Dark fantasy films like Sleepy Hollow, Van Helsing, and The Wolfman provide a great mix of gothic atmosphere, chills, and action.
Dark fantasy is a beloved genre that captivates audiences with its shadowy tone, gothic scenery, otherworldly creatures, and chilling themes. While not purely horror, these films blend fantasy tropes and legendary monsters with horror elements, often exploring disturbing themes or adding a few spooky moments. Many are inspired by fairy tales, but they highlight their darkest twists. Interestingly, some popular directors — such as Guillermo del Toro and Tim Burton — have made their names working in this genre and are commonly associated with it to this day.
This list highlights some of the best dark fantasy movies, focusing on eerie and gloomy gothic atmospheres, fantastical creatures, and memorable thrills. While many great films could be classified as dark fantasy based on their settings, such as the iconic Lord of the Rings trilogy, we will focus on those that lean more heavily into horror elements rather than traditional adventure fantasy. 8 The Wolfman
Runtime: 1h 43m
Estimated budget: $150 million
Rating: R
Directed by: Joe Johnston
The Wolfman is a somewhat underappreciated movie that possesses a brilliant dark fantasy atmosphere, an exciting story, and plenty of thrills and spectacular scenes. Some of the more CGI-infused moments, like the notorious werewolf transformation scene, may not hold up as well today, but overall, this remake of the 1941 film The Wolf Man has more hits than misses, delivering one of the better werewolf films you can find.
Set in England in 1891, The Wolfman boasts an impeccable ominous mood, makeup, costumes, and decorations, making it a visual delight. The film also features great performances from a brilliant cast. Benicio del Toro is fantastic, and so are Hugo Weaving, Emily Blunt, and, of course, Anthony Hopkins. While The Wolfman may not offer as much food for thought as some other films on this list, it definitely shouldn’t be overlooked by dark fantasy fans. 7 Gretel & Hansel
Runtime: 1h 27m
Estimated budget: $5 million
Rating: PG-13
Directed by: Oz Perkins
One of the less expansive dark fantasy films on this list, Gretel & Hansel is a retelling of the classic fairy tale by the Grimm brothers about a young girl and her brother who discover a gingerbread house in the woods during a time of great hunger. Little did they know that they’ve ended up in the hands of terrifying evil, as the witch, brilliantly portrayed by Alice Krige, is about to spring the trap.
Despite a very modest budget, Gretel & Hansel captures the needed chilling tone flawlessly, with rich, textured visuals, strong characters (Sophia Lillis is a gem), and a pair of unexpected twists up its sleeve. It’s an eerie and genuinely unsettling genre exercise that fans of the dark fantasy shouldn’t miss. 6 Van Helsing
Runtime: 2h 11m
Estimated budget: $160 million
Rating: PG-13
Directed by: Stephen Sommers
Set in 1887 Transylvania, with stunning scenery, gothic castles, and small villages, Van Helsing is dark fantasy action at its best.
