The Best Fantasy Movies Based On Books

Ranker Film
Updated January 21, 2025 32.2K views 77 items
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Vote up the best fantasy movies based on or inspired by literature.
Latest additions: Wicked
Most divisive: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
Over 1.0K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Fantasy Movies Based On Books

Witches and magic and dragons, oh my! The best movies based on fantasy books capture the imaginations of movie-goers. Many films based on fantasy novels feature magical encounters while other good fantasy movies that are adaptations of fantasy books feature pathways to other worlds. Some of the best fantasy films based off books have even won Academy Awards.

What fantasy novels adapted into movies will you find on this list. The Wizard of Oz has to be near the top. Based on L. Frank Baum's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this 1939 film finds Dorothy Gale and her friends going down the yellow brick road. The Wizard of Oz won two Academy Awards for its score and the original song, “Over the Rainbow.” The Princess Bride is another timeless fantasy film based on a book. 

J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit inspired a film trilogy from a 310 page novel. Other good movies based on fantasy books include Alice in Wonderland, Coraline, and the Harry Potter franchise.

How will we ever determine which film deserves the top spot on this list? Help us decide by voting up your favorites. Add any good fantasy movies we may have missed and check back for new movies based on fantasy fiction as they come out.