Dark Fantasy backdrop

Dark Fantasy movies

Grim fantasy with moral grayness where magic has a price and choices lead to harsh consequences.

Pan's Labyrinth

1. Pan's Labyrinth

Fantasy Drama War Dark Fantasy Tragic Drama
8.2
20061h 58min

Overview

In post–civil war Spain, 10-year-old Ofelia moves with her pregnant mother to live under the control of her cruel stepfather. Drawn into a mysterious labyrinth, she meets a faun who reveals that she may be a lost princess from an underground kingdom. To return to her true father, she must complete a series of surreal and perilous tasks that blur the line between reality and fantasy.

Themes

Illusion vs reality, Postwar oppression, Childhood under siege, Resistance under regime, Fantasy as escape, Moral courage under coercion

Available on

Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

2. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Crime Fantasy Drama Serial Killer Crime Psychological Drama
7.5
20062h 27min

Overview

Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born in the stench of 18th century Paris, develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. However, his work takes a dark turn as he tries to preserve scents in the search for the ultimate perfume.

Themes

Outsider genius, Obsession with scent, Absence of personal odor, Pursuit of perfect perfume, Craft as control, Power of fragrance over others

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Tales from Earthsea

3. Tales from Earthsea

Animation Fantasy Adventure Anime Dark Fantasy
6.3
20061h 55min

Overview

Something bizarre has come over the land. The kingdom is deteriorating. People are beginning to act strange... What's even more strange is that people are beginning to see dragons, which shouldn't enter the world of humans. Due to all these bizarre events, Ged, a wandering wizard, is investigating the cause. During his journey, he meets Prince Arren, a young distraught teenage boy. While Arren may look like a shy young teen, he has a severe dark side, which grants him strength, hatred, ruthlessness and has no mercy, especially when it comes to protecting Teru. For the witch Kumo this is a perfect opportunity. She can use the boy's "fears" against the very one who would help him, Ged.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Imbalance between life and death, Fate vs agency, Power and fear manipulation, True name tension, Duty under collapse

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Underworld: Evolution

4. Underworld: Evolution

Fantasy Action Thriller Dark Fantasy Epic Action
6.7
20061h 46min

Overview

As the war between the vampires and the Lycans rages on, Selene, a former member of the Death Dealers (an elite vampire special forces unit that hunts werewolves), and Michael, the werewolf hybrid, work together in an effort to unlock the secrets of their respective bloodlines.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Enduring clan war, Forbidden love, Lineage and immortality, Hidden history, Secrets of power

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Overview

Because of the actions of her irresponsible parents, a young girl is left alone on a decrepit country estate and survives inside her fantastic imagination.

Themes

Fantasy as coping, Isolation fosters imagination, Parental neglect consequences, Unreliable guardianship, Loneliness drives behavior, Boundary between fantasy and reality

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Tropical Malady

6. Tropical Malady

Drama Romance Fantasy Relationship Drama Passionate Romance
7.1
20041h 58min

Overview

The passionate relationship between two men with unusual consequences. The film is divided in two parts. The first half charts the modest attraction between two men in the sunny, relaxing countryside and the second half charts the confusion and terror of an unknown menace lurking deep within the jungle shadows.

Themes

Gay theme romance, Shaman ritual power, Tiger presence fear, Gender norms and desire, Rural area constraint, Mythic transformation tension

Available on

Kanopy
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Adventure Fantasy Dark Fantasy Coming-of-Age Adventure
7.9
20042h 21min

Overview

Year three at Hogwarts means new fun and challenges as Harry learns the delicate art of approaching a Hippogriff, transforming shape-shifting Boggarts into hilarity and even turning back time. But the term also brings danger: soul-sucking Dementors hover over the school, an ally of the accursed He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named lurks within the castle walls, and fearsome wizard Sirius Black escapes Azkaban. And Harry will confront them all.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Friendship as shield, Time travel and consequences, Adolescence under threat, Deception and loyalty, Mentorship and transformation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Underworld

8. Underworld

Fantasy Action Thriller Dark Fantasy Epic Action
7.0
20032h 2min

Overview

Vampires and werewolves have waged a nocturnal war against each other for centuries. But all bets are off when a female vampire warrior named Selene, who's famous for her strength and werewolf-hunting prowess, becomes smitten with a peace-loving male werewolf, Michael, who wants to end the war.

Themes

Vampire werewolf divide, Centuries of war, Betrayal and alliance, Bloodline destiny, Revenge as motive, Power struggles across factions

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Reign of Fire

9. Reign of Fire

Adventure Action Fantasy Epic Action Dark Fantasy
6.2
20021h 41min

Overview

In post-apocalyptic England, an American volunteer and a British survivor team up to fight off a brood of fire-breathing dragons seeking to return to global dominance after centuries of rest underground. The Brit -- leading a clan of survivors to hunt down the King of the Dragons -- has much at stake: His mother was killed by a dragon, but his love is still alive.

Themes

Leadership under crisis, Survival under siege, Resource scarcity, Intergroup alliance, Technology vs nature, Dragon reproduction dynamics

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

10. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

Animation Fantasy Horror Action Adventure
7.7
20011h 43min

Overview

D, a legendary dhampir competes with a motley family of bounty hunters to track down Charlotte Elbourne, a young woman who has seemingly been abducted by vampire nobleman Meier Link.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Loyalty across bonds, Power and coercion, Betrayal and shifting loyalties, Vengeance and duty, Survival under predation

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Google Play Movies
Videobuster
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.