centers on Margot Robbie’s Barbie who is expelled from Barbieland and travels with Ken (Ryan Gosling) to the real world in search of happiness. The film also stars Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, and several other famous celebrities in cameo roles.

Main Genre

Adventure

Studio(s)

LuckyChap Entertainment, Mattel Films, Heyday Films

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

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Barbie is easily one of the best movies in 2023. After a highly anticipated wait, the film stormed theaters and lived up to expectations with its humor, eccentric cast of characters, and thrilling story. While the movie has some incredible moments, watching Barbie for a second time takes away some of its magic. Once childhood nostalgia dissipates, Barbie is a formulaic, feel-good family blockbuster film. Barbie has a star-studded cast of characters that come together to bring Barbie World to life.

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Barbie is expected to revolutionize feminism, but it does not introduce any new concepts or ideas. Barbie simply repackages mainstream white feminism in a fantasy world to make it seem like something new, when it is not. Nothing about Barbie can mask this fact, which is a disappointing conclusion to come to after rewatching the film. Childhood nostalgia is one of the driving forces of Barbie, and once that lens is lifted, there is nothing particularly special or exciting about this fantasy movie.

Source: The Independent, Box Office Mojo

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Category: Entertainment