10.Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Centuries – old vampire Count Dracula comes to England to seduce his barrister Jonathan Harker’s fiancée Mina Murray and wreak havoc in the foreign land. I watched this film while I grow up in my earlier years. Its lush, mythic style places it in gothic dark fantasy type of film, it is well casted and they all convince in their roles, it will draws you in from start to finish; the pacing to this film is spot on, once you watched this film you will always remember it.
9.Edward Scissorhands
The solitary life of an artificial man with scissors for hands is upended when he is taken in by a suburban family. Another film which I grow up watching this film, it’s gothic fantasy with dark fairy – tale elements and that what made this a dark fantasy film, it might be dated for some people but it still draws you in, the idea and the story behind this film is superb.
8.The Shape Of Water
At a top-secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity. Having watched this film I thought wowed as this is silently powerful. This is a romantic dark fantasy film and uses fantastical creatures in a mature, melancholic setting, with those elements this is a dark fantasy type of film, the underwater sequences are amazing, it certainly memorable.
7.Van Helsing (2004)
The famed monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula, who is using Dr. Frankenstein’s research and a werewolf for nefarious purposes. Gorgeous looking film with an all – star cast. Action fantasy first. It mixes monsters, gothic settings, and supernatural lore – a pulpy action dark fantasy type of film, it might be action packed but it never loses the story itself, the set pieces are exciting, it might not be for everyone but this is superb.
6.Batman Returns
The evil Penguin wants to take control of Gotham City and uses Max Shreck to reach his goal. Meanwhile, Batman does everything in his power to stop the Penguin while Catwoman has an agenda of her own. Borderline as it’s gothic superhero cinema with fairy – tale grotesquerie, it also darks fairy – tale tone but superhero core; it got elements of a dark fantasy type of film, the villain is perfectly sinister and memorable; this is entertaining from start to finish, this will creep you under your skin and it will draw you in.
5.It (2017 – 2019)
Twenty-seven years after their first encounter with the terrifying Pennywise, the Loser Club have grown up and moved away, until a devastating phone call brings them back. Could be rather full on for some people. It got that emotional aspect as this is character driven, it got that psychological elements and it will creep you under your skin, it’s the cosmic mythology place it within dark fantasy horror; with dark fantasy lore and you will care about with these characters, these films are consistent and superbly made.
4.A Monster Calls
Conor, a twelve-year-old boy, encounters an ancient tree monster who proceeds to help him cope with his mother mother’s terminal illness and being bullied in school. Don’t judge this film as this isn’t your typical terminal illness film. this is refreshing and it does works perfectly; a grief – driven drama with a mythic monster mentor – firmly dark fantasy in tone, the fantasy elements are eye catching and you will care about with these characters, the acting is absolutely amazing, it will leave you a lasting impression on you.
3.Sleepy Hollow
Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of three people, the culprit is legendary apparition The Headless Horseman. Eerie creepy film with an all – star cast. Tim Burton’s gothic aesthetic + supernatural Headless Horseman – classic dark fantasy/ horror blend, for me personally it certainly works; it might be brutal but if you get past that it has got a brilliant story, the pacing is perfect and spot on, it is well – made.
2.The Witches (1990)
A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse. Fantastic film that used to be scary for me; but now I just admire it as the acting is convincing and believable, a children’s dark fantasy with witches, transformations, and Roald Dahl’s sinister tone. It also balances the darker moments with the comedy elements which certainly works, the CGI/SFX is amazing, the ending is brilliant.
1.Pan’s Labyrinth
In 1944 Francoist Spain, an imaginative young girl meets a faun who tells her she’s a princess and that she must prove her worthiness by completing three dangerous tasks. Just breathtaking as this is a wonderful coming of age film. Guillermo Del Toro blends fairy – tale creatures with the brutality of fascist Spain. Often cited as one of the defining modern dark fantasy, too be honest with you this film doesn’t wowed me at first; but when I look back now it is a masterpiece, the CGI/SFX is truly outstanding, this is a memorable film.
MDC Reviews 